Pointly vs Terrasolid TerraScan

Pointly classifies and vectorizes large LiDAR point clouds from airborne, mobile and terrestrial sources. It accepts LAS and LAZ files and can return classified files in those formats, alongside vectors in DXF, Shapefile, CSV or GeoJSON. Workflows can combine AI classification with rule-based checks using geometry, semantic rules and reference data, with quality control where needed. The service supports API, self-hosted and web use. Its hosted platform runs on Microsoft Azure in the EU by default; separate tenants in other Azure regions are available on request. Pointly Box runs inside a customer's network and can be air-gapped, with licensing via a hardware key. The free account allows three uploads of up to 15 MPoints each to try standard classifiers. Professional S costs 99.00 € per month, net excluding VAT, and includes 500 MPoints per month and unlimited projects. Pointly describes its certification as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and says it usually answers enquiries within one business day.

Terrasolid TerraScan is Windows desktop software for managing, processing, and visualizing point clouds, including tools for creating 3D vector data from laser points. Automatic classification routines can be refined with semi-automatic and manual tools. It can generate 3D building vector models up to LOD2 over large areas and vectorize power lines. Classification routines can be combined into macros for batch processing, and TerraBatch can run macros on other workstations over a LAN. Import and export formats include LAS, LAZ, TerraScan Binary, TerraScan Fast Binary, and user-defined ASCII formats. TerraScan supports point-cloud registration, E57, point classification, and geospatial analysis. The available editions are Full, UAV, and Lite, with network or node-locked licenses. A network license allows multiple users on the same network to share product licenses. Use cases listed by the maker include urban planning, asset management, emergency response, mapping, powerline, road, railway, water resources, forestry, and mining. Paid plans include subscriptions and perpetual licenses; a free trial is available, and no free plan is listed.