Abound vs STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Abound
Capture, edit, and share 3D models from your iPhone or iPad. Turn photos into detailed 3D models or scan entire spaces with ease. Visualize, measure, and export your creations for use in professional software or share them instantly with others.
- 3D model capture from photos
- Space scanning with mini-map
- Intuitive editing tools
- Scale-accurate measurements
- Augmented reality visualization
- Export to professional software
- Cross-device syncing
Read full descriptionHide full description
Capture, create, edit, and share in 3D with Abound, the intuitive 3D scanning and creation platform for iPhone, iPad, and Web. Scan real-world objects and spaces, or use AI Mode to create 3D models from a photo or a text prompt. From photorealistic captures to brand-new creations, Abound makes 3D fast, accessible, and ready for your workflow. Capture the real world or create with AI • Turn photos into detailed 3D models with camera zoom, auto-timer, and manual focus options • Scan spaces as you walk with a mini-map, interactive camera views, and real-time raytrace preview • AI Mode lets you create 3D models from a photo or by describing what you want Edit with speed and precision • Crop, rotate, and clean up scans with intuitive tools • Take precise, scale-accurate measurements • View your scans in the real world with augmented reality Organize and find everything • Browse your library in an interactive, zoomable grid • Search, sort, and filter with ease • Organize scans into folders • Explore geolocated scans with Map View Export into your workflow • Use models in Blender, Unity, Unreal, SketchUp, Maya, and more • Export meshes in USDZ, OBJ, GLTF, FBX, and STL • Export point clouds in LAZ, PLY, and XYZ • Create and export cinematic 4K videos of your scans Access your work anywhere • Sync your library across iPhone, iPad, and Web with an Abound account • Sign in with Apple or Google for seamless cross-device access • View and manage your scans any time at abound3d.com Abound Web • Embed interactive 3D scans on the web with a single line of HTML • Upload DSLR photo sets or videos for professional-grade model creation Share and collaborate instantly • Send scan links that work in any browser, on any platform • Keep scans private or share them publicly • Invite others to view, comment, or download • Share via Messages, email, or third-party apps Your data stays under your control • LiDAR scans are processed on your device, with no Internet required • Photos are deleted immediately after processing on our servers • Your scans stay yours until you choose to share Fast, accessible, and built for creators • Full support for Dark Mode and Dynamic Type • Manage raw scan data with the built-in Storage browser Go Pro with Abound • Unlock premium features including unlimited creations, higher resolution models, and advanced export formats Learn more: abound3d.com Terms of Use: abound3d.com/terms Privacy Policy: abound3d.com/privacy Follow us: @abound_3d on X and Instagram
STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App
Transform real-world objects into 3D printable models or digital assets using your device's camera or uploaded images. Generate STL files instantly for 3D printing, AR/VR, and design projects. Offers essential tools for cleanup and repair.
