Comparison

RTAB vs FrontDepth View

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

Head to head
About

RTAB

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
Read full description

RTAB-Map (Real-Time Appearance-Based Mapping) is an Open Source LiDAR / RGB-D / Stereo Graph-Based SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) approach based on an online incremental appearance-based loop closure detector. The loop closure detector uses a bag-of-words approach to determinate how likely a new image comes from a previous location or a new location. When a loop closure hypothesis is accepted, a new constraint is added to the map's graph, then a graph optimizer minimizes the errors in the map in real-time. An optional memory management approach can be used to limit the number of locations used for loop closure detection and graph optimization, so that real-time constraints on large-scale environnements are always respected. ARKit's visual inertial odometry (VIO) is used as the SLAM front-end for RTAB-Map (the SLAM back-end). * Note that unlike other scanning apps that optimize the map only after mapping, with RTAB-Map you get loop closure detection and map optimization online so you can have a live feedback to know when you have enough constraints in the map for good global optimization before stopping the scan. *** 3D reconstruction available only with LiDAR sensor. Features: * Online 3D scanning/mapping of the environment. * Online loop closure detection and map correction. * Save in DB format (RTAB-Map desktop and rtabmap_ros format). * Export in PLY, LAS or OBJ. * Multi-session mapping (save and continue later). * Use Apriltags to help finding loop closures in textureless environments. * Mixed AR/VR First-Person in visualization mode. * Raw ARKit data recording (up to 60 Hz!), useful to record long sessions without comprising battery life.

About

FrontDepth View

Capture real-time images from your device's TrueDepth camera, especially in low light. Explore your face from different angles, switch between 2D and 3D views, and save 3D photos. Browse your saved 3D face images in a dedicated folder.

Highlights
  • Real-time TrueDepth camera feed
  • Low-light image capture
  • Adjustable view range slider
  • Pan display to explore face angles
  • Toggle between 3D and 2D views
  • Save 3D face photos
  • Browse saved 3D photos
Features
Read full description

FrontDepth View provides real-time visualization of both TrueDepth camera data and front camera imagery. You can switch between the front camera view, the TrueDepth depth view, or a combined mode that merges both sources to enhance environmental awareness and depth perception. * FrontDepth modes (Options 3 and 4) are particularly effective in low-light or dark environments, helping to reveal surrounding structures and spatial depth. The visible depth range can be adjusted using the slider at the bottom of the screen. * Combined modes (Options 2 and 4) blend front camera imagery with TrueDepth data to enhance object contours and improve depth detail. * In Combined mode, tap the subview to enlarge it for a closer inspection. Tap again to return to the split or combined layout. * 3D Point Cloud View allows you to freely explore your surroundings in an interactive 3D perspective by panning the screen. * The center-point depth is displayed in real time in centimeters. You can capture screenshots at any time by tapping the camera icon, and view your saved images by tapping the photo gallery icon. If you want to view back depth image through LiDAR and back camera, please check our app "LiDAR View". If you want to automatically measure facial features in real time using the TrueDepth camera, please check our app “Measure Face”. If you have any suggestions, feedback, or feature requests, feel free to contact us at hereyouare1981@gmail.com Thank you for using FrontDepth View!

Screenshots

RTAB3 screens
FrontDepth View4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: RTAB at 4.8 against FrontDepth View's 4.3. RTAB also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 75%) and ratings volume (39 vs 4). On price, update cadence, 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

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

RTAB holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RTAB has 39 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of RTAB's written reviews are positive against 75% of FrontDepth View's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RTAB ships an update every 4 months, FrontDepth View every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and July 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
RTAB versus FrontDepth View: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRTABFrontDepth View
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (39 ratings) — better4.3 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings39 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.3 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMathieu LabbeHAN WEI WANG

Customer experience

RTAB

All ratings39 ratings
Positive97.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

FrontDepth View

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

RTAB

No in-app purchases

None

FrontDepth View

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RTAB free?
RTAB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FrontDepth View free?
FrontDepth View is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RTAB or FrontDepth View?
RTAB is rated higher. RTAB averages 4.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while FrontDepth View averages 4.3 from 4 ratings.
Do RTAB or FrontDepth View have ads?
Neither RTAB nor FrontDepth View shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RTAB or FrontDepth View?
RTAB ships an update every 4 months, and FrontDepth View every 2 months. Most recently, RTAB was updated on September 23, 2026 and FrontDepth View on July 7, 2026.

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