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Software · head to head

3DEC vs HERE Technologies

3

3DEC

Software

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Software

Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HERE Technologies has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3DEC pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options; HERE Technologies pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and HERE Technologies actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and HERE Technologies differ
Attribute3DECHERE Technologies
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platform
Founded19811985

Identical on both: 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 HERE Technologies

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

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

HERE Technologies

  • Map data for automated and assisted drivingnot 3DEC
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot 3DEC
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot 3DEC
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot 3DEC
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot 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

HERE Technologies

  • Pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Lack of transparency in cost projections makes budgeting and forecasting difficult
  • Requires separate API keys and subscriptions for different feature categories, complicating integration
  • Customer support quality and responsiveness is inconsistent compared to competitors like Google Maps

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

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

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies review.

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 HERE Technologies if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
  • You also want user interface.
HERE Technologies review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or HERE Technologies better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and HERE Technologies at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or HERE Technologies?
HERE Technologies has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for 3DEC and Free for HERE Technologies.
Does 3DEC or HERE Technologies run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
Can I use HERE Technologies for free?
Yes. HERE Technologies has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3DEC starts at On request.
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 HERE Technologies is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that HERE Technologies cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HERE Technologies: What does HERE Technologies provide?

HERE Technologies provides a comprehensive location platform including digital maps, routing and navigation APIs, geocoding, search, traffic, positioning, and telematics services for automotive, logistics, and enterprise applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Does HERE offer a free tier?

Yes. HERE provides a free tier with 30,000 map requests per month, 5,000 routing transactions, and 30,000 geocoding transactions. Usage beyond these limits is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Source
HERE Technologies: What SDKs and APIs does HERE offer?

HERE provides REST APIs for maps, routing, geocoding, and search, plus SDKs for Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaScript. The HERE SDK enables turn-by-turn navigation and location services for mobile and web applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Is HERE's pricing transparent?

No. HERE uses a complex transaction-based pricing model with separate costs for different API categories. The pricing structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for customers to forecast costs at scale.

Source
HERE Technologies: How has HERE's pricing changed?

HERE moved to a simplified transaction-based pricing model with free monthly allowances for common APIs. Users pay per transaction beyond the free tier, though the structure has been criticized for complexity and lack of cost transparency.

Source
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