Comparison

3 vs LensDirect

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

3

This app uses your device's FaceID sensor to create a precise 3D scan of your face. It then extracts your facial measurements to recommend perfectly tailored eyewear from a database of branded products, enhancing online and in-store shopping experiences.

Highlights
  • Accurate 3D face scanning
  • Facial measurement extraction
  • Personalized eyewear recommendations
  • Integration with e-commerce
  • Precise optical measurement for Rx lenses
Read full description

Please note: Device with FaceID required (iPhone XR and newer models, except the iPhone SE). Topology, the leading provider of augmented reality and optical measurements technology in the eyewear market, has re-imagined the way people shop for eyewear. Our 3-D Face Scan app unlocks the convenience and safety of online shopping with the professional guidance and precise optical measurements of the in-store experience. This is Topology's Touchless Optical Platform. Our groundbreaking process begins with an incredibly accurate 3D scan of your face, made possible by the amazing FaceID sensor embedded in compatible Apple devices. Our algorithms extract all your facial measurements, compare them against a growing database of branded eyewear products, and return the subset that are perfectly-tailored to you - viewable on the retailer's e-commerce website or on our retail iPad app and seamlessly integrated into the in-store shopping experience. Topology also uses your 3D scan to measure, with amazing precision, all necessary 3D optical measurements, enabling the delivery of even the most complicated and sophisticated of Rx lenses. For the first time, vision needs such as a strong Rx, high astigmatism, and/or progressive lenses are dispensed with unrivaled clarity.

About

LensDirect

Shop for eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses at low prices. Virtually try on frames, measure your pupillary distance, and manage contact lens subscriptions. Enjoy free shipping and earn rewards with every purchase.

Highlights
  • Virtual try-on for frames
  • Purchase name-brand contact lenses
  • Manage contact lens subscriptions
  • Measure pupillary distance (PD)
  • Free shipping and returns
  • Earn LD Rewards
Features
Read full description

Our app provides the easiest way to shop for LensDirect vision care products, including eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and accessories. But shopping is just the beginning. App benefits/features: - Purchase name-brand contact lenses at a fraction of the cost. - Virtually try on frames anytime, anywhere (For iPhone X and above). - Enjoy free shipping and easy peasy returns. - Easily manage your contact lens subscription. - Measure your pupillary distance (PD) in real-time (For iPhone X and above). - Earn LD Rewards with every purchase. - Receive notifications when you might be running low on contact lenses. - Find the best frames for your face shape with a face scan (For iPhone X and above). Think of LensDirect as your dedicated vision care companion (kinda like your BFFAEAE). Shop for eyewear, contact lenses, and more—all in one place – in the palm of your hands. And yes, our prices are unbelievably low, without compromising quality or service. Here’s the deal though: We use Apple’s TrueDepth API. To use these features, users must agree to LensDirect’s terms and conditions of use. Only when using the LensDirect app does the TrueDepth feature analyze multiple data points on the user’s face. Once the analysis is done, it’s over. We do not save or store any face scan data or share it with third parties. We take privacy seriously. With our free Pupillary Distance (PD) and facial width measurement scan, when the user selects ‘Okay’ – the user is agreeing to give us access to use the camera on your face and measure facial features. Remember, we don’t store or share those results without your permission. Once the measurements are completed, the user has the choice to share those with whomever (hopefully us, so we can give you the best optical shopping experience). With our Virtual Try-On technology, when you tap ‘Okay’ – you’re agreeing to give us access to your camera and to measure your features. Once it’s done, it’s gone. We do not store or share that data with any third party. Terms & Conditions of Use: https://www.lensdirect.com/terms-and-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.lensdirect.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

34 screens
LensDirect4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: 3 at none against LensDirect's shown. 3 also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). LensDirect's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LensDirect holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 714 and 471 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of 3's written reviews are positive against 53% of LensDirect's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3 ships an update monthly, LensDirect every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
3 versus LensDirect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3LensDirect
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (714 ratings)4.7 (471 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.3% of reviews53.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings714 — better471
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB90 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBespoke, Inc.LensDirect LLC

Customer experience

3

All ratings714 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral3.2%
Negative12.6%
Written reviews72 reviews
Positive40.3%
Neutral6.9%
Negative52.8%

LensDirect

All ratings280 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral1.8%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive53.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative46.7%

Bugs and requests

3

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Email confirmation link does not work
  • Facial scanning and video recording issues
  • Compatibility problems with older devices
  • Zipcode and login issues in the app

Requested features

5 requests
  • Show frame dimensions for better fit
  • Add more frame styles and color options
  • Improve facial scanning and virtual try-on
  • Provide order tracking and status updates
  • Offer more affordable pricing options

LensDirect

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

3

No in-app purchases

None

LensDirect

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 3 free?
3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LensDirect free?
LensDirect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 3 or LensDirect?
LensDirect is rated higher. 3 averages 4.4 out of 5 from 714 ratings, while LensDirect averages 4.7 from 471 ratings.
Do 3 or LensDirect have ads?
LensDirect shows ads; 3 does not.
Which is updated more often, 3 or LensDirect?
3 ships an update monthly, and LensDirect every 10 days. Most recently, 3 was updated on June 9, 2026 and LensDirect on September 24, 2026.

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