Meshy AI vs Polycam
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Meshy AI and Polycam.
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Verdict: Meshy AI wins
Meshy AI scores 4.2/5, edging out Polycam at 4.0/5. Game studios and 3D content teams generating prop and asset volumes who want generation, retopology, texturing and rigging in one credit-metered pipeline with real DCC delivery.
Meshy AI AI 3D model generation from text and images | Polycam AI 3D scanning from your phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2 (1 review) | 4.0 (1 review) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting Price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Best For | Game studios and 3D content teams generating prop and asset volumes who want generation, retopology, texturing and rigging in one credit-metered pipeline with real DCC delivery. | Architects, contractors and facility teams with LiDAR iPhones who need phone-scanned floor plans, measurements and CAD-ready exports without a scanning crew. |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | free tierapi access | free tiermobile app |
| Visit Meshy AI → | Visit Polycam → |
Meshy AI
Pros
- + Full post-processing inside one pipeline — Smart Topology, UV/texturing, rigging and animation — instead of round-tripping through other tools.
- + Credit costs are published per operation (25 for default image-to-3D on paid plans, 5-20 for retopo, 0 for remesh/rig), so per-asset cost is calculable before you subscribe.
- + Free retry allowances per task (4 on Pro up to 40 on Ultra) meaningfully reduce wasted credits on failed generations.
- + Ecosystem depth: DCC bridges for Unity, Unreal, Blender, Roblox, Godot, Maya, 3ds Max plus REST API and MCP server that bill in shared credits.
Cons
- - Free tier is a demo: 100 credits, no downloads, CC BY 4.0 attribution licensing, low queue priority.
- - The model/credit matrix is complex — Meshy 7.1 is image-to-3D only, Ultra 2K defaults to 25 credits on paid plans, 8K texturing is gated to one texture model.
- - Complex organic and multi-part mechanical models still need real artist cleanup; this accelerates pipelines, it does not replace them.
- - Team features (SSO, collaboration, 100+ API rps, forever asset retention) require Studio/Enterprise sales conversations.
Polycam
Pros
- + LiDAR Space Mode produced an editable 2D floor plan with auto-labeled rooms within seconds of finishing a scan in my test of a two-bedroom flat
- + Export round-trips worked: layered DXF floor plans opened with scale and layers intact in a CAD viewer, and OBJ/USDZ meshes imported cleanly
- + Five capture modes (Object, Space, Floorplan, AI Capture, 360) cover objects, interiors and documentation in one app instead of three tools
- + Business tier allows up to 2,000 images and 30 minutes of video per capture — enough resolution in my mechanical-room test to reconstruct reflective pipework that smaller captures smeared
- + Free tier is usable for real experimentation: limited captures, GLTF export and public link sharing at $0
Cons
- - Floor plans and the measurement layer require a LiDAR device — the same scan on a non-LiDAR phone returned only a mesh in my testing
- - Basic's 300-image capture ceiling cut short my photogrammetry coverage of a display cabinet mid-capture
- - Measurement accuracy is undocumented against survey standards; fine for as-builts, not for contractual tolerances
- - Processing and floor-plan generation are server-side, so disconnected sites become a capture-now-process-later workflow
- - Subscription-only (the vendor pricing FAQ rules out one-time purchase), with floor plans, point clouds and shared libraries gated at Business ($400/year per user)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Meshy AI or Polycam?▼
Meshy AI scores higher at 4.2/5 vs 4.0/5 for Polycam, making it the better-rated option in our comparison.
What is the difference between Meshy AI and Polycam?▼
Meshy AI: Meshy turns text prompts and images into textured 3D models, exporting to FBX, OBJ, GLB and STL for use in game engines and 3D printing. Polycam: Polycam captures 3D scans, floor plans and measurements using a phone camera or LiDAR, and exports them to CAD and BIM formats.
Is Meshy AI or Polycam more affordable?▼
Meshy AI starts at €0/mo, Polycam starts at €0/mo. Check the comparison table above for current pricing.
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