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Mining · head to head

3DEC vs Deswik Suite

3

3DEC

Mining

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Deswik Suite logo

Deswik Suite

Mining

Integrated mine planning and design software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 3DEC pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options; Deswik Suite deswik publishes no price, no licence term and no cost driver for the suite; the only routes given are a demo request or contacting the company
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Deswik Suite covers 3D mine design.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and Deswik Suite actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and Deswik Suite differ
Attribute3DECDeswik Suite
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWindows
Founded19812007

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining).

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 3DEC

  • 3D distinct element analysis
  • Block motion tracking
  • Contact detection
  • Support design
  • Dynamic simulation
  • FLAC3D
  • Leapfrog
  • Python

Only in Deswik Suite

  • 3D mine design
  • Resource scheduling
  • Geological modeling
  • Pit optimization
  • Underground planning
  • Surpac
  • Datamine
  • SAP

Both cover

  • Vulcan
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

3DEC

  • Three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materialsnot Deswik Suite
  • Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot Deswik Suite
  • Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot Deswik Suite
  • Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot Deswik Suite
  • Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot Deswik Suite

Deswik Suite

  • Mine design and scheduling for open pit and underground operationsnot 3DEC
  • Reserve reporting and life of mine planningnot 3DEC
  • Connecting mine plans to production execution and material trackingnot 3DEC

Where each one falls short

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

3DEC

  • Pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options
  • A specialist geomechanical tool rather than general purpose simulation, so it assumes the user is a rock mechanics engineer

Deswik Suite

  • Deswik publishes no price, no licence term and no cost driver for the suite; the only routes given are a demo request or contacting the company
  • The suite is sold as separate modules grouped under Design and Reserving, Planning, Operations and Mine to Market, so a full workflow requires buying several products
  • Software downloads and support are gated behind a client portal available to existing customers
  • The product formerly sold as Deswik.CAD is now named Deswik Spatial, so older documentation and job listings refer to a name the vendor no longer uses

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

On request
  • 3DEC Professional$25000/year
    • 3D distinct element analysis
    • Block-to-block interaction
    • Support installation modeling

Deswik Suite

On request
  • Deswik.CAD$5000/year
    • 3D mine design
    • Geological modeling
    • Drill hole analysis
  • Deswik.Sched$8000/year
    • Mine scheduling
    • Resource optimization
    • Gantt charts
  • Enterprise Suite$25000/year
    • Complete platform access
    • All modules included
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose 3DEC if

  • You need 3d distinct element analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want block motion tracking.
3DEC review

Choose Deswik Suite if

  • You need 3d mine design.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want resource scheduling.
Deswik Suite review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or Deswik Suite better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and Deswik Suite at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or Deswik Suite?
3DEC starts at On request and Deswik Suite at On request.
Does 3DEC or Deswik Suite run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. Deswik Suite runs on Windows.
What is 3DEC best used for?
3DEC is most often used for three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials, slope stability and pillar analysis for mining, blast and earthquake dynamic analysis, groundwater flow through fractured rock. Of those, three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials and slope stability and pillar analysis for mining are not what Deswik Suite is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that Deswik Suite cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. Deswik Suite covers 3D mine design, Resource scheduling, Geological modeling, Pit optimization. Both handle Vulcan, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

3DEC: Does 3DEC offer a free trial before purchasing?

Yes, 3DEC provides a free demo download available via the REQUEST DEMO button on their website. However, the specific trial period length is not stated on the product page.

Source
Deswik Suite: Does Deswik publish pricing online?

No, Deswik does not publicly display pricing information, subscription tiers, costs, or licensing details on their website.

Source
3DEC: What licensing models does 3DEC support?

3DEC offers both subscription-based licenses (annual) and perpetual licenses. Subscription licenses are available through their FastSpring store with annual subscription terms.

Source
Deswik Suite: How do I obtain Deswik pricing?

Contact Deswik directly through their contact page or log into their Client Portal or Apps Portal for enterprise licensing information.

Source
3DEC: How is 3DEC pricing determined?

3DEC uses a quote-based pricing model rather than publishing fixed rates. Customers can request a quote through the website or purchase through their software store, with pricing customized based on specific needs.

Source
Deswik Suite: Is Deswik pricing customized?

Yes, Deswik is enterprise software targeting large mining operations. Pricing is customized based on organizational needs, deployment scope, and service requirements.

Source
3DEC: What support resources are included with 3DEC?

3DEC includes documentation, tutorials, forum access, FAQs, applied examples, and training courses. Support appears to be included with purchases rather than sold separately.

Source
Deswik Suite: What industries does Deswik serve?

Deswik serves the metals, coal, and rail industries with mining and operations software.

Source
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