AKULAR vs OnsiteBIM
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AKULAR
Explore and interact with 3D models in augmented reality. Visualize live or historical data, attach documents, and create issues directly on the model. Advanced tools allow for transparency adjustments, heatmap generation, and hierarchical visibility control.
- Augmented reality 3D model viewing
- Live and historical data visualization
- Attach and view documents
- Create and track model issues
- Adjust model transparency
- Generate heatmaps from sensor data
- Model hierarchy viewer
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AKULAR is a cutting-edge app that offers a unique experience. With its user-friendly interface, AKULAR allows users to interact with 3D models using their fingers and even place them in augmented reality (AR). One of the key features of AKULAR is its ability to display live or historical data in the model. Users can see real-time data visualizations or add their own data to the model. This makes it easy to analyze the model and identify potential issues. Users can also add documents to the model and view them within the app. This is useful for providing context and reference materials for the model. AKULAR also allows users to create issues whenever they see a problem with the model. These issues can be bound to the entire model or to specific parts of the model, making it easy to track and resolve issues. In addition to these core features, AKULAR offers a range of advanced tools and functionality. Users can adjust the transparency of the model, create heatmaps from sensor data, and use the model hierarchy viewer to control which parts of the model are visible. Overall, AKULAR is a powerful and versatile app that provides a comprehensive 3D models exploring experience. With its intuitive interface and advanced functionality, AKULAR is sure to become an essential tool for anyone who works with 3D models.
OnsiteBIM
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See your BIM model where it belongs: on the jobsite. OnsiteBIM brings BIM and construction together by placing 3D building models directly into the real world using your iPhone or iPad. Inspect, navigate, measure, and compare digital building models against physical construction—from active floor plates and mechanical rooms to basements and remote jobsites. HOW IT WORKS — FROM OFFICE TO JOBSITE Open Your 3D Model Open BIM and CAD models directly from your device, Apple Files, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Egnyte, or other supported storage. Place Your Alignment Target Tape a printed Alignment Target to a known column, wall, or floor benchmark. Free print-ready targets and Revit families can be generated by your office or VDC team using the tools at www.onsitebim.app. Aim Your Camera & Inspect at 1:1 Scale Point your camera at the target, and your 3D model locks into place at 1:1 scale for real-world inspection. Alignment Targets are physical positioning anchors for your models—not QR codes or download links. POSITION YOUR MODEL YOUR WAY Use Alignment Targets for automatic positioning or place models manually when targets aren't available. • Auto Target Alignment — Position models in real-world space using a printed Alignment Target, including position, elevation, and orientation. • Manual Surface Placement — Place models on floor surfaces using joystick navigation, rotation controls, and elevation nudging. SEE EXACTLY WHAT MATTERS Filter individual BIM and CAD layers or use MEP ONLY to instantly hide architectural elements and isolate the systems you need. • HVAC ductwork • Plumbing pipes • Fire suppression • Electrical conduits and cable trays • Structural elements and rebar sleeves WORK WITH MAJOR BIM & 3D FORMATS Open models without requiring cloud conversion: • IFC — OpenBIM models, including IFC 2x3 and IFC4 • GLB & glTF — 3D models with PBR materials • USDZ — Apple spatial 3D models • OBJ & STL — 3D geometry with selectable measurement units Compatible with models exported from Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, SolidWorks, Archicad, Rhino, and SketchUp. MIX DIGITAL MODELS WITH THE REAL WORLD Use supported LiDAR-equipped devices to improve spatial understanding between your digital model and physical surroundings. • Real-Time LiDAR Occlusion — Physical walls, slabs, columns, and other surfaces can hide virtual geometry positioned behind them. • Interactive Transparency — Inspect digital building systems behind physical surfaces or inside concrete forms. CONTROL MODEL VISIBILITY Adjust model opacity from 0% to 100% to cross-reference virtual MEP runs, conduit racks, equipment, and other building elements against physical jobsite conditions. MEASURE IN 3D Use the surface-aligned 3D tape measure to verify clearances, slab elevations, and spatial relationships between physical surfaces and virtual model elements. Measurements are displayed in metric and imperial units. WORK WITHOUT THE CLOUD OnsiteBIM is designed for jobsites where network connectivity isn't always available. • On-Device Processing — 3D model parsing, spatial tracking, and rendering run directly on your device. • Work Offline — Inspect models in basements, mechanical rooms, tunnels, and remote jobsites without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. • Private by Design — Your 3D model geometry remains on your device during model processing and inspection. BUILT FOR THE JOBSITE A field-focused interface designed for active construction environments: • High-contrast HUD for bright outdoor environments • Large, glove-friendly touch targets • 2D directional joystick navigation • Precision elevation nudging • Thermal and battery optimization for extended inspection sessions COMPANION WEB TOOLS Free tools for offices and VDC teams, including Revit families, IFC export profiles, and Alignment Target generation, are available at www.onsitebim.app. Bring your BIM model to the jobsite.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: OnsiteBIM at weekly against AKULAR's every 6 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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.
AKULAR ships an update every 6 weeks, OnsiteBIM weekly. Both last shipped on October 2, 2026.
| Parameter | AKULAR | OnsiteBIM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 289 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AKULAR, Inc. | Mihir Patel |
In-app purchases
AKULAR
No in-app purchases
OnsiteBIM
No in-app purchases









