Artec Studio vs CloudCompare

Artec Studio9.2Visit CCloudCompare7.9Visit

Higher score Artec Studio #1 in 3D Scanning Software 9.2/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Artec Studio

vs

C CloudCompare #13 in 3D Scanning Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit CloudCompare

• Artec Studio fits best

  Professional scanner capture and inspection

• CloudCompare fits best

  Free point-cloud and mesh processing

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Side by side

Feature	Artec Studio 9.2/10 Visit ↗	CCloudCompare 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	7.9
Ranking	#1 in 3D Scanning Software	#13 in 3D Scanning Software
Best for	Professional scanner capture and inspection	Free point-cloud and mesh processing
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$480/user/yr	Free plan
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Docs · 24/7	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Artec Studio 4/4 · CloudCompare 3/4
Point-cloud tools	✓	✓
Mesh reconstruction	✓	✓
Real-time capture	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
API access	✓	✓
Specs
Supported inputs	Artec structured-light scanners, Artec LiDAR scanners, Artec target-based laser scanners, photos, videos, and camera-equipped devices	BIN, ASCII point clouds, LAS, E57, PTX, FARO, DotProduct, PCD, PLY, OBJ, VTK, STL, OFF, FBX, DXF, SHP, raster and image formats
Supported platforms	Windows 10 x64, Windows 11	Windows, macOS, Linux
Export formats	OBJ, PLY, WRL, STL, AOP, ASC, Disney PTEX, E57, XYZRGB, USD, USDZ, PTX, BTX, XYZ, RCP, CSV, DXF, XML, STEP, IGES, X_T	BIN, ASCII, LAS, E57, PCD, PLY, DRACO, VTK, OBJ, STL, OFF, FBX, DXF, SHP, raster formats
Our review
Pros	Combines scanner capture, photogrammetry, editing, and inspection Includes reverse engineering, scan-to-CAD, and deviation analysis tools Offers workflow scripting and SDK/API access in professional workflows	Free, GPL-licensed, and open source Strong registration, distance analysis, and segmentation tools Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with batch and Python options
Cons	Lite plans do not support 3D scanning Pro Subscription costs $1,700 per year Pro Lifetime does not include scripting features	Primarily processes data rather than capturing it Technical workflows may require specialist knowledge Advanced extensions depend on plugins or CloudComPy integration
Our verdict	Artec Studio is a Windows application for capturing, processing, editing, measuring, inspecting, and exporting 3D data. It supports Artec structured-light, LiDAR, and target-based laser scanners, along with photos, videos, and… Read the review →	CloudCompare is desktop software for viewing, editing, comparing, and processing 3D point clouds and triangular meshes. It is aimed at technical users working with large 3D datasets in surveying, geospatial, research, engineering, and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Artec Studio — where it wins

  • Combines scanner capture, photogrammetry, editing, and inspection
  • Includes reverse engineering, scan-to-CAD, and deviation analysis tools
  • Offers workflow scripting and SDK/API access in professional workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Lite plans do not support 3D scanning
  • Pro Subscription costs $1,700 per year
  • Pro Lifetime does not include scripting features

• CloudCompare — where it wins

  • Free, GPL-licensed, and open source
  • Strong registration, distance analysis, and segmentation tools
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with batch and Python options

  Where it doesn't

  • Primarily processes data rather than capturing it
  • Technical workflows may require specialist knowledge
  • Advanced extensions depend on plugins or CloudComPy integration

• Artec Studio9.2/10 · 30-day trial

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

  Visit Artec StudioFull verdict →
• CCloudCompare7.9/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit CloudCompareFull verdict →