Software · head to head
3DEC vs GeoStudio
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 3DEC pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options; GeoStudio the GeoStudio product page publishes no price and offers only a contact sales route or a link out to the Virtuosity reseller
- They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, GeoStudio covers Slope stability analysis.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which 3DEC and GeoStudio actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 GeoStudio
- Slope stability analysis
- Seepage and groundwater modeling
- Stress-strain analysis
- Probabilistic analysis
- Geotechnical visualization
- AutoCAD
- ArcGIS
- CAD tools
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 GeoStudio
- Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot GeoStudio
- Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot GeoStudio
- Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot GeoStudio
- Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot GeoStudio
GeoStudio
- Slope stability analysis for embankments, dams and open pit wallsnot 3DEC
- Groundwater seepage and contaminant transport modellingnot 3DEC
- Stress, deformation and thermal analysis of geotechnical structuresnot 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
GeoStudio
- The GeoStudio product page publishes no price and offers only a contact sales route or a link out to the Virtuosity reseller
- Capability is split across separately purchased plans: three product plans for GeoStudio 2D, two for GeoStudio 3D, and GeoStudio Flow sold apart from both
- Three dimensional analysis requires a different product plan from the 2D one
Pricing, plan by plan
3DEC
On request- 3DEC Professional$25000/year
- 3D distinct element analysis
- Block-to-block interaction
- Support installation modeling
GeoStudio
On request- GeoStudio Suite$14000/year
- Slope stability analysis
- Seepage modeling
- Stress analysis
Which should you pick?
Choose 3DEC if
- You need 3d distinct element analysis.
- You work on Windows, Linux.
- You also want block motion tracking.
Choose GeoStudio if
- You need slope stability analysis.
- You work on Windows, Macos.
- You also want seepage and groundwater modeling.
Questions people ask
- Is 3DEC or GeoStudio better?
- Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and GeoStudio at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, 3DEC or GeoStudio?
- 3DEC starts at On request and GeoStudio at On request.
- Does 3DEC or GeoStudio run on more platforms?
- 3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. GeoStudio runs on Windows, Macos.
- 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 GeoStudio is typically brought in for.
- What can 3DEC do that GeoStudio cannot?
- 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. GeoStudio covers Slope stability analysis, Seepage and groundwater modeling, Stress-strain analysis, Probabilistic analysis. Both handle Windows support.