Comparison

RTAB vs Fuse 3d

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

Fuse 3d

This application transforms your iPhone into a powerful 3D scanner. It offers multiple scanning modes, including LiDAR, photogrammetry, and TrueDepth, to capture objects and faces with high precision. Scans can be exported in various formats for use in design, printing, or virtual reality.

Highlights
  • Multiple scanning modes (LiDAR, Photogrammetry, TrueDepth)
  • Real-time mesh reconstruction
  • High-precision face and object scanning
  • Export in PLY, OBJ, STL, USDZ formats
  • On-device processing using ARKit
Features
Read full description

Fuse is a free 3D scanning app for iPhone that uses the hardware you already own. Seven scanning modes, each suited to different subjects and hardware: • LiDAR Mesh — fast, real-time mesh reconstruction using your iPhone's LiDAR scanner • Point Cloud — dense point cloud capture for precise spatial data • Gaussian Splat — photorealistic 3D Gaussian Splatting reconstruction • Photogrammetry — multi-photo 3D reconstruction, works on any iPhone • TrueDepth — high-precision face and close-range object scanning using the front face-id camera • CAD Scan — structured capture aimed at accurate dimensional models • Hybrid — combines rear LiDAR for overall shape with front TrueDepth for fine detail and RGB texture, for the most complete scan Export your scans as PLY, OBJ, STL, or USDZ for use in CAD software, 3D printing, AR/VR, or game engines. Fuse3D runs entirely on-device using Apple's ARKit, LiDAR, and TrueDepth sensors. Hardware Limitations: LiDAR-based modes require an iPhone/iPad Pro model with a LiDAR scanner. TrueDepth modes require Face ID hardware. Photogrammetry works on any supported device.

Screenshots

RTAB3 screens
Fuse 3d4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Fuse 3d at every 2 months against RTAB's every 5 months. RTAB's advantage is ratings volume (42 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.0). On price, rating, 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

Fuse 3d holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RTAB has 42 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RTAB ships an update every 5 months, Fuse 3d every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
RTAB versus Fuse 3d: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRTABFuse 3d
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (42 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings42 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMathieu LabbeToby Naumov

Customer experience

RTAB

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

Fuse 3d

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

RTAB

No in-app purchases

None

Fuse 3d

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RTAB free?
RTAB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Fuse 3d free?
Fuse 3d is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RTAB or Fuse 3d?
Fuse 3d is rated higher. RTAB averages 4.8 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while Fuse 3d averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do RTAB or Fuse 3d have ads?
Neither RTAB nor Fuse 3d shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RTAB or Fuse 3d?
RTAB ships an update every 5 months, and Fuse 3d every 2 months. Most recently, RTAB was updated on November 3, 2026 and Fuse 3d on October 31, 2026.

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