Comparison

ScanAce vs CavernSeer

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

Head to head
About

ScanAce

Features
Read full description

ScanAce is a professional 3D scanning app for surveyors, construction and utility workers, archeologists, architects, and GIS professionals. It turns your smartphone or tablet into a handheld imaging laser scanner and allows you to precisely capture the reality around you and generate accurate 3D models for planning, documentation or digital twins.  All processing is done on your device, no other services or cloud connections are needed. It is using Augmented Reality and SLAM positioning technology on your iPhone or iPad. You can connect your RTK GNSS to achieve a precise georeference. Features: - 3D scanning - Standard mode: 350.000 points/second - Extreme high mode: 1.000.000 points/second - 3D-model viewer - Geo-reference your scan and share with the GeoAce app - Export the RGB point cloud in E57, LAS, LAZ formats - Export textured 3D-model to OBJ, USDZ formats The Free version includes all the above features, except the geo-referencing function and scanning is limited to one recording of maximum 20 s  every 15 min. All new users can evaluate the Professional subscription (no limitations) 7 days for free. For further information: •ScanAce Privacy Policy: https://its-geo.eu/Privacy.html • ScanAce Terms and Conditions: https://its-geo.eu/terms-of-service.html

About

CavernSeer

This app uses LiDAR scanners to create detailed 3D models of real-world spaces like caves and shelters. It offers various viewing modes, including 3D, top-down, and side-view projections, with export options for generated meshes.

Highlights
  • LiDAR-powered 3D mesh generation
  • Multiple viewing modes (3D, plan, elevation)
  • Export scan files (.OBJ)
  • High-resolution screenshot capture
  • Unit conversion (meters/feet)
  • Debugging overlays
Read full description

Designed for cave and shelter surveying, CavernSeer leverages the LiDAR scanner of the 2020 iPad Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro, and RealityKit's scene reconstruction, to generate relatively-accurate 3D meshes of real-world spaces and render them in various convenient ways. ### App Usage ### All iOS/iPadOS 14 devices can run the app and view existing scans shared by others, but devices with a LiDAR scanner (currently iPhone 12 Pros and newer iPad Pros) can capture new scans. ### Viewing ### Scans created by the user or imported from elsewhere will appear in the "Scan List" tab, which lists out the names and the starting photo of the scan. Selecting a scan displays the start and end photos (if available), *export* options for the scan file as well as a plaintext .OBJ render, as well as the following: * Advanced - underlying information about the scan. * 3D Render - a 3D perspective rendering view navigable based on the setting "3D render interaction mode". * Plan Projected Render - a "top-down" orthographic projection complete with scale bar. Defaults to north-up. The height control allows for raising or lowering the camera to show or hide obstructions. * Elevation Projected Render - a "side-view" orthographic projection with scale bar, compass, and various controls. The angle controls change the direction the camera is facing relative to magnetic-north. The depth control is similar to the plan-projected height control, allowing for pushing the camera through obstructions. * Cross Section Render - an elevation projection (see above) with an inset plan-projection indicating the position and size of the camera, and a switch for making the camera "depth-of-field" 1-meter deep to create a cross-section slice. All of the renders support high-resolution screenshots scaled to higher detail than the device itself. ### Scanning ### Devices with a LiDAR scanner can capture new scans in the "Scanner" tab. Pressing the center button starts a scan, after which you can enable Apple's debugging overlays, either showing _Debug_ information or a _Mesh_ preview which displays the currently captured mesh on screen, as well as enabling the device's flashlight. Clicking the center button again will complete and save the scan, which will appear in the scan list. ### Settings ### * Three settings for mesh color change the way that the meshes in the various viewers are displayed. * Switch for changing between meters and decimal-feet in any distance contexts. * Setting for changing the interaction mode in the 3d Render view. The recommended option is "Orbit angle mapping". * Debugging options where appropriate.

Screenshots

ScanAce4 screens
CavernSeer1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CavernSeer at none against ScanAce's 2. CavernSeer also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.6). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ScanAce sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per month. CavernSeer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScanAce ships an update every 4 months, CavernSeer every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ScanAce versus CavernSeer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScanAceCavernSeer
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size106 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperITS Geo Solutions GmbHSamuel Grush

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ScanAce

Subscriptions2
  • Professional - Monthly$49.991 Month
  • Professional - Annual$399.991 Year
None

CavernSeer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ScanAce free?
ScanAce is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CavernSeer free?
CavernSeer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ScanAce or CavernSeer have ads?
Neither ScanAce nor CavernSeer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScanAce or CavernSeer?
ScanAce ships an update every 4 months, and CavernSeer every 3 months. Most recently, ScanAce was updated on October 25, 2026 and CavernSeer on October 11, 2026.

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