PIX4Dcatch vs OpenAthena
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/
OpenAthena
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OpenAthena™ is a project which allows consumer and professional drones to spot precise locations through their images. This is accomplished by combining their sensor metadata with digital elevation data to provide the instant location of what is being observed.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenAthena at none against PIX4Dcatch's 1. OpenAthena also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). PIX4Dcatch's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. PIX4Dcatch sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $159.00 per month. OpenAthena asks for nothing beyond the download.
PIX4Dcatch ships an update fortnightly, OpenAthena every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PIX4Dcatch | OpenAthena |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (262 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 32.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 262 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 320 MB | 74 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pix4D | Robert Krupczak |
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
OpenAthena
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
PIX4Dcatch
- PIX4Dcatch Professional14 Days trial$159.001 Month
OpenAthena
No in-app purchases








