Comparison

PIX4Dcatch vs LiDAR Pointer

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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/

About

LiDAR Pointer

Measure distances and angles using your device's LiDAR sensor. Get audio readouts of measurements and use the flashlight for better accuracy in low light. Requires a LiDAR-equipped device.

Highlights
  • Measure distance to surfaces
  • Indicate device inclination angle
  • Oral distance measurement via speech
  • Flashlight for extra light
  • Supports iPhone and iPad
Features
Read full description

LiDAR Pointer can perform the following functions: - Measuring distance between your device and a surface; - Indicating the angle of inclination of your device; - Obtaining oral distance measurement through speech synthesis technology; - Turning on the flashlight of your device to get extra light when you need it. WARNING: - This application requires a device equipped with a LiDAR; - This application measures a distance between 1 cm and 5 meters maximum (only if a surface is detected by the LiDAR).

Screenshots

PIX4Dcatch4 screens
LiDAR Pointer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PIX4Dcatch at 4.7 against LiDAR Pointer's 3.3. PIX4Dcatch also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 23 months) and ratings volume (262 vs 8). LiDAR Pointer's advantage is review sentiment (60% vs 33%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. PIX4Dcatch sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $159.00 per month and LiDAR Pointer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PIX4Dcatch holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PIX4Dcatch has 262 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of PIX4Dcatch's written reviews are positive against 60% of LiDAR Pointer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PIX4Dcatch ships an update fortnightly, LiDAR Pointer every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PIX4Dcatch versus LiDAR Pointer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPIX4DcatchLiDAR Pointer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (262 ratings) — better3.3 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews32.5% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings262 — better8
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 23 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size320 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPix4DGoldgewicht Consulting

Customer experience

PIX4Dcatch

All ratings262 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive32.5%
Neutral7.5%
Negative60.0%

LiDAR Pointer

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%

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
Show 13 more
  • 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
Show 1 more
  • Allow testing of 3D generation with a limit of pictures or generated 3Ds for free

LiDAR Pointer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PIX4Dcatch

Subscriptions1
  • PIX4Dcatch Professional14 Days trial$159.001 Month
2 purchases

LiDAR Pointer

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Premium Annual$12.991 Year

Questions

Is PIX4Dcatch free?
PIX4Dcatch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LiDAR Pointer free?
LiDAR Pointer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PIX4Dcatch or LiDAR Pointer?
PIX4Dcatch is rated higher. PIX4Dcatch averages 4.7 out of 5 from 262 ratings, while LiDAR Pointer averages 3.3 from 8 ratings.
Do PIX4Dcatch or LiDAR Pointer have ads?
Neither PIX4Dcatch nor LiDAR Pointer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PIX4Dcatch or LiDAR Pointer?
PIX4Dcatch ships an update fortnightly, and LiDAR Pointer every 23 months. Most recently, PIX4Dcatch was updated on September 24, 2026 and LiDAR Pointer on September 21, 2026.

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