Polycam vs Agisoft Metashape

Polycam9.3Visit Agisoft Metashape8.0Visit

Higher score Polycam #1 in AI 3D Scanning Software 9.3/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Polycam

vs

Agisoft Metashape #8 in AI 3D Scanning Software 8.0/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 4 features Visit site

• Polycam fits best

  Broad mobile, cloud, and survey scanning

• Agisoft Metashape fits best

  Professional photogrammetry and geospatial production

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Side by side

Feature	Polycam 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Agisoft Metashape 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.0
Ranking	#1 in AI 3D Scanning Software	#8 in AI 3D Scanning Software
Best for	Broad mobile, cloud, and survey scanning	Professional photogrammetry and geospatial production
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$150/yr	$179 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	7 days	30 days
Free trial length	7 days	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Polycam 1/4 · Agisoft Metashape 1/4
Textured mesh output	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Measurement tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Web app	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
API access	✓	✓
Specs
Capture input	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Mobile platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Export formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Photogrammetry, drone mapping, orthomosaics, and georeferenced exports Web, iOS, Android, API access, and webhook support Free plan plus mesh, point-cloud, floor-plan, and report workflows	Dense clouds, textured models, DSMs, DTMs, and orthomosaics Ground control, check points, and geospatial export support Windows, macOS, Linux, Python scripting, and API access
Cons	Free plan limits captures, storage, exports, and AI usage Cloud processing may not suit offline or local-only workflows Ground-control-point workflows use CloudCompare rather than an in-app editor	Standard Edition starts at $179 as a one-time license Licenses are node-locked rather than broadly transferable Professional workflows may exceed the needs of casual 3D users
Our verdict	Polycam is a cloud-based 3D capture platform for creators, contractors, designers, and enterprise teams. Its mobile apps and web workspace process photos, videos, LiDAR captures, drone imagery, and aerial mapping inputs into 3D models and… Read the review →	Agisoft Metashape is standalone photogrammetry software that converts digital images into 3D spatial data. It is aimed at professionals working in surveying, mapping, GIS, cultural heritage documentation, visual effects, and measurement.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Polycam — where it wins

  • Photogrammetry, drone mapping, orthomosaics, and georeferenced exports
  • Web, iOS, Android, API access, and webhook support
  • Free plan plus mesh, point-cloud, floor-plan, and report workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Free plan limits captures, storage, exports, and AI usage
  • Cloud processing may not suit offline or local-only workflows
  • Ground-control-point workflows use CloudCompare rather than an in-app editor

• Agisoft Metashape — where it wins

  • Dense clouds, textured models, DSMs, DTMs, and orthomosaics
  • Ground control, check points, and geospatial export support
  • Windows, macOS, Linux, Python scripting, and API access

  Where it doesn't

  • Standard Edition starts at $179 as a one-time license
  • Licenses are node-locked rather than broadly transferable
  • Professional workflows may exceed the needs of casual 3D users

• Polycam9.3/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A broad cloud 3D scanning suite for mobile capture, mapping, exports, and team workflows.

  Visit PolycamFull verdict →
• Agisoft Metashape8.0/10 · 30-day trial

  A professional photogrammetry suite for reconstruction, mapping, and geospatial exports.

  Visit siteFull verdict →