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Mining · head to head

3DEC vs Geoscience ANALYST

3

3DEC

Mining

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Geoscience ANALYST logo

Geoscience ANALYST

Mining

Advanced geoscience data analysis and visualization

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; Geoscience ANALYST the free edition is a 3D viewer only; creating, editing, processing and interpreting objects requires a paid Pro licence
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Geoscience ANALYST covers 3D visualization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and Geoscience ANALYST actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and Geoscience ANALYST differ
Attribute3DECGeoscience ANALYST

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining), founded (1981).

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
  • Python

Only in Geoscience ANALYST

  • 3D visualization
  • Geophysical interpretation
  • Geological modeling
  • Data management
  • Advanced analysis
  • Montaj
  • ArcGIS

Both cover

  • Leapfrog
  • Vulcan
  • Windows support
  • Linux 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 Geoscience ANALYST
  • Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot Geoscience ANALYST
  • Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot Geoscience ANALYST
  • Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot Geoscience ANALYST
  • Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot Geoscience ANALYST

Geoscience ANALYST

  • Visualising and sharing integrated 3D geoscience and mining datanot 3DEC
  • Geologically constrained geophysical modelling and inversionnot 3DEC
  • Exploration targeting from combined drillhole, geophysics and geology datanot 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

Geoscience ANALYST

  • The free edition is a 3D viewer only; creating, editing, processing and interpreting objects requires a paid Pro licence
  • Capability is divided across four separate paid tiers, Pro, Pro Geophysics, Pro Geology and Pro HPC, so geophysical inversion and AI geological interpretation are separate purchases
  • No price is published for any Pro tier; the vendor must be contacted for cost and licensing

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

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

Geoscience ANALYST

On request
  • ANALYST Professional$13000/year
    • Data visualization
    • 3D modeling
    • Analysis tools

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 Geoscience ANALYST if

  • You need 3d visualization.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want geophysical interpretation.
Geoscience ANALYST review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or Geoscience ANALYST better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and Geoscience ANALYST at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or Geoscience ANALYST?
3DEC starts at On request and Geoscience ANALYST at On request.
Does 3DEC or Geoscience ANALYST run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, Linux, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 Geoscience ANALYST is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that Geoscience ANALYST cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. Geoscience ANALYST covers 3D visualization, Geophysical interpretation, Geological modeling, Data management. Both handle Leapfrog, Vulcan, Windows support, Linux 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
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
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
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