Softwr

Mining · head to head

3DEC vs Seequent Central

3

3DEC

Mining

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Seequent Central logo

Seequent Central

Mining

Collaborative platform for subsurface data management

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; Seequent Central cloud hosted on Microsoft Azure and requires an internet connection, with no offline or self-hosted option
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Seequent Central covers Version control.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and Seequent Central actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and Seequent Central differ
Attribute3DECSeequent Central
PlatformsWindows, LinuxCloud, Windows
Founded19812004

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 Seequent Central

  • Version control
  • Model publishing
  • Data management
  • Audit trails
  • Secure sharing
  • Leapfrog Geo
  • Leapfrog Works
  • Oasis montaj

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

Seequent Central

  • Centralised version control and audit trails for geological modelsnot 3DEC
  • Shared 3D visualisation of Leapfrog and Oasis montaj models across distributed teamsnot 3DEC
  • Project branching for scenario modellingnot 3DEC
  • Mining exploration and geothermal project coordinationnot 3DEC
  • Civil engineering and environmental projects needing a single model of recordnot 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

Seequent Central

  • Cloud hosted on Microsoft Azure and requires an internet connection, with no offline or self-hosted option
  • Hosting instances start at a minimum 500GB of storage, with more sold as an add-on
  • Billing splits into three separate lines: cloud hosting per organisation, user subscriptions per person and Leapfrog Connector licences per modeller
  • Publishing models from Leapfrog into Central requires a separate Leapfrog Connector licence
  • Value depends on already owning other Seequent tools such as Leapfrog, GeoStudio, PLAXIS or Oasis montaj

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

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

Seequent Central

On request
  • Central Team$5000/year
    • Version control
    • 5 users included
    • 100GB storage
  • Central Professional$12000/year
    • All Team features
    • 25 users included
    • 500GB storage
  • Central EnterpriseFree
    • Unlimited users
    • Unlimited storage
    • SSO integration

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 Seequent Central if

  • You need version control.
  • You work on Cloud, Windows.
  • You also want model publishing.
Seequent Central review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or Seequent Central better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and Seequent Central at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or Seequent Central?
3DEC starts at On request and Seequent Central at On request.
Does 3DEC or Seequent Central run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. Seequent Central runs on Cloud, 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 Seequent Central is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that Seequent Central cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. Seequent Central covers Version control, Model publishing, Data management, Audit trails. 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
Seequent Central: How much does Seequent Central cost?

Pricing is not published on the Seequent website. For information about Central pricing and purchase, customers must contact Seequent's sales team directly.

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
Seequent Central: What is the subscription model for Seequent Central?

Seequent Central uses a tiered subscription approach requiring one cloud hosting instance per organization (minimum 500GB storage on Microsoft Azure), one user subscription per person accessing Central, and one Leapfrog Connector per user modeling in Leapfrog.

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
Seequent Central: Are there add-on options for Seequent Central?

Yes, an Advanced Bundle add-on is available for active Central subscribers, which includes web portal, data collection, and data entry tools.

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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