Refero Design vs Polycam

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

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-10-08
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At a glance

DimensionRefero DesignPolycam
Primary UseUI/UX design inspiration from real shipped products3D scanning for objects, interiors, floor plans, and drones
Key FeatureCurated library of real-world UI screens, ad-free browsingLiDAR scanning, AI photogrammetry, automatic floor plans, Gaussian splatting
Export FormatsNot applicable (no downloads or source files)GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF
Latest NewsAdded 1500+ new screens (Jun 2026)HDRI lighting with 5 presets (Feb 2026); improved floor plan editor (Mar 2026)
CollaborationNo team features, no login requiredShared team library, cloud sync

If you need free, ad-free UI/UX design inspiration from real shipped products, Refero Design is unbeatable. If you require 3D scanning, floor plans, or photogrammetry for professional use, Polycam’s freemium model and advanced features (including Gaussian splatting and HDRI lighting) make it the clear choice. Pick based on your domain: design inspiration vs. reality capture.

Refero Design
Refero Design

A curated library of real product screens, flows, and UI patterns for design research, now with research mode and MCP access.

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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/mo
$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
20 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Beginner-friendly
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
Web
WebMobile
Categories
🎭 Design & UI
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning🏠 Interior Design & Architecture👷 Construction & Field Service
Features
Browse curated screens captured from shipped web and iOS products
Research mode: describe a task, get analysis, references, and reasoning
Refero MCP connects AI agents to the product interface and flow library
Figma Plugin brings the screen library into your design file
Filter by page type: Dashboard, Pricing, Paywall, Log In, 404 Page, Careers
Filter by flow: Signing Up & Onboarding, Subscribing, Resetting Password, Booking
Filter by UX pattern: Testimonials, Filter & Sorting, Reviews & Rating, Dark Mode
Filter by UI element: Dialog & Modal Window, Cards & Tiles, Table, Tabs, Navigation Bar, Sidebar & Drawer, Skeleton
Browse by site category: AI Tools, Finance, Development Tools, Collaboration Tools, Design & Media Editing
Popular collections such as dashboard layouts with charts and SaaS onboarding to first value
Account creation via Google or email
Static screens only — no interactive prototypes or downloadable source files
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
Figma
SketchUp
Xactimate
Unity
Blender
Unreal Engine
Maya
3ds Max
Rhino
Three.js
Apple Vision Pro

Who should pick which

  • UI/UX Designer seeking inspiration
    Pick: Refero Design

    Refero provides free, curated screens from real shipped products like Mailchimp and Klarna, with 1500+ new screens added recently—ideal for quick, ad-free design reference.

  • Architect needing on-site floor plans
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam generates floor plans with measurements from LiDAR scans, and its floor plan editor now supports drag to fix overlapping objects. It exports to formats like DXF and STL.

  • Product designer scanning prototypes
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam's AI-assisted photogrammetry and LiDAR scanning create detailed 3D models from photos or video, exportable to OBJ, GLTF, and USDZ for digital review.

  • Design student learning patterns
    Pick: Refero Design

    Refero is free, requires no login, and showcases proven interaction patterns from real products—perfect for studying design decisions without cost.

  • Media creator scanning props for VFX
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam offers Gaussian splatting and HDRI lighting (5 presets) for realistic captures, with export to FBX and OBJ for integration into 3D workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Refero Design vs Polycam: which should you choose?

If you need free, ad-free UI/UX design inspiration from real shipped products, Refero Design is unbeatable. If you require 3D scanning, floor plans, or photogrammetry for professional use, Polycam’s freemium model and advanced features (including Gaussian splatting and HDRI lighting) make it the clear choice. Pick based on your domain: design inspiration vs. reality capture.

Which tool is free?

Refero Design is completely free with no ads or login. Polycam has a free tier but limits exports; Pro costs $59.99/year or $7.99/month.

Can I download source files from Refero?

No, Refero does not provide downloadable assets or source files—it's purely for browsing inspiration.

Does Polycam require special hardware?

Polycam works with iPhone/iPad LiDAR, Android ARCore, or any device's photos/video. No special hardware is mandatory, but LiDAR improves quality.

Can I export floor plans from Polycam?

Yes, Polycam can generate automatic floor plans with measurements and export them. The recent update improved the floor plan editor with drag to fix overlaps.

Does Refero have team collaboration features?

No, Refero is a personal browsing tool with no login, teams, or collaboration features.

What recent updates did Polycam release?

In Feb 2026, Polycam added HDRI lighting with 5 presets (Default, Daylight, Overcast, Sunset, Colorful). In Mar 2026, the library UI became more compact and the floor plan editor got drag functionality.

How often does Refero update its library?

Refero regularly adds new screens; it recently added 1500+ screens (Jun 2026) and posts weekly design inspiration curated from companies like IFTTT and Promova.

Which is better for 3D scanning: Polycam or Refero?

Polycam is purpose-built for 3D scanning and reality capture; Refero has no 3D features. For scanning, Polycam is the only choice.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026