Comparison

DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud vs GIStance

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

Head to head
About

DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud

Features
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DepthCapture is an iPhone/iPad app for capturing and recording RGB images and depth data from multiple depth sources, including LiDAR, TrueDepth, supported stereo cameras, and AI-based depth estimation. View the RGB feed and depth map in real time while capturing, and visualize depth data immediately as a 3D point cloud. ―――――――――― ■ Multiple depth sources Choose from the sources supported by your device: ・LiDAR ・TrueDepth ・Stereo Depth ・AI Depth LiDAR-equipped devices can capture rear depth, while TrueDepth uses the front camera. Supported devices can also use stereo-camera depth. AI Depth estimates depth from a standard camera image using an AI model. ※ AI Depth provides relative estimates and is not calibrated to match the distance accuracy of hardware depth sources such as LiDAR or TrueDepth. ―――――――――― ■ Record RGB + Depth Use Snapshot Capture for still data or Stream Recording for continuous RGB-D capture. RGB: ・JPEG ・PNG Depth: ・BIN ・16-bit PNG ・TIFF ・EXR Snapshots store RGB, depth, and related capture information together. ―――――――――― ■ Real-time depth visualization View RGB and depth live while capturing. Color maps: ・Grayscale ・Blue-Red ・Viridis ・Inferno The displayed depth range can be automatic or fixed to a range you specify, so you can check data quality before saving. ―――――――――― ■ Live 3D point cloud Generate and display a 3D point cloud from the acquired depth data and camera information in real time. Point clouds can use RGB colors or depth-based coloring for direct spatial inspection. ―――――――――― ■ Export point clouds Export saved point clouds as: ・PLY ・GLB ・glTF ・PCD ・LAS ・CSV Export snapshots or individual Stream Recording frames for use with 3D software, point-cloud tools, Python, and other environments. ―――――――――― ■ Continuous RGB-D recording Stream Recording saves continuous RGB and depth data as either an RGB/depth file sequence or ROS2-compatible MCAP. MCAP can include RGB, Depth, CameraInfo, TF, and IMU / Device Motion for ROS2, robotics, and computer vision. ―――――――――― ■ Capture metadata Along with RGB and depth data, DepthCapture saves capture settings and camera information. When available, metadata includes: ・Camera Intrinsics ・Extrinsic Matrix ・Lens Distortion information ・RGB / Depth resolution ・Depth Source ・Depth Accuracy / Quality ・Depth Filtering ・Capture settings Snapshots and Recording Sessions also include manifest and metadata files describing the recorded data and capture conditions. ―――――――――― ■ Customize capture settings Adjust: ・Depth Filtering ・Depth FPS ・Depth Resolution ・RGB Resolution ・RGB / Depth Synchronization ・Depth Range ・Save Depth Preview Presets are also available for common capture settings. ―――――――――― ■ Review saved data Review Snapshots and Stream Recordings in Saved Data. Snapshots can show RGB, Depth, and 3D Point Cloud. Stream Recordings can be scrubbed and played back with RGB, Depth, and Point Cloud views. Sessions can be shared or accessed through the Files app. ―――――――――― ■ Example uses ・LiDAR and depth-sensor testing ・3D point-cloud capture and visualization ・RGB-D dataset collection ・Computer vision ・Machine-learning data collection ・Robotics and ROS2 ・AR and 3D-sensing data capture and validation ・Research, experiments, and prototyping ・Comparing depth acquisition methods Available sources, resolutions, and frame rates vary by device. Devices without LiDAR may still support TrueDepth, Stereo Depth, or AI Depth. DepthCapture records RGB-D data, lets you inspect it in 3D, and move it into your own workflow. Some advanced features require an in-app purchase or temporary access unlocked by watching a rewarded ad. ―――――――――― Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

GIStance

Features
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GIStance turns an iPhone plus a connected GNSS receiver into a survey-grade field capture system for infrastructure, utility and construction crews. Centimeter-level positioning, georeferenced photo documentation, and 3D LiDAR scanning — captured on site, structured for the office. Built for FTTX rollout, utility networks and construction documentation, GIStance replaces the paper-notes-plus-consumer-camera workflow with a single tool that records where every asset is, what it looked like, and when it was captured. Precise positioning • Connect an external GNSS/RTK receiver for centimeter-level accuracy • Live fix status and accuracy readout before you record a point • Positions attached to every photo, measurement and scan Georeferenced photo documentation • Capture site photos with coordinates, timestamp and accuracy embedded • Tie documentation to project sections and construction phases • Consistent, auditable evidence for as-built records and billing 3D LiDAR scanning • Capture point clouds and meshes of trenches, structures and installations • Scans stored as measurement artifacts alongside points and photos Built for the field • Works with mapped basemaps for on-site orientation • Fast capture flow designed for gloved hands and daylight screens • Data queued and synced when connectivity allows Part of a documentation ecosystem Field captures sync to the FotoGIS asset hub and become available in the GISdoc office platform for project tracking, phase completion, plan-vs-actual comparison and report generation. What the crew captures on site is what the office works with — no manual re-entry. Who it's for • Field surveyors and rollout crews • Utility and network operators • Construction documentation and as-built teams Requirements GIStance requires a compatible external GNSS receiver for survey-grade accuracy and an active GISdoc/FotoGIS account. It is a professional B2B field tool, not a standalone consumer app.

Screenshots

DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud4 screens
GIStance4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GIStance at none against DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud's 7. GIStance also leads on ads (none vs shown). DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On price, device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. GIStance asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud ships an update every 3 days, GIStance weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud versus GIStance: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDepthCapture|LiDAR Point CloudGIStance
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerkentaro hiraharaNGN IT-Solutions GmbH

In-app purchases

6 purchases

DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud

One-time6
  • Support S$0.49
  • Remove Ads$3.99
  • Unlock All Features2 variants$4.99
Show 3 more
  • Remove Ads and Unlock Features$5.99
  • Support M$5.99
  • Support L$59.99
None

GIStance

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud free?
DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GIStance free?
GIStance is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud or GIStance have ads?
DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud shows ads; GIStance does not.
Which is updated more often, DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud or GIStance?
DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud ships an update every 3 days, and GIStance weekly. Most recently, DepthCapture|LiDAR Point Cloud was updated on October 8, 2026 and GIStance on October 4, 2026.

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