RTAB vs Fuse 3d
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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
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.
| Parameter | RTAB | Fuse 3d |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (42 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 42 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mathieu Labbe | Toby Naumov |
Customer experience
RTAB
Fuse 3d
In-app purchases
RTAB
No in-app purchases
Fuse 3d
No in-app purchases








