Comparison

RTAB vs 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker

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

3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker

Capture and create detailed 3D models from your surroundings using your device's LiDAR sensor. Enhance scans with color correction and export them in formats suitable for 3D printing and object modeling.

Highlights
  • Real-time 3D scanning
  • Color correction
  • USDZ and OBJ export
  • 3D model creation
  • Object modeling
Read full description

Turn the Real World into 3D with LiDAR Unlock the power of your device’s LiDAR sensor to capture and create stunning 3D models in seconds. Whether you're scanning an object or your next creative idea, our app turns your surroundings into accurate 3D content ready for use. Key Features: - Now you can scan on iPhone Duo and standard iPhones, not only Pro models. - Scan in Real Time: Use your device’s built-in LiDAR scanner to capture detailed 3D objects in seconds. - Adjust: Apply simple color correction to enhance the visual quality of your scans. - Export for 3D Printing: Export your 3D models in USDZ or OBJ format—ideal for object modeling and 3D printing. Whether you're a hobbyist or professional, this is your fast-track to real-world 3D. The subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage your subscription in your Account Settings. Payment will be charged to your iTunes account upon confirmation of purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial will be forfeited if you subscribe before the trial ends. See our Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lguIaCr2EoUsLFdAE8i2W-vm5auH7a1f6mF0MmDp2L4 Terms of Service: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wc5IaVelA7NW6cjUDc-Xu5d7SOdTlZUmJTgiOO0bpdo Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

RTAB3 screens
3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: RTAB at 100% against 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker's 33%. RTAB also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (187 vs 42). On price and ads 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. 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. RTAB asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RTAB holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 187 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of RTAB's written reviews are positive against 33% of 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RTAB ships an update every 5 months, 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
RTAB versus 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRTAB3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (42 ratings) — better4.4 (187 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings42187 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMathieu LabbeEvgeny Zhukov

Customer experience

RTAB

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

3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker

All ratings187 ratings
Positive85.6%
Neutral1.1%
Negative13.4%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative63.0%

In-app purchases

None

RTAB

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker

Subscriptions3
  • 7-Day Access3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • 1-Month Access3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 1-Year Access3 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is RTAB free?
RTAB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker free?
3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RTAB or 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker?
RTAB is rated higher. RTAB averages 4.8 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker averages 4.4 from 187 ratings.
Do RTAB or 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker have ads?
Neither RTAB nor 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RTAB or 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker?
RTAB ships an update every 5 months, and 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker every 3 weeks. Most recently, RTAB was updated on November 3, 2026 and 3D LiDAR Scanner & Model Maker on November 12, 2026.

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