What is the difference between Canvas and CubiCasa?

Canvas and CubiCasa are different tools with different strengths. The best choice depends on your workflow, budget, and whether you need features like 3D scanning, floor plan generation, GLA calculation, or design capabilities. This page breaks down a direct comparison.

Which is better for real estate appraisers — Canvas or CubiCasa?

Canvas and Cubicasa serve different workflows. Canvas is better suited for one use case while Cubicasa fits another — the right choice depends on whether you need field capture or office-based GLA calculation from existing floor plans.

Can Canvas and CubiCasa be used together?

Canvas and Cubicasa can complement each other in some workflows — for example, using one for field capture and the other for GLA calculation and reporting. Check the comparison table above for specific integration details.

How much does Canvas cost compared to CubiCasa?

Canvas and CubiCasa have different pricing models — one may charge per user, per project, or via annual subscription, while the other may offer a free tier or pay-per-use option. Check the comparison table above for current pricing details and which offers better value for your volume of work.

Which is easier to use — Canvas or CubiCasa?

Ease of use depends on your starting point. Canvas tends to fit one type of user or workflow, while CubiCasa is designed for another. If you are working from an existing floor plan PDF and need to calculate square footage quickly, a browser-based tool like PlanSnapper may reduce the learning curve entirely — no software installation required.

Do I need Canvas or CubiCasa if I already have a floor plan PDF?

If you already have a floor plan as a PDF or image, you may not need either tool. PlanSnapper lets you upload the PDF directly and trace walls in your browser to calculate GLA — no software installation required. Both Canvas and CubiCasa are most useful for creating sketches from scratch or capturing measurements in the field.

Which works better for calculating GLA — Canvas or CubiCasa?

Both Canvas and CubiCasa can support GLA calculation, but the workflow differs. One may require field measurement and sketch entry while the other may allow importing existing floor plans. If your starting point is an existing PDF or image floor plan, PlanSnapper provides a faster path — upload, trace, and get the GLA figure without entering either tool's workflow.

Do Canvas and CubiCasa floor plans need ANSI Z765 verification before use in an appraisal?

Yes. Both Canvas and CubiCasa capture all interior space by default and do not automatically apply ANSI Z765 exclusion rules. Appraisers must confirm that garages, below-grade areas, and covered porches are excluded from the reported GLA. Reviewing the exported floor plan and retracing qualifying areas ensures the figure meets lender requirements.

Which is more affordable for independent appraisers — Canvas or CubiCasa?

Both Canvas and CubiCasa are scan-based services that require specialized hardware or per-scan fees, making them less practical for appraisers who only need to calculate GLA from existing floor plan documents. If cost is a priority and you already have floor plan PDFs, a browser-based tool like PlanSnapper at $9 per day or $29 per month is significantly more affordable.

Compare · 7 min read

Canvas vs CubiCasa: Best Floor Plan App for Appraisers?

Canvas and CubiCasa are both smartphone apps that produce to-scale floor plans. Both are used by real estate appraisers. Both support ANSI GLA — but their capture methods, pricing, and turnaround times are very different.

The short version

Canvas: Best for appraisers who want instant on-device results. Requires a LiDAR-equipped iPhone or iPad. Captures in minutes, processes on-device.
CubiCasa: Best for appraisers without LiDAR hardware. Walk-through capture on any smartphone, cloud processing with 1–2 hour turnaround.

Canvas vs CubiCasa: at a glance

	Canvas	CubiCasa
Hardware required	LiDAR iPhone/iPad (Pro models)	Any smartphone
Capture method	LiDAR room scan	Continuous walk-through video
Processing	On-device (near instant)	Cloud (1–2 hours)
ANSI GLA	Yes (GLA report included)	Add-on ($)
Pricing	~$0–$5/scan (subscription)	$4–$9/scan + GLA add-on

How Canvas works

Canvas (by Occipital) uses the LiDAR scanner built into iPhone and iPad Pro models (iPhone 12 Pro and later, iPad Pro with LiDAR). You walk through each room holding your device. The LiDAR sensor fires thousands of laser pulses per second to map the space in 3D. Canvas processes this point cloud on-device into a clean 2D floor plan with precise dimensions.

For appraisers, Canvas offers GLA calculations that can be exported as a report. Because everything is processed locally, you have results in the field immediately — no waiting for cloud processing. Canvas exports to PDF, DXF, and other formats compatible with appraisal software.

How CubiCasa works

CubiCasa works on any smartphone — no LiDAR required. You walk through the property holding your phone while CubiCasa records the scan. The video and sensor data are uploaded to CubiCasa's cloud servers, where AI processes it into a to-scale floor plan. Turnaround is typically 1–2 hours.

CubiCasa's ANSI GLA add-on provides a certified square footage figure alongside the floor plan. It is ordered at capture time and delivered with the floor plan. CubiCasa is widely used in real estate photography packages and integrates with MLS platforms.

Accuracy

Canvas's LiDAR-based capture is generally the more accurate of the two for smaller spaces — typically ±1% or better on standard residential layouts. Accuracy can degrade in very large or complex multi-story homes where LiDAR range limits apply.

CubiCasa's AI-based capture is accurate to approximately 1–3% for standard layouts. It handles multi-story homes well because you capture each floor in a separate session. For most residential appraisal use cases, both are within acceptable tolerance.

Device requirements

Canvas's LiDAR requirement is its biggest limitation. Not every appraiser has an iPhone Pro or iPad Pro. If you use an older iPhone or an Android device, Canvas is not an option. CubiCasa works on essentially any modern smartphone, which makes it more accessible.

Already have the floor plan?

If you have a Canvas or CubiCasa floor plan and need to calculate or verify GLA yourself, PlanSnapper lets you upload the PDF or image, set the scale, and trace the perimeter. You get an accurate square footage without relying on an add-on report.

Try PlanSnapper free →