Agisoft Metashape
Agisoft Metashape is a professional photogrammetry software that processes digital images to generate high-quality 3D spatial data, including dense point clouds, textured meshes, and accurate georeferenced orthomosaics for various industries.
Polycam
Polycam is a powerful 3D scanning application that uses LiDAR and photogrammetry to help you create high-quality 3D models, floor plans, and digital twins using your mobile device or web browser.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Agisoft Metashape | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Website | agisoft.com | poly.cam |
| Pricing Model | One_time | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $99/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 7 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2006 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Paphos, Cyprus | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
Agisoft Metashape
Agisoft Metashape allows you to transform ordinary 2D images into professional-grade 3D models and spatial data. You can process photos from any digital camera, including those mounted on drones or handheld devices, to create highly accurate point clouds and textured meshes. Whether you are mapping a construction site or documenting a cultural heritage site, the software handles the heavy lifting of geometric reconstruction and georeferencing automatically.
You can generate detailed orthomosaics and digital elevation models that are essential for surveying and GIS analysis. The platform is designed to scale with your hardware, utilizing GPU acceleration to speed up processing times for large-scale projects. It serves professionals in archaeology, forestry, mining, and visual effects who need reliable, repeatable results from their imagery.
Polycam
Polycam is a versatile 3D scanning tool that turns your smartphone or tablet into a professional-grade modeling suite. By using LiDAR and photogrammetry technology, you can capture physical objects and spaces to create accurate 3D reconstructions. Whether you are an architect measuring a room or a game developer sourcing assets, you can generate high-resolution textures and precise geometry in minutes.
You can easily share your captures via web links or export them into over a dozen professional file formats like OBJ, GLTF, and DXF. The platform also features a collaborative social feed where you can explore thousands of free 3D assets created by the community. It simplifies the transition from the physical world to digital environments, making 3D capture accessible to everyone from hobbyists to enterprise teams.
Overview
Agisoft Metashape Features
- Photogrammetric Triangulation Process various types of imagery to align photos automatically and build accurate sparse point clouds for your projects.
- Dense Point Cloud Generation Generate highly detailed dense clouds that you can classify into ground and non-ground points for elevation modeling.
- 3D Model Reconstruction Create realistic textured meshes from your point clouds to visualize objects and landscapes in full 3D detail.
- Orthomosaic Export Produce high-resolution georeferenced images of large areas, perfect for integration into your existing GIS software tools.
- Multispectral Processing Calculate vegetation indices like NDVI using multispectral imagery to monitor crop health and environmental changes over time.
- Dynamic Scene Support Process 4D data for cinematic effects or scientific monitoring to track how objects or landscapes change through time.
Polycam Features
- LiDAR Scanning. Capture large spaces and entire rooms in real-time with incredible speed using your device's LiDAR sensor.
- Photo Mode. Transform a series of photos into high-quality 3D models with detailed textures using advanced photogrammetry processing.
- RoomPlan Mapping. Generate accurate floor plans and architectural 3D models of interior spaces automatically as you walk through them.
- Professional Exports. Download your models in formats like .obj, .fbx, .stl, and .dae to use in Blender, Revit, or Unity.
- Web Editing. Upload photos from any camera to the web version for cloud processing and manage your library from your desktop.
- Measurement Tools. Take precise linear measurements and calculate area or volume directly within your 3D captures for project planning.
- AI Texture Generation. Enhance your models with AI-driven tools that help you refine surfaces and create realistic materials for your assets.
- Team Collaboration. Share private links with clients or teammates so they can view and interact with your 3D scans in any browser.
Pricing Comparison
Agisoft Metashape Pricing
- Photogrammetric triangulation
- Dense point cloud generation
- 3D model textured mesh
- Spherical panorama stitching
- Support for basic 3D formats
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Georeferenced orthomosaic export
- Terrestrial laser scanning support
- Multispectral imagery processing
- Network processing and Python API
- Satellite imagery support
Polycam Pricing
- Unlimited LiDAR captures
- Limited Photo Mode captures
- Basic sharing links
- Access to Explore feed
- Web viewer access
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited Photo Mode processing
- All professional export formats
- Blueprint and floor plan exports
- Private captures and sharing
- Priority cloud processing
Pros & Cons
Agisoft Metashape
Pros
- One-time purchase price avoids annoying recurring subscription costs
- Excellent processing speed when using modern GPU hardware
- Highly accurate results suitable for professional land surveying
- Flexible enough to handle both drone and handheld imagery
Cons
- Steep learning curve for users new to photogrammetry
- Requires a high-end computer for large-scale processing
- Interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-based alternatives
Polycam
Pros
- Extremely fast processing times for LiDAR scans
- Intuitive mobile interface makes scanning very easy
- High-quality texture resolution for photogrammetry captures
- Seamless export process to major 3D software
- Active community provides endless free 3D assets
Cons
- Requires latest hardware for best LiDAR results
- Subscription is required for most export formats
- Large scans can consume significant device storage