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CAD · head to head

Alibre Design vs e-Builder

Alibre Design logo

Alibre Design

CAD

Affordable professional CAD

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
e-Builder logo

e-Builder

Construction

Construction project management and accounting software

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; e-Builder product was rebranded to Trimble Unity Construct and no pricing figures are published on the current product page, only a compare plans link
  • They diverge on capability: Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, e-Builder covers Project management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Alibre Design and e-Builder actually diverge.

Attributes where Alibre Design and e-Builder differ
AttributeAlibre Designe-Builder
Starting priceOn request$400/month
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsWindowsWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryCADConstruction
Founded19972002

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Sheet metal
  • 2D drawings
  • BOM
  • Rendering
  • CAM software
  • PDM

Only in e-Builder

  • Project management
  • Document control
  • Accounting
  • RFI management
  • Collaboration
  • QuickBooks
  • Sage
  • Microsoft 365

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 e-Builder
  • Producing 2D manufacturing drawings from 3D modelsnot e-Builder
  • Designing parts for 3D printing and small shop machiningnot e-Builder

e-Builder

  • Project managementnot Alibre Design
  • Document controlnot Alibre Design
  • Financial managementnot Alibre Design
  • Collaborationnot 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

e-Builder

  • Product was rebranded to Trimble Unity Construct and no pricing figures are published on the current product page, only a compare plans link

Pricing, plan by plan

Alibre Design

On request
  • Atom3D Lifetime License$125/mo
  • Design Pro Lifetime License$630/mo
  • Design Expert Lifetime License$1260/mo
  • Design Pro Monthly$99.9/month

e-Builder

$400/month
  • Professional$400/month
    • Project management
    • Document control
    • Accounting
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced reporting
    • Custom workflows
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose Alibre Design if

  • You need parametric modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want assemblies.
Alibre Design review

Choose e-Builder if

  • You need project management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want document control.
e-Builder review

Questions people ask

Is Alibre Design or e-Builder better?
Neither clearly leads. Alibre Design starts at On request and e-Builder at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Alibre Design or e-Builder?
Alibre Design starts at On request and e-Builder at $400/month.
Does Alibre Design or e-Builder run on more platforms?
Alibre Design runs on Windows. e-Builder runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 e-Builder is typically brought in for.
What can Alibre Design do that e-Builder cannot?
Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Assemblies, Sheet metal, 2D drawings. e-Builder covers Project management, Document control, Accounting, RFI management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Alibre Design: Does Alibre Design require a subscription or is it a one-time purchase?

Alibre Design offers one-time lifetime licenses or monthly payment plans. Atom3D lifetime is $125, Design Pro is $630, and Design Expert is $1,260. Monthly payment plans spread costs over 10 months.

Source
Alibre Design: What is the difference between Alibre Design Pro and Design Expert?

Design Expert ($1,260) is the complete design suite with advanced features, while Design Pro ($630) is the entry-level professional 3D/2D CAD software.

Source
Alibre Design: Do I need to pay separately for software updates and support in Alibre?

Yes. Annual support and update plans cost $50 per year for CAD software and $100-$200 per year for mill and turn add-ons.

Source
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