# RTAB vs Recon

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RTAB at none against Recon's 5. RTAB also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 75%). Recon's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (277 vs 42). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Recon sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $99.99 per month. RTAB asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for RTAB against 4.8 for Recon. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Recon has 277 ratings behind it against 42, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of RTAB's written reviews are positive against 75% of Recon's.

RTAB ships an update every 5 months, Recon every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | RTAB | Recon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rtab-map-3d-lidar-scanner/id1564774365/reviews) | **[4.8 (277 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recon-3d/id1594797748/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 42 | **277** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 20 MB | 94 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mathieu Labbe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1564774367) | [Recon-3D Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1594797750) |

## What reviewers say

### RTAB

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rtab-map-3d-lidar-scanner/id1564774365)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Recon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recon-3d/id1594797748)

Capture accurate 3D data using photogrammetry and your device's lidar sensor. Process data locally for privacy or in the cloud. Includes optional scaling with April Tags and exports in e57 format for further analysis.

**Highlights:** Photogrammetry and lidar fusion, Cloud or on-device processing, Optional April Tag scaling, e57 format export, Privacy-focused local processing

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Recon3D One Month Subscription | $99.99 | per month |
| Recon3D 1 Year Subscription | $599.99 | per year |
| 5 Additional Uploads | $49.99 | one-time |
| 10 Additional Uploads | $79.99 | one-time |
| Recon3D 1 Year Subscription | $299.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Accurate 3D scanning
- 🚀 Efficient workflow revolution
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Innovative use of iPhone features
- ✅ Excellent data quality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes at save
- 🐛 Loses data and video
- 🐛 Update required in rural areas
- 🐛 Camera laggy after update
- 🐛 Slow screen update after update

**Reported bugs**

- Program crashes when hitting save
- App requires update in rural areas without data
- Camera is laggy and slow to update screen after update
- Permission problems block app usage
- App shows 'Oops' screen asking for permission despite all permissions granted

**Requested features**

- Tool for measuring in the app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RTAB free?

RTAB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Recon free?

Recon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, RTAB or Recon?

Recon is rated higher. RTAB averages 4.8 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while Recon averages 4.8 from 277 ratings.

### Do RTAB or Recon have ads?

Neither RTAB nor Recon shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RTAB or Recon?

RTAB ships an update every 5 months, and Recon every 2 months. Most recently, RTAB was updated on November 3, 2026 and Recon on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*