Heges 3D Scanner vs ShadeWave Mobile
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Heges 3D Scanner
Capture 3D models of objects and environments using your device's advanced camera sensors. Export scans in various formats for further use in 3D modeling or augmented reality. Offers different scanning modes and precision settings for optimal results.
- 3D scanning with FaceID/LiDAR
- Export to STL, OBJ, PLY, USDZ, GLB
- Share via Wi-Fi server
- Augmented Reality viewing
- Night vision scanning mode
- Adjustable scanning precision
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Create 3D scans using the 3D camera (FaceID or LiDAR) of your iPhone 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, XR, X (and all their Pro/Max/Plus/Air variants) or iPad Pro! Export scans into STL, PLY, OBJ, USDZ, GLB (glTF), share them and more. On older devices, you can use the ordinary camera mode or the Screen Sharing feature. This app is *PAID* up-front. Why is it free-to-download? To protect people with unsupported devices from buying it (more details at the end). Heges is divided into two modes: = 3D Scanner (**PAID**, requires one-time In-App Purchase) ============================ - Available only for iPhones and iPad Pros with the selfie FaceID (TrueDepth) camera and/or LiDAR sensor as an In-App Purchase (Why? Read more at the bottom.) - Create 3D models by scanning everyday objects using the selfie TrueDepth camera (FaceID) and/or the rear LiDAR sensor - After scanning, export the models into PLY, OBJ, USDZ (all with colors), STL, GLB (both without colors) file formats - Share exported models e.g. via built-in Wi-Fi server or view them in the iOS Files app - Use the physical volume buttons to toggle scanning session - Double-tap anywhere in the live camera view to Share Screen with another iPhone/iPad, so that you can better see what you're scanning - View the models in AR - You can scan in pitch-dark environment and use Heges as a night vision camera! - Choose from the available scanning precisions — the higher the precision, the shorter the scanner range - To get the most accurate scans, you must use the selfie FaceID camera with 0.5MM Precision settings; do not use LiDAR if you need accurate scans - The selfie FaceID camera is much more accurate than LiDAR (approx. one order of magnitude), the models in the promo videos were scanned using the selfie FaceID camera of iPhone X - Use the selfie FaceID camera for scanning fine details (up to 2 millimeters accuracy with FaceID and 0.5MM Precision settings) - Use LiDAR for scanning large areas (e.g. houses, hallways, rooms, etc.), LiDAR is NOT suitable for scanning small objects with detail — use the selfie FaceID camera for this purpose - Objects in scanner range are highlighted in the live view - Switch to the passive Night Vision where there're no explicit restrictions on the scanner range Instructions for the 3D scanner: - Move slowly when scanning - Make sure that most of the captured scene is within the scanner range - Please read the FAQ at https://hege.sh/faq The scanner isn't perfect and can fail when moving too fast or scanning a challenging environment (e.g. glass surfaces cannot be captured due to the nature of the TrueDepth sensor). A NOTE FOR iPHONE 13 (and newer) users: Beginning with the iPhone 13 lineup, Apple introduced a new TrueDepth (FaceID) camera design, which produces (slightly) lower-accuracy results compared to older devices. To get best scan accuracy, consider using any iPhone 12 or older with FaceID. = Color camera mode ============================ - Available for all devices - Manual camera focus - Sharing photos via built-in Wi-Fi server = Why don't you make the app paid on the App Store? Why the annoying In-App Purchase? ============================ It's for protecting people with unsupported devices. (I wish I could make it paid directly on the App Store.) Heges needs the 3D-sensing selfie FaceID camera to capture 3D scans. But not all iPhones/iPads have the FaceID camera, so the app needs to check if your device has FaceID before it allows you to buy the app. The App Store does not allow developers to check if your iPhone/iPad has FaceID, so the only way to check is if you download and open the app. Once you open Heges on your device, it will check if your device is compatible and if isn't, then you will not be able to buy it. If you have any questions just drop me an email at support@hege.sh and I'll be happy to help you :)!
ShadeWave Mobile
This app optimizes iPhone camera performance for detailed dental and medical photography. It offers specialized modes for macro, portrait, and intraoral shots, with secure, compliant cloud storage for case sharing.
- Optimized camera modes (Shade, Portrait, Intraoral)
- HIPAA/PIPEDA compliant cloud storage
- Secure encrypted photo storage
- Direct case sharing (dentist, lab, specialist)
- Shade tab reference for color correction
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ShadeWave Mobile app features software that instructs the iPhone camera to produce its very best performance for macro and portrait dental or medical photography. There are three modes optimizing: Shade, Portrait and Intraoral. Featuring HIPAA (USA) and PIPEDA (Canadian) compliant secure cloud storage that connects the case directly between dentist, lab or specialist. Avoids emailing or Drop Box. Pictures are encrypted and DO Not remain on your camera Intraoral photography is unlimited and by Terms and Conditions, You need to include a shade tab or two in the picture and list the name of the shade tab when you Create a Case. The shade tab is used as a reference to color correct your images and find the tooth unknown shades. Terms of use: https://store.shadewave.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=5 Privacy policy: https://store.shadewave.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=3
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: ShadeWave Mobile at 100% against Heges 3D Scanner's 48%. ShadeWave Mobile also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.8) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). Heges 3D Scanner's advantage is ratings volume (306 vs 6). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. Heges 3D Scanner sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and ShadeWave Mobile sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $399.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ShadeWave Mobile holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Heges 3D Scanner has 306 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of Heges 3D Scanner's written reviews are positive against 100% of ShadeWave Mobile's.
Heges 3D Scanner ships an update every 3 months, ShadeWave Mobile fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Heges 3D Scanner | ShadeWave Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.8 (306 ratings) | 4.7 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 48.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 306 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Marek Simonik | Shadewave LLC |
Customer experience
Heges 3D Scanner
ShadeWave Mobile
Bugs and requests
Heges 3D Scanner
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes on launch after purchasing 3D scan mode
- Scans getting distorted or lost during the process
- Inability to preview larger scans within the app
Requested features
5 requests- Support for rear camera scanning
- Ability to stitch multiple scans together
- Export options beyond STL (e.g. OBJ, FBX)
- Post-processing tools for cleaning up scans
- Improved tracking and stability
ShadeWave Mobile
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Heges 3D Scanner
- 3D Scanner$7.99
ShadeWave Mobile
- ShadeWave Mobile Dentist$399.991 Year
Questions
Is Heges 3D Scanner free?
Is ShadeWave Mobile free?
Which has better reviews, Heges 3D Scanner or ShadeWave Mobile?
Do Heges 3D Scanner or ShadeWave Mobile have ads?
Which is updated more often, Heges 3D Scanner or ShadeWave Mobile?
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