MeshLab vs FARO RevEng

MeshLab7.9Visit FARO RevEng7.5Visit

Higher score MeshLab #6 in 3D Scanning Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit MeshLab

vs

FARO RevEng #16 in 3D Scanning Software 7.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit FARO

• MeshLab fits best

  Free mesh cleanup and reconstruction

• FARO RevEng fits best

  FARO ScanArm mesh reconstruction

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Side by side

Feature	MeshLab 7.9/10 Visit ↗	FARO RevEng 7.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.9	7.5
Ranking	#6 in 3D Scanning Software	#16 in 3D Scanning Software
Best for	Free mesh cleanup and reconstruction	FARO ScanArm mesh reconstruction
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	Pricing on request
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Support	Community, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features MeshLab 3/4 · FARO RevEng 3/4
Point-cloud tools	✓	✓
Mesh reconstruction	✓	✓
Real-time capture	—	✓ (best)
API access	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported inputs	PTX point-cloud and range-map files	Quantum Series FaroArm and ScanArm with FAROBlu or Prizm LLP; Design ScanArm 2.0, 2.5, and 2.5C; PC, ASC, XYZ, PTS, E57, NPTS, VTX, PCS, and PWN point-cloud files; STL, PLY, OBJ, OFF, OM, GLTF, and GLB mesh files
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows 10/11
Export formats	PLY, STL, OBJ, OFF, WRL, DXF	PC, ASC, XYZ, PTS, E57, NPTS, VTX, PCS, PWN, STL, PLY, OBJ, OFF, OM, and STEP
Our review
Pros	Free, open-source mesh editing and repair across Windows, macOS, and Linux Reconstructs surfaces from PTX point-cloud and range-map scan data Supports Python batch processing through the PyMeshLab library	Direct capture from supported FARO ScanArm devices NURBS surfaces with editable control points Watertight mesh output and STEP export for downstream workflows
Cons	Does not provide real-time 3D scanning or live capture Focuses on mesh processing rather than scanner capture workflows Python automation is provided through the separate PyMeshLab library	Contact-sales pricing limits upfront cost comparison Windows 10/11 is the listed platform support Direct capture depends on supported FARO hardware
Our verdict	MeshLab is a free, open-source desktop application for processing and editing unstructured 3D triangular meshes. It is aimed at users who need to clean, heal, inspect, render, texture, convert, reconstruct, or prepare scanned models for 3D… Read the review →	FARO RevEng is desktop software for capturing 3D point clouds, generating and editing meshes, and creating CAD-ready surfaces. It is aimed at industrial design, product engineering, replacement-part development, rapid prototyping, 3D… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• MeshLab — where it wins

  • Free, open-source mesh editing and repair across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Reconstructs surfaces from PTX point-cloud and range-map scan data
  • Supports Python batch processing through the PyMeshLab library

  Where it doesn't

  • Does not provide real-time 3D scanning or live capture
  • Focuses on mesh processing rather than scanner capture workflows
  • Python automation is provided through the separate PyMeshLab library

• FARO RevEng — where it wins

  • Direct capture from supported FARO ScanArm devices
  • NURBS surfaces with editable control points
  • Watertight mesh output and STEP export for downstream workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Contact-sales pricing limits upfront cost comparison
  • Windows 10/11 is the listed platform support
  • Direct capture depends on supported FARO hardware

• MeshLab7.9/10 · Free plan

  A free, cross-platform mesh processor for scan cleanup and reconstruction—not live capture.

  Visit MeshLabFull verdict →
• FARO RevEng7.5/10 · Pricing on request

  A focused Windows tool for ScanArm capture, mesh repair, and CAD-ready surface work.

  Visit FAROFull verdict →