CavernSeer vs 3D Lidar Viewer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
3D Lidar Viewer
Visualize LiDAR and camera data in real-time 2D and 3D. Perform precise length and area measurements directly within the app. Save and revisit scenes for further analysis.
- Real-time 3D and 2D display
- LiDAR and camera output visualization
- Real-time length and area measurement
- Scene saving and viewing
- Adjustable exposure bias and depth view range
- Panning display for camera view control
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3D LiDAR Viewer provides real-time 3D and 2D visualization of both LiDAR depth data and camera imagery. It also lets you measure distances and areas in real time using your device's LiDAR sensor. Features • Real-time 3D and 2D LiDAR visualization • Real-time distance and area measurements • Pan and rotate the 3D view to explore the scene from different angles • Adjust the visible depth range using the slider at the bottom of the screen • Save captured scenes with a single tap and review them later • Re-measure distances and areas on previously saved scenes • Display the center-point depth in real time (in centimeters) We welcome your feedback and suggestions. Please contact us at: hereyouare1981@gmail.com Note: This app requires an iOS device equipped with a LiDAR Scanner, such as: * iPhone Pro models with LiDAR support * iPad Pro models with LiDAR support Thank you for using our apps!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: CavernSeer at 5.0 against 3D Lidar Viewer's 3.7. 3D Lidar Viewer's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
CavernSeer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 3 respectively.
CavernSeer ships an update every 3 months, 3D Lidar Viewer every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 11, 2026.
| Parameter | CavernSeer | 3D Lidar Viewer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | 3.7 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Samuel Grush | HAN WEI WANG |
Customer experience
CavernSeer
3D Lidar Viewer
In-app purchases
CavernSeer
No in-app purchases
3D Lidar Viewer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is CavernSeer free?
Is 3D Lidar Viewer free?
Which has better reviews, CavernSeer or 3D Lidar Viewer?
Do CavernSeer or 3D Lidar Viewer have ads?
Which is updated more often, CavernSeer or 3D Lidar Viewer?
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