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BricsCAD vs COMSOL Multiphysics

BricsCAD logo

BricsCAD

CAD

DWG-based CAD platform

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
COMSOL Multiphysics logo

COMSOL Multiphysics

CAD

Finite element simulation built around coupling physics, with add-on modules licensed separately

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: BricsCAD the Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support; COMSOL Multiphysics the base licence covers very little on its own and nearly every practical problem needs one or more add-on modules, each priced separately, so the quoted total is typically a multiple of the headline base figure.
  • They diverge on capability: BricsCAD covers DWG native, COMSOL Multiphysics covers Coupled multiphysics solving.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BricsCAD and COMSOL Multiphysics actually diverge.

Attributes where BricsCAD and COMSOL Multiphysics differ
AttributeBricsCADCOMSOL Multiphysics
Starting price$29/monthOn request
Pricing modelone-timequote
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, Linux, macOS
Founded2002Unknown

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

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

  • DWG native
  • 2D drafting
  • 3D modeling
  • BIM
  • Sheet metal
  • Mechanical
  • LISP support
  • AutoCAD compatible

Only in COMSOL Multiphysics

  • Coupled multiphysics solving
  • Equation-based modelling
  • Add-on module library
  • Application Builder
  • COMSOL Compiler and Server
  • CAD import and LiveLink
  • Parametric sweeps and optimisation
  • Cluster and cloud computing

What people use each for

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

BricsCAD

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

COMSOL Multiphysics

  • Modelling a device where physics are strongly coupled, such as induction heating that changes material properties which change the fieldnot BricsCAD
  • Research work needing custom partial differential equations that no packaged solver in a mainstream tool providesnot BricsCAD
  • Packaging a validated model as an app so process engineers can run studies without learning the simulation toolnot BricsCAD
  • A department wanting shared concurrent access via a Floating Network Licence, with cluster runs at no extra licence costnot BricsCAD

Where each one falls short

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

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

COMSOL Multiphysics

  • The base licence covers very little on its own and nearly every practical problem needs one or more add-on modules, each priced separately, so the quoted total is typically a multiple of the headline base figure.
  • Perpetual licences renew maintenance at 20% of the then-current price each year, and because that percentage applies to the whole module stack the annual bill grows as your module list does and as list prices rise.
  • No pricing at all is published, so procurement cannot benchmark or budget without a sales engagement, and comparisons against Ansys or SolidWorks Simulation are effectively impossible before that point.
  • Named Single-User and CPU-locked licences do not share, so a team of six that bought individual licences ends up with idle seats while a Floating Network Licence would have covered them, and switching licence type is a commercial renegotiation.
  • Solving strongly coupled systems is memory hungry and slow, and models that look modest in the GUI routinely need tens of gigabytes of RAM, so hardware cost is a real and often underestimated part of adoption.

Pricing, plan by plan

BricsCAD

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

COMSOL Multiphysics

On request
  • COMSOL Multiphysics base licence$undefined/year
    • CPU-locked, Named Single-User or Floating Network licence types
    • Perpetual or term licensing
    • Perpetual includes updates and support for 12 months, then renews at 20% of current price
  • Academic licences$undefined/year
    • Class Kit Licence for up to 30 concurrent users per class
    • Academic Server Licence for up to 300 concurrent app users
    • Quote through the academic sales channel

Which should you pick?

Choose BricsCAD if

  • You need dwg native.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want 2d drafting.
BricsCAD review

Choose COMSOL Multiphysics if

  • You need coupled multiphysics solving.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, macOS.
  • You also want equation-based modelling.
COMSOL Multiphysics review

Questions people ask

Is BricsCAD or COMSOL Multiphysics better?
Neither clearly leads. BricsCAD starts at $29/month and COMSOL Multiphysics at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BricsCAD or COMSOL Multiphysics?
BricsCAD starts at $29/month and COMSOL Multiphysics at On request.
Does BricsCAD or COMSOL Multiphysics run on more platforms?
BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. COMSOL Multiphysics runs on Windows, Linux, macOS.
What is BricsCAD best used for?
BricsCAD is most often used for 2d drafting as a dwg native alternative to autocad, 3d mechanical design and assembly modelling, bim modelling and construction documentation. Of those, 2d drafting as a dwg native alternative to autocad and 3d mechanical design and assembly modelling are not what COMSOL Multiphysics is typically brought in for.
What can BricsCAD do that COMSOL Multiphysics cannot?
BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. COMSOL Multiphysics covers Coupled multiphysics solving, Equation-based modelling, Add-on module library, Application Builder.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

BricsCAD: Does BricsCAD offer a trial?

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

Source
COMSOL Multiphysics: Does the base licence include CFD or structural mechanics?

Only limited capability. Serious CFD, structural, RF and acoustics work each require the relevant add-on module at extra cost.

BricsCAD: Is BricsCAD free for any users?

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

Source
COMSOL Multiphysics: What does maintenance cost?

Perpetual licences include 12 months of updates and support, then renew at 20% of the then-current price per year.

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
COMSOL Multiphysics: Which licence type should a team buy?

Floating Network if more than a couple of people use it, since it shares concurrency and includes cluster and cloud computing at no extra charge.

COMSOL Multiphysics: Is pricing published?

No. COMSOL publishes licence types but no prices; every purchase goes through a quote.

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