Comparison

Scaniverse vs Smart 3D Scan

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

Head to head
About

Scaniverse

Capture your surroundings in high-quality 3D using your phone. Process scans directly on your device for privacy and speed. Share your creations globally on a map or export them for further use in 3D software.

Highlights
  • On-device 3D Gaussian splatting
  • Fast and unlimited scanning
  • High-fidelity detail capture
  • Privacy-focused processing
  • Global sharing map
  • Multiple export formats (OBJ, FBX, GLB, USDZ, LAS, PLY, SPZ)
  • Explore 3D scans worldwide
Read full description

3D mapping, reconstruction, and visual positioning from Niantic Spatial Scaniverse captures, reconstructs, and localizes physical environments — on your phone, and now in the cloud. It’s a foundation for AR, robotics, spatial computing, construction planning, and other apps and workflows that require high-fidelity 3D digital twins. Capture: Point your phone at any space and turn it into 3D data. - Scan spaces indoors and out, from a single room to a warehouse - Works with your mobile device’s cameras and sensors - Combine scans from multiple users and devices into one unified site project Reconstruct: Process scans into detailed, responsive 3D images. - State-of-the-art cloud processing turns your scans into immersive Gaussian splats for planning and simulations - Precise meshes for robotics simulation and collision geometry - Export in SPZ, PLY, GLB and FBX Localize: Test Niantic VPS 2.0 in app, deploy with NSDK. - Better than GPS everywhere, precise where you've mapped. - Works indoors, in urban canyons, and GPS-denied environments - Integrate via NSDK 4.0 for Unity, Swift, and Kotlin Accounts: Free tier for personal scanning and testing, with limited cloud processing and multi-user collaboration. Paid plans unlock more processing, bigger teams, 360° camera scans, and enterprise support. Still the world's best free 3D scanner: The classic Scaniverse experience you know is still here — unlimited on-device Gaussian splat capture and processing, several export formats including SPZ, and the shared global map. Nothing's changed. Scaniverse is built on the legacy of 25 years of geospatial innovation, including Google Earth and Google Maps. It’s the gateway to Niantic Spatial’s Large Geospatial Model, which builds on the same mission of making the world navigable and understandable, this time through a spatial AI for machines. Learn more: scaniverse.com Terms of use: scaniverse.com/terms Privacy policy: https://www.nianticspatial.com/privacy-consumer and scaniverse.com/privacy

About

Smart 3D Scan

Create realistic 3D models of objects using your device's LiDAR scanner or TrueDepth camera. Organize and export your creations in various popular formats or upload them to Sketchfab. Features a new photogrammetry mode for turning photos into 3D files.

Highlights
  • 3D model creation
  • LiDAR and TrueDepth scanning
  • Multiple export formats (OBJ, USDZ, GLTF, STL, PLY)
  • Sketchfab integration
  • On-device storage
  • Photogrammetry mode
Read full description

With Smart 3D Scan, you can capture and create realistic 3D models of small & bigger objects using LiDAR scanner or TrueDepth camera, organize them into on-device collection as well as export your models to popular 3D formats (OBJ, USDZ, GLTF, STL, PLY) or upload them to the Sketchfab platform. For scanning small objects better use TrueDepth camera, for scanning bigger objects and spaces choose LiDAR Scanner. Look at our Tips for better results. Smart 3D Scan supports the following devices: TrueDepth camera: iPhone X, XR/XS/XS Max, 11 or newer, iPad Pro 11-in. 1st generation or newer, iPad Pro 12.9-in. 3rd generation or newer LiDAR scanner: iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max or newer, iPad Pro 11-in. 2nd generation or newer, iPad Pro 12.9-in. 4th generation or newer Try our new Photogrammetry mode to turn a series of pictures taken on your iPhone or iPad into USDZ files that can be viewed in AR Quick Look. Photogrammetry works on iOS/iPadOS 17 and supports the following devices: iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max or newer, iPad Pro 11-in. 3rd generation or newer, iPad Pro 12.9-in. 5th generation or newer (requires a device with LiDAR Scanner and A14 Bionic chip or later). Smart 3D Scan is a free-to-use application that doesn't require an external server or internet connection for capturing and storing your 3D models. All data is stored on your device. Unlock your imagination and creativity with Smart 3D Scan! Contact us at smart3dscan@indatalabs.com

Screenshots

Scaniverse4 screens
Smart 3D Scan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Scaniverse at 83% against Smart 3D Scan's 0%. Scaniverse also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.4) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). Smart 3D Scan's advantage is iOS requirement (14.4 vs 16.6). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Scaniverse holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Scaniverse has 12K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Scaniverse's written reviews are positive against 0% of Smart 3D Scan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Scaniverse ships an update every 3 weeks, Smart 3D Scan every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and July 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Scaniverse versus Smart 3D Scan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScaniverseSmart 3D Scan
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better3.4 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews82.6% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12K — better10
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.614.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size233 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNiantic Spatial, Inc.INDATA LABS GROUP LIMITED

Customer experience

Scaniverse

All ratings11,717 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral2.4%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews736 reviews
Positive82.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative12.5%

Smart 3D Scan

All ratings9 ratings
Positive55.6%
Neutral22.2%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

Scaniverse

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Compatibility issues with newer devices
  • Crashes or freezes during scanning

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add measuring tools
  • Improve texture mapping
  • Enable desktop/web app support
  • Provide more editing/post-processing tools

Smart 3D Scan

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Scaniverse

No in-app purchases

None

Smart 3D Scan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Scaniverse free?
Scaniverse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smart 3D Scan free?
Smart 3D Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Scaniverse or Smart 3D Scan?
Scaniverse is rated higher. Scaniverse averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Smart 3D Scan averages 3.4 from 10 ratings.
Do Scaniverse or Smart 3D Scan have ads?
Neither Scaniverse nor Smart 3D Scan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Scaniverse or Smart 3D Scan?
Scaniverse ships an update every 3 weeks, and Smart 3D Scan every 5 months. Most recently, Scaniverse was updated on September 23, 2026 and Smart 3D Scan on July 7, 2026.

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