Postshot vs Polycam
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Postshot | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Freemium (free tier with limits, paid plans start at ~$9.99/mo) |
| Platform | Windows (Nvidia GPU required) | iOS, Android, Web |
| Core Technology | Radiance Field reconstruction from video/photos | AI photogrammetry, LiDAR, Gaussian splatting |
| Key Integrations | Unreal Engine, After Effects | MeshLab, CloudCompare, Blender (via tutorials) |
| Export Formats | Not specified (output to 3D viewers) | GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF |
| Best For | Game devs, VFX artists needing fast local photogrammetry | Architects, engineers, forensics teams needing on-site scanning and floor plans |
If you're a Windows PC user with an Nvidia GPU and need fast, local, privacy-preserving photogrammetry from video for game/VFX assets, Postshot's free price and Unreal integration are unbeatable. For cross-platform mobile capture, LiDAR scanning, floor plans, and drone mapping (with a free tier), Polycam is the versatile choice, especially for AEC and forensics professionals who need structured outputs like floor plans and point clouds.
AI-powered 3D scanning, floor plans, and reality capture for mobile, drones, and teams.
Visit WebsiteWhat real users say: Postshot vs Polycam
Not marketing copy and not our opinion — a structured sweep of public discussion (reviews, forums, communities and video comments), showing what people praise and what they complain about for each tool.
Postshot
30 mentions across 3 sources · 57% positive — mixed
Hacker News, YouTube, Product Hunt
What users praise
- • Free and local: no cloud costs, full privacy
- • Easy workflow: video to 3D model in minutes
- • Direct integrations with Unreal Engine and After Effects
- • Supports high resolutions up to 8K and unlimited images
What frustrates them
- • Requires Nvidia GPU (CC 7.5+), excludes many users
- • Quality may be inferior to paid alternatives like LichtFeld
- • Training can be slow on mid-range GPUs like 3060Ti
- • Recent pricing remarks suggest possible cost increase
Researched Aug 11, 2026
Polycam
61 mentions across 4 sources · 55% positive — mixed
Hacker News, YouTube, Product Hunt, App Store
What users praise
- • Fast, easy LiDAR scans with minimal learning curve.
- • Generates mesh, floor plan, and idealized model from one scan.
- • Cross-platform with iOS, Android, and web support.
- • Free tier includes valuable tools like AI generator and Gaussian splat.
What frustrates them
- • Scan reliability is spotty: failed uploads, lost tracking, backdrop capture.
- • Dimensions and full floor plans locked behind $400 paywall.
- • Curved walls and stairs render angular, forcing Matterport for pros.
- • Confusing free/paid feature split, feels like dark patterns.
Researched Aug 18, 2026
Who should pick which
- Game developer scanning real-world propsPick: Postshot
Postshot's free price, local processing, and Unreal Engine integration allow fast turnaround on high-quality 3D assets from video, with full privacy.
- Architect needing on-site floor plansPick: Polycam
Polycam's automatic floor plan generation and measurement tools are purpose-built for AEC, with mobile capture and easy export to CAD.
- VFX artist doing set reconstructionPick: Postshot
Postshot's After Effects integration and high-resolution support (8K, RAW, EXR) make it ideal for post-hoc set reconstruction from video footage.
- Forensics team documenting a scenePick: Polycam
Polycam's LiDAR and spatial capture provide accurate, fast geometry and measurements, with export to point cloud formats usable in forensic software.
- Hobbyist exploring 3D scanning on a budgetPick: Postshot
Postshot is free and runs locally, avoiding subscription costs, though it requires a compatible Nvidia GPU.
Frequently Asked Questions
Postshot vs Polycam: which should you choose?
If you're a Windows PC user with an Nvidia GPU and need fast, local, privacy-preserving photogrammetry from video for game/VFX assets, Postshot's free price and Unreal integration are unbeatable. For cross-platform mobile capture, LiDAR scanning, floor plans, and drone mapping (with a free tier), Polycam is the versatile choice, especially for AEC and forensics professionals who need structured outputs like floor plans and point clouds.
Which tool is better for beginners?
Polycam is more beginner-friendly due to its mobile app, guided capture, and free tier. Postshot requires a Windows PC with Nvidia GPU and more manual editing.
Can I use Postshot on a Mac?
No. Postshot is Windows-only and requires an Nvidia GPU with compute capability 7.5 or higher.
Does Polycam offer floor plans?
Yes. Polycam's automatic floor plan generation includes measurements and a floor plan editor that supports drag-to-fix overlapping objects (updated March 2026).
Is Postshot really free?
Yes. Postshot is completely free with no paid tiers. However, it may require powerful hardware (Nvidia GPU) to run.
Which tool supports drone photogrammetry?
Polycam includes drone photogrammetry processing. Postshot does not mention drone support explicitly.
Can I export from Postshot to Blender?
Postshot exports to 3D viewers; direct Blender export is not specified. Polycam exports to multiple formats (OBJ, FBX, etc.) and has tutorials for Blender cleanup.
Does Polycam have a desktop app?
Polycam is primarily mobile/web-based. It does not have a native desktop app like Postshot.
Which tool offers better integration with game engines?
Postshot has direct Unreal Engine integration. Polycam exports to common 3D formats but lacks direct engine plugins.
More Postshot or Polycam comparisons
Polycam and Airtable serve completely different needs: Polycam is a dedicated 3D scanning and reality capture tool for AEC and media professionals, while Airtable is a collaborative database platform
Polycam and Notion serve completely different purposes. Polycam is a specialized 3D scanning tool for professionals needing photogrammetry, floor plans, and drone mapping, while Notion is a general-pu
Polycam and Miro serve entirely different needs: Polycam is a specialized tool for capturing real-world 3D data (scanning, floor plans, drone mapping) while Miro is a broad collaboration platform for
Choosing between LM Studio and Polycam is straightforward: they solve completely different problems. LM Studio is ideal for developers who need private, offline LLM inference on their own hardware, wh
If you need reality capture and 3D scanning for architecture, construction, or forensics, Polycam is the clear choice. For product development teams seeking AI-native issue tracking, triage, and agent
Choose Polycam if you need reality capture—3D scanning objects, interiors, or floor plans for AEC, forensics, or game dev. Choose Sketch if you’re a macOS UI/UX designer who values native performance,
Explore each tool further
Browse these categories
One email a week — new tools, honest comparisons, no spam.
Last reviewed: July 3, 2026