Tripo AI vs Polycam
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Tripo AI and Polycam.
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Verdict: Polycam wins
Polycam scores 4.0/5, edging out Tripo AI at 3.8/5. Architects, contractors and facility teams with LiDAR iPhones who need phone-scanned floor plans, measurements and CAD-ready exports without a scanning crew.
Tripo AI AI 3D model generation in seconds | Polycam AI 3D scanning from your phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8 (1 review) | 4.0 (1 review) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting Price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Best For | Game developers, 3D artists and product teams who need fast prototyping, background assets and pipeline throughput and can clean up topology on anything that matters. | 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 Tripo AI → | Visit Polycam → |
Tripo AI
Pros
- + Image-to-3D returned textured meshes in roughly 30–60 seconds in my runs — the throughput is the real product benefit.
- + Multiview input produced noticeably better proportions than single-image input on the same object.
- + Smart Low Poly and auto-rigging made generated assets usable in a game pipeline (with manual weight fixes).
- + Effective per-model cost of $0.09–0.16 on paid tiers with a documented $0.01/credit API and 8 DCC/engine export targets.
- + 200 free credits monthly lets you evaluate real generation before paying.
Cons
- - Single text prompts for complex objects produced plausible-but-wrong geometry in my tests (hallucinated panels, fused details).
- - Hidden surfaces are guessed: texture seams around occluded areas, melted under-surfaces on single-image runs.
- - Option stacking multiplies credit cost — detailed texture + quad + style took one run to 60 API credits versus a 30-credit base.
- - Free tier output is public and non-commercial only.
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, Tripo AI or Polycam?▼
Polycam scores higher at 4.0/5 vs 3.8/5 for Tripo AI, making it the better-rated option in our comparison.
What is the difference between Tripo AI and Polycam?▼
Tripo AI: AI platform that generates high-quality 3D models from text prompts or images in seconds, with rigging and game-ready export. Polycam: Polycam captures 3D scans, floor plans and measurements using a phone camera or LiDAR, and exports them to CAD and BIM formats.
Is Tripo AI or Polycam more affordable?▼
Tripo AI starts at €0/mo, Polycam starts at €0/mo. Check the comparison table above for current pricing.
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