Softwr

Mining · head to head

3DEC vs EQuIS Enterprise

3

3DEC

Mining

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
EQuIS Enterprise logo

EQuIS Enterprise

Mining

Environmental data management and compliance platform

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; EQuIS Enterprise no price, licence type or term is published on the product or hosting pages; the site directs buyers to a demo request or a phone call
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, EQuIS Enterprise covers Environmental data management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and EQuIS Enterprise actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and EQuIS Enterprise differ
Attribute3DECEQuIS Enterprise
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWindows, Web
Founded19811988

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
  • Vulcan

Only in EQuIS Enterprise

  • Environmental data management
  • Compliance tracking
  • Water quality monitoring
  • Air quality data
  • Regulatory reporting
  • ArcGIS
  • LIMS systems
  • SAP

Both cover

  • 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 EQuIS Enterprise
  • Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot EQuIS Enterprise
  • Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot EQuIS Enterprise
  • Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot EQuIS Enterprise
  • Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot EQuIS Enterprise

EQuIS Enterprise

  • Managing environmental and analytical laboratory data for mining and industrial sitesnot 3DEC
  • Automating data workflows and validation on import with Enterprise EDPnot 3DEC
  • Publishing dashboards and widgets to stakeholders and streaming sensor data through EQuIS Livenot 3DEC
  • Integrating environmental data with other systems through a REST APInot 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

EQuIS Enterprise

  • No price, licence type or term is published on the product or hosting pages; the site directs buyers to a demo request or a phone call
  • On premises deployment requires Microsoft SQL Server, which is licensed separately
  • Viewer access for non licensees and subcontractors requires a separate third party agreement
  • Sandbox environment access under software maintenance is subject to additional fees
  • Upgrade pricing is discounted only for customers holding software maintenance

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

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

EQuIS Enterprise

On request
  • EQuIS Professional$15000/year
    • Data management
    • Compliance tracking
    • Reporting tools
  • EQuIS Enterprise$35000/year
    • Web-based access
    • Multi-site management
    • Advanced analytics

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 EQuIS Enterprise if

  • You need environmental data management.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want compliance tracking.
EQuIS Enterprise review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or EQuIS Enterprise better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and EQuIS Enterprise at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or EQuIS Enterprise?
3DEC starts at On request and EQuIS Enterprise at On request.
Does 3DEC or EQuIS Enterprise run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. EQuIS Enterprise runs on Windows, Web.
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 EQuIS Enterprise is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that EQuIS Enterprise cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. EQuIS Enterprise covers Environmental data management, Compliance tracking, Water quality monitoring, Air quality data. Both handle 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
EQuIS Enterprise: How much does EQuIS cost?

EQuIS does not publish pricing information on its website. Interested customers are directed to contact EarthSoft directly for training inquiries or product pricing, with support provided through [email protected] and a dedicated Request a Demo option.

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
EQuIS Enterprise: What is EQuIS's pricing model?

EQuIS appears to follow an enterprise software licensing model. To obtain pricing details or discuss implementation costs, customers must contact EarthSoft's sales team directly or request a demonstration of the software.

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
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
Share

Related pages

More on 3DEC

More on EQuIS Enterprise

Keep looking

Other head to heads