Carlson Scan3D vs Propeller: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of Carlson Scan3D and Propeller to help you choose the right tool for your business.
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.
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 | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 5.3/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Analytics | 4/10 | 8/10 |
| Cost | 5/10 | 4/10 |
| Customization | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Ease of Use | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Integration | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Scalability | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Security | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Support | 6/10 | 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 | ||
| LiDAR Processing | ||
| Digital Twin | Not listed | |
| Document Control | Not listed | |
| Drone Inspection | Not listed | |
| Engineering Design | Not listed | |
| GIS and Mapping | Not listed | |
| Inspection Automation | Not listed | |
| Offline Field App | Not listed | |
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose Carlson Scan3D
- Higher Cost score (5/10 vs 4/10)
Why choose Propeller
- Higher Analytics score (8/10 vs 4/10)
- Higher Scalability score (7/10 vs 4/10)
- Better fit for construction (9/10 vs 7/10)
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.
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 5.3/10 for Carlson Scan3D. The largest gap is in Analytics: 4/10 for Carlson Scan3D and 8/10 for Propeller.
No, neither Carlson Scan3D nor Propeller lists a free plan.
Propeller is the better fit for construction: we rate it 9/10 for them, against 7/10 for Carlson Scan3D.
