# Shapr 3D CAD modeling vs STL Simple Viewer

The clearest difference is ads: Shapr 3D CAD modeling at none against STL Simple Viewer's shown. Shapr 3D CAD modeling also leads on review sentiment (52% vs 18%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shapr 3D CAD modeling sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $32.99 per month and STL Simple Viewer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Shapr 3D CAD modeling holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shapr 3D CAD modeling has 34K ratings behind it against 923, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Shapr 3D CAD modeling's written reviews are positive against 18% of STL Simple Viewer's.

Shapr 3D CAD modeling ships an update weekly, STL Simple Viewer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shapr 3D CAD modeling | STL Simple Viewer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (34K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shapr-3d-cad-modeling/id1091675654/reviews)** | [4.3 (923 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stl-simple-viewer/id1493598400/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **34K** | 923 |
| Positive reviews | **52.4% of reviews** | 18.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1.9 GB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shapr3D Zrt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1091675653) | [Victor Bovio](https://appshunter.io/developer/327627515) |

## What reviewers say

### Shapr 3D CAD modeling

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shapr-3d-cad-modeling/id1091675654)

This tool offers an intuitive 3D design workflow across multiple devices, enabling seamless collaboration and manufacturing readiness. Its adaptive interface and AR rendering simplify complex modeling for teams and individuals.

**Highlights:** Multidevice and offline capability, Adaptive user interface, Design-driven collaboration, Real-time 3D renders in AR, Export/Import support for various formats, Output 2D Drawings

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Solo Subscription | $32.99 | per month |
| Pro Subscription | $37.99 | per month |
| Business Subscription | $59.99 | per month |
| Solo Subscription | $249.99 | per year |
| Pro Subscription | $299.99 | per year |
| Business Subscription | $499.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Super easy to use
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 🚀 Powerful features
- 👍 Great for beginners
- 👍 Excellent tutorials

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 💰 Pricing not suitable for hobbyists
- 🔒 Limited free version
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 👎 Navigation and controls could be improved

**Reported bugs**

- Unreliable performance after recent updates
- Difficulty deleting or modifying existing designs
- Inconsistent behavior when using the Apple Pencil

**Requested features**

- Add more affordable pricing tiers for hobbyists
- Improve undo/redo functionality
- Implement better file management and organization
- Add support for importing/exporting more file formats
- Enhance parametric modeling capabilities


### STL Simple Viewer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stl-simple-viewer/id1493598400)

Easily view and interact with 3D STL CAD models. Supports various file types and offers advanced rendering options for detailed analysis. Get model information and explore interiors with clipping planes.

**Highlights:** View ASCII and Binary STL files, Load STL from ZIP, Rotate, pan, and zoom, Orthogonal and Perspective modes, Model info (triangle count, bounding box), Rendering options (faces, edges, transparency), Clipping plane for interiors

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro version (1 week plan) | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro version (1 month plan) | $1.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Export Pack | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and intuitive viewer
- 👍 Useful viewing options
- 💡 Supports multiple file formats

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🚨 Excessive and intrusive ads
- 🔍 Limited functionality for larger files

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when opening larger STL files
- Inability to open some file formats
- Ads continue to appear even after paying for ad removal

**Requested features**

- Add ability to save color/lighting settings
- Improve stability and reduce crashes
- Provide an ad-free paid version


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shapr 3D CAD modeling free?

Shapr 3D CAD modeling is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is STL Simple Viewer free?

STL Simple Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Shapr 3D CAD modeling or STL Simple Viewer?

Shapr 3D CAD modeling is rated higher. Shapr 3D CAD modeling averages 4.7 out of 5 from 34K ratings, while STL Simple Viewer averages 4.3 from 923 ratings.

### Do Shapr 3D CAD modeling or STL Simple Viewer have ads?

STL Simple Viewer shows ads; Shapr 3D CAD modeling does not.

### Which is updated more often, Shapr 3D CAD modeling or STL Simple Viewer?

Shapr 3D CAD modeling ships an update weekly, and STL Simple Viewer every 5 months. Most recently, Shapr 3D CAD modeling was updated on November 8, 2026 and STL Simple Viewer on November 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*