With 3D scanning and AI-generated environments becoming more essential in creative industries, Luma AI has stood out for turning real-world scenes into photorealistic assets.
But itβs not the only optionβand definitely not the perfect one for everyone.
After testing a range of tools over several months, Iβve shortlisted the top seven alternatives to Luma AI.
Whether youβre looking for better exports, Android compatibility, offline processing, or more control over your assets, this list will help you make the right choice.
Luma AI Alternatives: Quick Comparison
Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Offline Use | Export Formats |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nerfstudio | Best Open Source NeRF | Free | Yes | NeRF, custom formats |
Polycam | Best All-Rounder | $7.99/month | Yes | OBJ, FBX, GLTF |
Kiri Engine | Best for Android Users | $6.99/month | Yes | OBJ, STL, GLB |
RealityCapture | Best for Professionals | $99/month | Yes | OBJ, FBX, PLY |
Kaedim | Best for Game Devs | $150/month | No | FBX, OBJ |
Trnio | Best for Beginners | $4.99 (one-time) | No | OBJ |
Meshroom | Best Free Photogrammetry | Free | Yes | OBJ, PLY |
1. Nerfstudio β Best Open Source NeRF Tool

Price: Free
Offline Use: Yes
Export Types: NeRF scene, camera paths, mesh (via plugins)
Best For: Developers, AI researchers, technical 3D artists
Nerfstudio has become one of the most robust and transparent alternatives to Luma AI.
Itβs fully open-source and is backed by a fast-growing GitHub community. You can train NeRF models, render 3D environments, control depth, and even generate camera flythroughsβall without relying on a third-party server.
I use this when I need full control and a transparent pipeline. Itβs not plug-and-play, but if you know Python and have a decent GPU, itβs a game-changer.
Pros π
- Open-source and fully customizable
- Runs locally on your own hardware
- Compatible with multiple NeRF backends
- Active developer community
Cons π
- Requires technical knowledge
- No mobile app or GUI
- Steeper learning curve
2. Polycam β Best All-Rounder

Price: From $7.99/month or $69.99/year
Offline Use: Yes (Pro version)
Export Types: OBJ, GLTF, FBX, USDZ
Best For: Creators who need speed and polish
Polycam supports LiDAR, photogrammetry, and NeRFβall in one package.
It works on iOS, Android, and the web. The Pro plan includes powerful export options and offline photogrammetry support.
I really like using Polycam for fast mobile captures. Itβs also great when I need a quick 3D asset and donβt want to mess with code or rendering backends.
Pros π
- Easy to use
- Wide platform support (iOS, Android, Web)
- Fast processing
- Export-ready formats
Cons π
- Less customizable than developer tools
- NeRF exports are limited to video unless converted manually
3. Kiri Engine β Best for Android Users

Price: Free with paid Pro at $6.99/month
Offline Use: Yes (Pro feature)
Export Types: OBJ, STL, GLB
Best For: Android users and mobile creators
If youβre not on iOS, Kiri Engine is a go-to photogrammetry app. It doesnβt use NeRF, but it still produces decent mesh models with full textures.
The app is reliable, clean, and supports offline processing.
I found this tool incredibly useful when testing Android workflows and asset creation for smaller projects.
Pros π
- Android and iOS support
- Offline processing
- Clean geometry outputs
Cons π
- No NeRF
- Not as detailed as Luma or Polycam in lighting realism
4. RealityScan β Best for Professionals

Price: From $99/month
Offline Use: Yes
Export Types: OBJ, FBX, PLY
Best For: Game studios, VFX pipelines, architecture
RealityScan is a photogrammetry powerhouse used in AAA game studios and VFX. Owned by Epic Games, it’s extremely fast and delivers ultra-detailed geometry and textures.
Iβve used RealityScan on high-end workstations to scan environments with thousands of images, and the results are some of the best in the industry.
Pros π
- Professional-grade output
- Handles large image sets
- Trusted in gaming and film
Cons π
- Expensive
- Steep learning curve
5. Kaedim β Best for Game Devs

Price: Starts at $150/month
Offline Use: No
Export Types: FBX, OBJ
Best For: Game developers, concept artists
Kaedim uses AI to generate 3D meshes from 2D concept art. It’s not a scanner or NeRF app, but itβs a strong alternative for people who want to generate stylized assets fast without modeling from scratch.
When I need quick base meshes for prototyping in Unity, Kaedim saves hours.
Pros π
- Fast AI-to-3D
- Clean, game-ready topology
- Ideal for low-poly workflows
Cons π
- Expensive
- Needs manual cleanup in DCC tools
Visit: https://kaedim3d.com
6. Trnio β Best for Beginners

Price: $4.99 (one-time App Store purchase)
Offline Use: No
Export Types: OBJ
Best For: Quick captures, students, hobbyists
Trnio is a super simple mobile app that turns photos into 3D scans. Itβs limited in depth and resolution, but for basic objects or rough concepts, it does the job well.
I recommend this to anyone starting out with 3D and looking for a low-cost intro to photogrammetry.
Pros π
- Affordable and easy to use
- Great for fast tests
- Beginner-friendly
Cons π
- No NeRF
- No Android support
- No offline mode
7. Meshroom β Best Free Photogrammetry Tool

Price: Free
Offline Use: Yes
Export Types: OBJ, PLY
Best For: Developers, tinkerers, open-source fans
Meshroom is a free, offline photogrammetry suite built on AliceVision. Itβs completely open source and gives you full control over reconstruction steps like depth maps and texture mapping.
If you donβt mind waiting for long render times and enjoy tweaking settings, this is a great free alternative.
Pros π
- 100 percent free
- Transparent processing
- Ideal for custom pipelines
Cons π
- Slow on older machines
- Requires technical understanding
Final Verdict: Which Luma AI Alternative Is Best?
After testing each tool hands-on, hereβs how Iβd recommend choosing:
Use Case | Best Tool |
---|---|
Developers and Technical Users | Nerfstudio |
Mobile Creators | Polycam or Kiri |
Game Developers | Kaedim |
Professional Studios | RealityCapture |
Beginners | Trnio or Polycam |
Open-Source Fans | Meshroom |
Every tool has its pros and trade-offs. For me, Nerfstudio is where I go when I need precision and transparency, while Polycam is my quick go-to on the move.
If youβre just starting out, donβt worry about picking the most advanced or expensive tool right away.
Most creators evolve into their tools over time. Start with what matches your current workflow and budget.
You can always switch as your projects get more ambitious. What matters is finding a tool that gives you consistent results without creating friction in your creative process.
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