Polycam
Polycam turns your phone into a 3D scanner. Using photos, LiDAR or 360-degree captures, it builds textured 3D models of objects and spaces that you can measure, edit and export for games, architecture, real estate and more.
Quick Facts
| Developer | Polycam Inc. |
|---|---|
| First released | 2020 |
| Latest version | Mobile app and web, updated continuously |
| Platform | iOS, Android, web |
| License | Proprietary |
| Pricing | Free plan; Pro subscription, see official website |
What is Polycam?
Polycam is a 3D scanning app for iOS and Android that captures real-world objects and spaces. Point your phone's LiDAR sensor at a room, or take a ring of photos around an object, and the app stitches the data into a textured 3D model.
The scans live in a cloud-based library where you can view them in a browser, take measurements, clean them up with AI-assisted tools and export them in a wide range of formats including OBJ, FBX, glTF, USDZ and LAS. It is used by architects, game developers, filmmakers and real estate professionals alike.
Key Features
- LiDAR scanning for rooms and structures on iPhone and iPad Pro
- Photo mode that turns a photo set into a 3D model
- 360-degree camera support for large spaces
- AI cleanup tools for removing unwanted objects and noise
- Built-in measurement tools for distances and areas
- Cloud library with browser-based viewing
- Exports to OBJ, FBX, glTF, USDZ, LAS and more
How to get started
Download the app, pick a capture mode and start scanning. For an object, walk a circle around it taking photos; for a room, sweep the LiDAR sensor across walls and floors. The app guides you on coverage while you capture.
Processing happens in the cloud, so a capture is ready shortly after you finish. Open it in the web viewer to inspect the mesh, use the AI tools to clean it up, then export in whatever format your project needs.
- Install the Polycam app on iOS or Android
- Choose LiDAR, photo or 360 capture mode
- Scan your object or space following the on-screen guide
- Wait for cloud processing to finish
- Clean up, measure and export the model
Use cases
- Real estate listings with walkable 3D tours
- Architecture and construction site documentation
- Capturing reference models for game environments
- Digitizing props and objects for 3D pipelines
- Heritage preservation and museum documentation
- AR experiences anchored to real scanned spaces
Pricing and licensing
Polycam follows a freemium model. The free plan includes a limited number of captures per month and basic exports, which is plenty for testing the app. The Pro subscription unlocks unlimited captures, high-resolution processing, AI cleanup tools, measurement features and more export formats.
There is also a Polycam for Teams offering for studios and firms that need shared libraries and management tools. Exact limits and prices change, so check the official website for the current figures.
Pros and cons
Polycam's huge advantage is that anyone with a modern phone can create real-world 3D content. The LiDAR room scans are remarkably quick, the app is polished, and the cloud workflow means your scans are accessible anywhere.
The trade-offs are accuracy and control. Photogrammetry quality depends heavily on lighting and surface texture, shiny or transparent objects are troublesome, and free-tier limits plus subscription costs add up for heavy users. For precision work you still want professional scanning equipment.
Alternatives
- KIRI Engine: photogrammetry app for iOS and Android
- Scaniverse: free mobile scanning from Niantic
- Luma AI: captures real scenes for 3D and AI use
- RealityScan: Epic's high-quality photogrammetry app
- Metascan: fast LiDAR and photo scanning app