PIX4Dcatch vs Recon
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/
Recon
Capture accurate 3D data using photogrammetry and your device's lidar sensor. Process data locally for privacy or in the cloud. Includes optional scaling with April Tags and exports in e57 format for further analysis.
- Photogrammetry and lidar fusion
- Cloud or on-device processing
- Optional April Tag scaling
- e57 format export
- Privacy-focused local processing
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Recon-3D is a scanning application that fuses photogrammetry and the lidar sensor on the iPhone/iPad Pro. The data can be processed on the cloud or in case of sensitive data, directly on the device only with no data transmitted over the internet. The app provides optional scaling via April Tags which immediately adjusts the scale of the 3D model to match real-world reference measurements. The data can be exported to other programs for inspection, analysis and visualization in e57 format. Privacy Policy: https://www.recon-3d.com/privacypolicy Terms of Use: https://www.recon-3d.com/termsandconditions
Screenshots
Verdict
PIX4Dcatch and Recon both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 75% of Recon's written reviews are positive against 33% of PIX4Dcatch's. Recon also leads on iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). PIX4Dcatch's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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 Recon sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $99.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for PIX4Dcatch against 4.8 for Recon. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 262 and 275 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 33% of PIX4Dcatch's written reviews are positive against 75% of Recon's.
PIX4Dcatch ships an update fortnightly, Recon every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PIX4Dcatch | Recon |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (262 ratings) | 4.8 (275 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 32.5% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 262 | 275 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 320 MB | 94 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pix4D | Recon-3D Inc. |
Customer experience
PIX4Dcatch
Recon
User reviews
PIX4Dcatch
From 262 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Great idea for photogrammetry
- 🚀 Works well for professional use
- 👍 Consistently gets survey grade results
- 👍 Useful as an additional survey tool
- 👍 Amazing, game changer
Room to improve
- 💰 Very expensive subscription
- 💰 High monthly subscription cost
- 💰 Way too expensive for small objects
- 💰 Unclear cost structure
- 💰 Credits add up unexpectedly
Recon
From 275 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- ✨ Accurate 3D scanning
- 🚀 Efficient workflow revolution
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Innovative use of iPhone features
- ✅ Excellent data quality
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes at save
- 🐛 Loses data and video
- 🐛 Update required in rural areas
- 🐛 Camera laggy after update
- 🐛 Slow screen update after update
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
Recon
Reported bugs
7 issues- Program crashes when hitting save
- App requires update in rural areas without data
- Camera is laggy and slow to update screen after update
- Permission problems block app usage
- App shows 'Oops' screen asking for permission despite all permissions granted
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- Sign up process is not working
- Password recovery is not working
Requested features
1 request- Tool for measuring in the app
In-app purchases
PIX4Dcatch
- PIX4Dcatch Professional14 Days trial$159.001 Month
Recon
- Recon3D One Month Subscription$99.991 Month
- Recon3D 1 Year Subscription$599.991 Year
- 5 Additional Uploads$49.99
- 10 Additional Uploads$79.99
- Recon3D 1 Year Subscription$299.99









