Compare
Phone scanning apps vs. a professional scan
Phone apps are useful for a quick sketch of one room. For a full property, a listing or design work, a professional scan is more complete, more consistent and ready to share.
| Professional scan | Phone app | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage of large spaces | Whole buildings | One or two rooms |
| Measurement consistency | High-accuracy across the space | Varies with the phone and the user |
| Image quality | High resolution, even lighting | Phone camera |
| Dollhouse, plans, tags, Maps | Included | Limited or none |
| Exports for CAD and BIM | E57, RCP, LAS | Usually basic formats |
| Cost | From the minimum project fee | App subscription |
Our view
Which should you choose?
Use a phone app to check a room for yourself. Use a professional scan for anything clients will see or designers will build from.
More comparisons
3D tour vs. photos and videoWhich one helps people decide about a space?Point cloud scanning vs. manual measuringWhen is a scan worth it over a tape and a laser meter?360° photo tour vs. measured 3D tourThey look similar in a thumbnail. They are not the same product.Scan-to-BIM vs. traditional as-built surveyTwo ways to get drawings of an existing building.3D tour vs. in-person viewingDoes a tour replace the visit, or make it better?E57 vs. RCP point cloud filesWhich format should you ask for?Schematic floor plan vs. full CAD drawingDo you need a plan or a drawing set?Progress scans vs. site photosHow to keep a record that holds up later.Hire a scanning service vs. buy a scannerIs it worth owning the equipment?
Start your project with Makan.
Get an estimate in under a minute, or speak to our sales team on WhatsApp.