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The Best 3D Scanning Software in 2026

We researched 3D scanning software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Products are ranked on their core scanning and reconstruction capabilities, value for money, and verified features for turning sensor data into usable 3D geometry.

Our top picks

  1. Top ranked

    Artec Studio#1 of 29
    9.2/10

    A Windows workflow for scanner capture, photogrammetry, CAD work, and inspection.

    30-day trial

  2. Runner-up

    Creaform.OS#2 of 29
    8.6/10

    A focused acquisition and inspection environment for Creaform hardware workflows.

    Pricing on request

  3. Top-ranked free plan

    MeshLab#6 of 29
    7.9/10

    A free, cross-platform mesh processor for scan cleanup and reconstruction—not live capture.

    Free plan

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

The full ranking 29 tools, best first

29 tools
  1. Best forProfessional scanner capture and inspection

    A Windows workflow for scanner capture, photogrammetry, CAD work, and inspection.

    • API access
    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    9.2/10★★★★★
    Visit Artec Studio
  2. Best forCreaform hardware acquisition

    A focused acquisition and inspection environment for Creaform hardware workflows.

    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit Creaform
  3. Best forSurvey, construction, and Autodesk workflows

    A broad reality-capture suite for teams working across scanning, BIM, and Autodesk tools.

    • API access
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit Autodesk
  4. Best forLeica terrestrial scan registration teams

    A focused registration and point-cloud publishing tool for Leica-led workflows.

    • Point-cloud tools
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit Leica
  5. Best forAerial and close-range photogrammetry

    A modular desktop suite for aerial, UAV and close-range photogrammetry workflows.

    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit Trimble
  6. MeshLab

    Best forFree mesh cleanup and reconstruction

    A free, cross-platform mesh processor for scan cleanup and reconstruction—not live capture.

    • API access
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit MeshLab
  7. JMStudio

    Best forFree scanner software across devices

    A free, multi-device workflow for capturing, refining, and exporting 3D scans.

    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit 3DMakerpro
  8. Best forDevelopers building structured-light scanners

    A capable free foundation for developers building multi-camera 3D scanners.

    • API access
    • Point-cloud tools
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Try 3DUNDERWORLD-SLS
  9. Structure

    Best forStructure Sensor and Apple depth capture

    A focused capture and SDK platform for Structure Sensor and Apple depth workflows.

    • API access
    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit Structure
  10. Best forCross-platform mesh and inspection work

    A cross-platform toolkit for turning scans and medical data into inspectable meshes.

    • API access
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    Free plan · 30-day trial Our MeshInspector verdict → Visit MeshInspector
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit MeshInspector
  11. Best forScan-to-CAD and reverse engineering

    A Windows desktop toolkit for turning scans into editable CAD models.

    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit QUICKSURFACE
  12. Best forMobile scanning with cloud collaboration

    A flexible mobile-first scanner with cloud processing, collaboration, and developer integrations.

    • API access
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit Scaniverse
  13. Best forFree point-cloud and mesh processing

    A capable free processor for technical point-cloud and mesh workflows.

    • API access
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit CloudCompare
  14. Best forApple-device scanning and floor plans

    A capable Apple-device scanner with floor plans, mesh tools, and wide export support.

    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    7.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit 3D Scanner App
  15. Dot3D

    Best forMobile, RTK, and point-cloud capture

    A broad 3D capture toolkit for LiDAR, depth cameras, GNSS, and point-cloud workflows.

    • Real-time capture
    • Point-cloud tools
    Free plan · 7-day trial Our Dot3D verdict → Visit Dot3D
    7.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit Dot3D
  16. Best forFARO ScanArm mesh reconstruction

    A focused Windows tool for ScanArm capture, mesh repair, and CAD-ready surface work.

    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    Pricing on request Our FARO RevEng verdict → Visit FARO
    7.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit FARO
  17. Best forFree Polyga structured-light scanning

    A free Windows toolkit for structured-light scanning, mesh processing, and inspection.

    • API access
    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    7.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit Polyga
  18. Qlone

    Best foriPhone and Mac object scanning

    A capable iPhone and Mac scanner with strong editing, export, and AR features.

