Comparison

Cyclops AR vs Gaussian SplatKing

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

Head to head
About

Cyclops AR

Visualize digital assets and architectural designs in real-world environments using augmented reality. Professionals can preview CG characters, set extensions, and building proposals directly on location, enhancing pre-production and design workflows.

Highlights
  • AR visualization of digital assets
  • Real-time animation and lighting
  • Google Maps integration with sun path
  • Professional camera and lens matching
  • Import/export with Unreal Engine
  • AI People compositing
  • Lidar for holdout geometry
Read full description

Cyclops is an advanced AR visualization tool for film/TV and architecture, relied on by industry professionals to easily visualize ideas in the real world. See digital creatures, set extensions or designs in context with actual sets, actors and locations. Scout building sites and design proposals aligned to real geography. Whether the content you are creating will be virtual or real, you can use Cyclops anywhere to provide a new perspective on the world. Use Cyclops anywhere to put your virtual ideas into real-world context. For VFX Crew Visualize CG characters, creatures and set extensions on set or on location, with simulcam-like capabilities in real time. Integrate VFX elements with powerful compositing tools. Preview, share and discuss how VFX elements will integrate into shots while scouting and shooting. For Directors, Cinematographers, & Camera Operators Block shots and create photoboards in AR or in Google Maps. “Find” shots by framing up virtual and real storytelling elements. Scout camera coverage, lenses and real locations to help prepare shot lists and shooting plans. Use as a digital viewfinder to properly review VFX shots with proper camera lens matching. For Designers & Architects Visualize architecture projects in AR to see and share how designs fit the real world. Visualize designs in Google Maps to explore and present a proposed build within the actual geography. Create scenarios for lighting or drop in posed humans to capture video with scale reference. Features & Tools: Import your own FBX/OBJ models or export assets and levels from Unreal Real-time animation, lighting and FX adjustment tools Search-and-explore via Google Maps, with correct sun path information Professional cinema camera & lens matching Scene organization tools, including outliner, layers and bookmarks Asset tools to move, rotate, & scale objects in the scene Take photos and record videos with metadata/camera data Export recorded cameras into Unreal Game controller support Range finder and measuring tape tool Robust animation playback controls – scrub, adjust playback speed, set in/out points, & more Built-in Photo and Video Gallery with custom info, metadata and sharing Seamless import/export with Unreal Engine Secure content delivery system AI People compositing Chromakey Scene Lidar for holdout geometry Built-in GPS alignment Point Cloud Anchor tools to correctly save and load CG models in real-world locations Scene-saving tools Create your own complex assets in Unreal with different color, texture, or material options Multiple operation modes, including Asset Mode, Shot Mode, VCAM Mode and Maps Mode Secure platform. All content is stored on your device with no rendering in the cloud. Hundreds of user-driven tools and features Additional Info: Cyclops is a subscription-based app. Multiple subscription levels and time frames are offered to fit user and project needs. Maps - access to Maps Mode only Assets - access to Maps and Asset modes Pro - access to all modes. You can enjoy a 1-week free trial. iOS or iPadOS 16 or newer is required. For the best experience with Cyclops, a 2021 or newer iPad Pro is recommended. Please see our website for more info, tutorials & support. http://cyclops.thethirdfloorinc.com

About

Gaussian SplatKing

Capture high-quality data for 3D reconstruction using advanced camera controls and LiDAR. Refine camera poses and train Gaussian splats directly on your device. Export reconstruction-ready files for any pipeline.

Highlights
  • Simultaneous dual-lens capture
  • LiDAR mode with COLMAP export
  • 4K HEVC video with fidelity modes
  • Manual camera controls
  • On-device pose refinement
  • On-device Gaussian splat training (Pro)
  • Exportable reconstruction-ready data
Read full description

Gaussian SplatKing is a capture app for Gaussian splatting and radiance field reconstruction. It produces reconstruction-ready input data for any downstream pipeline and, for LiDAR captures, refines camera poses and trains a Gaussian splat on the device. Capture • Photo and video fire the 0.5x ultra-wide and 1x wide lenses simultaneously. A single-lens (1x) option, with RAW (DNG) photo capture, is available in Settings. • LiDAR mode pairs ARKit depth with the 1x wide lens, writes native COLMAP files (cameras, images, sparse points) on-device, and shows the point cloud as it accumulates. • 4K/30 HEVC video with Standard and Max Fidelity modes; optional undistorted video exports. • Auto photo cadence for walk-through capture, with a selectable interval. • Manual controls applied to both lenses: ISO, shutter speed or shutter angle, white balance, exposure, AF Lock, manual focus distance, tap-to-focus; a minimum shutter speed. • Optional capture location metadata, off by default. • iPhone and iPad. Process • Pose refinement: after a LiDAR capture, camera poses are refined on-device (feature matching and bundle adjustment) and recorded in the export. Free for everyone. • Train Splat (SplatKing Pro): train a Gaussian splat from a refined LiDAR capture on the device. No upload, no account. Output is an .spz file with an in-app viewer. Export • Every capture is a zip with media, metadata, COLMAP files where applicable, and splatpack.json, shared through the Files app or the share sheet to any pipeline. • Session quality summaries and per-file quality flags. SplatKing Pro is a one-time purchase that adds focus peaking, an RGB histogram, capture presets, the capture-interval selector, and on-device training. Everything that is free today stays free, and Pro never changes free capture quality. Analytics are anonymous and, in regions that require consent, off unless you opt in. Capture content never leaves the device unless you share it.

Screenshots

Cyclops AR4 screens
Gaussian SplatKing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Gaussian SplatKing at 4.3 against Cyclops AR's 3.7. Gaussian SplatKing also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). Cyclops AR's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Cyclops AR sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Gaussian SplatKing sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Gaussian SplatKing holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Cyclops AR's written reviews are positive against 80% of Gaussian SplatKing's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cyclops AR ships an update monthly, Gaussian SplatKing every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Cyclops AR versus Gaussian SplatKing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCyclops ARGaussian SplatKing
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)4.3 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings312 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size442 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Third Floor, IncMICHAEL DORAN RUBLOFF

Customer experience

Cyclops AR

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Gaussian SplatKing

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Cyclops AR

Subscriptions10
  • Maps Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Assets Weekly7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Maps 6 Months7 Days trial$5.996 Months
Show 7 more
  • Pro Weekly7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Maps Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Assets Monthly7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Assets 6 Months7 Days trial$79.996 Months
  • Pro 6 Months7 Days trial$124.996 Months
  • Assets Yearly7 Days trial$150.001 Year
4 purchases

Gaussian SplatKing

One-time4
  • Coffee Tip$4.99
  • Lunch Tip$14.99
  • SplatKing Pro$19.99
Show 1 more
  • Dinner Tip$49.99

Questions

Is Cyclops AR free?
Cyclops AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gaussian SplatKing free?
Gaussian SplatKing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cyclops AR or Gaussian SplatKing?
Gaussian SplatKing is rated higher. Cyclops AR averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Gaussian SplatKing averages 4.3 from 12 ratings.
Do Cyclops AR or Gaussian SplatKing have ads?
Neither Cyclops AR nor Gaussian SplatKing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cyclops AR or Gaussian SplatKing?
Cyclops AR ships an update monthly, and Gaussian SplatKing every 5 days. Most recently, Cyclops AR was updated on November 6, 2026 and Gaussian SplatKing on November 15, 2026.

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