Recon vs Carlson Scan3D
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Recon
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.
- Photogrammetry and lidar fusion
- Cloud or on-device processing
- Optional April Tag scaling
- e57 format export
- Privacy-focused local processing
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Recon-3D is a scanning application that fuses photogrammetry and the lidar sensor on the iPhone/iPad Pro. The data can be processed on the cloud or in case of sensitive data, directly on the device only with no data transmitted over the internet. The app provides optional scaling via April Tags which immediately adjusts the scale of the 3D model to match real-world reference measurements. The data can be exported to other programs for inspection, analysis and visualization in e57 format. Privacy Policy: https://www.recon-3d.com/privacypolicy Terms of Use: https://www.recon-3d.com/termsandconditions
Carlson Scan3D
Transform your iPhone or iPad into a powerful 3D laser scanner with LiDAR. This app processes data locally for enhanced accuracy and security, ideal for professionals in various industries needing precise 3D capture.
- High-powered 3D scanning tool
- Precise color 3D point clouds
- Local data optimization
- Enhanced accuracy and security
- Supports LiDAR-equipped iOS devices
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Unlock the future of 3D laser scanning with Carlson Scan3D iOS! Break new ground by transforming your iPhone or iPad into a high-powered 3D scanning tool, when equipped with LiDAR technology. Our app, tailored for professionals, delivers extensive and precise color 3D point clouds using compatible iOS devices. Say goodbye to cloud processing – Carlson Scan3D performs all data optimization locally, ensuring both accuracy and security right on your device. Whether you're in land development, civil, construction, architecture, law enforcement or any industry needing top-notch 3D capture solutions, Carlson Scan3D iOS empowers you to elevate your workflow and deliver remarkable results. Take the first step today and experience the future of 3D scanning when you download and install Carlson Scan3D iOS. Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Carlson Scan3D at every 10 days against Recon's every 2 months. Carlson Scan3D also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 75%) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.1). Recon's advantage is ratings volume (277 vs 8). 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. Recon sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $99.99 per month and Carlson Scan3D sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $999.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Recon against 4.8 for Carlson Scan3D. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Recon has 277 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of Recon's written reviews are positive against 100% of Carlson Scan3D's.
Recon ships an update every 2 months, Carlson Scan3D every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Recon | Carlson Scan3D |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (277 ratings) — better | 4.8 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 277 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 94 MB | 146 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Recon-3D Inc. | Carlson Software, Inc |
Customer experience
Recon
Carlson Scan3D
Bugs and requests
Recon
Reported bugs
7 issues- 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
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- Sign up process is not working
- Password recovery is not working
Requested features
1 request- Tool for measuring in the app
Carlson Scan3D
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Recon
- Recon3D One Month Subscription$99.991 Month
- Recon3D 1 Year Subscription$599.991 Year
- 5 Additional Uploads$49.99
- 10 Additional Uploads$79.99
- Recon3D 1 Year Subscription$299.99
Carlson Scan3D
- Annual Subscription$999.991 Year
