Compare · 8 min read
iGUIDE vs CubiCasa: Which Floor Plan Tool Is Better for Appraisers?
iGUIDE and CubiCasa are the two most popular floor plan capture tools in residential real estate. Both produce to-scale 2D floor plans suitable for GLA calculations. The right choice depends on your workflow, budget, and whether you need integrated square footage figures.
The short version
- iGUIDE: Best when you need certified ANSI-compliant GLA delivered automatically. Higher hardware cost upfront.
- CubiCasa: Best for low-cost, app-only floor plans. ANSI GLA add-on available. No hardware required.
iGUIDE vs CubiCasa: at a glance
| iGUIDE | CubiCasa | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware required | Yes (PLANIX camera ~$2,500+) | No (smartphone only) |
| Per-scan cost | $15–$25+ | $4–$9 |
| Floor plan delivery | 2–4 hours | 1–2 hours |
| ANSI GLA included | Yes (add-on) | Add-on ($) |
| Best for | High-volume professionals | Occasional or low-budget users |
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Measure your floor plan →How iGUIDE works
iGUIDE uses a proprietary camera system (the PLANIX camera) that captures 360° images and laser measurements simultaneously. The camera connects to a tripod and a smartphone app to guide the capture session. Floor plans are processed automatically by iGUIDE's cloud platform and delivered within a few hours.
iGUIDE's biggest differentiator is integrated square footage. Every iGUIDE package includes an automated GLA calculation. iGUIDE also offers ANSI Z765-compliant measurements as an add-on for appraisal use.
How CubiCasa works
CubiCasa is a smartphone app (iOS and Android) that uses your phone's camera and sensors to capture a floor plan. You walk through the property holding your phone, and CubiCasa's AI processes the scan into a clean, to-scale 2D floor plan in about 1–2 hours. No dedicated hardware required.
CubiCasa's base product delivers a 2D floor plan with room labels and dimensions. For appraiser use, CubiCasa offers an ANSI GLA add-on that provides a certified square footage figure alongside the floor plan.
Pricing
iGUIDE requires purchasing the PLANIX camera (~$2,500–$3,500 USD depending on package). Per-scan fees apply on top of the hardware cost. Total cost of ownership is significantly higher than CubiCasa for low-volume users.
CubiCasa charges per scan with no hardware cost. Basic floor plans run $4–$9 per scan depending on plan. The ANSI GLA add-on is an additional fee per property. For appraisers doing fewer than 5–10 scans per month, CubiCasa is typically more cost-effective.
Accuracy and appraisal use
Both tools produce floor plans accurate enough for GLA calculations. iGUIDE's laser-based system typically achieves ±1–2% accuracy. CubiCasa's AI-based system is generally accurate to within 1–3% for standard residential layouts.
For formal appraisal use, both offer ANSI Z765-compliant GLA reports as an add-on. iGUIDE's automated GLA is included by default; CubiCasa's ANSI report requires ordering the add-on explicitly.
Already have the floor plan?
If you already have a floor plan from iGUIDE or CubiCasa and just need to calculate GLA yourself, PlanSnapper lets you upload the PDF floor plan and trace the perimeter to get an accurate square footage in minutes. No waiting for an add-on report, just upload and measure.
Related reading
- How to get square footage from a CubiCasa floor plan
- What is gross living area (GLA)?
- ANSI Z765 square footage standard explained
- Floor plan measurement tool for GLA calculation
- iGUIDE vs MagicPlan: comparison
- CubiCasa vs Canvas vs iGUIDE: three-way comparison
- FAQ: How to use CubiCasa, Matterport, or iGUIDE floor plans with PlanSnapper
- How to read a floor plan: symbols, scales, and dimensions
- Floor plan dimensions: how to read and use them for square footage
- Furniture floor plan: how to use one to verify room size
- Apex Sketch vs Cubicasa: comparison
- Apex Sketch vs Iguide: comparison
- Canvas vs Cubicasa: comparison
- Canvas vs Iguide: comparison
- iGUIDE vs GetFloorPlan: comparison
- iGUIDE vs WinSketch: comparison
- iGUIDE vs RoomSketcher: comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between iGUIDE and CubiCasa?
iGUIDE 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: iGUIDE or CubiCasa?
Iguide and Cubicasa serve different workflows. Iguide 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 iGUIDE and CubiCasa be used together?
Iguide 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 iGUIDE cost compared to CubiCasa?
iGUIDE 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: iGUIDE or CubiCasa?
Ease of use depends on your starting point. iGUIDE 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 iGUIDE 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 iGUIDE and CubiCasa are most useful for creating sketches from scratch or capturing measurements in the field.
Which works better for calculating GLA: iGUIDE or CubiCasa?
Both iGUIDE 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.
How do iGUIDE and CubiCasa handle existing floor plan PDFs?
Neither iGUIDE nor CubiCasa is primarily designed to import and calculate square footage from an existing PDF floor plan. Both tools are built around creating or capturing floor plans from scratch. If you already have a PDF floor plan, PlanSnapper lets you upload it directly, trace the walls, and get an accurate GLA figure without redrawing anything.
Which is better for occasional users: iGUIDE or CubiCasa?
iGUIDE and CubiCasa are both specialized tools with learning curves that reward regular use. Occasional users often find dedicated subscription tools hard to justify. For someone who needs to calculate square footage a few times a month, PlanSnapper is designed for exactly that: no training required, no annual contract, upload and measure in minutes.