3D & CAD · head to head
Modo vs BricsCAD
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Modo foundry announced on November 7, 2024 that it is winding down development of Modo after the Modo 17.1 release, with no further feature or maintenance releases anticipated; BricsCAD the Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support
- They diverge on capability: Modo covers Polygon modeling, BricsCAD covers DWG native.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Modo and BricsCAD actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), free tier (No), platforms (Windows, MacOS, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (3D & 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 Modo
- Polygon modeling
- Subdivision surfaces
- Sculpting
- UV tools
- Procedural modeling
- Rendering
- Animation
- MeshFusion
Only in BricsCAD
- DWG native
- 2D drafting
- 3D modeling
- BIM
- Sheet metal
- Mechanical
- LISP support
- AutoCAD compatible
Both cover
- License management
- Windows support
- MacOS support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Modo
- Polygon and subdivision surface modelling for media and entertainment assetsnot BricsCAD
- Look development and rendering of product and character modelsnot BricsCAD
BricsCAD
- 2D drafting as a DWG native alternative to AutoCADnot Modo
- 3D mechanical design and assembly modellingnot Modo
- BIM modelling and construction documentationnot Modo
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Modo
- Foundry announced on November 7, 2024 that it is winding down development of Modo after the Modo 17.1 release, with no further feature or maintenance releases anticipated
- Support continues only until each customer's current contract term expires
- Foundry does not guarantee that Modo will keep working on future operating system updates because no patches will be issued, and recommends customers migrate to alternative 3D workflows
- Perpetual licences keep working but receive no further updates, bug fixes or support
- The Modo forums closed in December 2024 and downloads, docs and the support knowledgebase were committed only until November 2025
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Modo
$29/month- Indie$599/month
- Full Modo
- Revenue limit $100K
- Modo$1898/month
- Full commercial license
BricsCAD
$29/month- Lite$550/month
- 2D drafting
- Pro$875/month
- 2D + 3D
- Ultimate$1575/month
- All features
Which should you pick?
Choose Modo if
- You need polygon modeling.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want subdivision surfaces.
Choose BricsCAD if
- You need dwg native.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want 2d drafting.
Questions people ask
- Is Modo or BricsCAD better?
- Neither clearly leads. Modo starts at $29/month and BricsCAD at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Modo or BricsCAD?
- Modo starts at $29/month and BricsCAD at $29/month.
- Does Modo or BricsCAD run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, MacOS, Linux, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is Modo best used for?
- Modo is most often used for polygon and subdivision surface modelling for media and entertainment assets, look development and rendering of product and character models. Of those, polygon and subdivision surface modelling for media and entertainment assets and look development and rendering of product and character models are not what BricsCAD is typically brought in for.
- What can Modo do that BricsCAD cannot?
- Modo covers Polygon modeling, Subdivision surfaces, Sculpting, UV tools. BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. Both handle License management, Windows support, MacOS support, Linux support.