Comparison

MeshScan vs Orbit

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

Head to head
About

MeshScan

Features
Read full description

Turn your LiDAR-equipped iPhone or iPad into a portable 3D scanner. MeshScan captures real-world surfaces as live point clouds and meshes, gives you simple tools to clean up each scan, and exports files ready for your 3D workflow. CAPTURE WITH LIDAR Hold the scan control and move slowly around a surface to capture its shape. Choose a horizontal or vertical guide line for focused scanning, or switch to full-screen capture for larger areas. Live guidance, tracking status, and a point counter help you scan with confidence. CONTROL THE RESULT Choose Balanced, Detailed, or Maximum scan detail. Adjust the nearest and farthest capture distances to focus on the object or area you need. Set the point-cloud limit from 100,000 to 5,000,000 points to balance detail, performance, and file size. TRIM UNWANTED DATA Draw a lasso around unwanted points, preview the selection, and delete it. Undo your last trim if you change your mind. EXPORT FLEXIBLE FILES Share your scan in common formats: • TXT point clouds • PLY triangle meshes • Binary STL surface meshes Coordinates are exported in millimeters for straightforward use in compatible CAD, inspection, visualization, and 3D-printing workflows. RESUME TEMPORARY SCANS MeshScan automatically saves temporary scan data on your device. Choose whether to retain it for 1 hour, 24 hours, or 7 days, then return and continue working within that period. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your scans are processed and stored on your device. MeshScan has no accounts, ads, third-party analytics, or tracking. Scan files leave the app only when you choose to export or share them. REQUIREMENTS MeshScan requires an iPhone or iPad with a LiDAR Scanner. Scan quality and performance depend on the device, surface, lighting, movement, and selected detail settings. MeshScan is free to use. Optional one-time contributions are available if you would like to support continued development.

About

Orbit

Features
Read full description

Scan rooms and objects with LiDAR, or your face with the Face ID sensor. Watch the mesh form as you move. Export to STL for 3D printing, or to OBJ, USDZ, and more. Every scan stays on your device. SCAN • Capture rooms, objects, and whole spaces with LiDAR • Switch to LiDAR Advanced for finer detail • Capture a point cloud for survey and design work • Scan your face with the Face ID sensor. • See a live mesh as you scan, with simple tips that guide you VIEW IN 3D • Orbit and zoom around every scan • See the model at full size in your space with AR EXPORT AND SHARE • STL for 3D printing • OBJ, PLY, GLB, and glTF for 3D software and game engines • USDZ for AR on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro • Point clouds as PLY, XYZ, PTS, or LAS • Floor plan images and turntable videos to share • Share with AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or Files PRIVATE BY DESIGN Orbit processes every scan on your iPhone. Face images and depth are used only to create your 3D scan, without identifying you or uploading face data. Saved scans stay on your iPhone unless you share them. Delete a scan to remove its saved files. There is no account to create. REQUIREMENTS The LiDAR modes need an iPhone with a LiDAR Scanner: iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, or a later Pro model. Face mode needs an iPhone with a Face ID sensor. Privacy Policy: https://optimalapps.ca/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

MeshScan3 screens
Orbit4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: MeshScan at 17.0 against Orbit's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. MeshScan sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Orbit sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.19 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MeshScan ships an update fortnightly, Orbit every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
MeshScan versus Orbit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMeshScanOrbit
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB20 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperFare BrothersAshok Pokharel

In-app purchases

4 purchases

MeshScan

One-time4
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Generous Tip$19.99
3 purchases

Orbit

Subscriptions2
  • Orbit Pro Monthly$1.191 Month
  • Orbit Pro Yearly$6.491 Year
One-time1
  • Orbit Pro Lifetime$69.99

Questions

Is MeshScan free?
MeshScan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Orbit free?
Orbit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MeshScan or Orbit have ads?
Neither MeshScan nor Orbit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MeshScan or Orbit?
MeshScan ships an update fortnightly, and Orbit every 9 days. Most recently, MeshScan was updated on October 31, 2026 and Orbit on October 26, 2026.

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