Comparison

3D Scratchpad vs DIY

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

Head to head
About

3D Scratchpad

Create 3D models with a user-friendly design tool. Freehand draw in 3D using primitive shapes and gestures. Manipulate objects with augmented reality and share your creations as .usdz files.

Highlights
  • Freehand 3D drawing
  • Primitive solid shapes
  • Intuitive gestures
  • Augmented reality manipulation
  • Share as .usdz files
Features
Read full description

3D Scratchpad is an easy-to-use, full-featured design tool for creating 3D models. Freehand draw in three dimensions using simple primitive solid shapes and intuitive gestures. Manipulate objects as if they were in the real world with augmented reality, and share your models as .usdz files for viewing in augmented reality. 3D Scratchpad creates a short path between design ideas and useful 3D models for designers, modelers, makers, gamers, 3D-printing enthusiasts, hobbyists, educators, engineers, and architects. Use 3D Scratchpad to create and fabricate prototypes, to model new products, parts, and structures, and to create and share 3D art and designs. 3D Scratchpad enables you to design in the real world. Built to enable immersive, intuitive, and interactive design, 3D Scratchpad unlocks your design creativity and gives you the tools you need to create and share 3D models. Purchasing an auto-renewing 3D Scratchpad Subscription enables the ability to save and share 3D models.

About

DIY

Design and plan your DIY projects in 3D with this intuitive CAD software. Utilize extensive libraries of components, materials, and colors to visualize your creations before you build. Easily import models from other programs and share high-resolution images of your designs.

Highlights
  • 3D project planning and drawing
  • Extensive component libraries (wood, metal, glass, etc.)
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Import various 3D model formats (FBX, OBJ, STL, etc.)
  • Realistic materials and colors
  • Imperial and metric measurement systems
  • High-resolution photo function
Features
Read full description

Do you have an idea, would you like to do some handicrafts yourself? Are you planning a project in your own home, maybe you want to build your own table, porch or cabinet? Are you still looking for suitable software to plan your project and draw it in advance, preferably in 3D? Then the DIY CAD Designer is for you! Download the DIY CAD Designer today and make your project fun. The DIY CAD Designer has numerous libraries so you can simply drag and drop wooden beams, boards, sheets, rods and much more into your 3D scene to construct your project. You can also use the importer to import models from other programs for use in your project. With DIY CAD Designer you can import the following formats: - FBX - OBJ -GLTF2 - STL - PLY - 3MF Numerous libraries make your work easier. The DIY CAD Designer includes the following component libraries: - Base - Wood - metal - Glass - Stone - components There are also numerous materials and colors that will help you to implement your planning realistically. The editing functions allow you to change components quickly and easily. Rotate, scale, position or copy your components. Choose between imperial [ft] or metric [m] measurement system. At the push of a button you can change your view, whether orthogonal or perspective, depending on the application. Quick viewing angles such as top view, front view or side view are also possible. With the 3D dimensioning system, you can very quickly read all the information you want from your construction. The photo function allows you to create and share high-resolution images of your project. So what are you waiting for? Download DIY CAD Designer now and take full advantage! I wish you a lot of fun with the DIY CAD Designer!

Screenshots

3D Scratchpad4 screens
DIY4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DIY at 4.1 against 3D Scratchpad's 2.7. DIY also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 19%) and update cadence (every 5 months vs every 15 months). 3D Scratchpad's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Scratchpad sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and DIY sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DIY holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 25 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 19% of 3D Scratchpad's written reviews are positive against 50% of DIY's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3D Scratchpad ships an update every 15 months, DIY every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
3D Scratchpad versus DIY: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3D ScratchpadDIY
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (12 ratings)4.1 (25 ratings) — better
Positive reviews18.5% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1225 — better
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB242 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEngineered StuffSebastian Kemper

Customer experience

3D Scratchpad

All ratings12 ratings
Positive41.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative58.3%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive18.5%
Neutral7.4%
Negative74.1%

DIY

All ratings25 ratings
Positive76.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

3D Scratchpad

Subscriptions3
  • One Month Subscription$1.991 Month
  • Six Month Subscription$6.996 Months
  • One Year Subscription$9.991 Year
4 purchases

DIY

Subscriptions3
  • Pro Version$17.991 Month
  • Pro Version (year)$29.991 Year
  • Pro Version (year)3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Version$8.99

Questions

Is 3D Scratchpad free?
3D Scratchpad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DIY free?
DIY is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 3D Scratchpad or DIY?
DIY is rated higher. 3D Scratchpad averages 2.7 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while DIY averages 4.1 from 25 ratings.
Do 3D Scratchpad or DIY have ads?
DIY shows ads; 3D Scratchpad does not.
Which is updated more often, 3D Scratchpad or DIY?
3D Scratchpad ships an update every 15 months, and DIY every 5 months. Most recently, 3D Scratchpad was updated on October 21, 2026 and DIY on October 23, 2026.

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