Polycam vs Qlone

Polycam is AI reality capture software for professionals who document, measure and design. It uses AI-assisted photogrammetry and LiDAR to capture spaces, construction sites, facilities, products and materials in 3D, and it can create shareable 3D object models. Users can generate customizable 2D floor plans; paid plans also list instant 3D and editable 2D floor plans. Drone footage can be processed into expansive 3D models. Polycam is available on Android, iOS and web browsers, though Space Mode scanning is limited to compatible iOS devices. Listed exports include GLTF, OBJ, FBX, DAE, STL, USDZ, point cloud formats and DXF; named workflows include Blender, Unity, SketchUp and Xactimate. Free access has limited space, object and AI captures, with GLTF exports and public link sharing. Basic costs $150 a year, equivalent to $12.50 per month when billed yearly. Seven-day trials are offered with annual Basic and Business plans, but not monthly plans or Enterprise. Business is listed at $400 a year and Enterprise at $1,200 a year.

Qlone is a 3D scanner app for creating, editing and exporting models from real objects, available on iOS and macOS. Scanning can use a printable Qlone mat or mat-free AR and Photo modes; Photo mode supports 4K images. Editing tools can fill mesh holes, blur texture imperfections, simplify meshes, smooth or erase sections, and sculpt models. Export formats include OBJ, STL, FBX, GLB, PLY and X3D, with USDZ listed for iOS. The app also supports direct uploads to Sketchfab, i.materialise, Shapeways, Snapchat Lens Studio and CGTrader. Models can be shared as MP4 or GIF videos through iMessage, WhatsApp and other social platforms. The maker says mat-free scans are processed through Qlone Cloud and that it does not store or view users’ models; scans made with the mat are processed on the phone in real time. LiDAR is not required. The app is free to download, but premium export, animated AR view and 4K scanning require an upgrade. Premium Features costs 19.99 USD one-time and includes 50 cloud credits for mat-free scans.