Polycam captures the room.
Alcovia transforms it.
Polycam is one of the best 3D scanning apps available. It captures detailed point clouds and meshes of any space. But it's a general-purpose scanning tool — it can't redesign a room, generate photorealistic renders, or help you close a remodeling deal. Alcovia was built specifically for that.
A scanning tool vs a remodeling platform
Polycam is excellent at what it does: capturing high-fidelity 3D scans using LiDAR and photogrammetry. Architects, engineers, and 3D artists use it to digitize real-world objects and spaces. But Polycam is not a remodeling tool. It can't redesign a room, it can't generate photorealistic renders of a proposed remodel, and it has no contractor-specific features — no material takeoffs, no estimates, no client presentations. Alcovia uses LiDAR scanning as the starting point for a complete remodeling workflow: scan, design, render, estimate, and present.
Why contractors switch
- Same LiDAR scanning quality, plus AI-powered room redesign built on top
- Generate photorealistic renders of the proposed remodel — not just a 3D scan of the existing room
- AI design engine lets you prompt changes to any surface, material, or fixture
- Export client-ready PDF presentations with renders and material breakdowns
- Growth plan adds full measurements, material takeoffs, and instant estimates
- Purpose-built for remodeling contractors, not general-purpose 3D scanning
Feature comparison
Alcovia vs Polycam
| Capability | Alcovia | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Scanning & Visualization | ||
| Phone room scan | ||
| LiDAR scanning | ||
| Auto floor plan generation | ||
| 3D room modeling | ||
| AI redesign / reskinning | ||
| AR / VR walkthrough | ||
| Design & Estimation | ||
| Upload architectural plans | ||
| Auto render from plans | ||
| Material library / catalog | ||
| Vendor marketplace integration | ||
| Material takeoff automation | ||
| Instant project quote | ||
| Business Tools | ||
| Contractor CRM | ||
| Project management | ||
| Scheduling tools | ||
| Customer portal | ||
| Client design collaboration | ||
| Payments / invoicing | ||
| Homeowner marketplace | ||
Key advantages
What Alcovia does that Polycam doesn't
Scan + redesign in one app
Polycam scans the room. Then you need a separate tool to redesign it. Alcovia scans the room and redesigns it with AI — all in the same app, in the same visit.
Photorealistic remodel renders
Polycam captures what the room looks like now. Alcovia shows what the room will look like after the remodel — with photorealistic renders using real material textures.
AI-powered design engine
Prompt Alcovia's AI to change cabinets, countertops, flooring, paint, fixtures — anything. Polycam has no design or editing capability beyond raw 3D capture.
Client presentations
Export polished PDFs with wide-angle renders, close-up details, and material breakdowns. Polycam exports 3D files — not client-facing presentations.
Material takeoffs & estimates
The Growth plan generates complete material takeoffs and instant estimates using your custom price list. Polycam has no estimation or takeoff features.
Built for contractors
LiDAR scanning, AI design, material takeoffs, instant estimates — Alcovia includes everything a remodeling contractor needs. Polycam is a general-purpose 3D scanning tool.
From a contractor who switched
"I was using Polycam to scan rooms and then importing the models into other software to create designs. It took hours. With Alcovia, I scan the room and the AI redesigns it right there. I show the client a photorealistic render before I leave. It's a completely different workflow."
Tom K.|General contractor, switched from Polycam
The bottom line
Polycam is a powerful 3D scanner. Alcovia is a complete remodeling platform — scanning, AI design, photorealistic renders, and instant estimates, purpose-built for contractors.
Scan any room with your phone, redesign it with AI, generate photorealistic renders, and present to your client — all in one app. Try your first project free.
More comparisons
See how Alcovia compares to other tools