Best iPad LiDAR Scanning App for Contractors in 2026: Forge vs Canvas vs Polycam
Compare the top iPad LiDAR scanning apps for commercial contractors in 2026. Coverage of Forge, Canvas Scan to CAD, Polycam, and MagicPlan with pricing, accuracy, and workflow fit.
The best iPad LiDAR scanning app for contractors depends on your output: Forge for takeoff-to-proposal in the field, Canvas for Scan to CAD deliverables, Polycam for 3D models, and MagicPlan for floor plans. All four use iPhone/iPad Pro LiDAR. The right choice is driven by what you need to produce after the scan.
What LiDAR scanning does for contractors
LiDAR on iPhone Pro and iPad Pro captures depth data that turns into measurements. For installation contractors, the value is direct: a scan produces dimensions you can build a bill of materials from, without returning to a Windows desktop to markup PDFs. The scan-to-measurement workflow is the differentiator from traditional takeoff methods.
The four apps worth considering
Forge — takeoff to proposal on the device
Forge is built for commercial installation contractors — security, AV, low-voltage, roofing, solar, HVAC. The workflow is scan, measurement, BOM, proposal, all on the device in your pocket. It runs natively on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
The difference from PDF-based takeoff is that the iPad LiDAR captures physical dimensions directly, eliminating the need to scale a 2D drawing. The scan becomes the basis for a measured scope and a client-ready proposal without returning to a Windows-only environment.
Pricing: $599/month (Apprentice), $1,499/month (Journeyman), $2,999/month (Master). All tiers include unlimited users and month-to-month terms.
Canvas — Scan to CAD for remodelers
Canvas targets the home improvement and remodel market specifically. The app produces an iPhone LiDAR scan that can be sent to Canvas's Scan to CAD service, which converts the scan to a measured CAD drawing within roughly 1 percent dimensional accuracy.
Scanning is free; CAD conversion is paid per scan. For remodelers who need a measured drawing rather than just a mesh, this is a strong option.
Polycam — 3D model export for designers
Polycam is a popular prosumer LiDAR app with strong 3D model export options (OBJ, GLB, USDZ, FBX). It's better suited to designers, 3D artists, and architects who need detailed 3D models for visualization than to contractors doing daily field documentation.
Limited workflow features for construction teams — no punch lists, no GPS photo timeline, no PDF reports. Free tier available; Pro at $20/user/month.
MagicPlan — floor plans and basic estimates
MagicPlan generates floor plans and basic estimates from iPad scans. It gets users from room capture to an estimate-friendly output without many handoffs, which makes sense for residential measurement work.
Less compelling for site-heavy or exterior work. Best when manual redraw costs are a pain point.
How to choose
Choose Forge if: you need takeoff-to-proposal for commercial installation work, you want to stay off Windows-only software, and you value having measurements, BOM, and proposal in one workflow.
Choose Canvas if: you're a remodeler who needs measured CAD drawings and you're comfortable with a per-scan conversion fee.
Choose Polycam if: 3D model export is your primary output and you don't need construction-specific workflow features.
Choose MagicPlan if: floor plans and basic estimates are what you need and you're doing residential or interior work.
Accuracy and scanning technique
Consistency matters for reliable geometry. Move slowly and steadily while scanning, maintain a clear line of sight to surfaces, and avoid abrupt changes in direction. Because smartphone sensors have a shorter effective range, staying within a few meters of the target surface yields more reliable results.
For large spaces, multi-pass capture with deliberate overlap handles the work. Most contractor apps support this workflow, including Polycam, Canvas, and MagicPlan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which iPad LiDAR scanning app is best for commercial contractors?
For commercial installation contractors, Forge is the most purpose-built option. It connects scan, measurement, BOM, and proposal in one native workflow on iPhone/iPad Pro. Canvas is a strong option for remodelers who need CAD output. Polycam and MagicPlan are better suited to 3D modeling and residential floor plans respectively.
How accurate is iPad LiDAR for takeoff work?
Smartphone LiDAR accuracy is sufficient for commercial takeoff when scanning technique is correct. The key is maintaining consistent distance from surfaces and avoiding rapid movement during capture. For remodelers requiring measured CAD, Canvas's Scan to CAD service produces drawings within roughly 1 percent dimensional accuracy.
Do I need a specific iPad model for LiDAR scanning?
Yes. LiDAR scanning requires an iPad Pro model with a LiDAR sensor. The iPhone 12 Pro and later also support LiDAR scanning. Earlier iPad and iPhone models do not have the hardware required for LiDAR capture.
Can I use LiDAR scanning outdoors?
Yes, but with limitations. LiDAR works best on interior surfaces where you can maintain close proximity. Outdoor scanning is possible but accuracy degrades with distance. For roofing specifically, ground-level LiDAR combined with AI processing is an option, with photo fallback for non-LiDAR devices.
What's the cost difference between these apps?
Pricing varies significantly. Polycam has a free tier with Pro at $20/month. Canvas charges per CAD conversion. Forge is priced per business at $599/month (Apprentice), $1,499/month (Journeyman), or $2,999/month (Master), with unlimited users included. MagicPlan uses a subscription model for full features.