RTAB vs LiDAR View
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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: RTAB at 100% against LiDAR View's 41%. RTAB also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.5) and ads (none vs shown). LiDAR View's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 5 months). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
RTAB holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 20 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of RTAB's written reviews are positive against 41% of LiDAR View's.
RTAB ships an update every 5 months, LiDAR View every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | RTAB | LiDAR View |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (42 ratings) — better | 3.5 (20 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 41.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 42 — better | 20 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 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 | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mathieu Labbe | HAN WEI WANG |
Customer experience
RTAB
LiDAR View
In-app purchases
RTAB
No in-app purchases
LiDAR View
No in-app purchases







