PIX4Dcatch vs EM3D
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
EM3D
Create 3D scans of objects, people, and pets using your device's front-facing 3D camera. Share your creations on social media, export them for 3D printing, or capture memories in a new dimension.
- 3D scan objects with front-facing camera
- Create 360° or custom selfie videos
- Scan kids and pets
- Full color 3D scan export
- 3D printing service integration
- Mirror Saver feature for easier scanning
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Ethan Makes 3D Scanner lets you 3D scan objects using the front-facing TrueDepth 3D camera sensor on your device. If your device has Face ID, it has a TrueDepth camera. - Share your 3D selfies on social media. - Automatically create a 360° selfie or create your own custom selfie video. - Scan your kids. They're only little once. Scan your pets. - Capture moments in 3D. - Create full color scans that can be exported and 3D printed in full color. - Supports Bluetooth shutter buttons for 3D scanning on a tripod. Send your full color 3D scan files away to have them 3D printed if you don't own a 3D printer. Use the Mirror Saver feature or the stand-alone EM3D: Mirror Saver app to view the screen on another device, which makes it easier to scan objects in front of you. If you don't have a second device, use the link in the app to download a 3D printable mirror adapter, which changes the direction of the front facing camera 90 degrees. If you follow the link, there is also information on purchasing a mirror adapter if you don't have access to a 3D printer. Use the Toggle Mesh feature from the Action menu to preview the mesh before you purchase an export option.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: PIX4Dcatch at 4.7 against EM3D's 3.2. EM3D's advantage is review sentiment (45% vs 33%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. PIX4Dcatch sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $159.00 per month and EM3D sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
PIX4Dcatch holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 267 and 101 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of PIX4Dcatch's written reviews are positive against 45% of EM3D's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
PIX4Dcatch ships an update every 2 weeks, EM3D weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PIX4Dcatch | EM3D |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (267 ratings) — better | 3.2 (101 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 32.5% of reviews | 45.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 267 — better | 101 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 239 MB | 52 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pix4D | Brawny Lads |
Customer experience
PIX4Dcatch
EM3D
Bugs and 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
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- 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
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- Allow testing of 3D generation with a limit of pictures or generated 3Ds for free
EM3D
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
PIX4Dcatch
- PIX4Dcatch Professional14 Days trial$159.001 Month
EM3D
- Share Videos$1.99
- Export PLY$6.99
- Export OBJ$6.99
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- Export STL$6.99
- Export Point Cloud$6.99
- Export Scene$6.99
- Unlock All Features$19.99
- Lifetime Bundle$49.99








