Comparison

3Dsurvey Pilot vs Carlson Scan3D

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

Carlson Scan3D

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a powerful 3D laser scanner with LiDAR. This app processes data locally for enhanced accuracy and security, ideal for professionals in various industries needing precise 3D capture.

Highlights
  • High-powered 3D scanning tool
  • Precise color 3D point clouds
  • Local data optimization
  • Enhanced accuracy and security
  • Supports LiDAR-equipped iOS devices
Features
Read full description

Unlock the future of 3D laser scanning with Carlson Scan3D iOS! Break new ground by transforming your iPhone or iPad into a high-powered 3D scanning tool, when equipped with LiDAR technology. Our app, tailored for professionals, delivers extensive and precise color 3D point clouds using compatible iOS devices. Say goodbye to cloud processing – Carlson Scan3D performs all data optimization locally, ensuring both accuracy and security right on your device. Whether you're in land development, civil, construction, architecture, law enforcement or any industry needing top-notch 3D capture solutions, Carlson Scan3D iOS empowers you to elevate your workflow and deliver remarkable results. Take the first step today and experience the future of 3D scanning when you download and install Carlson Scan3D iOS. Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

3Dsurvey Pilot4 screens
Carlson Scan3D4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Carlson Scan3D at 100% against 3Dsurvey Pilot's 54%. Carlson Scan3D also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.1) and ads (none vs shown). 3Dsurvey Pilot's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0). On price, ratings volume 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. Carlson Scan3D sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $999.99 per year. 3Dsurvey Pilot asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Carlson Scan3D holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of 3Dsurvey Pilot's written reviews are positive against 100% of Carlson Scan3D's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3Dsurvey Pilot ships an update every 2 months, Carlson Scan3D every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
3Dsurvey Pilot versus Carlson Scan3D: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3Dsurvey PilotCarlson Scan3D
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (7 ratings)4.8 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings78 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size123 MB146 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer3Dsurvey d.o.o.Carlson Software, Inc

Customer experience

3Dsurvey Pilot

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

Carlson Scan3D

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

3Dsurvey Pilot

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Carlson Scan3D

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Subscription$999.991 Year

Questions

Is 3Dsurvey Pilot free?
3Dsurvey Pilot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Carlson Scan3D free?
Carlson Scan3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 3Dsurvey Pilot or Carlson Scan3D?
Carlson Scan3D is rated higher. 3Dsurvey Pilot averages 3.1 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Carlson Scan3D averages 4.8 from 8 ratings.
Do 3Dsurvey Pilot or Carlson Scan3D have ads?
3Dsurvey Pilot shows ads; Carlson Scan3D does not.
Which is updated more often, 3Dsurvey Pilot or Carlson Scan3D?
3Dsurvey Pilot ships an update every 2 months, and Carlson Scan3D every 10 days. Most recently, 3Dsurvey Pilot was updated on November 2, 2026 and Carlson Scan3D on November 3, 2026.

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