Postshot vs Polycam

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-10-09
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At a glance

DimensionPostshotPolycam
PlatformWindows (Nvidia GPU required)iOS, Android, Web
Core TechnologyRadiance Field reconstruction from video/photosAI photogrammetry, LiDAR, Gaussian splatting
Key IntegrationsUnreal Engine, After EffectsMeshLab, CloudCompare, Blender (via tutorials)
Export FormatsNot specified (output to 3D viewers)GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF
Best ForGame devs, VFX artists needing fast local photogrammetryArchitects, 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.

Postshot
Postshot

Free Windows photogrammetry app that turns photos and video into 3D scenes on your own Nvidia GPU.

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Polycam
Polycam

Polycam turns phone LiDAR, photos, and drone footage into 3D models, floor plans, and point clouds.

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Pricing
Free
Freemium
Plans
€0.00/month
€0.00/month
€0.00/month
$0
$150/year ($12.50/month billed yearly; $30/month billed
$400/year per user ($33/month per user billed yearly)
$1200/year per user (3 users minimum, billed yearly)
Popularity
26 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Intermediate
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
DesktopCLI
WebMobile
Categories
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning🏠 Interior Design & Architecture👷 Construction & Field Service
Features
Radiance Field 3D reconstruction from images or video
Live training preview while the scene is learning
Selection, editing and merging of multiple scenes
Model sequence rendering for turntable and fly-through output
Unreal Engine integration
After Effects integration
Image masking for occluder and background removal
Region-of-Interest training to focus GPU resources
Import poses/points from third-party tools
AprilTag detection for automatic scene alignment
Supports JPG, PNG, TIF, EXR, DNG, RAW, MOV, MP4, MKV inputs
ACES color space handling
Integrates with geo-referenced data
Graphical and command-line interfaces
Unlimited image count, video length and model size
LiDAR and non-LiDAR space capture of rooms, buildings, and interiors
360 photosphere capture with an in-app 360 image viewer
Object capture turning phone photos into instantly shareable 3D models
AI Capture mode generating 3D models from low photo counts
Instant 3D and editable 2D floor plans with auto fixture and furniture detection
Advanced measure tools: interior measure, pen measure, and auto measure
Automated measurements, floor area, blueprints, room labels, and compass
Drone and aerial photogrammetry processed into expansive site models
Photogrammetry up to 2000 images and 30-minute videos on Business and Enterprise
Gaussian splatting with unlimited splats on Basic and up
AI 3D model generator and AI texture generator (free web tools)
AI generated reports and custom branding on Business and Enterprise
Virtual walkthroughs and shared team library on Business and up
Mesh exports: GLTF, OBJ, FBX, DAE, STL, USDZ, ESX
Point cloud exports: PLY, LAS, Geo-LAS, PTS, XYZ, DXF
Integrations
Unreal Engine
After Effects
SketchUp
Xactimate
Unity
Blender
Maya
3ds Max
Rhino
Three.js
Apple Vision Pro

What 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 (averaged across 3 sources)

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

68 mentions across 5 sources · 42% positive — mixed (weighted across 5 sources)

Reddit, Hacker News, YouTube, Product Hunt, App Store

What users praise

  • • Produces usable point clouds and meshes from a plain iPhone in a single site visit
  • • Genuinely fast — users report scan-to-model turnaround in minutes, not days
  • • Broad export coverage: seven mesh formats plus six point cloud formats
  • • Fire investigators use it for measurements, 3D models, and Meta Quest walkthrough training

What frustrates them

  • • Aggressive trial auto-billing: multiple users report $400/yr charges after 7-day trials
  • • Long-standing Pro users report older scans reverting to unprocessable Draft status
  • • Measurements and dimensions sit behind an expensive tier above the monthly plan
  • • Floor plans described as poor and measurements 'very inaccurate' by paying users

Researched Oct 7, 2026

Who should pick which

  • Game developer scanning real-world props
    Pick: 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 plans
    Pick: 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 reconstruction
    Pick: 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 scene
    Pick: 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 budget
    Pick: 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.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026