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CAD · head to head

BricsCAD vs MoI (Moment of Inspiration)

BricsCAD logo

BricsCAD

CAD

DWG-based CAD platform

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MoI (Moment of Inspiration) logo

MoI (Moment of Inspiration)

CAD

NURBS modeller bought once, built for designers rather than engineers

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; MoI (Moment of Inspiration) it is developed by one person, so releases are years apart and there is no support organisation to escalate to when something blocks your work.
  • They diverge on capability: BricsCAD covers DWG native, MoI (Moment of Inspiration) covers Direct NURBS modelling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BricsCAD and MoI (Moment of Inspiration) actually diverge.

Attributes where BricsCAD and MoI (Moment of Inspiration) differ
AttributeBricsCADMoI (Moment of Inspiration)
Starting price$29/monthOn request
Pricing modelone-timeOne-time purchase
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, 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 MoI (Moment of Inspiration)

  • Direct NURBS modelling
  • Clean mesh export
  • Pen-oriented interface
  • Boolean toolset
  • STEP and IGES exchange
  • Scriptable commands

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 MoI (Moment of Inspiration)
  • 3D mechanical design and assembly modellingnot MoI (Moment of Inspiration)
  • BIM modelling and construction documentationnot MoI (Moment of Inspiration)

MoI (Moment of Inspiration)

  • Converting CAD surfaces into clean quad meshes for a polygon or sculpting applicationnot BricsCAD
  • Modelling hard-surface concept designs where form matters and engineering documentation does notnot BricsCAD
  • Working on older or low-specification hardware that will not run mainstream CADnot BricsCAD
  • Buying a modelling tool outright rather than committing to a recurring CAD subscriptionnot 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

MoI (Moment of Inspiration)

  • It is developed by one person, so releases are years apart and there is no support organisation to escalate to when something blocks your work.
  • There is no parametric history and no assembly structure, so a late design change means remodelling rather than editing a feature.
  • It produces no dimensioned drawings or manufacturing documentation, so anything heading for production needs a second package for the paperwork.
  • Exchange is limited to surface formats such as STEP and IGES with no native interoperability with mainstream MCAD systems, so it sits at the edge of an engineering pipeline rather than inside it.
  • Each major version is a fresh purchase, and the long gaps between versions mean a fix or a feature you need can be several years away with no interim release.

Pricing, plan by plan

BricsCAD

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

MoI (Moment of Inspiration)

On request
  • MoI$undefined/year
    • Perpetual licence for one major version
    • Windows and macOS
    • Paid upgrade for each subsequent major version

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 MoI (Moment of Inspiration) if

  • You need direct nurbs modelling.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want clean mesh export.
MoI (Moment of Inspiration) review

Questions people ask

Is BricsCAD or MoI (Moment of Inspiration) better?
Neither clearly leads. BricsCAD starts at $29/month and MoI (Moment of Inspiration) at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BricsCAD or MoI (Moment of Inspiration)?
BricsCAD starts at $29/month and MoI (Moment of Inspiration) at On request.
Does BricsCAD or MoI (Moment of Inspiration) run on more platforms?
BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. MoI (Moment of Inspiration) runs on Windows, 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 MoI (Moment of Inspiration) is typically brought in for.
What can BricsCAD do that MoI (Moment of Inspiration) cannot?
BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. MoI (Moment of Inspiration) covers Direct NURBS modelling, Clean mesh export, Pen-oriented interface, Boolean toolset.

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
MoI (Moment of Inspiration): Is it a subscription?

No. It is bought outright per major version, and each new major version is a separate paid upgrade.

BricsCAD: Is BricsCAD free for any users?

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

Source
MoI (Moment of Inspiration): Can it replace Rhino?

For direct form modelling, often yes. For anything needing Grasshopper, drawings, plugins or engineering interoperability, no.

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
MoI (Moment of Inspiration): Why do 3D artists use it alongside other tools?

Its NURBS to polygon conversion produces cleaner meshes than most CAD exporters, which saves retopology work downstream.

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