KIRI Engine vs. Polycam
Which popular cloud-processing 3D scanning app offers more robust solutions? This comparison takes a look at the pricing and features of each app to help you make the decision.
Zion · Jan 21, 2025
KIRI Engine vs. Polycam
Which 3D scanner app is best for you?
Cloud processing for edge-cutting 3D scanning solutions have formulated an increasingly competitive scene for 3D scanner applications, and users from drastically different fields have delve into making 3D scanner apps a part of their workflow.
Despite the market saturation, only a few have stood out. Many 3D scanning enthusiasts have tried the well-known, early bird of the industry: Polycam, in this blog post, we will take a closer look and compare KIRI Engine with Polycam and see the unique features and advantages they each bring to the table.
Polycam's official homepage.(From the Polycam website）
Key Differences:
Powerful cloud processing has opened up countless opportunities for enthusiasts and professionals to try 3D scanning. However, picking the right one for your needs is extremely important.
Polycam focuses on scanning and exploring 3D models with its community, however, the general quality and output are catered more towards enthusiasts, where the exported models aren't designed for a wide range of practices.
On the other hand, KIRI Engine focuses on providing users a more versatile scanning experience, offering scanning methods such as Featureless Object Scan and Quad-Mesh retopology, which are both unique features to KIRI Engine. The ability to execute half the processing before the actual export grants efficiency to the user's extended use of the 3D scans.
The revolutionary Featureless Object Scan allows for what was previously impossible for 3D scanning, KIRI's development team researched and leverages machine learning to break through the limitation of not being able to 3D scan shiny/reflective/transparent features.
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KIRI Engine has also developed mesh-inclusive 3D gaussian splatting, which is a breakthrough technology that transforms the 3D gaussian splatting representation into an actual mesh that makes the revolutionary 3D gaussian splats actually usable in 3D editors such as Blender, Maya, Cinema4D, Unreal Engine 5, Unity, etc.
Plans and Costs: what's in front and behind the paywall?
As both KIRI Engine and Polycam offer high quality 3D scanning methods and algorithms, they come at a different cost which can accumulate to a drastic difference over time, especially when users plan to integrate 3D scanning into their long-term workflow.
While both apps offer a free plan, one acts more similar to a glimpse into the technogy, while the other is fully functional. Polycam allows free users to upload and create scans for free, but they are limited to exporting only the glTF format, which is a lightweight version of what 3D models can be.
On top of which, the files need to be 'published' in order to be exportable, forcing contribution to Polycam's explore page where all users can access the scans.
In contrast, KIRI Engine allows for the selection of precise formats suitable for different professional needs, such as FBX for gaming assets, OBJ for accurate 3D modeling, and STL for slicing and 3D printing. Uploads are free and users can create unlimited scans at all time. The files are private to the users, and they can export their scans 3 times for free each week using export coupons, and in designated file formats.
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KIRI's Quad-Mesh Retopology feature and its UI within the KIRI Engine App
Price Comparison
 Polycam |  KIRI Engine | |
|---|---|---|
| Month | $24.99 | $17.99 |
| Year | $149.99 | $47.99 (New User Discount) |
Which one should I choose?
Objectively, both 3D scanners offer a wide range of 3D scanning methods and robust algorithms, but when it comes down to subscribing to one of the two, which one should you choose?
If you're looking to dabble in 3D scanning and value viewing other creations rather than creating files for yourself, that can extend to practices such as game development, VFX, 3D printing, etc. Then Polycam may be a very decent tool for you. If pricing isn't a concern.
However, if you're looking for a high-quality, consistent 3D scanner application, KIRI Engine with its versatility comes out on top in various ways. On average, KIRI Engine offers higher precision, lower cost, and better 3D model usability.
In addition, KIRI Engine also has a development oriented team that is always listening to user-feedback and constantly tries to improve, where support is ingrained in every way, whether that is through the feedback portal, email, or the community on discord.
