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Construction · head to head

BricsCAD BIM vs Rhino 3D

BricsCAD BIM logo

BricsCAD BIM

Construction

Affordable BIM software with DWG compatibility

From
€1060/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rhino 3D logo

Rhino 3D

CAD

3D computer graphics and CAD application

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Rhino 3D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: BricsCAD BIM limited multidisciplinary collaboration features compared to Revit; Rhino 3D windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • They diverge on capability: BricsCAD BIM covers AI-assisted BIM, Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BricsCAD BIM and Rhino 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where BricsCAD BIM and Rhino 3D differ
AttributeBricsCAD BIMRhino 3D
Starting price€1060/yearFree
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, WebWindows, Mac, iOS
CategoryConstructionCAD
Founded20021980

Identical on both: 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 BricsCAD BIM

  • AI-assisted BIM
  • DWG compatibility
  • 2D drafting
  • 3D modeling
  • Documentation
  • AutoCAD
  • Revit
  • IFC

Only in Rhino 3D

  • NURBS modeling
  • Surface modeling
  • 3D visualization
  • Grasshopper
  • Rendering
  • Grasshopper
  • KeyShot
  • V-Ray

Both cover

  • File encryption
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

BricsCAD BIM

  • Architectural designnot Rhino 3D
  • Construction documentationnot Rhino 3D
  • BIM coordinationnot Rhino 3D
  • CAD draftingnot Rhino 3D

Rhino 3D

  • NURBS-based 3D modelling for product design and engineeringnot BricsCAD BIM
  • Precision engineering and prototyping (aerospace, automotive, jewellery)not BricsCAD BIM
  • Generative design with Grasshopper visual programmingnot BricsCAD BIM
  • Mesh editing and point cloud processingnot 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

Rhino 3D

  • Windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • Performance depends on hardware capabilities; complex projects require better equipment
  • Pre-release/Work-in-Progress builds may contain bugs and are not production ready

Pricing, plan by plan

BricsCAD BIM

€1060/year

No published plan breakdown. See the BricsCAD BIM review.

Rhino 3D

Free
  • EvaluationFree
    • 90-day trial
    • All features included
    • No credit card required
  • Student License$195/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Commercial License$995/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Student Upgrade$95/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Requires prior license key
    • Support included

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 Rhino 3D if

  • You need nurbs modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, iOS.
  • You also want surface modeling.
Rhino 3D review

Questions people ask

Is BricsCAD BIM or Rhino 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. BricsCAD BIM starts at €1060/year and Rhino 3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BricsCAD BIM or Rhino 3D?
Rhino 3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at €1060/year for BricsCAD BIM and Free for Rhino 3D.
Does BricsCAD BIM or Rhino 3D run on more platforms?
BricsCAD BIM runs on Windows, macOS, Web. Rhino 3D runs on Windows, Mac, iOS.
Can I use Rhino 3D for free?
Yes. Rhino 3D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. BricsCAD BIM starts at €1060/year.
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 Rhino 3D is typically brought in for.
What can BricsCAD BIM do that Rhino 3D cannot?
BricsCAD BIM covers AI-assisted BIM, DWG compatibility, 2D drafting, 3D modeling. Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling, Surface modeling, 3D visualization, Grasshopper. Both handle File encryption, Windows 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
Rhino 3D: How much does Rhino 3D cost?

Student licenses cost EUR 195, commercial licenses cost EUR 995. Both are perpetual one-time purchases. Upgrades from prior versions cost EUR 95 for students and EUR 595 for commercial users.

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
Rhino 3D: Is there a free trial?

Yes, a 90-day evaluation license is available free with no credit card required. Full features are included and commercial use is allowed.

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
Rhino 3D: Can Rhino 3D licenses be shared across multiple users?

Commercial versions support floating licenses that can be shared. Student licenses are limited to single-user perpetual licenses. All licenses include support and service releases.

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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