Comparison

3Dsurvey Pilot vs PIX4Dcatch

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

Head to head
About

3Dsurvey Pilot

This app transforms consumer drones into surveying and mapping tools. It allows users to plan automated flight missions and capture geo-referenced images for post-flight processing with companion software. Generate accurate 3D models, orthophotos, and topographic maps.

Highlights
  • Automated drone flight planning
  • Image acquisition with GPS data
  • Support for various mission types (Grid, Polygon, Road, Circle)
  • Telemetry and live camera feed
  • Adjustable flight parameters
  • Integration with 3Dsurvey photogrammetry software
Features
Read full description

3Dsurvey Pilot transforms your regular consumer drone into accurate surveying and mapping tool. A free addition to 3Dsurvey photogrammetry software, 3Dsurvey Pilot is the perfect tool to plan your missions and automatically capture images along with GPS data. Post-flight processing of captured images is done easily with 3Dsurvey photogrammetry software, generating highly accurate, metric and geo-referenced results, such as dense point cloud, 3D mesh, topography map, elevation model, DSM, orthophoto. Perfect for any surveying professional. Currently, the app supports the following drones: • DJI - Phantom 4 Pro V2 - Phantom 4 Pro - Phantom 4 - Phantom 3 Professional - Phantom 3 Advanced - Mavic Air - Mavic Pro - Mavic 2 Pro - Inspire 1 (Pro) - Inspire 2 - Spark Features and benefits: - Plan your mission - flight plans for different needs ---GRID Single/Double Grid for mapping of rectangle areas - the fastest way for planning routes with simple settings ---POLYGON Mapping of advanced/irregular shaped areas - additional area shapes and advanced settings ---ROAD Developed specifically for simple and effective road, rail & corridor mapping ---CIRCLE Circular mission for object mapping - always facing your point of interest for object 3D model reconstruction - Automated drone flight & image acquisition - Telemetry and live camera feed during the mission - Simple workflow with 3Dsurvey's processing software - Flight parameters for each mission - front & side image overlap, camera angle, flying height (AGL), flight speed - can be adjusted based on the requirements of the area and the project - Advanced settings and options for demanding missions. Post-flight processing & analysis using 3Dsurvey desktop software: - Capture and recreate natural environment in digital form and survey from the office. Achieve high-resolution outputs with cm-grade accuracy. - Use of Ground Control Points (GCPs) for improving the relative and absolute accuracy of the model - Generate and modify: --- Point clouds --- Orthophotos --- Digital 3D models (DSM, DTM, DEM) --- CAD --- Contour lines --- Profiles and Cross sections --- And more - Measure: --- Distances --- Surfaces, Areas --- Volumes - Supports any drone & any camera/sensor. Works for aerial & terrestrial data acquisition methods. rTK- and EXIF GPS-ready for instant telemetry data import. - 3Dsurvey is developed based on 300+ land surveying projects. Tailored to serve specific surveyors' needs. Cut fieldwork time by up to 100 times. - Hybrid engine that utilizes both CPU and GPU for up to 15x faster image processing time. Large dataset support - 1000+ hi-res images. - Compatible with third-party sources, data from LiDAR, Sonar, SLAM, terrestrial scanners. Seamless workflow for further combination with photogrammetric point clouds. Usage information Make sure you have the latest firmware installed and the app is up to date. The app follows the flight plan and does not avoid obstacles automatically. 3Dsurvey accepts no liability for damage, injuries or legalities from the misuse of this app. Use only in safe environments and follow your local drone regulation.

About

PIX4Dcatch

Transform your mobile device into a powerful 3D scanner. Capture images and LiDAR data to create accurate 3D models for professional use. Visualize, measure, and share your creations in AR.

Highlights
  • 3D model creation from images and LiDAR
  • RTK device compatibility for centimeter accuracy
  • Live feedback during capture
  • Augmented reality (AR) model visualization
  • Cloud processing and desktop export options
  • Measurement and geolocation capabilities
Read full description

