Software · head to head
Alibre Design vs BricsCAD
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Alibre Design perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates; BricsCAD the Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support
- They diverge on capability: Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, BricsCAD covers DWG native.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Alibre Design and BricsCAD actually diverge.
| Attribute | Alibre Design | BricsCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, MacOS, Linux |
| Founded | 1997 | 2002 |
Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), pricing model (one-time), 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 Alibre Design
- Parametric modeling
- Assemblies
- 2D drawings
- BOM
- Rendering
- CAM software
- PDM
- License key
Only in BricsCAD
- DWG native
- 2D drafting
- 3D modeling
- BIM
- Mechanical
- LISP support
- AutoCAD compatible
- Revit IFC
Both cover
- Sheet metal
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Alibre Design
- Parametric 3D solid modelling for mechanical partsnot BricsCAD
- Producing 2D manufacturing drawings from 3D modelsnot BricsCAD
- Designing parts for 3D printing and small shop machiningnot BricsCAD
BricsCAD
- 2D drafting as a DWG native alternative to AutoCADnot Alibre Design
- 3D mechanical design and assembly modellingnot Alibre Design
- BIM modelling and construction documentationnot Alibre Design
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Alibre Design
- Perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates
- Sheet metal, PDM data management and rendering are Design Expert only at $1,999
- Scripting is excluded from the $199 Atom3D edition
- CAM capability is sold as separate EZ-Mill, EZ-Turn and EZ-EDM products costing up to $2,999
- A dedicated account manager is excluded from Atom3D
BricsCAD
- The Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support
- Lite is sold as a network licence only with a 5 seat minimum
- Mechanical excludes BIM tools and BIM excludes mechanical and surveying tools, so cross discipline work needs Ultimate at 1,176 euro
- Importing 3D geometry and PMI from other CAD systems requires the Communicator add on at 294 euro per year
- Network licences require the customer to run their own licence server
- Maintenance is included for the first year only and renewal is a separate annual charge on perpetual licences
- Listed prices exclude local taxes
- Bricsys now trades as Octave and the product site has moved to bricscad.octave.com
Pricing, plan by plan
Alibre Design
$29/month- Atom3D$199/month
- Basic modeling
- Design$999/month
- Professional CAD
- Expert$1999/month
- Full features
BricsCAD
$29/month- Lite$550/month
- 2D drafting
- Pro$875/month
- 2D + 3D
- Ultimate$1575/month
- All features
Which should you pick?
Choose Alibre Design if
- You need parametric modeling.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want assemblies.
Choose BricsCAD if
- You need dwg native.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want 2d drafting.
Questions people ask
- Is Alibre Design or BricsCAD better?
- Neither clearly leads. Alibre Design starts at $29/month and BricsCAD at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Alibre Design or BricsCAD?
- Alibre Design starts at $29/month and BricsCAD at $29/month.
- Does Alibre Design or BricsCAD run on more platforms?
- Alibre Design runs on Windows. BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- What is Alibre Design best used for?
- Alibre Design is most often used for parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts, producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models, designing parts for 3d printing and small shop machining. Of those, parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts and producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models are not what BricsCAD is typically brought in for.
- What can Alibre Design do that BricsCAD cannot?
- Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Assemblies, 2D drawings, BOM. BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. Both handle Sheet metal, Windows support.
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