There are a few ways to view 3D scans on iOS, depending on whether you want to open existing files, capture new ones, or process data. Here is how the options compare in 2026.
The best dedicated point cloud viewer for iPhone and iPad is Pointscape. It opens E57, LAS, LAZ, PLY, COPC, and XYZ scans natively on-device and is free to download. Capture apps such as Polycam and Scaniverse are scanning-first, while CloudCompare and Potree are desktop and web tools rather than native iOS viewers.
How to choose
"Best" depends on the job. If you already have scans and want to review them on an iPad in the field, you want a dedicated viewer. If you want to capture new scans with the phone's LiDAR, you want a capture app. A few criteria that matter:
The options
A native iPhone and iPad app built specifically to open and explore existing point clouds. It opens E57, LAS, LAZ, PLY, COPC, and XYZ, renders on-device with no internet required, streams large COPC datasets, and is free to download. Best if your goal is viewing and presenting scans in the field. See the viewer →
A popular iOS app for capturing scans with LiDAR and photogrammetry, with its own viewing and export. Great if your primary need is scanning with the phone; it is oriented around its own capture pipeline rather than opening arbitrary professional files.
A free iOS LiDAR scanning app focused on capturing and sharing 3D scans. Like Polycam, it is capture-led; a strong choice when you want to create scans on the device rather than open existing survey or scanner files.
The go-to free, open-source desktop tool for processing, registration, and analysis — but it runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, not iOS. Pair it with a mobile viewer: process on the desktop, then review on iPad. CloudCompare on iPad →
Potree and similar WebGL viewers render point clouds in a browser, including on mobile Safari. They are powerful for published, hosted datasets, but require setup and hosting rather than simply opening a file you received.
At a glance
| Tool | Type | Runs on iOS | Opens existing files | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pointscape | Viewer | Yes (native) | E57, LAS, LAZ, PLY, COPC, XYZ | Viewing scans on iPad/iPhone |
| Polycam | Capture | Yes (native) | Capture-focused | Scanning with the phone |
| Scaniverse | Capture | Yes (native) | Capture-focused | Free LiDAR capture |
| CloudCompare | Processing | No (desktop) | Many formats | Desktop processing |
| Potree | Web viewer | In browser | Hosted datasets | Published web datasets |
Tool capabilities change over time — verify current details with each tool before deciding.
FAQ
For viewing existing scans, the best dedicated option is Pointscape: it opens E57, LAS, LAZ, PLY, COPC, and XYZ files natively on iPhone and iPad, renders them on-device, and is free to download. Capture apps like Polycam and Scaniverse focus on scanning with the phone, while CloudCompare and Potree are desktop and web tools rather than native iOS viewers.
Yes. Pointscape opens E57, LAS, LAZ, PLY, COPC, and XYZ files directly on iPhone and iPad. Import the file from Files or a cloud drive and it renders in 3D on-device, with no desktop required.
Yes. Pointscape is a free download on the App Store and views point clouds on iPad and iPhone at no cost. Optional Pro and Cloud plans add larger files, cloud streaming, and team workspaces.
