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CAD · head to head

BricsCAD vs Ultimaker Cura

BricsCAD logo

BricsCAD

CAD

DWG-based CAD platform

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ultimaker Cura logo

Ultimaker Cura

CAD

Powerful 3D printing slicer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Ultimaker Cura 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; Ultimaker Cura support varies by community contribution
  • They diverge on capability: BricsCAD covers DWG native, Ultimaker Cura covers Universal printer support.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BricsCAD and Ultimaker Cura actually diverge.

Attributes where BricsCAD and Ultimaker Cura differ
AttributeBricsCADUltimaker Cura
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
Founded20022011

Identical on both: platforms (Windows, MacOS, Linux), 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 Ultimaker Cura

  • Universal printer support
  • Custom profiles
  • Plugin marketplace
  • Cloud integration
  • Tree supports
  • Arachne engine
  • Ultimaker printers
  • Most FDM printers

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS 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 Ultimaker Cura
  • 3D mechanical design and assembly modellingnot Ultimaker Cura
  • BIM modelling and construction documentationnot Ultimaker Cura

Ultimaker Cura

  • 3D print slicingnot BricsCAD
  • Professional printingnot 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

Ultimaker Cura

  • Support varies by community contribution
  • No commercial technical support

Pricing, plan by plan

BricsCAD

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

Ultimaker Cura

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Ultimaker Cura review.

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 Ultimaker Cura if

  • You need universal printer support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want custom profiles.
Ultimaker Cura review

Questions people ask

Is BricsCAD or Ultimaker Cura better?
Neither clearly leads. BricsCAD starts at $29/month and Ultimaker Cura at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BricsCAD or Ultimaker Cura?
Ultimaker Cura has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for BricsCAD and Free for Ultimaker Cura.
Does BricsCAD or Ultimaker Cura run on more platforms?
BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Ultimaker Cura runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Ultimaker Cura for free?
Yes. Ultimaker Cura 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 Ultimaker Cura is typically brought in for.
What can BricsCAD do that Ultimaker Cura cannot?
BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. Ultimaker Cura covers Universal printer support, Custom profiles, Plugin marketplace, Cloud integration. Both handle Windows support, MacOS 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
Ultimaker Cura: Is Ultimaker Cura free?

Yes. Ultimaker Cura is completely free and open-source under the LGPL license. There are no premium versions, subscriptions, or hidden fees. All features are available to everyone.

Source
BricsCAD: Is BricsCAD free for any users?

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

Source
Ultimaker Cura: How many printers does Cura support?

Ultimaker Cura supports over 400 different 3D printer models with out-of-the-box configuration. Users can add custom printers and profiles.

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
Ultimaker Cura: What file formats does Cura import?

Ultimaker Cura converts STL, OBJ, 3MF, and other 3D file formats into G-code instructions that 3D printers can execute.

Source
Ultimaker Cura: What features are available?

Cura offers 400+ configurable print settings, material profiles, intent profiles for specific applications, plugin support via the Ultimaker Marketplace, and active community development on GitHub.

Source
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