    Free plan Our Qlone verdict → Visit Qlone
    7.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit Qlone
  19. Best forFree EinScan Pro processing

    A capable free processing suite for EinScan Pro users on Windows.

    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    7.2/10★★★★☆
    Explore EXScan Pro
  20. Polycam

    Best forFlexible mobile and aerial scanning

    A flexible cloud platform for mobile, photogrammetry, and aerial 3D scanning.

    • API access
    Free plan · 7-day trial Our Polycam verdict → Visit Polycam
    7.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit Polycam
  21. Best forFree Revopoint scanner workflows

    A free, cross-platform toolkit for Revopoint scanner capture and 3D data processing.

    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    6.9/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Revopoint
  22. Best forApple Silicon Gaussian-splat experiments

    A low-cost Mac app for local Gaussian-splat creation, editing, and export.

    6.8/10★★★☆☆
    Visit RadianceKit
  23. Best forFree RGB-D real-time reconstruction

    A free non-commercial option for real-time RGB-D reconstruction on Windows.

    • API access
    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    6.7/10★★★☆☆
    Visit ReconstructMe
  24. Best forPhotogrammetry and GIS production

    A capable photogrammetry desktop tool with GIS outputs and automation, but a costly paid seat.

    • API access
    Free plan · 30-day trial Our RealityScan verdict → Visit RealityScan
    6.6/10★★★☆☆
    Visit RealityScan
  25. Best forRIEGL terrestrial laser scanning

    A specialized Windows suite for capturing, processing, analyzing, and exporting RIEGL scan data.

    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    Pricing on request Our RIEGL RiSCAN PRO verdict → Visit RIEGL
    6.5/10★★★☆☆
    Visit RIEGL
  26. Open3D

    Best forDevelopers building scanning workflows

    A programmable 3D toolkit for developers who need control over scanning workflows.

    • API access
    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    6.4/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Open3D
  27. Best forWeb-connected point-cloud processing

    A capable point-cloud workflow with web sharing, SDK access, and a premium price.

    • API access
    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    6.1/10★★★☆☆
    See PointKit
  28. Best forPeel scanner-to-CAD workflows

    A focused scan-to-CAD tool for Peel 3 workflows and SolidWorks users.

    • Real-time capture
    • Mesh reconstruction
    • Point-cloud tools
    6.0/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Peel.CAD Pro
  29. Best forZ+F field registration and laser scanning

    A focused Windows suite for Z+F scanner control, field registration and point-cloud workflows.

    • Real-time capture
    • Point-cloud tools
    6.0/10★★★☆☆
    Try Z+F LaserControl

No tools match those filters.

