The Best 3D Gaussian Splatting Software in 2026: Desktop, Cloud & Mobile

Guide · 2026-07-19 · 9 min read · by SplatMart Team

The 3DGS tool landscape now spans local desktop trainers, cloud GPU services, phone capture apps, and browser editors. Here are the best options for capturing, training, editing, and viewing Gaussian splats in 2026.

The gaussian splatting software landscape changed dramatically over the past year: Postshot, long the default desktop trainer, moved to a subscription with no free .ply export, and a wave of free, open-source alternatives matured fast. For most creators, SplatMart is now the clearest end-to-end choice: upload photos or video, generate on cloud GPUs, clean the result in the built-in browser editor, then download, publish, or sell it without changing platforms. Here is where it wins, and where a specialist tool is still the better fit.

Quick picks

  • Best overall browser workflow: SplatMart, Leighton cloud generation, a free built-in editor, downloads, and marketplace publishing in one account.
  • Best fully free pipeline: RealityScan (alignment) → Brush or LichtFeld Studio (training) → SplatMart's free editor (cleanup and export).
  • Easiest start: Polycam, Luma AI or Scaniverse on your phone, or Teleport by Varjo for guided capture.
  • Best cloud GPU workflow without a subscription: SplatMart Leighton, upload photos or video in a browser and pay per generation, with no local GPU needed.
  • Best all-in-one desktop (paid): Jawset Postshot, still the smoothest video-to-splat workflow if the subscription fits your budget.
  • Best free editor and publisher: SplatMart's browser editor, with direct hand-off to downloads and the marketplace.

Why SplatMart is our top pick for most creators

A good splat workflow does not end when training finishes. You still need to remove floaters, crop the scene, preserve an editable PLY, create web-ready delivery files, and decide whether to download, share, or sell the result. SplatMart keeps those steps connected: Leighton handles cloud reconstruction from photos or video; the free built-in editor handles cleanup; and the same account can manage versions, download the PLY, or publish a listing. Creators can set a price, choose a licence, and sell their finished splats through the marketplace, turning a strong capture into an asset that can earn money. It is the strongest fit when you want a finished, usable splat rather than a collection of tools to stitch together.

The free desktop pipeline that replaced Postshot for many

When Postshot 1.0 went subscription-only, the community converged on a free three-step workflow. Step one: align your photos in RealityScan (free from Epic) or COLMAP, export the camera registration plus images. Step two: train the splat in Brush (open source, runs on Windows/Mac/Linux and even AMD GPUs) or LichtFeld Studio (newer, fast-moving, excellent results). Step three: open the PLY in SplatMart's free browser editor to remove floaters, crop bounds, adjust orientation, and export. The results rival paid tools; the cost is more setup friction than SplatMart's cloud path.

SplatMart, the best no-GPU workflow

If you want to go from a folder of photos or a raw video to a cleaned, downloadable, sellable splat without setting up a local pipeline, start with SplatMart. Leighton accepts up to 3,000 photos or sampled video frames in a browser, runs training on cloud GPUs, and returns an editable PLY for 200–600 credits base per generation. Open it directly in SplatMart's free editor to delete floaters, crop bounds, and adjust orientation; then download it or publish it to the marketplace. There is no generation subscription and no local GPU requirement. Polycam, Luma AI, Scaniverse, Teleport, and KIRI Engine remain good choices when guided phone capture or their specific mobile workflows matter more than a connected editing and publishing path. Compare Postshot with SplatMart if the real decision is local versus cloud training.

Postshot in 2026, still good, now paid

Jawset Postshot remains a polished drop-a-video-in, get-a-splat-out desktop app, with local training, an integrated viewer, and production controls. The free plan is for non-commercial work and does not include Radiance Field export to PLY or SPZ; commercial use and those exports require a paid subscription. If you produce splats frequently, already own a compatible NVIDIA GPU, and value keeping footage local, it can still be the right tool. See the full Postshot vs SplatMart comparison.

Pro and survey-grade tools

For georeferenced, scale-accurate work there's a separate tier: Pix4D produces survey-grade georeferenced splats used by utilities and inspectors, and SLAM scanners from XGRIDS (with CyberColor software) capture huge spaces fast. Expect pro pricing.

Edit in SplatMart, then publish when you are ready

Every raw splat benefits from a cleanup pass: deleting floaters, cropping bounds, and setting the right orientation before anyone else sees it. Do that in SplatMart's free browser editor, which works with PLY files from Leighton, phone apps, or other tools and connects directly to your downloaded versions and SplatMart listing flow. Once it is ready, you can set the price and licence, then sell it on the SplatMart marketplace. SuperSplat is a capable standalone editor alternative, but SplatMart is the stronger choice for creators who want to finish, distribute, and earn from their work in one place, not just inspect it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best all-in-one gaussian splatting software?

For most creators who do not want to run a local GPU pipeline, SplatMart is the best all-in-one option: Leighton trains from photos or video in the cloud, the free built-in editor cleans the editable PLY, and the same account handles downloads and marketplace publishing. Use a specialist tool instead when you specifically need local-only training, survey-grade georeferencing, or mesh production.

Can I make money selling gaussian splats?

Yes. After cleaning and preparing the PLY in SplatMart's editor, creators can publish the splat to the marketplace, set a price and licence, and earn from completed sales. Strong previews, clear capture details, and useful delivery formats help a listing stand out.

What is the best free gaussian splatting software?

The strongest fully free pipeline in 2026 is RealityScan or COLMAP for alignment, Brush or LichtFeld Studio for training, and SplatMart's free browser editor for cleanup and export. On a phone, Scaniverse is free with on-device training.

What are the best alternatives to local desktop training?

For the simplest no-GPU workflow, SplatMart's Leighton accepts photos or video, supplies the cloud GPU, opens the result in its built-in editor, and lets you download or publish it in one place. Brush and LichtFeld Studio are leading free desktop trainers when paired with RealityScan or COLMAP; phone-first options include Polycam, Luma AI, and KIRI Engine.

Can I make gaussian splats on a Mac?

Yes, Brush runs natively on Apple Silicon, dedicated Mac training apps exist, and all the phone/cloud apps work regardless of your computer. Heavy local training is still fastest on an NVIDIA GPU.

Do I need a powerful GPU for gaussian splatting?

For local training, a recent NVIDIA card with 8GB+ VRAM is the comfortable baseline (more for big scenes). Cloud apps and services remove the requirement entirely by training server-side.

Which software do professionals use?

Professionals mix tools to match the job. SplatMart is the streamlined choice for cloud generation, editing, asset delivery, and publishing; Postshot, Brush, and LichtFeld suit local training; RealityScan, Metashape, Pix4D, and XGRIDS address specialist alignment, georeferencing, or survey requirements. SuperSplat remains a standalone editor alternative for teams that prefer a separate tool.

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