CavernSeer vs LiDAR View
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.
LiDAR View
Visualize real-time data from your device's LiDAR sensor and camera. Overlay camera feeds with LiDAR depth information to enhance visibility in low light or highlight environmental contours. Supports 3D point cloud viewing and stereo display for immersive experiences.
- Real-time LiDAR and camera feed
- Overlay camera with LiDAR data
- Adjustable view range
- 3D Point Cloud View
- Stereo viewing with VR headsets
- Screenshot capture and viewing
- Flashlight activation
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LiDAR View provides real-time visualization of both LiDAR depth data and camera imagery. You can choose to display the camera view, the LiDAR view, or a combined view that merges both sources for enhanced environmental awareness and depth perception. * LiDAR modes (Options 3 and 4) are especially effective in low-light or dark environments, helping reveal surrounding structures and spatial depth. The visible range can be adjusted using the slider at the bottom of the screen. * Combined modes (Options 2 and 4) blend camera and LiDAR data to enhance object contours and depth details. * In Combined modes, tap the subview to enlarge it for a more detailed inspection. Tap the enlarged view again to return to the combined layout. * The center-point depth is displayed in real time in centimeters. You can capture screenshots at any time by tapping the camera icon, and browse saved images through the photo icon. The built-in flashlight can be enabled using the torch icon. Swipe left on the number icon to access two additional viewing modes: * 3D Point Cloud View — Freely explore the surrounding environment in an interactive 3D perspective by panning the screen. * Stereo View — Experience immersive real-time stereo visualization using Google Cardboard or a compatible VR headset. If you want to view front depth image through TrueDepth camera and front camera, please check our app "FrontDepth View". If you have any suggestions, feedback, or feature requests, feel free to contact us at hereyouare1981@gmail.com Thank you for using LiDAR View!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: CavernSeer at 100% against LiDAR View's 41%. CavernSeer also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.3) and ads (none vs shown). LiDAR View's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (18 vs 3). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
CavernSeer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LiDAR View has 18 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of CavernSeer's written reviews are positive against 41% of LiDAR View's.
CavernSeer ships an update every 3 months, LiDAR View every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CavernSeer | LiDAR View |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | 3.3 (18 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 41.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 18 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| 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
LiDAR View
In-app purchases
CavernSeer
No in-app purchases
LiDAR View
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is CavernSeer free?
Is LiDAR View free?
Which has better reviews, CavernSeer or LiDAR View?
Do CavernSeer or LiDAR View have ads?
Which is updated more often, CavernSeer or LiDAR View?
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