PIX4Dcatch

PIX4Dcatch is a mobile app for capturing ground scans and turning terrestrial data into 3D models. It records image frames with position and orientation information and provides real-time feedback on scan coverage. Models are georeferenced using photogrammetry and LiDAR; LiDAR depth capture is used by the iOS version, while Android processing does not use depth data. Processing does not happen on the phone and requires a valid PIX4Dcloud or PIX4Dmatic license or trial. Captured data can be uploaded to PIX4Dcloud or exported to PIX4Dmapper or PIX4Dmatic, and the product page describes overlays for DXF, IFC, and SHP designs. Capture can continue offline after login, but cloud uploads need internet access. Phone GNSS geolocation is expected to be a few meters; a supported RTK device can provide absolute accuracy in the range of a few centimeters, with a compatible receiver and active regional NTRIP subscription. PIX4Dcloud can process up to 4,000 captured images per project. Plans include a free Discovery license and PIX4Dcatch Pro at $132.50 a month, billed yearly, excluding taxes.

PIX4Dcatch combines mobile scan capture with georeferenced modeling workflows and several export options. Keep in mind that processing requires a separate valid license or trial, and RTK accuracy depends on compatible equipment and a regional subscription.

It is intended for field users such as surveyors, civil engineers, and utility professionals. It may suit teams that need to capture scans in the field and process or share data through PIX4D products.

PIX4Dcatch is a mobile tool for capturing ground scans that feed georeferenced 3D modeling workflows. It is best suited to surveying, civil engineering, and utility teams that need structured field capture rather than a standalone phone-based modeling app. Its clearest advantage is pairing scan-coverage feedback with optional RTK positioning; processing still depends on a separate PIX4D license or trial.

Overview

PIX4Dcatch records image frames with position and orientation information and shows scan coverage feedback during capture. It builds georeferenced models through photogrammetry and LiDAR, but depth capture is platform-dependent: iOS uses LiDAR depth data, while Android processing does not use depth data. That distinction matters for teams whose workflow depends on depth sensing.

Phone GNSS geolocation is expected to land within a few meters. With a supported RTK receiver, absolute accuracy can reach a few centimeters, a meaningful improvement for field work where placement precision matters. That upgrade requires compatible hardware and an active NTRIP subscription for the region. Supported devices include Trimble Catalyst DA2, Leica Zino FLX100 plus, Topcon Hyper CR, Emlid Reach RX and RX2, and Bad Elf Flex and Flex Mini.

Capture can continue offline once logged in, although starting the app requires internet access and PIX4Dcloud uploads need connectivity. Processing does not run on the phone: users need a valid PIX4Dcloud or PIX4Dmatic license or trial. PIX4Dcloud supports up to 4,000 images per PIX4Dcatch project; for maximum-resolution projects above 1,750 images, PIX4D recommends at least 10 GB of available storage.

Key features

• Field capture guidance: Real-time coverage feedback helps operators judge whether a scan has been captured sufficiently before leaving the site.
• Georeferenced modeling: Photogrammetry and supported LiDAR workflows produce location-aware models, with the iOS/Android depth-data difference worth considering when standardizing devices.
• RTK support: Compatible receivers can improve absolute accuracy from phone GNSS’s few-meter range to a few centimeters, but add equipment and regional NTRIP subscription requirements.
• Design context: The product page describes DXF, IFC, and SHP overlays, useful for comparing capture work against design information.
• Exports and handoff: Captured data can go to PIX4Dcloud or be exported to PIX4Dmapper or PIX4Dmatic. Supported formats include OPF, PLY, OBJ, GLTF, WKT, and ZIP; point-cloud, orthophoto, GIS, and ground-control-point exports are supported.

Pricing

The Discovery plan costs nothing. It includes a free license, LiDAR 3D capture, GPS georeferencing, point measurement, and tools to create GCPs and marks. It is a sensible starting point for capture and basic field measurement, but processing still requires a separate PIX4Dcloud or PIX4Dmatic license or trial.

PIX4Dcatch Pro costs $132.50 a month, billed yearly, excl. taxes. It adds RTK support, GPS georeferencing, GCPs and marks, Gaussian Splatting, AR points, volume computation, Autotags, and self-paced training. This is the more relevant plan for professionals who need advanced field tools and RTK support, though the receiver and NTRIP subscription are separate requirements.

PIX4Dcatch Pro + PIX4Dcloud Pro costs $506.67 a month, billed yearly, excl. taxes. It includes Pro features plus cloud processing, storage and sharing, Timeline, Auto GCPs, CAD overlay, 2D and volume comparison, 2,500 free credits yearly, and self-paced training. This is the integrated choice for teams that want capture and cloud processing together; its yearly billing and higher cost make it excessive for capture-only use. A 15-day trial is offered.

Platforms

PIX4Dcatch is available on Android and iOS for capture, with Windows also listed among supported platforms. Deployment is desktop, and the mobile apps differ in depth-data processing: iOS uses LiDAR depth capture, while Android does not. The workflow also has a storage and connectivity cost: login and cloud upload need internet, though field capture after login can happen offline.

Who it's for

PIX4Dcatch fits surveyors, civil engineers, and utility professionals who need georeferenced ground capture and can work within PIX4D’s processing ecosystem. It is especially compelling when scan coverage feedback and RTK-enabled positioning matter. It is a weaker fit for casual 3D scanning or anyone seeking a complete modeling and processing workflow on the phone, since processing is external and precision upgrades require additional hardware and subscription support.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Coverage feedback during capture helps field users assess scan completeness on site.
• Pro: RTK support can bring absolute accuracy into the few-centimeter range for teams with compatible receivers and regional NTRIP access.
• Pro: Multiple export formats and handoffs to PIX4Dcloud, PIX4Dmapper, or PIX4Dmatic support broader modeling and GIS workflows.
• Con: Processing cannot be completed on the mobile device, so a separate PIX4Dcloud or PIX4Dmatic license or trial is necessary.
• Con: RTK accuracy is not a phone-only benefit; it depends on compatible equipment and an active regional NTRIP subscription.
• Con: Android does not use depth data during processing, limiting parity with the iOS LiDAR workflow.

Alternatives

Polycam is a better fit for a broader mobile and web capture option with a free tier that includes GLTF exports and public link sharing, though its free plan has limits on space, objects, and AI captures.

KIRI Engine suits users who want a free photo-based workflow with up to 150 photos per scan, a 2 GB scan cap, and unlimited scans and free exports.

MetaScan may suit users seeking a free mobile scanning option with a capped library and one HD reconstruction per month.

PhotoCatch is a possible alternative for users who want an iOS and macOS option with a free download and in-app purchases.

RealityScan is worth considering for users who need a wider platform mix, including Linux and Windows, and a free plan for eligible individuals, small businesses, educational institutions, and students.

Scaniverse is an alternative for users who prefer a free plan with monthly credits, five seats, mobile capture, and exports including FBX, SPZ, and PLY.

OpenMVG is a free, open-source library for users who prefer a self-hosted or developer-oriented route.

3Dsurvey is another option for teams comparing paid desktop processing workflows.

Browse more options in Photogrammetry Software and AI 3D Scanning Software.

Verdict

PIX4Dcatch is a strong choice for field professionals who need guided ground capture, georeferenced models, and a path to RTK-level positioning within a PIX4D workflow. Choose it when those capture and accuracy needs justify external processing and possible receiver and subscription costs; look elsewhere for an all-in-one mobile modeling tool or a workflow that does not depend on PIX4D processing.