Compare at a glance

#ToolFree planPaid fromSupported inputsSupported platformsPoint-cloud toolsMesh reconstructionScore
1Artec StudioNo$480/user/yrArtec structured-light scanners, Artec LiDAR scanners, Artec target-based laser scanners, photos, videos, and camera-equipped devicesWindows 10 x64, Windows 11YesYes9.2
2Creaform.OSNoCreaform 3D scanners; optical CMMs; probe and photogrammetry workflowsWindows 11Yes8.6
3Autodesk ReCap ProNoTerrestrial laser scanners; handheld/SLAM scanners; wearable/SLAM scanners; vehicle/SLAM scanners; aerial LiDAR/photogrammetry; UAV imageryWindows desktop; web/cloud workflowsYesYes8.2
4Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUSNoBLK360, BLK360 G1, BLK ARC, BLK2FLY, BLK2GO, C-Series, P-Series, RTC360, Leica LGS projects, Pegasus mobile data, Faro FLS/FPR/FWS/Faro Raw, Z+F ZFS/ZFPRJ, PTX, PTS, TXT, LiDAR-compatible devices via Cyclone FIELD 360Windows 10/11 and Windows Server 2022; Windows-native devices onlyYesNo7.9
5Trimble Inpho7.9
6MeshLabYesFreePTX point-cloud and range-map filesWindows, macOS, LinuxYesYes7.9
7JMStudioYesFree3DMakerpro Fox, Toucan, Moose, Seal, Mole, Lynx, and Whale scannersWindows 10/11 64-bit; macOS 12/13/14; Android; iOSYesYes7.9
83DUNDERWORLD-SLSYesFreeTwo or more cameras, patterned-light projector, camera image sequencesYesNo7.9
9StructureNoStructure Sensor ST01, ST02, ST03; Apple TrueDepth; Apple LiDARiOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, AndroidYesYes7.9
10MeshInspectorYes$300/user/yrLiDAR, laser scanners, structured-light scanners, photogrammetry, meshes, point clouds, CT/MRI, voxels, polylines, G-codeWeb, Windows, macOS, LinuxYesYes7.9
11QUICKSURFACENo€20/moSTL, OBJ, PLY meshes; PTX point cloudsWindows 10 64-bitYesYes7.9
12ScaniverseYes$200/yr7.9
13CloudCompareYesFreeBIN, ASCII point clouds, LAS, E57, PTX, FARO, DotProduct, PCD, PLY, OBJ, VTK, STL, OFF, FBX, DXF, SHP, raster and image formatsWindows, macOS, LinuxYesYes7.9
143D Scanner AppYesLiDAR, TrueDepth, camera photos, Apple Object Capture photogrammetryiPhone, iPad, MacYesYes7.8
15Dot3DYesiPhone Pro/Pro Max 12+, iPad Pro 2020+, Orbbec Gemini 336L, Intel RealSense D455f/D455/D456/D415/L515, DPI-10, DPI-XWindows, Android, iOSYes7.7
16FARO RevEngNoQuantum Series FaroArm and ScanArm with FAROBlu or Prizm LLP; Design ScanArm 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5C; PC, ASC, XYZ, PTS, E57, NPTS, VTX, PCS, and PWN point-cloud files; STL, PLY, OBJ, OFF, OM, GLTF, and GLB mesh filesWindows 10/11YesYes7.5
17Polyga FlexScan3DYesFreePolyga 3D scanners; Basler and FLIR monochrome global-shutter machine-vision cameras; color machine-vision cameras; standard DLP projectors via HDMIWindows 10 64-bitYesYes7.4
18QloneYes7.3
19EXScan ProYesFreeEinScan Pro, EinScan Pro Plus, EinScan Pro 2X, EinScan Pro 2X Plus, EinScan Pro 2X V2, EinScan Pro HDWindows 10/11 64-bitYesYes7.2
20PolycamYes$150/yr7.1
21Revo Scan 6YesFreeRevopoint INSPIRE, INSPIRE 2, RANGE 2, MINI 2, POP 3, POP 3 Plus, POP 4, MIRACO, MIRACO Pro, MIRACO Plus, and compatible mobile scanning workflowsWindows, macOS, Android, iOSYesYes6.9
22RadianceKitNo$7.99 one-timePhotos (JPG/JPEG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF, BMP), video (MP4, MOV, M4V, AVI), 360° and panoramic media; RadianceCap scene bundlesmacOS 26 Tahoe or later on Apple Silicon (M1 or later)NoNo6.8
23ReconstructMeYesIntel RealSense R200 and F200; Orbbec Astra and Astra L; ASUS Xtion Pro and Xtion Pro Live; Microsoft Kinect v1 for Windows and Xbox 360; PrimeSense 1.08 and 1.09; Structure.io; File Sensor; Network Sensor; External SensorWindowsYes6.7
24RealityScanYes$1,250/seat/yr6.6
25RIEGL RiSCAN PRORIEGL VZ-Line terrestrial laser scanners; RIEGL VZ-i series scanners; external camerasWindows 11YesYes6.5
26Open3DYesFreeIntel RealSense cameras, Azure Kinect, RGB-D image sequences, RealSense bag files, point-cloud files, and mesh filesLinux, macOS, WindowsYesYes6.4
27Polyga PointKitYes$899/device/yrDesktop 3D scanners, laser scanners, 3D cameras, photogrammetry, LiDAR, and other 3D capture devicesWindows desktop application, cross-platform web viewer, cross-platform SDKYesYes6.1
28Peel.CAD ProNoPeel 3 3D scannerWindows 10 64-bitYesYes6.0
29Z+F LaserControlNoZ+F IMAGER series laser scanners; Z+F mobile systems; handheld scanner dataWindows tabletsYes6.0

Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →

Explore other topics All topics →

How we rank 3D scanning software

Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update