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Aviation · head to head

Pix4D vs Topcon MAGNET

Pix4D logo

Pix4D

Aviation

Professional drone photogrammetry software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Topcon MAGNET logo

Topcon MAGNET

Construction

Field, office and cloud software for surveying and civil construction, built around Topcon instruments

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Pix4D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Pix4D split into separate products by job, so PIX4Dreact at $55 a month, PIX4Dfields at $111, PIX4Dmatic at $125 and PIX4Dmapper at $333 are different purchases rather than tiers; Topcon MAGNET mAGNET is built around Topcon and Sokkia hardware, so a firm running mixed instrument brands will not get the field workflows it expects and is better served by manufacturer-independent field software.
  • They diverge on capability: Pix4D covers Photogrammetry, Topcon MAGNET covers MAGNET Field.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Pix4D and Topcon MAGNET actually diverge.

Attributes where Pix4D and Topcon MAGNET differ
AttributePix4DTopcon MAGNET
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Android, Web
CategoryAviationConstruction
Founded2011Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Pix4D

  • Photogrammetry
  • 3D modeling
  • Point clouds
  • Orthomosaics
  • DSM/DTM generation
  • CAD software
  • GIS platforms
  • BIM tools

Only in Topcon MAGNET

  • MAGNET Field
  • MAGNET Office
  • MAGNET Enterprise
  • Machine control model preparation
  • Mass haul and earthwork
  • Point layout and stakeout
  • Live field to office link
  • Standard format exchange

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Pix4D

  • Photogrammetry from drone imagery into orthomosaics and point cloudsnot Topcon MAGNET
  • Survey-grade 2D maps and 3D models with PIX4Dmappernot Topcon MAGNET
  • Rapid 2D mapping for emergency response with PIX4Dreactnot Topcon MAGNET
  • Multispectral crop analysis with PIX4Dfieldsnot Topcon MAGNET
  • Large-scale processing with LiDAR integration through PIX4Dmaticnot Topcon MAGNET

Topcon MAGNET

  • A civil contractor running Topcon grade control that needs design models prepared and pushed to machines from one environmentnot Pix4D
  • A survey crew doing construction layout with Topcon total stations and wanting field data to reach the office without a memory cardnot Pix4D
  • An earthworks estimator producing takeoff quantities and mass haul plans from engineering drawingsnot Pix4D
  • A firm standardising on one manufacturer end to end to reduce the number of software packages its crews have to learnnot Pix4D

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Pix4D

  • Split into separate products by job, so PIX4Dreact at $55 a month, PIX4Dfields at $111, PIX4Dmatic at $125 and PIX4Dmapper at $333 are different purchases rather than tiers
  • Subscription only, with monthly, yearly or three year cycles and no perpetual licence
  • No refunds, and cancellation only takes effect at renewal
  • Cloud processing is an add-on to the desktop subscriptions
  • Hardware scanning kit prices are quoted on request

Topcon MAGNET

  • MAGNET is built around Topcon and Sokkia hardware, so a firm running mixed instrument brands will not get the field workflows it expects and is better served by manufacturer-independent field software.
  • Topcon does not publish a rate card and sells through dealers, so two customers can pay materially different prices for the same licences depending on region and negotiation.
  • Cloud connectivity through MAGNET Enterprise is commonly bundled for the first year and then charged, which surprises firms that budgeted only for the licence.
  • Office capability is spread across modules and disciplines rather than sold as one product, so getting from data collection to machine control model preparation can require more than one purchase.
  • The office desktop software is Windows only and the wider line has been reorganised more than once, so buyers should confirm which specific product name their dealer is quoting and how long it will be supported.

Pricing, plan by plan

Pix4D

Free
  • PIX4Dreact$55/month
    • Accurate 2D maps from aerial imagery
    • Processing in minutes
    • Monthly, yearly, or 3-year subscription available
  • PIX4Dfields$111/month
    • Precision agriculture mapping
    • Crop analysis and digital farming
    • Monthly, yearly, or 3-year subscription available
  • PIX4Dmatic$125/month
    • Photogrammetry and terrestrial LiDAR capabilities
    • Local machine processing with full control
    • Monthly, yearly, or 3-year subscription available
  • PIX4Dmapper$333/month
    • Professional photogrammetry software
    • Drone mapping capabilities
    • Monthly, yearly, or 3-year subscription available

Topcon MAGNET

On request
  • MAGNET Field$undefined/year
    • Data collector licence
    • Sold through Topcon dealers
    • Annual service plan renewals available
  • MAGNET Office$undefined/year
    • Desktop licence with modules by discipline
    • Includes cloud connectivity for a first year
    • Renewal quoted separately
  • MAGNET Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Cloud project storage and field to office exchange
    • Subscription renewed annually
    • Bundled initially with Office licences

Which should you pick?

Choose Pix4D if

  • You need photogrammetry.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want 3d modeling.
Pix4D review

Choose Topcon MAGNET if

  • You need magnet field.
  • You work on Windows, Android, Web.
  • You also want magnet office.
Topcon MAGNET review

Questions people ask

Is Pix4D or Topcon MAGNET better?
Neither clearly leads. Pix4D starts at Free and Topcon MAGNET at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Pix4D or Topcon MAGNET?
Pix4D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Pix4D and On request for Topcon MAGNET.
Does Pix4D or Topcon MAGNET run on more platforms?
Pix4D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Topcon MAGNET runs on Windows, Android, Web.
Can I use Pix4D for free?
Yes. Pix4D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Topcon MAGNET starts at On request.
What is Pix4D best used for?
Pix4D is most often used for photogrammetry from drone imagery into orthomosaics and point clouds, survey-grade 2d maps and 3d models with pix4dmapper, rapid 2d mapping for emergency response with pix4dreact, multispectral crop analysis with pix4dfields. Of those, photogrammetry from drone imagery into orthomosaics and point clouds and survey-grade 2d maps and 3d models with pix4dmapper are not what Topcon MAGNET is typically brought in for.
What can Pix4D do that Topcon MAGNET cannot?
Pix4D covers Photogrammetry, 3D modeling, Point clouds, Orthomosaics. Topcon MAGNET covers MAGNET Field, MAGNET Office, MAGNET Enterprise, Machine control model preparation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Pix4D: What is the lowest-cost PIX4D subscription?

PIX4Dreact starts at $55/month and produces accurate 2D maps from aerial imagery processed in minutes. Subscriptions are available on monthly, yearly, or 3-year billing cycles.

Source
Topcon MAGNET: Does MAGNET work with Trimble or Leica instruments?

Not as a practical daily workflow. It exchanges standard file formats but the field software is designed for Topcon and Sokkia hardware.

Pix4D: Does PIX4D offer a free trial?

Yes, PIX4D provides a 15-day free trial with no credit card required to test the software before committing to a subscription.

Source
Topcon MAGNET: Is pricing published?

No. MAGNET is sold through Topcon dealers with quotes varying by region and configuration.

Pix4D: What payment methods does PIX4D accept?

PIX4D accepts credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Link globally. Regional options include bank transfers, SEPA Direct Debit for Europe, ACH transfers for the US, and country-specific payment methods.

Source
Topcon MAGNET: Is the cloud service included?

Typically for a first year with a licence, then renewable as a paid subscription.

Topcon MAGNET: Can I get my data out at project closeout?

Yes, through LandXML, DXF and standard survey exchange formats, though field-specific configuration does not transfer to a competitor.

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