# AccessRuler vs RTAB

The clearest difference is price: RTAB at Free against AccessRuler's $0.99. RTAB also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 28 months). AccessRuler's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.3). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

RTAB is free to download; AccessRuler costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

AccessRuler ships an update every 28 months, RTAB every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AccessRuler | RTAB |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | — | **[4.8 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rtab-map-3d-lidar-scanner/id1564774365/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **39** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 28 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 4 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.3 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee](https://appshunter.io/developer/450548757) | [Mathieu Labbe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1564774367) |

## What reviewers say

### AccessRuler

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/accessruler/id1538489072)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### RTAB

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rtab-map-3d-lidar-scanner/id1564774365)

This utility app enables real-time 3D scanning and mapping of environments using LiDAR or RGB-D sensors. It features online loop closure detection and map optimization for immediate feedback, with export options for various 3D formats.

**Highlights:** Online 3D scanning and mapping, Loop closure detection and map correction, Save maps in DB format, Export in PLY, LAS, or OBJ, Multi-session mapping, AR/VR visualization mode

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AccessRuler free?

AccessRuler costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is RTAB free?

RTAB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do AccessRuler or RTAB have ads?

Neither AccessRuler nor RTAB shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AccessRuler or RTAB?

AccessRuler ships an update every 28 months, and RTAB every 4 months. Most recently, AccessRuler was updated on September 19, 2026 and RTAB on September 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*