Carlson Scan vs UgCS Comparison
Compare Carlson Scan vs UgCS features, pricing, and more.
Last updated: November 2026
Carlson Scan
4.8/10
Windows software that runs Carlson's laser scanners and borehole tools to capture, mesh and measure underground voids, stopes and boreholes for mining and civil surveyors.
UgCS
6.5/10
UgCS is desktop drone flight-planning and control software from SPH Engineering. Survey, LiDAR, geophysics and inspection teams use it across DJI, ArduPilot, PX4 and other drone platforms.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | C Carlson Scan | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 4.8/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Integration | 4/10 | 8/10 |
| Security | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Support | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Cost | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Analytics | 5/10 | 4/10 |
| Ease of Use | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Customization | 4/10 | 8/10 |
| Scalability | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Contact for pricing | Free UgCS Open |
| Features | ||
| Inspection Automation | ||
| LiDAR Processing | ||
| Offline Field App | ||
| Drone Inspection | Not listed | |
| GIS and Mapping | Not listed | |
Carlson Scan vs UgCS cost by team size
| Team size | Carlson Scan | UgCS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | Contact for pricing | FreeUgCS Open |
| 5 users | Contact for pricing | FreeUgCS Open |
| 10 users | Contact for pricing | FreeUgCS Open |
| 25 users | Contact for pricing | FreeUgCS Open |
| 50 users | Contact for pricing | FreeUgCS Open |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
CWhy choose Carlson Scan
- Higher Analytics score (5/10 vs 4/10)
Why choose UgCS
- Has a free plan (Carlson Scan does not)
- Higher Integration score (8/10 vs 4/10)
- Higher Customization score (8/10 vs 4/10)
Pros & Cons
CCarlson Scan
Pros
- Shows the point cloud and mesh live during a scan, so crews can check coverage before they leave the site.
- Calculates closed surfaces and volumes on the spot, which suits stope and void reconciliation.
- Processes data on the device, so it works underground with no internet connection.
- The license allows installation on any number of tablets, and version updates have been free for hardware owners.
- Exports to E57, LAS, PTS and DXF for use in CAD and blast design tools.
Cons
- Works only with Carlson's own scanners and probes, so it cannot be bought or used on its own.
- Older C-ALS Mk3 and original Void Scanner units cannot move past legacy version 1.3.6.
- There is no public pricing, and the hardware must be quoted through sales or dealers.
- Almost no independent user reviews were found, which makes it hard to compare against rivals.
- Runs on Windows only.
UgCS
Pros
- Works with more than 100 drone platforms, including DJI, Autel, Freefly and ArduPilot or PX4, which avoids lock-in to one vendor.
- Runs fully offline with cached maps and imported elevation models, which helps on remote survey sites.
- Has dedicated LiDAR tools such as IMU calibration legs, loop turns and scan pattern control.
- Splits large areas automatically into flyable sub-areas and resumes missions after battery swaps.
- The free Open edition lets pilots test the full planning toolset at no cost.
Cons
- Paid license prices differ between the official shop and resellers, which makes budgeting harder.
- The free Open tier is capped at two routes a day of 250 m each.
- There are few independent user reviews on G2 and similar sites.
- It covers flight planning and control only. Asset records, work orders and maintenance tracking need other tools.
Not sold on either?
Air Inspection Automation (AiA)Our product
Plans DJI drone inspection missions for power line towers from LiDAR scans: it finds the towers, places photo stops, checks clearance, and splits the route into battery flights.
Made by the team behind b stack radar. Shown here because it fits this topic. It is not part of our rankings. How we rank tools
Frequently Asked Questions
UgCS scores higher on our Industrial & Infrastructure Software criteria: 6.5/10 against 4.8/10 for Carlson Scan. The largest gap is in Customization: 4/10 for Carlson Scan and 8/10 for UgCS.
UgCS has a free plan; Carlson Scan does not list one.
