Rooms vs Polycam

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

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-10-09
Cross-checked through our multi-step verification ·
Saved

At a glance

DimensionRoomsPolycam
Platform TypeBrowser-based 3D creation & scriptingMobile & desktop 3D scanning & floor plans
Core TechnologyVisual editor + JavaScript-like API + AI charactersAI photogrammetry, LiDAR, drone, Gaussian splatting
Output CapabilitiesInteractive 3D rooms shared via link (desktop/iOS)3D models, floor plans, point clouds; 15+ export formats
Target UserCreative makers, educators, hobbyists, social devsArchitects, engineers, forensics, product designers, media pros
Recent UpdateNo recent newsHDRI lighting toggle (5 presets) on iOS/Web (Feb 2026); Library UI compacted (Mar 2026)

If you want to create interactive 3D rooms in your browser for free, Rooms is unbeatable. If you need to capture real-world spaces and objects with photogrammetry, LiDAR, or drones, Polycam is the professional-grade choice—especially with its recent HDRI lighting and UI improvements. Choose based on your creative goal: virtual worlds vs. reality capture.

Rooms
Rooms

Free browser-based 3D world builder with AI characters, physics, and a JavaScript-like scripting API.

Visit Website
Polycam
Polycam

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

Visit Website
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
7 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Beginner-friendly
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
WebMobileDesktop
WebMobile
Categories
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning🎮 Gaming & Game Development
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning🏠 Interior Design & Architecture👷 Construction & Field Service
Features
Browser-based 3D room editor (no install, no compile step)
Visual scripting for logic without typing
JavaScript-like scripting API documented at rooms.xyz/docs
aiCharacter all-in-one AI conversation function
aiChatCreate to start an AI conversation and aiChat to continue it
Physics: explode applies explosion force with particle output
Physics Types documented in the scripting API
Particle effects via particles and stopParticles
Sound effects: playSound, playSoundWithPitch, setSoundVolume, stopSound
Background music via setMusic
Camera controls: setCamera, enterCameraMode, exitCameraMode
Room lighting presets via setRoomLighting and background via setRoomBackground
Session persistence across rooms: setSessionValue, getSessionValue, clearSession
Multiplayer messaging: send to a thing, broadcast to all things
User memory: saveUserMemory and loadUserMemory
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
SketchUp
Xactimate
Unity
Blender
Unreal Engine
Maya
3ds Max
Rhino
Three.js
Apple Vision Pro

What real users say: Rooms 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.

Rooms

43 mentions across 2 sources · 43% positive — mixed (averaged across 2 sources)

Hacker News, Lemmy

What users praise

  • • Free to use with no premium tiers announced yet.
  • • Browser-based, no installation required — easy to start.
  • • Visual scripting with JavaScript API for advanced customization.
  • • Remix any existing room to accelerate creation.

What frustrates them

  • • No direct community feedback confirms quality or usability.
  • • Limited platforms — desktop browser and iOS only.
  • • No integrations with popular tools like Slack or Zapier.
  • • Support channels are unknown or nonexistent.

Researched Jul 3, 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

  • Educator teaching programming through game design
    Pick: Rooms

    Rooms provides a free, browser-based environment with visual scripting and AI characters, ideal for teaching coding concepts interactively without installation.

  • Architect needing on-site floor plans and 3D captures
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam generates automatic floor plans with measurements from LiDAR or photos, exports in AEC-friendly formats, and recent updates improved the floor plan editor.

  • Hobbyist creating interactive 3D art galleries for web
    Pick: Rooms

    Rooms allows remixing and scripting of 3D spaces with particle effects, sound, and multiplayer—perfect for immersive browser-based galleries at zero cost.

  • Forensics investigator requiring accurate scene documentation
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam’s LiDAR and photogrammetry produce high-fidelity 3D models with measurements, exportable to point clouds (LAS/PLY) for analysis in CloudCompare.

  • Product designer scanning prototypes for digital review
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam captures detailed object scans from photos or LiDAR, with AI-assisted processing and export to GLTF/USDZ for CAD or AR review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rooms vs Polycam: which should you choose?

If you want to create interactive 3D rooms in your browser for free, Rooms is unbeatable. If you need to capture real-world spaces and objects with photogrammetry, LiDAR, or drones, Polycam is the professional-grade choice—especially with its recent HDRI lighting and UI improvements. Choose based on your creative goal: virtual worlds vs. reality capture.

Can I use Rooms offline?

No, Rooms is entirely browser-based and requires an internet connection.

Does Polycam support Android devices?

Yes, Polycam uses ARCore for LiDAR-like scanning on Android, but iOS offers native LiDAR for higher detail.

Can I export a Rooms project as a 3D file (OBJ/GLTF)?

No, Rooms only shares via a link for playback in browser or iOS app; no standard 3D model export.

What file formats does Polycam export?

GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF, and more (15+ total).

Is Polycam free for unlimited scanning?

No, free tier has limited exports (low resolution) and processing; pay for unlimited high-res exports.

Does Rooms have a multiplayer feature?

Yes, Rooms supports multiplayer messaging and go-to-room/user linking for shared experiences.

Can Polycam generate floor plans?

Yes, it automatically generates floor plans with measurements from spatial captures, and you can edit them (drag overlap fix added March 2026).

Which tool is better for beginners?

Rooms is easier for beginners interested in 3D creation, while Polycam requires some learning for reality capture; both have free options.

More Rooms or Polycam comparisons

Explore each tool further

Browse these categories

Still deciding? Get the weekly AI tools brief

One email a week — new tools, honest comparisons, no spam.

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026