MeshView vs STL Workshop
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MeshView
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MeshView is a professional-grade Offline-First 3D model visualizer, AR projection tool, and immersive stereoscopic Cardboard VR browser designed specifically for 3D artists, industrial designers, CAD mechanical engineers, and stereoscopic rendering enthusiasts. We believe your professional blueprints, industrial designs, and creative assets should remain entirely yours. MeshView operates on a strict Zero-Server architecture—meaning all file importing, polygon rendering, real-time material swapping, gyroscope head-tracking, and USDZ conversions are processed 100% locally inside your device’s sandboxed private memory. No uploads, no account registration, and zero data leakage. [KEY FEATURES] Robust Offline Formats Compatibility: Seamlessly load .obj (with material properties), .stl (standard industrial CAD meshes), .ply (point clouds/polygon assets), and Apple's native .usdz formats. Harness local GPU capabilities and optimized ModelIO engines to load hundreds of thousands of polygons in seconds without lag. Professional Interactive 3D Viewport: Highly responsive touch gestures for smooth single-finger rotation, two-finger scaling, and panoramic camera panning. Tweak surface materials with a single tap: apply polished chrome, brushed gold, carbon fiber, matte polymer, sci-fi wireframe mesh, or refractive glass. Switch between diverse ambient lighting presets such as "Studio Spotlight", "Sunny Beach", "Neon Cyberpunk", or "Deep Space Shadow" to examine micro-reflections. Cardboard Gyroscope-Tracked VR Mode: True stereoscopic dual-eye split-screen rendering view. Integrated directly with iOS Motion Sensors (Gyroscope & Accelerometer) at 60Hz low latency to track your head movements. Slip your device into any standard VR goggles (e.g. Google Cardboard) for a hands-free, high-fidelity 3D structural tour and immersive spatial inspections. Horizontal AR Surface Projection: Instantly compile universal OBJ/STL/PLY files into native standard Apple USDZ format entirely offline. Summon horizontal surface plane anchoring via native ARKit technology. Cast your models into the real world at an accurate 1:1 scale with realistic shadows. Absolute Enterprise-Grade Privacy Protection: Zero account registration required. Zero tracking cookies. MeshView contains NO third-party analytical SDKs or mobile ads libraries. Works perfectly without an internet connection, ensuring absolute protection against commercial industrial design espionage. Complete Local Data Sovereignty: Empowered with advanced storage maintenance tools in Settings. You can clear your storage clutter immediately ("Delete All Models") or restore high-definition factory spurs and planetary gear blueprints ("Restore Built-in Models") instantly.
STL Workshop
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STL Workshop is a 3D model viewer and editor built for 3D printing. IMPORT • STL (binary, ASCII, colors), OBJ, PLY, 3MF, USDZ • From Files, Mail, AirDrop — open any model in seconds VIEW • 7 render modes: shaded, edges, wireframe, x-ray, normals, overhangs, wall thickness • Interactive section cut, layer preview, exploded view • Studio and HDR lighting, realistic materials ANALYZE • Full diagnostics: watertightness, manifold topology, normals, shells • Dimensions, volume, surface, weight and cost by material and infill • Estimated print time, bed stability, center of gravity • Precise measurements: distance, angle, diameter PREPARE • Automatic repair: filled holes, fixed normals, removed debris • Auto-orientation minimizing overhangs on import • Scale, rotate, mirror, lay flat, automatic base • Hollowing with drain holes (resin), drilling and booleans, embossed or engraved 3D text • Grid duplication, predefined printer beds EXPORT • STL, OBJ, USDZ and augmented reality (AR Quick Look) • HD transparent captures, 360° GIF • Direct upload to OctoPrint or WebDAV servers • Siri Shortcuts: convert to USDZ, repair an STL Units in millimeters. No ads, no data collection.
Screenshots
Verdict
MeshView and STL Workshop are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
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.
| Parameter | MeshView | STL Workshop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 成斌 李 | Dentagram |
In-app purchases
MeshView
No in-app purchases
STL Workshop
No in-app purchases









