ROCK Desktop
5.5/10Windows desktop software from ROCK Robotic that views, compresses, and processes raw data from ROCK drone, mobile, and SLAM LiDAR systems into survey point clouds.
Data last updated November 2026 · Our methodology
Overview
ROCK Desktop is the field and office companion software for ROCK Robotic's LiDAR scanners, including the R3 Pro, R3, R2A, and R360 units. It processes raw mission data from those sensors, with trajectory processing, PPK and GNSS-assisted SLAM workflows, ray-trace colorization from the co-aligned camera, and calibration tools for the camera and LiDAR. Operators can check data quality on site, set area, field of view, and range before leaving, and compress LAS to LAZ files up to roughly ten times smaller. Datasets can be pushed to ROCK Cloud in one click for strip alignment, classification, and delivery, or sent to ROCK as a paid processing order. The core viewer and converter is free to download. Survey-grade PPK and SLAM processing need a processing license. One year comes with each ROCK LiDAR or SLAM bundle, and renewals are quoted by sales with no public price. Each license is valid for one year and covers projects up to 40 km from the base station. Outsourced processing ordered through the app starts at 180 USD for PPK only and 700 USD for mobile datasets. It suits survey firms, drone service providers, and engineering teams that already own ROCK hardware. Output is standard LAS or LAZ, so data moves easily into CloudCompare, LP360, Global Mapper, or ArcGIS Pro. The main limitation is that it only runs on Windows and is built around ROCK's own sensors. It does not work as a general processor for other brands' raw data, it has no public API, and some users report heavy memory use and crashes on large datasets.
Our Rating
Who ROCK Desktop is best for
Best software for Drone Service ProvidersGood fit
It is built to process drone LiDAR missions flown with ROCK payloads and to prepare client deliverables.
Survey-grade PPK processing and LAS exports feed civil and survey engineering workflows, but only for teams that use ROCK sensors.
Less suited
Site surveys and elevation data are useful for construction, but the tool depends on ROCK hardware and lacks project-management functions.
The free viewer and one-year bundled license help small survey outfits, though renewal costs are not public.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The core viewer, converter, and LAZ compressor is free to download and use.
- Every ROCK LiDAR purchase includes a year of PPK processing, so new owners can process survey-grade data from day one.
- Exports standard LAS and LAZ, so results open in CloudCompare, LP360, Global Mapper, and ArcGIS Pro without lock-in.
- Frequent releases. The changelog shows about a dozen updates in 2026, including one claiming up to 7x faster point cloud processing and Canadian geoid support.
- Built-in ordering of outsourced processing, with 1 to 2 day standard turnaround or 12 to 24 hour expedited.
Cons
- Runs only on Windows. Third-party listings show no Mac, Linux, or web version.
- Processing licenses must be renewed every year, and renewal prices are not published.
- Built around ROCK's own sensors and licenses, with no public API.
- A community forum user reported crashes and very high memory use on a 128 GB workstation, and another reported trajectory processing failures without a clear error.
- There are no independent user reviews on major review sites, so evidence about quality is thin.
Key Features
ROCK Desktop Pricing
ROCK Desktop (Free)
- One-click upload to ROCK Cloud
- Point cloud viewer and converter
- Offline preview and QA of datasets
- Order ROCK processing from the app
- LAS to LAZ compression up to about 10x
PPK Processing License (Aerial Only or Mobile + Aerial)
- Annual renewal by sales quote
- Valid for one year from activation
- Covers projects up to 40 km from the base station
- First year included with each ROCK LiDAR purchase
- Survey-grade PPK trajectory processing for ROCK LiDAR
- Mobile + Aerial license purchasable in ROCK Cloud account; Aerial Only through sales
SLAM Processing License
- Renewal by sales quote
- First year included with SLAM bundles
- GNSS-assisted SLAM processing with manual tie points
Frequently Asked Questions
The core application, covering viewing, LAS and LAZ conversion, compression, QA, and upload to ROCK Cloud, is free. PPK and SLAM processing need a processing license. The first year is included with ROCK hardware, and renewals are quoted by sales.
Each license is valid for one year from activation and must be renewed every year. It covers projects up to 40 km from your base station. You must return your old license on the activation screen before activating a new one.
Yes. Tick Have ROCK Process in ROCK Desktop and upload to ROCK Cloud, then order processing there. Starting prices are 180 USD for PPK only, 300 USD for PPK plus photogrammetry, 400 USD for SLAM, and 700 USD for mobile datasets. Turnaround is 1 to 2 days standard or 12 to 24 hours expedited.
Only Windows builds are offered. ROCK recommends a modern CPU, at least 16 GB of RAM, and a discrete GPU.
Processing licenses cover ROCK's R3 Pro V2, R3 Pro V1, R3 V2, R3 V1, R2A, and R360 systems. The changelog also lists Insta360 X4 and X6 photosphere support.
Yes. ROCK Desktop produces standard LAS and LAZ files that can be used in CloudCompare, LP360, LiDAR360, Global Mapper, ArcGIS Pro, and similar tools. Using ROCK Cloud is optional.
Similar Tools
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UgCS is desktop drone flight-planning and control software from SPH Engineering. Survey, LiDAR, geophysics and inspection teams use it across DJI, ArduPilot, PX4 and other drone platforms.
Ranked near ROCK Desktop in Industrial & Infrastructure Software
See ROCK Desktop in the listROCK Desktop is #118 in Industrial & Infrastructure Software by our score.
