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CAD · head to head

BricsCAD vs e-Builder

BricsCAD logo

BricsCAD

CAD

DWG-based CAD platform

From
$29/month
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: BricsCAD the Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support; 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: BricsCAD covers DWG native, e-Builder covers Project management.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where BricsCAD and e-Builder differ
AttributeBricsCADe-Builder
Starting price$29/month$400/month
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryCADConstruction

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

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

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.

BricsCAD

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

e-Builder

  • Project managementnot BricsCAD
  • Document controlnot BricsCAD
  • Financial managementnot BricsCAD
  • Collaborationnot 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

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

BricsCAD

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

e-Builder

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

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 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 BricsCAD or e-Builder better?
Neither clearly leads. BricsCAD starts at $29/month and e-Builder at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BricsCAD or e-Builder?
BricsCAD starts at $29/month and e-Builder at $400/month.
Does BricsCAD or e-Builder run on more platforms?
BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. e-Builder runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 e-Builder is typically brought in for.
What can BricsCAD do that e-Builder cannot?
BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. e-Builder covers Project management, Document control, Accounting, RFI management.

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
BricsCAD: Is BricsCAD free for any users?

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

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
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