Comparison

3D Scanner vs STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App

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

Head to head
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

Turn real-world objects into detailed 3D models, right on your iPhone or iPad. SCAN WITH LIDAR Walk around an object and Sapling captures it with Object Capture, then builds the 3D model on your device. No servers, no waiting. TURNTABLE MODE No LiDAR? Put the object on a turntable or lazy Susan and Sapling takes photos automatically as it spins. Process them on your device, or with the free Sapling app for Mac. CREATE WITH AI Describe what you want, or start from a photo, and generate a 3D model with AI. AI generation uses tokens, which come with a subscription or as token packs, and requires sign-in. SEE IT, SIZE IT, EXPORT IT • Place models in your space with augmented reality • Set a model's real-world height before you print it • Export USDZ, STL, OBJ and PLY for 3D printing, sharing, game development and more • Sync models to your other devices and Apple Vision Pro with iCloud Your first scan is free. Unlock unlimited scans and processing with a purchase or subscription. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App

Transform real-world objects into 3D printable models or digital assets using your device's camera or uploaded images. Generate STL files instantly for 3D printing, AR/VR, and design projects. Offers essential tools for cleanup and repair.

Highlights
  • 3D object scanning with guided capture
  • AI reconstruction from images
  • Instant STL export for 3D printing
  • 3D model editing and cleanup
  • Multiple export formats (STL, OBJ, GLB, FBX)
  • On-device and cloud-assisted processing
Features
Read full description

STL Buddy – Free 3D Scanner App & Instant STL Generator Turn anything around you into a 3D‑printable model in minutes. STL Buddy is a free 3D scanner app that lets you scan real‑world objects or upload photos/images and convert them into 3D STL files ready for 3D printing, games, AR/VR, and design. –––––––––––––––– WHAT STL BUDDY DOES –––––––––––––––– • Scan in 3D Use your iPhone or iPad camera to capture objects from multiple angles. Follow the on‑screen guide to walk around your object, just like in apps such as Qlone, Niantic Scaniverse, MagiScan, Abound, and Pixel 3D. • Image / Photo to 3D Upload a single image or a set of photos and let STL Buddy reconstruct a detailed 3D model using AI – perfect for quick concepts, product previews, and reference models. • Instant STL for 3D Printing Export STL in one tap, ready for Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, Lychee, Simplify3D, and more. The pipeline focuses on watertight, print‑ready meshes. • Modern “Metascan” & Gaussian‑Inspired Tech STL Buddy uses a modern reconstruction pipeline inspired by metascan‑style multi‑view capture and gaussian‑like techniques to better preserve detail, shape, and lighting. Capture fidelity comparable to 3D scanner apps like Niantic Scaniverse, MagiScan, Abound, Qlone, and Pixel 3D, but tuned for STL output. –––––––––––––––– CORE FEATURES –––––––––––––––– • 3D Object Scanning Guided capture from all angles Works with just your camera – no extra hardware On‑device and cloud‑assisted processing • AI 3D Reconstruction From images, screenshots, or photo sets Automatically builds a mesh with texture Great for fast asset creation and prototyping • 3D Editing & Cleanup Crop and trim unwanted geometry Smooth or sharpen details Auto hole‑filling and mesh repair Set real‑world scale for accurate prints Re‑orient models to sit flat on the print bed • Export Formats STL (3D printing focus) OBJ, GLB/GLTF, FBX Compatible with Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Unity, Unreal, Fusion 360 (via mesh), and more –––––––––––––––– FREE VERSION –––––––––––––––– STL Buddy is a free 3D scanner app that includes: • Free scans each day • Free STL exports for core projects • Standard‑resolution models • Essential cleanup and repair tools No complicated setup. Open the app, scan or upload, and export your STL. –––––––––––––––– STL BUDDY PRO –––––––––––––––– Upgrade to STL Buddy Pro for power users and professionals: • Unlimited scans and exports • Higher‑resolution models with more detail • Faster, priority processing • Advanced tools for decimation, hollowing, precise scaling, and enhanced repair • Batch import from your gallery, drone, or DSLR photo sets Ideal for: • Makers and 3D printing shops • Product designers and e‑commerce • 3D artists, game devs, AR/VR creators • Educators and STEM programs –––––––––––––––– BUILT FOR 3D PRINTING & BEYOND –––––––––––––––– Use STL Buddy to: • Scan minis, props, parts, and collectibles • Capture real products for online 3D/AR display • Create game and XR assets from real objects • Teach 3D scanning and digital fabrication Tried Qlone, Niantic Scaniverse, MagiScan, Abound, or Pixel 3D? STL Buddy is the focused STL and 3D printing companion you’ve been missing. Scan it. Convert it. Print it. Download STL Buddy now – your free 3D scanner app for instant, print‑ready STL files. Privacy Policy - https://sites.google.com/aaya.ai/stlbuddy-privacy Terms and Conditions - https://sites.google.com/aaya.ai/stlbuddy-terms

Screenshots

3D Scanner4 screens
STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: 3D Scanner at 67% against STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App's 50%. STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.4) and iOS requirement (15.1 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. 3D Scanner sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 55 and 49 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of 3D Scanner's written reviews are positive against 50% of STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3D Scanner ships an update every 5 weeks, STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
3D Scanner versus STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3D ScannerSTL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (55 ratings)4.6 (49 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings55 — better49
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS26.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size62 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCephalopod StudioGeneration Aaya LLC

Customer experience

3D Scanner

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

STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App

All ratings29 ratings
Positive86.2%
Neutral3.4%
Negative10.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

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
2 purchases

STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Premium Annual$29.991 Year

Questions

Is 3D Scanner free?
3D Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App free?
STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 3D Scanner or STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App?
STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App is rated higher. 3D Scanner averages 4.4 out of 5 from 55 ratings, while STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App averages 4.6 from 49 ratings.
Do 3D Scanner or STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App have ads?
Neither 3D Scanner nor STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 3D Scanner or STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App?
3D Scanner ships an update every 5 weeks, and STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App every 3 weeks. Most recently, 3D Scanner was updated on October 21, 2026 and STL Buddy Fast 3D Scanner App on October 28, 2026.

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