- 3D object scanning with guided capture
- AI reconstruction from images
- Instant STL export for 3D printing
- 3D model editing and cleanup
- Multiple export formats (STL, OBJ, GLB, FBX)
- On-device and cloud-assisted processing
Read full descriptionHide full description
STL Buddy – Free 3D Scanner App & Instant STL Generator Turn anything around you into a 3D‑printable model in minutes. STL Buddy is a free 3D scanner app that lets you scan real‑world objects or upload photos/images and convert them into 3D STL files ready for 3D printing, games, AR/VR, and design. –––––––––––––––– WHAT STL BUDDY DOES –––––––––––––––– • Scan in 3D Use your iPhone or iPad camera to capture objects from multiple angles. Follow the on‑screen guide to walk around your object, just like in apps such as Qlone, Niantic Scaniverse, MagiScan, Abound, and Pixel 3D. • Image / Photo to 3D Upload a single image or a set of photos and let STL Buddy reconstruct a detailed 3D model using AI – perfect for quick concepts, product previews, and reference models. • Instant STL for 3D Printing Export STL in one tap, ready for Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, Lychee, Simplify3D, and more. The pipeline focuses on watertight, print‑ready meshes. • Modern “Metascan” & Gaussian‑Inspired Tech STL Buddy uses a modern reconstruction pipeline inspired by metascan‑style multi‑view capture and gaussian‑like techniques to better preserve detail, shape, and lighting. Capture fidelity comparable to 3D scanner apps like Niantic Scaniverse, MagiScan, Abound, Qlone, and Pixel 3D, but tuned for STL output. –––––––––––––––– CORE FEATURES –––––––––––––––– • 3D Object Scanning Guided capture from all angles Works with just your camera – no extra hardware On‑device and cloud‑assisted processing • AI 3D Reconstruction From images, screenshots, or photo sets Automatically builds a mesh with texture Great for fast asset creation and prototyping • 3D Editing & Cleanup Crop and trim unwanted geometry Smooth or sharpen details Auto hole‑filling and mesh repair Set real‑world scale for accurate prints Re‑orient models to sit flat on the print bed • Export Formats STL (3D printing focus) OBJ, GLB/GLTF, FBX Compatible with Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Unity, Unreal, Fusion 360 (via mesh), and more –––––––––––––––– FREE VERSION –––––––––––––––– STL Buddy is a free 3D scanner app that includes: • Free scans each day • Free STL exports for core projects • Standard‑resolution models • Essential cleanup and repair tools No complicated setup. Open the app, scan or upload, and export your STL. –––––––––––––––– STL BUDDY PRO –––––––––––––––– Upgrade to STL Buddy Pro for power users and professionals: • Unlimited scans and exports • Higher‑resolution models with more detail • Faster, priority processing • Advanced tools for decimation, hollowing, precise scaling, and enhanced repair • Batch import from your gallery, drone, or DSLR photo sets Ideal for: • Makers and 3D printing shops • Product designers and e‑commerce • 3D artists, game devs, AR/VR creators • Educators and STEM programs –––––––––––––––– BUILT FOR 3D PRINTING & BEYOND –––––––––––––––– Use STL Buddy to: • Scan minis, props, parts, and collectibles • Capture real products for online 3D/AR display • Create game and XR assets from real objects • Teach 3D scanning and digital fabrication Tried Qlone, Niantic Scaniverse, MagiScan, Abound, or Pixel 3D? STL Buddy is the focused STL and 3D printing companion you’ve been missing. Scan it. Convert it. Print it. Download STL Buddy now – your free 3D scanner app for instant, print‑ready STL files. Privacy Policy - https://sites.google.com/aaya.ai/stlbuddy-privacy Terms and Conditions - https://sites.google.com/aaya.ai/stlbuddy-terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: Abound at 859 against STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App's 52. STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Abound sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Abound against 4.7 for STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Abound has 859 ratings behind it against 52, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 53% of Abound's written reviews are positive against 50% of STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App's.
Abound ships an update every 6 weeks, STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Abound | STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (859 ratings) | 4.7 (52 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.9% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 859 — better | 52 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 146 MB | 50 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Abound Labs Inc. | Generation Aaya LLC |
Customer experience
Abound
STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App
Bugs and requests
Abound
Reported bugs
5 issues- App crashes on launch or during scanning
- LiDAR not working on compatible devices
- Scans failing to process or upload successfully
- Subscription issues and unexpected charges
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
Requested features
5 requests- Support for newer iPhone models with LiDAR
- Improved stability and reliability
- Better export options and file formats
- Ability to recover or restore deleted scans
- More transparent and flexible pricing
STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Abound
- Abound Pro7 Days trial$14.991 Month
- Abound Pro7 Days trial$79.991 Year
STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App
- Premium Weekly$3.997 Days
- Premium Annual$29.991 Year
Questions
Is Abound free?
Is STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App free?
Which has better reviews, Abound or STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App?
Do Abound or STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App have ads?
Which is updated more often, Abound or STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App?
Other comparisons















