Comparison

PIX4Dcatch vs ApeSurvey

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

ApeSurvey

This surveying software offers precise algorithms for construction scenarios, surpassing traditional calculators. Its intuitive graphical interface and fast processing on modern smartphones streamline tasks. It directly interfaces with total stations for advanced functionality, making it efficient and user-friendly.

Highlights
  • Precise surveying algorithms
  • Intuitive graphical interface
  • Fast calculation processing
  • Direct total station interface
  • User-friendly design
  • Frequent updates
Features
Read full description

This surveying software is ideally suited for field surveyors; featuring precise algorithms, it is applicable to virtually every construction scenario. It serves as the premier alternative to a traditional calculator—indeed, it is poised to surpass the capabilities of any handheld device. Its graphical interface renders construction tasks more intuitive, while the powerful processors found in modern smartphones accelerate calculations to eliminate wait times. Furthermore, its ability to interface directly with total stations offers a level of functionality that no standard calculator can match. By distilling the best features from other applications and incorporating extensive feedback and suggestions from the surveying community, we have designed an interface that is highly user-friendly, easy to understand, and exceptionally efficient—our goal is to create the most convenient surveying software available. We release frequent updates to ensure that any issues are resolved immediately, thereby safeguarding users against errors caused by software malfunctions.

Screenshots

PIX4Dcatch4 screens
ApeSurvey4 screens

Verdict

The call

PIX4Dcatch and ApeSurvey both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of ApeSurvey's written reviews are positive against 33% of PIX4Dcatch's. ApeSurvey also leads on iOS requirement (15 vs 18.0). PIX4Dcatch's advantage is ratings volume (267 vs 2). On price, rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PIX4Dcatch sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $159.00 per month and ApeSurvey sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PIX4Dcatch has 267 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of PIX4Dcatch's written reviews are positive against 100% of ApeSurvey's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PIX4Dcatch ships an update every 2 weeks, ApeSurvey fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PIX4Dcatch versus ApeSurvey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPIX4DcatchApeSurvey
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (267 ratings) — better4.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews32.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings267 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.015 — better
Further details — not scored
Size239 MB164 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPix4D炎冰 刘

Customer experience

PIX4Dcatch

All ratings264 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive32.5%
Neutral7.5%
Negative60.0%

ApeSurvey

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

ApeSurvey

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PIX4Dcatch

Subscriptions1
  • PIX4Dcatch Professional14 Days trial$159.001 Month
3 purchases

ApeSurvey

One-time3
  • 一个月会员2 variants$1.99
  • 三个月会员2 variants$4.99
  • 一年会员2 variants$14.99

Questions

Is PIX4Dcatch free?
PIX4Dcatch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ApeSurvey free?
ApeSurvey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PIX4Dcatch or ApeSurvey?
PIX4Dcatch is rated higher. PIX4Dcatch averages 4.7 out of 5 from 267 ratings, while ApeSurvey averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do PIX4Dcatch or ApeSurvey have ads?
Neither PIX4Dcatch nor ApeSurvey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PIX4Dcatch or ApeSurvey?
PIX4Dcatch ships an update every 2 weeks, and ApeSurvey fortnightly. Most recently, PIX4Dcatch was updated on November 11, 2026 and ApeSurvey on November 3, 2026.

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