Meshy AI vs Preview3D
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Meshy AI
Easily transform photos or text descriptions into 3D printable models. This AI-powered tool requires no prior 3D modeling experience and automatically repairs models for printing. Explore and share creations with a global community.
- Photo to 3D model generation
- Text to 3D model generation
- Automatic printability check and repair
- AR preview for models
- Export in multiple 3D formats (STL, 3MF, GLB, etc.)
- Community library of 3D models
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Meshy AI — the easiest way to create 3D models from photos and text. Bring your ideas to life, and into your hands. Snap a photo, upload a sketch, or describe your idea. Meshy AI generates a fully textured 3D model, built for 3D printing — no desktop software, no 3D modeling experience required. Trusted by over 10 million creators worldwide. CREATE Photo to 3D - Point your camera at anything, or upload any image, and Meshy's image to 3D engine turns it into a detailed 3D model. Works with real-world objects, product photos, hand-drawn sketches, and more. Text to 3D - No reference image? Describe your concept in words. Meshy AI generates a reference image first, then turns it into a 3D model automatically. Powered by Meshy 7, our most advanced AI 3D generation engine. HOW IT WORKS 1. Snap a photo or type an idea. 2. Meshy AI generates your 3D model in seconds. 3. Preview it in AR and let AI repair any printing issues. 4. Export STL, 3MF for print — or download GLB, FBX, OBJ and more. MAKE IT PRINTABLE AI-generated models often need cleanup before they can print. Meshy AI handles that for you, automatically: Printability Check - every model is automatically analyzed for printing issues before you hit print. AI Repair - one tap fixes broken meshes, thin walls, and geometry errors. No manual cleanup, no desktop tools. AR Preview - place your model in the real world at true scale and see exactly how the finished print will look on your desk. EXPLORE Discover a growing library of print-ready 3D models shared by creators around the world. Browse trending content and explore curated channels. Save what inspires you. Remix and build on other creators' work. Share your own creations with the community. VIEW, EXPORT, AND PRINT Rotate, zoom, and inspect every model with intuitive gesture controls. Every export format is clearly labeled, so you always know which file your printer or project needs. Export in industry-standard formats, including STL, 3MF, GLB, FBX, OBJ, USDZ and Blend. When you’re ready, send your model straight into your 3D printing workflow. YOUR ASSETS, EVERYWHERE Every model you create is saved to your Meshy account and synced across web and mobile. Access your full 3D library from anywhere, anytime. GET STARTED Sign up and receive complimentary credits to start generating 3D models right away. No purchase is required to create an account or use the included free credits. Whether you're a 3D printing enthusiast, a game artist, a hobbyist, a student, or simply someone with an idea worth making real, Meshy AI puts a complete 3D creation studio in your pocket. MESHY PRO Want to create more with Meshy? Upgrade to Meshy Pro, a paid subscription that provides additional generation credits and access to Pro features. Available subscription plans, benefits, billing periods, and prices are displayed in the app before purchase. If you choose to purchase Meshy Pro, payment will be charged to your Apple Account. Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in your App Store account settings after purchase. Join more than 10 million creators. Start building in 3D today. Privacy Policy: https://www.meshy.ai/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Preview3D
View and inspect a wide range of 3D file formats natively on your iPhone and iPad. Supports CAD, mesh, and 3D printing files with detailed information and AR capabilities. Offline functionality ensures privacy and speed.
- Native viewer for STEP, STL, 3MF, G-code, and more
- Detailed model inspection (dimensions, volume, surface area)
- Full-color 3MF rendering
- Augmented Reality (AR) Quick Look integration
- Offline functionality, no account or web uploads
- Quick Look and 3D thumbnail support in Files app
- Universal purchase for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
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Preview3D is a fast, native iPhone and iPad viewer for the 3D formats you actually use — from CAD to mesh to 3D printing — in one clean window. Open a STEP file from a vendor, a painted 3MF from your slicer, or an STL someone sent you, and see it instantly — in the app, or right in the Files app with Quick Look and 3D thumbnails. No web uploads, no account, no clutter. SUPPORTED FORMATS • STEP / STP, STL, OBJ, PLY • glTF / GLB, USDZ / USD, COLLADA (DAE) • 3MF — including painted multi-material prints • FBX, 3DS, X3D, LWO, MS3D, AC, AMF, OFF and more (via Assimp) • G-code and PrusaSlicer binary G-code (.bgcode) REAL STEP SUPPORT Preview3D reads STEP with a pure-Swift B-rep kernel: watertight tessellation and crease-aware normals straight from the exact geometry, so cylinders stay smooth and edges stay crisp. Files that carry colors (STYLED_ITEM) render each part in its assigned color. INSPECT Open the info panel for bounding-box dimensions, volume, surface area, watertightness and structure — solids, faces, edges, triangles and vertices. 3D-PRINTING FILES Open your slicer's G-code or PrusaSlicer .bgcode, orbit the print toolpath in 3D, flip to the embedded preview image, and read the print stats — time, filament, weight, layer height and material. 3MF, IN FULL COLOR Multi-material painting from PrusaSlicer and Bambu Studio is decoded and rendered in its filament colors — including fine sub-facet brush detail — so you can preview a finished multi-color print before it leaves the slicer. Colors written into a 3MF by CAD tools and converters show too. SEE IT IN YOUR ROOM View any model in AR with AR Quick Look — place it on your desk or the floor and walk around it. SCAN A CODE, SEE THE MODEL A Preview3D QR code next to a printed model opens it in 3D and AR — even for someone who hasn't installed the app, through an App Clip. Make codes for your own Printables models, free, at preview3d.xfanta.com/qr. QUICK LOOK & THUMBNAILS Preview supported files right in the Files app, and get real 3D thumbnails — including STEP, painted 3MF, COLLADA (DAE), FBX and 3DS that iOS can't render on its own. Keep your models in the Preview3D folder in Files and reopen them anytime. SHARE Send a PNG snapshot of the current view to any app. Placing a model in AR? Share it as USDZ right from there. BUILT FOR IPHONE AND IPAD A real native app built on SceneKit and Metal — quick to launch, quick to orbit. Fully offline: everything runs on your device, no account, no network. iOS and iPadOS 17 or later. BUY ONCE, USE EVERYWHERE Preview3D is a universal purchase: one purchase covers the iPhone, iPad and Mac apps. The Mac version adds PMI / GD&T (AP242) reading, assembly trees with per-part isolation, and one-click conversion to STL, OBJ, GLB and USDZ. Note: measurements are produced by automated tessellation and are provided for convenience — always verify against your authoritative CAD source for manufacturing-critical work.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Preview3D at 100% against Meshy AI's 46%. Preview3D also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and device support (4 vs 1). Meshy AI's advantage is price (Free vs $9.99). On update cadence, ads, chart position and iOS requirement 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
Meshy AI is free to download; Preview3D costs $9.99 up front. Meshy AI sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Preview3D asks for nothing beyond the download.
Meshy AI ships an update every 2 weeks, Preview3D weekly. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.
| Parameter | Meshy AI | Preview3D |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (199 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 46.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 199 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #105 | #49 — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 94 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Meshy LLC | Michal Fanta |
Customer experience
Meshy AI
Preview3D
In-app purchases
Meshy AI
- Meshy Pro Monthly Plan1 Month trial$19.991 Month
- Meshy Pro Yearly Plan1 Year trial$239.991 Year
Preview3D
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Meshy AI free?
Is Preview3D free?
Do Meshy AI or Preview3D have ads?
Which is updated more often, Meshy AI or Preview3D?
Which is more popular, Meshy AI or Preview3D?
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