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. Its editing is limited to layout (walls and furniture); it can't generate a photorealistic render 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Plan | ||
| AI redesign / reskinning | ||
| Core Plan — All Basic Features Plus | ||
| Phone room scan | ||
| LiDAR scanning | ||
| Auto floor plan generation | ||
| 3D room modeling | ||
| Client inspiration upload / reskin | ||
| Photorealistic PDF export | ||
| Growth Plan — All Core Features Plus | ||
| Material library / catalog | ||
| Customer design portal | ||
| Client design collaboration | ||
| Material takeoff automation | ||
| Instant project quote | ||
| Vendor marketplace integration | ||
| Contractor CRM | ||
| Project management tools | ||
| Scheduling tools | ||
| Coming Soon | ||
| Payments / invoicing | Soon | |
| Contractor lead generation | Soon | |
| AR / VR walkthrough | Soon | |
| CAD model from architectural plans | Soon | |
| Full house design (new build / flips) | Soon | |
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's editing is limited to layout (walls and furniture), with no finish-level or photorealistic remodel design.
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.
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.
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