Compare · 5 min read
RoomScan vs Magicplan: Which LiDAR Floor Plan App Should You Use?
RoomScan Pro and Magicplan are both iOS apps that use LiDAR (on supported iPhones and iPads) to draw floor plans as you walk through a property. They share the same core technology but make very different tradeoffs on pricing, workflow, and who they are built for. Here is how they compare.
The short version
- RoomScan Pro: Simpler workflow, lower cost, better for appraisers and real estate agents who need accurate GLA measurements fast. Works room-by-room by holding the phone to walls.
- Magicplan: More feature-rich, better for contractors, interior designers, and real estate photographers who need detailed floor plans with furnishings, annotations, and branded exports.
RoomScan Pro vs Magicplan: at a glance
| RoomScan Pro | Magicplan | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use case | GLA measurement, appraisals, quick field capture | Detailed floor plans, renovation, real estate marketing |
| Platform | iOS (iPhone/iPad) | iOS, Android, web |
| LiDAR required | Optional (ARKit fallback available) | Optional (manual mode available) |
| Pricing | ~$9.99/month or one-time purchase | Free tier + from $9.99/month; pay-per-plan option |
| Export formats | PDF, DXF, PNG, CSV (room areas) | PDF, DXF, JPG, PNG, Revit, SketchUp |
| Branded reports | Limited | Yes (white-label on paid plans) |
| Learning curve | Low: tap and scan | Moderate: more settings and modes |
| Best for | Appraisers, agents, home inspectors | Contractors, stagers, photographers, designers |
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Measure your floor plan →How each app captures a floor plan
RoomScan Pro works by holding your phone to a flat wall or ceiling and tapping the screen. The app uses this to anchor each room and builds the plan as you move from room to room. On LiDAR-equipped devices (iPhone 12 Pro and later), it uses the depth sensor for significantly better accuracy: typically within 1–2% of a tape measure on rectangular rooms.
Magicplan offers more capture modes: manual (tap to trace), augmented reality (point camera at corners), and LiDAR on supported devices. You can mix and match, which helps on irregular spaces. The AR mode works on any iPhone but is slower and slightly less accurate than LiDAR mode.
Accuracy
Both apps are accurate enough for most real estate and renovation purposes when used correctly on LiDAR devices. Independent tests typically show both within 2–3% of manual tape measurement on standard rectangular rooms. Complex layouts, open floor plans, and L-shaped rooms introduce more error in both.
Neither app produces ANSI Z765-compliant GLA measurements out of the box: that requires you to apply the ANSI exclusions (garages, unfinished areas, below-grade space) yourself. If you need a verified GLA number for an appraisal report, you will still need to review and clean up the output.
Pricing breakdown
RoomScan Pro has a simple pricing model: a monthly subscription or a one-time in-app purchase for the Pro features. There is a free tier with limited exports.
Magicplan offers a free plan (watermarked exports, 1 active project), a pay-per-plan option (~$2.99 per floor plan), and monthly subscriptions starting around $9.99/month. The subscription unlocks unlimited plans, branded reports, and integrations with tools like Xactimate and Matterport.
For occasional use: say, one or two floor plans a week. Magicplan's pay-per-plan option is often the most cost-effective. For high-volume users, RoomScan Pro's subscription is typically cheaper.
Export and integration differences
Magicplan has a clear edge on integrations. It connects directly to Xactimate (used by insurance adjusters), Matterport, and several property management platforms. If your workflow ends in one of those tools, Magicplan saves you the manual step of re-importing a PDF.
RoomScan Pro exports clean DXF and PDF files that work in AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and most appraisal report software. It also exports a CSV of individual room areas, which is useful if you are doing area calculations in a spreadsheet or running them through a tool like PlanSnapper.
Which should you choose?
- Choose RoomScan Pro if you are an appraiser, home inspector, or real estate agent who needs a fast, accurate floor plan for measurement purposes and wants a simple interface without a steep learning curve.
- Choose Magicplan if you need detailed annotated floor plans, client-facing branded reports, or integrations with insurance or construction software.
- Use both if you want RoomScan's quick capture for field work and Magicplan's polish for client deliverables: the DXF export from RoomScan opens cleanly in Magicplan's editor.
After you have a floor plan: measuring GLA
Both apps give you a floor plan, but neither automatically handles the ANSI Z765 exclusions required for accurate GLA in appraisal reports. That is where PlanSnapper comes in.
Upload the PDF or image from RoomScan or Magicplan, trace the above-grade exterior perimeter, set one calibration measurement, and get a verified GLA in minutes. It fills the gap that both LiDAR apps leave: confirmed ANSI-compliant measurement with a defensible paper trail.
Try PlanSnapper
Upload any floor plan, from RoomScan, Magicplan, or anywhere else, and measure GLA in minutes. $9 day pass for instant access.
Start measuring →Related comparisons
- PlanSnapper vs Magicplan
- PlanSnapper vs RoomScan Pro
- Magicplan vs CubiCasa
- Magicplan vs Matterport
- Floor Plan Creator vs Magicplan
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
- How to prepare your floor plan before uploading: FAQ
- Can I use phone photos for floor plans?: FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Roomscan and magicplan?
Roomscan and magicplan 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: Roomscan or magicplan?
Roomscan and Magicplan serve different workflows. Roomscan is better suited for one use case while Magicplan fits another: the right choice depends on whether you need field capture or office-based GLA calculation from existing floor plans.
Can Roomscan and magicplan be used together?
Roomscan and Magicplan 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 Roomscan cost compared to magicplan?
Roomscan and magicplan 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: Roomscan or magicplan?
Ease of use depends on your starting point. Roomscan tends to fit one type of user or workflow, while magicplan 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 Roomscan or magicplan 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 Roomscan and magicplan are most useful for creating sketches from scratch or capturing measurements in the field.
Which works better for calculating GLA: Roomscan or magicplan?
Both Roomscan and magicplan 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 Roomscan and magicplan handle existing floor plan PDFs?
Neither Roomscan nor magicplan 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: Roomscan or magicplan?
Roomscan and magicplan 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.