magicplan

What it does

magicplan is a powerful tool for contractors, architects, and DIY enthusiasts to create accurate floor plans and project estimates directly from their mobile device. Using AR and LiDAR technology, the app allows users to scan rooms in real-time to generate 2D and 3D models. Beyond just drawing, it serves as a project hub for adding photos, notes, files, and generating professional reports.

Where it shines

magicplan's standout feature is its AR scanning capability. At 03:15, the app provides clear instructions before seamlessly transitioning into a live scan. The on-screen guides trace the room's geometry, turning a complex measurement task into an intuitive, visual process. The app also excels in its structured project management. Once a project is created (01:17), it provides a clean dashboard to manage floor plans, photos, files, and statistics, keeping all relevant job site information in one organized place.

UX highlights

Contextual Actions: When a room is selected on the canvas, the bottom toolbar updates with relevant actions like moving, duplicating, or deleting (04:40), keeping the interface clean and focused.
Direct Manipulation: Users can drag and drop objects like doors directly onto the floor plan (05:07) and easily resize or move them with intuitive handles.
Clear Freemium Limits: The app constantly displays the free project limit (e.g., '1 of 2 projects used') at the bottom of the dashboard (07:29), making the upgrade path clear and contextual.
Detailed Project Info: The app provides a dedicated screen for project details, including name, description, address, and even advanced settings for area calculation (01:22).
Organized Settings: The profile section (08:23) is well-structured, separating user profile settings from workspace settings like company branding and subscriptions.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is built around a sophisticated, job-based subscription model. After using the two free projects on the 'Starter' plan, users are prompted to upgrade. The subscription page (00:41) features four distinct tiers: Starter, Sketch, Report, and Estimate. Each tier is named after a primary user goal, which clarifies the value proposition and helps different user segments, from casual sketchers to professional contractors, self-select the appropriate plan. The pricing is shown for both monthly and yearly options, with the yearly plan offering a significant discount.

Who it’s for

The app is clearly designed for professionals in the construction, renovation, and real estate industries. The feature set, including detailed measurements, estimate generation, and report exporting, caters directly to the needs of contractors, adjusters, and architects. However, its intuitive design and free starter plan also make it accessible for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts planning a renovation project.

Notes & opportunities

The initial onboarding requires a mandatory sign-up to use the app (00:08), which could be a point of friction for users wanting to quickly explore its core functionality. Allowing users to create one project in a guest mode before requiring an account could lower the barrier to entry. Additionally, the powerful 'Estimate' feature is only available for some users (06:56), which could be made clearer during plan selection to avoid confusion.