Polycam logo
🎨 Image Generation

Polycam

3D scanning app with AI-powered texture and object generation.

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4.3 Β·Free / $19.99+ mo Β·Freemium
8.0/10
Trust Score Try Free By The AIProsNCons Editors Β· 2 min read Β· Updated August 2026
poly.cam
Polycam screenshot

🎯 The Honest Verdict β€” Should You Use This?

🟒
Use it ifyou need mobile 3D scanning plus AI texture or object generation.
🟑
Maybe ifyou are exploring AI-assisted 3D asset creation.

Pros

  • Leading mobile LiDAR/photo 3D scanning quality
  • AI text-to-3D and texture generation built in
  • Large, active community of makers and creators

Cons

  • Full AI generation features need a paid plan
  • Best scanning results require a LiDAR-equipped device
  • Learning curve for exporting into other 3D pipelines

βœ… Best for

  • βœ“3D artists scanning real-world objects
  • βœ“Game and AR/VR asset creators
  • βœ“Makers generating textures or simple 3D models with AI

β›” Avoid if

  • βœ•You only need flat 2D image generation
  • βœ•You do not own a compatible scanning device

What is Polycam?

Polycam is a widely-used 3D scanning app for iOS and Android that also offers AI-powered text-to-3D and image-to-3D texture generation for creators.

Polycam sits in the Image Generation category and earns an overall AIProsNCons Trust Score of 8.0/10, making it a solid, dependable choice for most people.

Polycam strengths

Where Polycam shines: leading mobile LiDAR/photo 3D scanning quality, aI text-to-3D and texture generation built in, and large, active community of makers and creators.

Where Polycam falls short

No tool is perfect. The main limitations to weigh up are that full AI generation features need a paid plan, best scanning results require a LiDAR-equipped device, and learning curve for exporting into other 3D pipelines.

How much does Polycam cost?

Polycam runs on a freemium model: there's a free tier to try it, and paid plans (Free / $19.99+ mo) unlock the full feature set.

Is Polycam worth it?

Polycam is worth it if you need mobile 3D scanning plus AI texture or object generation. You should skip it if you only need 2D image generation.

Polycam β€” FAQ

Is Polycam free?

Polycam has a free tier, with paid plans (Free / $19.99+ mo) unlocking more.

What is Polycam best for?

Polycam is best for 3d artists scanning real-world objects, game and ar/vr asset creators, makers generating textures or simple 3d models with ai.

What are the main downsides of Polycam?

The main drawbacks: Full AI generation features need a paid plan; Best scanning results require a LiDAR-equipped device; Learning curve for exporting into other 3D pipelines.

Is Polycam worth it?

With an overall Trust Score of 8.0/10, Polycam is a solid, dependable choice for most people. It is worth it if you need mobile 3D scanning plus AI texture or object generation.

What are the best alternatives to Polycam?

The closest image generation alternatives to Polycam are Midjourney, Pixelmator Pro, and Topaz Gigapixel AI.

Affiliate disclosure: the "Try Free" button may be an affiliate link. If you sign up through it we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects our pros & cons.

Best alternatives to Polycam

The closest image generation tools worth comparing.

Compare side by side β†’

If Polycam isn't quite the right fit, the top alternatives are Midjourney, Pixelmator Pro, Topaz Gigapixel AI. Put them head-to-head in our comparison tool.

Midjourney

🎨 Image Generation

Best-in-class artistic AI image generation.

Gorgeous, market-leading image q…Great for concept art and mood b…
No free planOriginally Discord-based β€” learn…
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4.6 From $10 mo

Pixelmator Pro

🎨 Image Generation

Mac-native AI-powered photo editing and design software.

Beautifully designed, Mac-native…One-time purchase, no subscription
Mac-only, no Windows versionLess known outside the Mac desig…
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4.6 $49.99 one-time

Topaz Gigapixel AI

🎨 Image Generation

Professional-grade AI photo upscaler used by photographers.

Industry-leading upscale qualityOne-time purchase option available
Desktop app, no browser versionPricier than web-based rivals
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…4.5 $99 one-time