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Agisoft Metashape is a leading photogrammetry software used for creating 3D models, point clouds, and orthophotos from images. It comes in two editions: Standard and Professional. While both share the same powerful core engine, their capabilities differ significantly. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences to help you decide which version best fits your needs in 2025.
1. Overview: Who Are These Versions For?
Metashape Standard is ideal for hobbyists, artists, educators, and creators who want to generate high-quality 3D models without complex GIS or surveying tools. It includes core photogrammetry functions like mesh generation and texturing.
Metashape Professional is designed for researchers, surveyors, and enterprise users. It offers advanced tools for georeferencing, multispectral processing, ground control points (GCPs), and automation via Python scripting.
2. Key Feature Differences
Here’s a feature-by-feature comparison of what you get with each version:
| Feature | Standard | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Model Reconstruction | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Texturing and UV Mapping | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Dense Point Cloud | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Orthophoto Generation | ❌ | ✔️ |
| DEM (Digital Elevation Model) | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Georeferencing (GCPs, RTK) | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Multispectral Image Support | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Thermal Imagery | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Scripting (Python API) | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Network Processing | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Coordinate Systems and Projections | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Batch Processing | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Markers and Scale Bars | ✔️ (limited) | ✔️ (advanced) |
3. Photogrammetry Capabilities
Both versions allow you to align images, generate sparse and dense point clouds, and create textured 3D meshes. The core reconstruction quality is the same—Standard users won’t miss out on accuracy or resolution. However, only the Professional version supports elevation outputs like orthomosaics and DEMs.
4. GIS and Surveying Tools
This is where the biggest differences appear. Metashape Professional allows you to:
- Import and manage Ground Control Points (GCPs)
- Work with real-world coordinate systems
- Export GeoTIFF orthophotos and DEMs
- Process multispectral and thermal imagery
If you’re in land surveying, agriculture, construction, or mapping, the Professional version is essential.
5. Automation and Scripting
Metashape Professional includes a Python scripting API for automating workflows, batch processing large datasets, and integrating with third-party software. This is ideal for researchers or businesses running repeatable tasks or working on pipelines.
Metashape Standard does not support scripting, though you can still use its batch processing UI for manual task chains.
6. Licensing and Price Comparison
Both versions are sold as perpetual licenses—no subscription required. Here’s a breakdown:
| Edition | License Type | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Perpetual | $179 |
| Professional | Perpetual | $3,499 |
Educational and volume discounts are available. Both licenses include free minor updates (e.g., 2.0 to 2.1) and paid upgrades for major versions.
7. Use Case Comparison
- Standard: Indie game developers, 3D artists, historians, educators, content creators
- Professional: Surveyors, drone mapping professionals, engineers, academic researchers, GIS specialists
8. Should You Upgrade to Professional?
Upgrade if you need:
- Accurate real-world georeferencing
- DEM/orthophoto outputs
- Support for GCPs, PPK/RTK geotags
- Custom scripting and automation
- Network processing for large datasets
If your work is artistic, educational, or hobby-based, and you don’t need GIS outputs, Metashape Standard is more than enough.
Conclusion
Agisoft Metashape is a powerful photogrammetry platform regardless of version. The Standard edition is perfect for creatives and hobbyists, while the Professional version is indispensable for professionals working with accurate mapping, geospatial data, or advanced workflows. Choose the version that aligns with your goals, and you’ll unlock the full power of 3D reconstruction tailored to your needs.
