Comparison

3D Scratchpad vs CAD Smart Modeling

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

CAD Smart Modeling

Create detailed 3D models, technical drawings, and digital prototypes on your mobile device. This versatile CAD app is suitable for architecture, product design, engineering, and 3D printing, offering intuitive tools for both beginners and professionals.

Highlights
  • 3D Modeling & CAD Design
  • Technical Drawing
  • Precise Geometric Constructions
  • Import & Export of CAD and 3D Files
  • Product Design & Prototyping
  • 3D Models for Architecture & 3D Printing
Features
Read full description

CAD Smart Modeling is your powerful CAD app for 3D modeling, technical drawing, and precise design. Create 3D models, CAD drawings, and digital prototypes directly on your iPhone or iPad. Ideal for architecture, product design, engineering, 3D printing, and DIY projects. Why CAD Smart Modeling? 3D Modeling Made Easy & Precise Create detailed 3D models and geometric designs with intuitive CAD tools—perfect for beginners and professionals alike. CAD Design & Technical Drawing Use powerful tools for precise design, surface and solid modeling, and prototyping. Versatile CAD App for Many Applications Architecture, product development, technical drawing, construction, 3D printing, and creative visualization—all in one app. Import & Export of 3D Models Import your own CAD models or external 3D files and export your designs in common formats for sharing or further processing. Unlimited Creative Freedom Create 3D objects, 3D models, or 3D text – ideal for presentations, social media, or product visualizations. Suitable for Beginners & Professionals Whether you're a student, DIY enthusiast, hobby designer, or professional CAD user – CAD Smart Modeling adapts to your workflow. Features at a Glance • 3D Modeling & CAD Design • Technical Drawing • Precise Geometric Constructions • Import & Export of CAD and 3D Files • Product Design & Prototyping • 3D Models for Architecture & 3D Printing • Creative 3D Text & Visualizations Discover the possibilities of modern CAD modeling on your smartphone. Download CAD Smart Modeling now and turn your ideas into professional 3D models. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

3D Scratchpad4 screens
CAD Smart Modeling4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CAD Smart Modeling at 3.5 against 3D Scratchpad's 2.7. CAD Smart Modeling also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 15 months) and device support (4 vs 2). 3D Scratchpad's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (19% vs 0%). 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 CAD Smart Modeling sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CAD Smart Modeling holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 8 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 19% of 3D Scratchpad's written reviews are positive against 0% of CAD Smart Modeling's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3D Scratchpad ships an update every 15 months, CAD Smart Modeling every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
3D Scratchpad versus CAD Smart Modeling: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3D ScratchpadCAD Smart Modeling
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (12 ratings)3.5 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews18.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better8
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, Mac — better
Requires iOS18.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB440 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%

CAD Smart Modeling

All ratings8 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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
7 purchases

CAD Smart Modeling

Subscriptions5
  • Premium access$3.991 Month
  • Premium access$8.991 Month
  • Premium access$22.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Premium access$44.991 Year
  • Pro Version3 Days trial$44.991 Year
One-time2
  • Premium Access$44.99
  • Premium Access$89.99

Questions

Is 3D Scratchpad free?
3D Scratchpad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CAD Smart Modeling free?
CAD Smart Modeling is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 3D Scratchpad or CAD Smart Modeling?
CAD Smart Modeling is rated higher. 3D Scratchpad averages 2.7 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while CAD Smart Modeling averages 3.5 from 8 ratings.
Do 3D Scratchpad or CAD Smart Modeling have ads?
CAD Smart Modeling shows ads; 3D Scratchpad does not.
Which is updated more often, 3D Scratchpad or CAD Smart Modeling?
3D Scratchpad ships an update every 15 months, and CAD Smart Modeling every 5 months. Most recently, 3D Scratchpad was updated on September 22, 2026 and CAD Smart Modeling on September 9, 2026.

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