Carlson Scan3D vs UgCS Comparison
Compare Carlson Scan3D vs UgCS features, pricing, and more.
Last updated: November 2026
Carlson Scan3D
5.3/10
A handheld 3D scanning app for iOS LiDAR devices and Carlson Windows tablets. It produces colour point clouds for surveyors, engineers and construction teams.
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 | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 5.3/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Analytics | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Cost | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Customization | 4/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Integration | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Scalability | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Security | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Support | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| 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 | ||
| LiDAR Processing | ||
| Offline Field App | ||
| Drone Inspection | Not listed | |
| GIS and Mapping | Not listed | |
| Inspection Automation | Not listed | |
Carlson Scan3D vs UgCS cost by team size
| Team size | Carlson Scan3D | 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?
Why choose Carlson Scan3D
- Higher Ease of Use score (7/10 vs 6/10)
Why choose UgCS
- Has a free plan (Carlson Scan3D does not)
- Higher Customization score (8/10 vs 4/10)
- Higher Scalability score (7/10 vs 4/10)
Pros & Cons
Carlson Scan3D
Pros
- All processing happens on the device, so scans can be made in trenches, vaults or remote sites without a connection.
- Exports DP, E57, RCS, LAS and LAZ files, which load into most point cloud tools.
- Scans can be geo-referenced with Carlson GNSS receivers and survey control files.
- Merges with drone, terrestrial and aerial LiDAR clouds in Carlson Point Cloud to fill gaps.
Cons
- Windows prices are not published, so buyers must go through a dealer.
- Phone LiDAR and depth-camera capture suits small objects and spaces, not large sites.
- There are almost no independent user reviews or ratings to check its performance.
- LandXML model comparison and direct .DP import into Carlson Point Cloud were announced as coming soon at launch.
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 5.3/10 for Carlson Scan3D. The largest gap is in Customization: 4/10 for Carlson Scan3D and 8/10 for UgCS.
UgCS has a free plan; Carlson Scan3D does not list one.
