Software Comparison

Polycam vs Luma AI: Mobile Gaussian Splatting Apps Compared

An expert comparison to help you choose the right equipment for your project.

Feature	Polycam	Luma AI
Capture Methods	LiDAR (iPhone 12 Pro+), Photogrammetry, Video-to-GS	Video upload, Photo sets (any camera)
Accuracy	1-2cm (with LiDAR, user-reported vs laser measures)	Visual optimization only (no dimensional accuracy)
Processing	Cloud via AWS (minutes)	Cloud (<1 minute for standard scenes)
Export Formats	GLTF, FBX, PLY, USDZ, OBJ, video	GLB, USD, OBJ, MP4
Platforms	iOS, Android, Web	iOS, Web, API
Pricing	Free (basic) / $150/yr Pro / ~$400/yr Business	Free (basic) / Paid tiers for higher usage
Service Pricing	Free (basic) / $150/yr (Pro) / ~$400/yr (Business)	Free (basic) / Paid tiers for advanced features

Pricing shown reflects average US rates. Actual costs vary by location based on local market conditions, regulations, and project logistics — both within the US and internationally. Get a custom quote

Option A Polycam Inc.

Polycam

LiDAR-Powered 3D Scanning with Professional Export Options

Polycam is a mobile 3D scanning app available on iOS and Android that combines LiDAR depth sensing (on supported devices) with photogrammetry and Gaussian Splatting for versatile 3D capture. The app offers room detection, multi-room scanning with 1-2cm accuracy, automatic floor plan generation, and professional export formats. Polycam's Pro tier ($150/year) unlocks high-quality exports and team collaboration, while the Business tier adds measurement tools. With 4.7/5 stars and over 540,000 ratings on iOS, it is the most widely adopted mobile 3D scanning app.

Pros

LiDAR-enhanced scanning produces the most accurate mobile 3D captures (1-2cm)
Automatic floor plan generation and room detection (Pro tier)
Widest export format support among mobile apps (GLTF, FBX, PLY, USDZ, OBJ)
Unreal Engine 5 integration for professional game/VFX workflows
Mature, widely adopted app (540K+ iOS ratings, 4.7/5 stars)
Team collaboration features and cloud project management (Business tier)

Cons

Pro pricing increased to $150/year — criticized by DIY users
Scan quality can degrade in long multi-room sessions
LiDAR capture requires iPhone 12 Pro or newer (limits Android users)
Business tier (~$400/year) required for measurement tools
Cloud processing dependency — no offline processing option
Free tier has export watermarks and limited saves

Best For

Real estate agents creating quick property scansArchitects doing rapid site documentation with LiDAR accuracyGame developers capturing real-world environments for UE5Content creators making 3D social media contentFacilities managers documenting spaces with floor plansUsers who need professional export formats from mobile captures

Option B Luma AI Inc.

Luma AI

AI-Powered Cloud Gaussian Splatting with Best-in-Class Visual Quality

Luma AI is a cloud-based 3D capture platform that produces Gaussian Splat models from uploaded video clips or photo sets. Known for producing the best visual quality among consumer GS tools, Luma AI processes uploads in under 1 minute and requires no special hardware — any smartphone video works. The platform emphasizes accessibility and creative tools, including text-to-3D generation (Dream Machine) and AI-enhanced scene reconstruction. Luma AI is free for basic use with paid tiers for higher usage and quality.

Pros

Best-in-class visual quality among consumer GS applications
Fastest processing — cloud generates GS models in under 1 minute
No special hardware required — any smartphone video or photo set works
Free tier with generous usage for personal projects
Creative AI tools (text-to-3D, Dream Machine) for artistic applications
Simple workflow — just upload a video and receive a 3D model

Cons

No LiDAR integration — relies entirely on photogrammetric reconstruction from video
No measurement tools, floor plans, or dimensional accuracy
Fewer export formats than Polycam (no FBX, PLY, or USDZ)
No offline processing — fully cloud-dependent
Less mature mobile app compared to Polycam's feature set
API rate limits on free tier can restrict heavy usage

Best For

Quick photorealistic 3D captures for social sharing and portfoliosArtists and creators wanting AI-enhanced 3D contentUsers without LiDAR-equipped devices (any smartphone works)Experimentation and learning GS technology at zero costRapid prototyping of 3D scene conceptsProjects where visual quality matters more than measurement precision

Our Expert Verdict

Depends on Your Needs

Polycam and Luma AI serve overlapping but distinct audiences. Polycam is the professional choice: LiDAR accuracy, floor plans, professional export formats, and UE5 integration. Luma AI is the accessibility champion: best visual quality, fastest processing, zero hardware requirements, and a generous free tier. For professional building documentation, neither app replaces enterprise drone or LiDAR scanning services — but both are valuable tools for quick room-scale captures and experimentation.

Choose Polycam if...

Choose Polycam when you need LiDAR-enhanced accuracy, professional export formats (GLTF, FBX, PLY), floor plan generation, measurement tools, or Unreal Engine integration.

Choose Luma AI if...

Choose Luma AI when you want the fastest, simplest path to a photorealistic 3D model from any smartphone video — ideal for creative projects, social content, and experimentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which app produces better Gaussian Splatting quality?

Luma AI is generally regarded as producing the best visual quality among consumer GS apps, particularly for scenes with complex materials and lighting. Polycam produces high-quality GS as well, especially when using LiDAR-equipped devices, but its strength is more in accuracy and versatility than raw visual fidelity.

Do I need an iPhone with LiDAR for either app?

Luma AI works with any smartphone — it processes standard video without LiDAR. Polycam works on all smartphones for photogrammetry mode, but its highest-quality captures require an iPhone 12 Pro or newer with LiDAR. If you have an older phone or Android without LiDAR, Luma AI offers a more consistent experience.

Can either app scan a whole building?

Both apps can capture room-scale and small building interiors from ground level. Neither can capture building exteriors above 2-3 stories, rooftops, or large site context — that requires drone aerial capture. For building-scale professional Gaussian Splatting, THE FUTURE 3D uses DJI enterprise drones with DJI Terra V5.0+ processing.

How do the free tiers compare?

Polycam's free tier allows unlimited LiDAR scans and up to 180 photos but limits export quality and adds watermarks. Luma AI's free tier allows basic video-to-GS processing with standard quality. Both free tiers are usable for experimentation and personal projects.

What about Scaniverse as an alternative?

Scaniverse (by Niantic) is a completely free iOS app with LiDAR support and GS output. It lacks Polycam's professional export formats and Luma AI's cloud processing speed, but offers a zero-cost option with no subscriptions. Worth trying alongside both apps.

Does THE FUTURE 3D scan individual objects?

No. THE FUTURE 3D focuses exclusively on buildings, environments, locations, and sites. We do not scan individual objects, products, props, or vehicles. For object-scale 3D scanning, consumer apps like Polycam, Luma AI, or the 3DMakerPro Eagle scanner are suitable alternatives.

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