FARO Sphere XG vs Propeller: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of FARO Sphere XG and Propeller to help you choose the right tool for your business.
Last updated: November 2026
FARO Sphere XG
5.9/10
FARO Sphere XG is a cloud platform where construction, operations and geospatial teams process, view, measure and share point clouds, 360 photos and BIM models.
Propeller
6.8/10
Propeller is a cloud 3D mapping and survey analytics platform. It turns drone and GNSS data into measurable site models for earthworks, construction, mining and aggregates teams.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | F FARO Sphere XG | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 5.9/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Integration | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Security | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Support | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Cost | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Analytics | 5/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Customization | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Scalability | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | No | No |
| Cheapest paid plan | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Features | ||
| Digital Twin | ||
| LiDAR Processing | ||
| Document Control | Not listed | |
| Drone Inspection | Not listed | |
| Engineering Design | Not listed | |
| GIS and Mapping | Not listed | |
| Inspection Automation | Not listed | |
Which One Should You Choose?
FWhy choose FARO Sphere XG
- Higher Security score (8/10 vs 7/10)
Why choose Propeller
- Higher Analytics score (8/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Integration score (7/10 vs 5/10)
Pros & Cons
FFARO Sphere XG
Pros
- It accepts data from FARO terrestrial and mobile scanners, from iPhone LiDAR and from 360 cameras, so mixed capture methods end up in one cloud project.
- The Stream app pre-registers Orbis scans in the field, which reduces failed registrations and repeat site visits.
- Scans are placed on floor plans and sorted by date, which suits progress documentation and dispute records.
- A SOC 2 Type 2 examination by A-LIGN covers FARO Sphere and HoloBuilder.
- Capterra reviewers give it a high average rating and mention responsive customer support.
Cons
- There is no public pricing. Every package needs a custom quote from FARO.
- It works best with FARO hardware, and third-party integrations are not well documented.
- Some reviewers say the editing layout is hard to navigate, and others say pricing could be better.
- It has no maintenance, work-order or asset-registry functions for industrial operations.
Propeller
Pros
- Combines drone, LiDAR, GNSS rover and total station data on a single map, regardless of which hardware captured it.
- AeroPoints give survey-grade ground control without the manual surveying normally needed to set control points.
- Strong stockpile, cut and fill, and progress tooling, with a long track record in earthworks and aggregates.
- Integrates with common construction systems such as Procore, Trimble Connect, Autodesk Build and HCSS.
- The trust center shows a SOC 2 Type 2 attestation.
Cons
- No published software pricing, so buyers have to request a quote.
- Hardware such as AeroPoints and DirtMate adds separate costs on top of the software.
- Reviewers find less depth for vertical construction and interior fitout work.
- Some reviewers say the price may seem high to smaller clients.
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
Propeller scores higher on our Industrial & Infrastructure Software criteria: 6.8/10 against 5.9/10 for FARO Sphere XG. The largest gap is in Analytics: 5/10 for FARO Sphere XG and 8/10 for Propeller.
No, neither FARO Sphere XG nor Propeller lists a free plan.