Digitize Reality: Transform your mobile device into a powerful 3D scanner. Simply point and record to create professional-grade 3D models. Pair with a compatible RTK device for centimeter-level accuracy, precise measurements, and geolocated 3D reconstructions. Visualize the captured model in the app, upload and export, and view it in AR. New ArcGIS Workflow: PIX4Dcatch now streams ArcGIS data in realtime in AR to provide in-field operators full contextual information about the entire site including 3D reconstructions and attributes. Our capture feature generates complete and defensible georeferenced 3D reconstructions which can be communicated seamlessly back to ArcGIS. New Guide-To Feature: PIX4Dcatch has a guide-to feature directing users to specified geolocated assets for staking, boosting onsite efficiency and accuracy. Just select the point or reconstruction you would like to find and follow the arrows in AR. WORKFLOW 1 – Scan & Capture Walk around your site. The app automatically gathers data and provides live feedback using iOS LiDAR, ensuring you capture every detail. For enhanced accuracy, use an RTK device compatible with PIX4Dcatch, PIX4D Autotags with a fully automated workflow, or combine both. 2 – Process, Analyze & Share Process your data by uploading to PIX4Dcloud for online analysis and sharing, or export to PIX4Dmatic for desktop processing. Both platforms offer a 14-day free trial. Projects can also be exported to third-party photogrammetry software. Measure spaces, document results, and enjoy all the benefits of a detailed 2D/3D model of your surroundings. 3 – View in AR Experience an immersive augmented-reality view. Display 3D models and points directly in your phone camera in AR. ____________________ USE CASES • Digitize construction sites • Measure stockpiles and other objects • Document underground utilities • Digitize indoor and outdoor spaces with Autotags • Visualize and verify 3D models in AR in real time • Perform single-point measurements with RTK accuracy ____________________ COMPATIBILITY • Optimized for LiDAR-equipped devices (Pro series phones) • All ARKit-enabled devices • RTK devices: Emlid Reach RX and RX2, TopCon HiPer CR, Bad Elf Flex Mini, Bad Elf Flex, Trimble DA2, Leica Zeno FLX100 ____________________ TERMS OF USE https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

3Dsurvey Pilot4 screens
PIX4Dcatch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PIX4Dcatch at 4.7 against 3Dsurvey Pilot's 3.1. PIX4Dcatch also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). 3Dsurvey Pilot's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (54% vs 33%). On price 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. PIX4Dcatch sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $159.00 per month. 3Dsurvey Pilot asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PIX4Dcatch holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PIX4Dcatch has 267 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 54% of 3Dsurvey Pilot's written reviews are positive against 33% of PIX4Dcatch's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3Dsurvey Pilot ships an update every 2 months, PIX4Dcatch every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
3Dsurvey Pilot versus PIX4Dcatch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3Dsurvey PilotPIX4Dcatch
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (7 ratings)4.7 (267 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.8% of reviews — better32.5% of reviews
Number of ratings7267 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size123 MB239 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer3Dsurvey d.o.o.Pix4D

Customer experience

3Dsurvey Pilot

All ratings7 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive53.8%
Neutral7.7%
Negative38.5%

PIX4Dcatch

All ratings264 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive32.5%
Neutral7.5%
Negative60.0%

Bugs and requests

3Dsurvey Pilot

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

PIX4Dcatch

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • App crashes or shows SDK error with Emlid RX
  • Upload doesn't work for Dropbox or OneDrive
  • Mesh doesn't display like past versions
  • Cannot build an accurate model
  • App locks out
Show 13 more
  • Outputs contradict (geo tags vs GCP coordinates)
  • Cannot log into Pix account inside the app (keyboard issue)
  • Does not recognize license
  • Stopped uploading
  • Photos stored in app, impossible to get if not uploading
  • Create account impossible
  • Cannot register
  • Cannot get contact without registration
  • App unbrauchbar (unusable)
  • Trial cannot be cancelled
  • Scan took 4 days to process
  • Fatal results
  • Slow and annoying

Requested features

6 requests
  • Make it possible to work with any GNSS through NMEA Protocol
  • Export GCP's in GPS coordinates as well
  • Add instructions or tips
  • Allow export to local device instead of cloud
  • Allow export of images to PC for free
Show 1 more
  • Allow testing of 3D generation with a limit of pictures or generated 3Ds for free

In-app purchases

None

3Dsurvey Pilot

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

PIX4Dcatch

Subscriptions1
  • PIX4Dcatch Professional14 Days trial$159.001 Month

Questions

Is 3Dsurvey Pilot free?
3Dsurvey Pilot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PIX4Dcatch free?
PIX4Dcatch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 3Dsurvey Pilot or PIX4Dcatch?
PIX4Dcatch is rated higher. 3Dsurvey Pilot averages 3.1 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while PIX4Dcatch averages 4.7 from 267 ratings.
Do 3Dsurvey Pilot or PIX4Dcatch have ads?
3Dsurvey Pilot shows ads; PIX4Dcatch does not.
Which is updated more often, 3Dsurvey Pilot or PIX4Dcatch?
3Dsurvey Pilot ships an update every 2 months, and PIX4Dcatch every 2 weeks. Most recently, 3Dsurvey Pilot was updated on October 24, 2026 and PIX4Dcatch on October 27, 2026.

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