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CAD · head to head

BricsCAD vs Siemens NX

BricsCAD logo

BricsCAD

CAD

DWG-based CAD platform

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Siemens NX logo

Siemens NX

CAD

Integrated product design and manufacturing

From
$29/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; Siemens NX siemens NX offers only a 30-day free trial with no published subscription or perpetual license price; buyers must go through a sales process to get pricing, per the vendor's own product page.
  • They diverge on capability: BricsCAD covers DWG native, Siemens NX covers Advanced CAD.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BricsCAD and Siemens NX actually diverge.

Attributes where BricsCAD and Siemens NX differ
AttributeBricsCADSiemens NX
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, Linux
Founded20021963

Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), 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
  • Mechanical
  • LISP support
  • AutoCAD compatible
  • Revit IFC

Only in Siemens NX

  • Advanced CAD
  • CAM programming
  • CAE simulation
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Mold design
  • Industrial machinery
  • Teamcenter PLM
  • Simcenter

Both cover

  • Sheet metal
  • Windows support
  • Linux 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 Siemens NX
  • 3D mechanical design and assembly modellingnot Siemens NX
  • BIM modelling and construction documentationnot Siemens NX

Siemens NX

  • Enterprise product designnot BricsCAD
  • Manufacturingnot BricsCAD
  • Simulationnot 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

Siemens NX

  • Siemens NX offers only a 30-day free trial with no published subscription or perpetual license price; buyers must go through a sales process to get pricing, per the vendor's own product page.

Pricing, plan by plan

BricsCAD

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

Siemens NX

$29/month
  • NX Design$4500/month
    • CAD design
    • Core modeling
  • NX CAM$5500/month
    • Manufacturing programming
  • NX Complete$8500/month
    • Full suite
    • CAD/CAM/CAE

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 Siemens NX if

  • You need advanced cad.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want cam programming.
Siemens NX review

Questions people ask

Is BricsCAD or Siemens NX better?
Neither clearly leads. BricsCAD starts at $29/month and Siemens NX at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BricsCAD or Siemens NX?
BricsCAD starts at $29/month and Siemens NX at $29/month.
Does BricsCAD or Siemens NX run on more platforms?
BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Siemens NX runs on Windows, Linux.
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 Siemens NX is typically brought in for.
What can BricsCAD do that Siemens NX cannot?
BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. Siemens NX covers Advanced CAD, CAM programming, CAE simulation, Additive manufacturing. Both handle Sheet metal, Windows support, Linux support.

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
Siemens NX: Does Siemens NX offer a free trial?

Yes, Siemens offers a 30-day free trial of both Designcenter CAD and NX CAM software that is fully functional. Users can get a hands-on feel for the software without any financial commitment before purchasing.

Source
BricsCAD: Is BricsCAD free for any users?

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

Source
Siemens NX: Is NX free for students?

Yes, Siemens offers free CAD/CAM Student Edition access to Designcenter and NX for students and educators. Academic offerings are available for those in educational institutions.

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
Siemens NX: What licensing options does NX provide for different business sizes?

Siemens offers scalable licensing for startups, mid-size companies, and multinational corporations. Designcenter and NX CAM support flexible team-based licensing to match organizational size and manufacturing needs.

Source
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