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BricsCAD BIM vs BricsCAD

BricsCAD BIM logo

BricsCAD BIM

Construction

Affordable BIM software with DWG compatibility

From
€1060/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
BricsCAD logo

BricsCAD

CAD

DWG-based CAD platform

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: BricsCAD BIM limited multidisciplinary collaboration features compared to Revit; BricsCAD the Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support
  • They diverge on capability: BricsCAD BIM covers AI-assisted BIM, BricsCAD covers DWG native.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BricsCAD BIM and BricsCAD actually diverge.

Attributes where BricsCAD BIM and BricsCAD differ
AttributeBricsCAD BIMBricsCAD
Starting price€1060/year$29/month
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
PlatformsWindows, macOS, WebWindows, MacOS, Linux
CategoryConstructionCAD

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2002).

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 BricsCAD BIM

  • AI-assisted BIM
  • DWG compatibility
  • Documentation
  • AutoCAD
  • Revit
  • IFC
  • SketchUp
  • Rhino

Only in BricsCAD

  • DWG native
  • BIM
  • Sheet metal
  • Mechanical
  • LISP support
  • AutoCAD compatible
  • Revit IFC
  • License management

Both cover

  • 2D drafting
  • 3D modeling
  • Windows support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

BricsCAD BIM

  • Architectural designnot BricsCAD
  • Construction documentationnot BricsCAD
  • BIM coordinationnot BricsCAD
  • CAD draftingnot BricsCAD

BricsCAD

  • 2D drafting as a DWG native alternative to AutoCADnot BricsCAD BIM
  • 3D mechanical design and assembly modellingnot BricsCAD BIM
  • BIM modelling and construction documentationnot BricsCAD BIM

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

BricsCAD BIM

  • Limited multidisciplinary collaboration features compared to Revit
  • Smaller ecosystem of third-party add-ons and integrations
  • Not optimized for complex large-scale projects requiring advanced coordination

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

BricsCAD BIM

€1060/year

No published plan breakdown. See the BricsCAD BIM review.

BricsCAD

$29/month
  • Lite$550/month
    • 2D drafting
  • Pro$875/month
    • 2D + 3D
  • Ultimate$1575/month
    • All features

Which should you pick?

Choose BricsCAD BIM if

  • You need ai-assisted bim.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Web.
  • You also want dwg compatibility.
BricsCAD BIM review

Choose BricsCAD if

  • You need dwg native.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want bim.
BricsCAD review

Questions people ask

Is BricsCAD BIM or BricsCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. BricsCAD BIM starts at €1060/year and BricsCAD at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BricsCAD BIM or BricsCAD?
BricsCAD BIM starts at €1060/year and BricsCAD at $29/month.
Does BricsCAD BIM or BricsCAD run on more platforms?
BricsCAD BIM runs on Windows, macOS, Web. BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
What is BricsCAD BIM best used for?
BricsCAD BIM is most often used for architectural design, construction documentation, bim coordination, cad drafting. Of those, architectural design and construction documentation are not what BricsCAD is typically brought in for.
What can BricsCAD BIM do that BricsCAD cannot?
BricsCAD BIM covers AI-assisted BIM, DWG compatibility, Documentation, AutoCAD. BricsCAD covers DWG native, BIM, Sheet metal, Mechanical. Both handle 2D drafting, 3D modeling, Windows support, Linux support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

BricsCAD BIM: What does BricsCAD BIM cost?

BricsCAD BIM costs 1,060 EUR per year for subscription or approximately 2,616 USD for a perpetual license.

Source
BricsCAD: Does BricsCAD offer a trial?

Yes, BricsCAD offers a 30-day trial to 'Start designing in BricsCAD today'.

Source
BricsCAD BIM: Does BricsCAD BIM support DWG files?

Yes. BricsCAD BIM is fully compatible with industry-standard DWG files, enabling seamless transition from 2D drafting.

Source
BricsCAD: Is BricsCAD free for any users?

Yes, BricsCAD is available at no cost for students and schools.

Source
BricsCAD BIM: Can I use BricsCAD BIM for point cloud processing?

Yes. BricsCAD BIM handles scan-to-BIM workflows and can convert building scans into modeled elements.

Source
BricsCAD: What product tiers does BricsCAD offer?

BricsCAD offers five tiers: Lite (essential 2D CAD), Pro (professional 2D & 3D CAD), Mechanical (2D & 3D mechanical CAD), BIM (2D & 3D building modeling), and Ultimate (integrated 2D & 3D for multiple disciplines). Specific pricing for each tier is not disclosed on the website.

Source
BricsCAD BIM: Does BricsCAD offer perpetual licenses?

Yes. BricsCAD is one of the few BIM tools offering both perpetual licenses and subscriptions, providing cost control for firms concerned about recurring fees.

Source
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