Comparison

Dot3D vs 3D Scanner

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Dot3D

This app transforms your LiDAR-equipped iPhone or iPad into a professional 3D laser scanner. It offers verifiable accuracy and large-scale reliability for various industries, ensuring total data privacy with local processing. Capture detailed 3D site maps for real estate, forensics, and industrial applications.

Highlights
  • Real-time 3D scanning
  • Targeting workflows for accuracy
  • Loop-closure technology
  • GNSS compatibility
  • Local data processing (no cloud)
  • 3D measurements and calculations
  • Export to CAD and BIM software
Read full description

Stop settling for "good enough" scans. Dot3D is the industry-leading mobile LiDAR solution for professionals who value verifiable accuracy, large-scale reliability, and total data privacy, without the artifacts that plague other 3D apps. From complex construction sites to sensitive crime scenes, Dot3D turns your iPad or iPhone into a professional-grade 3D laser scanner. REAL ESTATE, AEC & BIM: Capture accurate as-builts of any-size interiors and export point clouds into AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, Revit, ArchiCAD, and more. CRASH & CRIME FORENSICS: Document scenes with verified accuracy and geo-referencing for courtroom-ready evidence. No cloud uploads required (all processing happens locally on-device). INDUSTRIAL: Document complex piping, machinery, and MEP systems with ease. Add annotations and high-res camera photos to your scans for additional context. Key Features: • REAL-TIME 3D SCANNING on your LiDAR-powered device (iPhone/iPad Pro) with virtually unlimited scan size • TARGETING WORKFLOWS (optional) with known reference measurements for highly accurate results • LOOP-CLOSURE technology eliminates doubles and ghosting artifacts (with or without coded targets) • GNSS COMPATIBILITY with receivers from Emlid, Trimble, Leica, and more. Add control and geo-reference large outdoor captures • 3D COORDINATE SYSTEMS: Take full control. Supports local, site-wide and global (geo-referenced) systems. • NO CLOUD REQUIRED: All data is processed locally • APPEND NEW SCAN DATA directly into existing Dot3D scans • 3D MEASUREMENTS and fill-volume calculations: precise and savable • ANNOTATE 3D locations in your scans during or after capture • EMBED HIGH-RES PHOTOS from the device camera into your scans for additional context • CROP OR HIDE any part of the scan, for easy data cleanup Unlock a wide variety of third-party workflows with Dot3D Pro: • EXPORT color 3D point clouds: DP, E57, LAS, LAZ, PTS, PTX, PLY, PTG • EXPORT ORTHOPHOTOS: scaled and geo-referenced • PROCESS SCAN-TO-BIM using directly connected third-party services • FRAME-BASED EXPORTS to 3rd party NeRF, gaussian splatting, and photogrammetry software Our point-and-shoot technology is empowering workforces across a wide range of professional industries in need of accurate and reliable 3D capture solutions: Police departments, government agencies, real estate professionals, architects, surveyors, naval engineers, general contractors, insurance agents, crime scene analysts, BIM specialists, archaeologists, interior designers andmore are trusting Dot3D for their mobile 3D scanning needs. Start with a free trial and unlock Dot3D Pro whenever you're ready to access the full functionality and export directly to all your downstream workflows in CAD, forensic reconstruction, VR, AR, and much more. IMPORTANT: LIDAR-EQUIPPED DEVICE REQUIRED FOR 3D SCANNING: iPhone Pro / Pro Max (12 & up) or iPad Pro (2020 or later) If you install onto an incompatible device, you will not be able to 3D scan, but can still open and view Dot3D scans captured from other devices. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

3D Scanner

Create detailed 3D models from your device's camera. Process scans directly on your phone or use a free Mac app. Share your creations in augmented reality or export them for 3D printing.

Highlights
  • High-quality 3D scans
  • On-device processing (LiDAR)
  • Free Mac app for processing
  • Augmented reality sharing
  • 3D printing export
  • AI object generation (subscription)
Read full description

Make high-quality 3D scans, processing on-device if LIDAR is available or on our free Mac app! Share in augmented reality or export for 3D printing! Try out the app free and from there make a one-time payment for unlimited scans. If you get the subscription, you can also generate 3D objects with AI by using text to describe and create most any object you can imagine. And you can still export for augmented reality or 3D printing. For most LIDAR enabled devices, if able, process your scans on the device. No need for servers! And for earlier devices, easily export your images to a Mac and use the free Sapling Mac app. For terms of use for in-app purchases and subscriptions, see https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Dot3D4 screens
3D Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Dot3D at 4.7 against 3D Scanner's 4.4. Dot3D also leads on review sentiment (82% vs 67%) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. Dot3D sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per month and 3D Scanner sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dot3D holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 101 and 55 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Dot3D's written reviews are positive against 67% of 3D Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dot3D ships an update every 3 weeks, 3D Scanner every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Dot3D versus 3D Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDot3D3D Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (101 ratings) — better4.4 (55 ratings)
Positive reviews81.8% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings101 — better55
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS14.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size146 MB59 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDotProduct LLCCephalopod Studio

Customer experience

Dot3D

All ratings101 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral1.0%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral6.1%
Negative12.1%

3D Scanner

All ratings55 ratings
Positive85.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.5%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Dot3D

Subscriptions2
  • Dot3D Pro Monthly Subscription$49.991 Month
  • Dot3D Pro Annual Subscription$349.991 Year
9 purchases

3D Scanner

Subscriptions4
  • Generate Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Generate Annually3 Days trial$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time5
  • Small Token Pack$4.99
  • Medium Token Pack$14.99
  • Premium$19.99
Show 2 more
  • Large Token Pack$49.99
  • Premium Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is Dot3D free?
Dot3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 3D Scanner free?
3D Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Dot3D or 3D Scanner?
Dot3D is rated higher. Dot3D averages 4.7 out of 5 from 101 ratings, while 3D Scanner averages 4.4 from 55 ratings.
Do Dot3D or 3D Scanner have ads?
Neither Dot3D nor 3D Scanner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dot3D or 3D Scanner?
Dot3D ships an update every 3 weeks, and 3D Scanner every 5 weeks. Most recently, Dot3D was updated on October 11, 2026 and 3D Scanner on October 5, 2026.

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