Comparison

3Dsurvey Pilot vs ScanAce

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

ScanAce

Features
Read full description

ScanAce is a professional 3D scanning app for surveyors, construction and utility workers, archeologists, architects, and GIS professionals. It turns your smartphone or tablet into a handheld imaging laser scanner and allows you to precisely capture the reality around you and generate accurate 3D models for planning, documentation or digital twins.  All processing is done on your device, no other services or cloud connections are needed. It is using Augmented Reality and SLAM positioning technology on your iPhone or iPad. You can connect your RTK GNSS to achieve a precise georeference. Features: - 3D scanning - Standard mode: 350.000 points/second - Extreme high mode: 1.000.000 points/second - 3D-model viewer - Geo-reference your scan and share with the GeoAce app - Export the RGB point cloud in E57, LAS, LAZ formats - Export textured 3D-model to OBJ, USDZ formats The Free version includes all the above features, except the geo-referencing function and scanning is limited to one recording of maximum 20 s  every 15 min. All new users can evaluate the Professional subscription (no limitations) 7 days for free. For further information: •ScanAce Privacy Policy: https://its-geo.eu/Privacy.html • ScanAce Terms and Conditions: https://its-geo.eu/terms-of-service.html

Screenshots

3Dsurvey Pilot4 screens
ScanAce4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 3Dsurvey Pilot at none against ScanAce's 2. 3Dsurvey Pilot also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.6). ScanAce's advantage is ads (none vs shown). 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. ScanAce sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per month. 3Dsurvey Pilot asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3Dsurvey Pilot ships an update every 2 months, ScanAce every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
3Dsurvey Pilot versus ScanAce: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3Dsurvey PilotScanAce
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (7 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews53.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size123 MB106 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer3Dsurvey d.o.o.ITS Geo Solutions GmbH

In-app purchases

None

3Dsurvey Pilot

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ScanAce

Subscriptions2
  • Professional - Monthly$49.991 Month
  • Professional - Annual$399.991 Year

Questions

Is 3Dsurvey Pilot free?
3Dsurvey Pilot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ScanAce free?
ScanAce is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do 3Dsurvey Pilot or ScanAce have ads?
3Dsurvey Pilot shows ads; ScanAce does not.
Which is updated more often, 3Dsurvey Pilot or ScanAce?
3Dsurvey Pilot ships an update every 2 months, and ScanAce every 4 months. Most recently, 3Dsurvey Pilot was updated on October 24, 2026 and ScanAce on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons