Carlson Scan vs Katapult Pro: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of Carlson Scan and Katapult Pro to help you choose the right tool for your business.
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.
Katapult Pro
6.5/10
Katapult Pro is a cloud pole attachment platform. It covers field data collection, make-ready engineering design, and joint use management for utilities, telecom builders, and OSP engineering firms.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | C Carlson Scan | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 4.8/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Analytics | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Cost | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Customization | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of Use | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Integration | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Scalability | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Security | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Support | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | No | No |
| Cheapest paid plan | Contact for pricing | $116/mo Data Collection |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Contact for pricing | $116/mo Data Collection |
| Features | ||
| Asset Registry | Not listed | |
| Engineering Design | Not listed | |
| Engineering Simulation | Not listed | |
| GIS and Mapping | Not listed | |
| Inspection Automation | Not listed | |
| Inspection Checklists | Not listed | |
| LiDAR Processing | Not listed | |
| Offline Field App | Not listed | |
| Power Line Inspection | Not listed | |
| Safety and Compliance | Not listed | |
Carlson Scan vs Katapult Pro cost by team size
| Team size | Carlson Scan | Katapult Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | Contact for pricing | $116/moData Collection |
| 5 users | Contact for pricing | $116/moData Collection |
| 10 users | Contact for pricing | $116/moData Collection |
| 25 users | Contact for pricing | $116/moData Collection |
| 50 users | Contact for pricing | $116/moData Collection |
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
Our data shows no clear advantage over Katapult Pro.
Why choose Katapult Pro
- Higher Customization score (7/10 vs 4/10)
- Higher Scalability score (7/10 vs 4/10)
- Better fit for engineering firms (9/10 vs 6/10)
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.
Katapult Pro
Pros
- Pricing is published, contracts are month to month, and there is no cancellation penalty, which is rare among pole engineering tools.
- Read-only users are free, so stakeholders can review data without paying for a license.
- Field crews can collect pole photos and heights without entering the power space, and photos are matched to poles automatically.
- Clearance violation detection and pole loading are built in, with SPIDAcalc export included.
- Joint use workflows track FCC shot clock deadlines for utilities.
Cons
- O-Calc Pro export costs an extra $231 a month.
- Joint Use Management and Site License pricing are not published.
- The one-time setup fee of $1,815, plus optional equipment the site lists at $3,200 to $3,450, raises the cost of getting started.
- Reviewers say results depend on clean, consistent input data, and clearance checks can feel worksheet-like for edge cases.
- It is focused on pole attachment work and does not offer general CMMS features such as work orders or spare parts.
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
Katapult Pro 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 7/10 for Katapult Pro.
No, neither Carlson Scan nor Katapult Pro lists a free plan.
Katapult Pro is the better fit for engineering firms: we rate it 9/10 for them, against 6/10 for Carlson Scan.
