What software opens E57 files?

These reviewed tools explicitly list E57 in fileFormats[]. Compare who opens, edits, or exports the format, how much support is documented, and whether the catalog tags the tool as free or paid.

Last updated 2026-07-07.

9 Reviewed tools
4 Free or free-viewer options
0 Full-support listings

Need the full import x export matrix? Open the formats hub. Need the same slice inside the category x sector grid? Open the E57 filter on the landscape map.

Direct answer

Need the same slice inside the full catalog grid? Open the E57 filter on the landscape map.

RCP Autodesk ReCap (RCP/RCS) point-cloud coverage in the reviewed AEC catalog. LAS ASPRS LAS LiDAR point-cloud coverage in the reviewed AEC catalog. IFC Open BIM exchange coverage in the reviewed AEC catalog. RVT Native Revit-model coverage in the reviewed AEC catalog.

Comparison table

Tool Price signal Direction Support Score Verdict
CloudCompare
Free, open-source (GPL) desktop application for processing, comparing, registering, and analyzing 3D point clouds and meshes, with mature CLI/headless batch mode and two independent Python scripting layers.
 Free viewer Listed Unknown 4.4/5 worth-it
Agisoft Metashape
Photogrammetric processing software converting digital images into point clouds, meshes, orthomosaics, and DEMs, with a documented headless-capable Python scripting API.
 Paid / perpetual Listed Unknown 4.0/5 worth-it
Autodesk ReCap Pro
Registers and cleans laser-scan and photogrammetry data into RCP/RCS point clouds for use inside Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Navisworks.
 Free viewer Listed Unknown 4.0/5 worth-it
HoloBuilder (now FARO Sphere XG)
360-degree job site photo documentation platform with AI-assisted progress comparison over time; rebranded as FARO Sphere XG after acquisition by FARO Technologies in 2021.
 Paid / subscription Listed Unknown 3.6/5 solid
NavVis IVION
Browser-based digital-twin platform that hosts, visualizes, and publishes reality-capture point clouds and 360-degree panoramas from SLAM/mobile-mapping and laser scans; formerly NavVis IndoorViewer.
 Paid / subscription Listed Unknown 3.4/5 solid
Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS
Registers, cleans, and publishes laser-scan point clouds from Leica and third-party scanners into RCP/E57/LAS deliverables for downstream CAD and BIM.
 Free viewer Listed Unknown 3.0/5 solid
FARO SCENE
Registers and processes point clouds from FARO (and third-party) laser scanners -- target-based and cloud-to-cloud registration, filtering, meshing, and export to CAD/BIM formats -- with WebShare cloud publishing.
 Paid / quote-only Listed Unknown 2.8/5 situational
Reconstruct
AI visual construction monitoring that fuses 360, drone, laser scan, and BIM data into a digital twin for remote quality control and progress tracking.
 Paid / contact sales Listed Unknown 2.6/5 situational
Trimble RealWorks
Registers, analyzes, and models laser-scan point clouds from any scanner source into CAD/BIM deliverables, including targetless auto-registration; sold only through Trimble distributors.
 Free viewer Listed Unknown 2.4/5 situational
CloudCompare
Free, open-source (GPL) desktop application for processing, comparing, registering, and analyzing 3D point clouds and meshes, with mature CLI/headless batch mode and two independent Python scripting layers.
Price
Free viewer
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
4.4/5
Verdict
worth-it
Agisoft Metashape
Photogrammetric processing software converting digital images into point clouds, meshes, orthomosaics, and DEMs, with a documented headless-capable Python scripting API.
Price
Paid / perpetual
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
4.0/5
Verdict
worth-it
Autodesk ReCap Pro
Registers and cleans laser-scan and photogrammetry data into RCP/RCS point clouds for use inside Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Navisworks.
Price
Free viewer
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
4.0/5
Verdict
worth-it
HoloBuilder (now FARO Sphere XG)
360-degree job site photo documentation platform with AI-assisted progress comparison over time; rebranded as FARO Sphere XG after acquisition by FARO Technologies in 2021.
Price
Paid / subscription
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
3.6/5
Verdict
solid
NavVis IVION
Browser-based digital-twin platform that hosts, visualizes, and publishes reality-capture point clouds and 360-degree panoramas from SLAM/mobile-mapping and laser scans; formerly NavVis IndoorViewer.
Price
Paid / subscription
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
3.4/5
Verdict
solid
Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS
Registers, cleans, and publishes laser-scan point clouds from Leica and third-party scanners into RCP/E57/LAS deliverables for downstream CAD and BIM.
Price
Free viewer
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
3.0/5
Verdict
solid
FARO SCENE
Registers and processes point clouds from FARO (and third-party) laser scanners -- target-based and cloud-to-cloud registration, filtering, meshing, and export to CAD/BIM formats -- with WebShare cloud publishing.
Price
Paid / quote-only
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
2.8/5
Verdict
situational
Reconstruct
AI visual construction monitoring that fuses 360, drone, laser scan, and BIM data into a digital twin for remote quality control and progress tracking.
Price
Paid / contact sales
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
2.6/5
Verdict
situational
Trimble RealWorks
Registers, analyzes, and models laser-scan point clouds from any scanner source into CAD/BIM deliverables, including targetless auto-registration; sold only through Trimble distributors.
Price
Free viewer
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
2.4/5
Verdict
situational

How to open a E57 point-cloud file

  1. Start with a tool above that lists E57 in its reviewed file-format coverage.
  2. If you only need to inspect the file, filter first for free plans, free viewers, or view-only support.
  3. If you need to change the file and send it back out, favor tools marked Native or Opens + exports.
  4. If support is Partial or Unknown, open the tool review before assuming a clean round-trip.

For broader category context, compare the same format against the rest of the AEC catalog on the landscape map.