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Software · head to head

BricsCAD vs D5 Render

BricsCAD logo

BricsCAD

Software

DWG-based CAD platform

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
D5 Render logo

D5 Render

Software

Real-time ray tracing renderer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only D5 Render has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: BricsCAD the Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support; D5 Render windows-only application with no macOS support
  • They diverge on capability: BricsCAD covers DWG native, D5 Render covers Real-time ray tracing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BricsCAD and D5 Render actually diverge.

Attributes where BricsCAD and D5 Render differ
AttributeBricsCADD5 Render
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows
Founded20022019

Identical on both: 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 BricsCAD

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

Only in D5 Render

  • Real-time ray tracing
  • GI
  • Asset library
  • Video export
  • LiveSync
  • Geo-location
  • SketchUp
  • Revit

Both cover

  • Windows support

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 D5 Render
  • 3D mechanical design and assembly modellingnot D5 Render
  • BIM modelling and construction documentationnot D5 Render

D5 Render

  • Architectural visualizationnot BricsCAD
  • Interior rendersnot 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

D5 Render

  • Windows-only application with no macOS support
  • Requires dedicated NVIDIA GPU, limiting hardware compatibility
  • Community edition restricted to non-commercial use only
  • Teams plan at USD 75/seat/month becomes expensive for larger organizations

Pricing, plan by plan

BricsCAD

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

D5 Render

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full rendering engine with real-time ray tracing
    • Unlimited projects
    • High-resolution image and panorama output
  • Pro$38/month
    • 16K stills and panoramas
    • 4K video
    • Frame sequence rendering
  • Teams$75/month
    • All Pro features
    • Multi-seat licensing
    • Team collaboration

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 D5 Render if

  • You need real-time ray tracing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want gi.
D5 Render review

Questions people ask

Is BricsCAD or D5 Render better?
Neither clearly leads. BricsCAD starts at $29/month and D5 Render at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BricsCAD or D5 Render?
D5 Render has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for BricsCAD and Free for D5 Render.
Does BricsCAD or D5 Render run on more platforms?
BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. D5 Render runs on Windows.
Can I use D5 Render for free?
Yes. D5 Render has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. BricsCAD starts at $29/month.
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 D5 Render is typically brought in for.
What can BricsCAD do that D5 Render cannot?
BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. D5 Render covers Real-time ray tracing, GI, Asset library, Video export. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

D5 Render: What is the pricing for D5 Render Pro?

D5 Render Pro costs USD 38/month or USD 360/year. Annual billing saves 20-21% compared to monthly payments.

Source
D5 Render: Is there a free version of D5 Render?

Yes. D5 Render Community edition is free for non-commercial use. It includes the full rendering engine with real-time ray tracing, unlimited projects, and approximately 2,000 library models and materials.

Source
D5 Render: Does D5 Render work on macOS?

No. D5 Render is a Windows-only application that requires a dedicated NVIDIA GPU. There is no Mac version available.

D5 Render: What are the output resolution capabilities in Pro?

D5 Render Pro supports 16K stills and panoramas, 4K video, frame sequence rendering, and VR output with full Showreel capabilities.

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