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Mining · head to head

Imago vs UDEC

Imago logo

Imago

Mining

Geological database and exploration management

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
U

UDEC

Mining

Universal distinct element code for mining analysis

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Imago no pricing amounts published on vendor website; specific tier costs must be obtained by contacting sales; UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • They diverge on capability: Imago covers Geological database, UDEC covers Distinct element modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Imago and UDEC actually diverge.

Attributes where Imago and UDEC differ
AttributeImagoUDEC
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux
Founded19981981

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining).

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 Imago

  • Geological database
  • Drill hole management
  • Sample tracking
  • Data validation
  • Reporting tools
  • Vulcan
  • Excel
  • GIS systems

Only in UDEC

  • Distinct element modeling
  • Joint network modeling
  • Block interaction analysis
  • Support interaction
  • Dynamic analysis
  • FLAC3D
  • 3DEC
  • AutoCAD

Both cover

  • Leapfrog
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Imago

  • Digitising and managing drill core photographynot UDEC
  • Linking core imagery to geological logging datanot UDEC
  • Streaming high-resolution core imagery into Leapfrog modelsnot UDEC
  • Sharing geoscientific imagery across a distributed exploration teamnot UDEC
  • Capturing core images in the field with the mobile appnot UDEC

UDEC

  • Geotechnical engineering simulationsnot Imago
  • Discrete element modeling and analysisnot Imago
  • Mining and tunneling software analysisnot Imago

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Imago

  • No pricing amounts published on vendor website; specific tier costs must be obtained by contacting sales
  • Tiers are designed for mining operations (each mine site requires separate subscription)

UDEC

  • The UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • Fluid Flow, Barton-Bandis joint analysis, Creep, Thermal and User Defined Models are optional add ons charged on top of the base licence
  • Writing custom constitutive models requires the separately licensed UDM option and C++ programming
  • Purchases through the Buy Now route are prepaid annual subscriptions rather than a permanent licence

Pricing, plan by plan

Imago

On request
  • Imago Professional$6500/year
    • Database management
    • Drill hole tracking
    • Sample management

UDEC

On request
  • UDEC Professional$19000/year
    • Distinct element analysis
    • Joint modeling
    • Block interaction

Which should you pick?

Choose Imago if

  • You need geological database.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want drill hole management.
Imago review

Choose UDEC if

  • You need distinct element modeling.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want joint network modeling.
UDEC review

Questions people ask

Is Imago or UDEC better?
Neither clearly leads. Imago starts at On request and UDEC at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Imago or UDEC?
Imago starts at On request and UDEC at On request.
Does Imago or UDEC run on more platforms?
Imago runs on Windows. UDEC runs on Windows, Linux.
What is Imago best used for?
Imago is most often used for digitising and managing drill core photography, linking core imagery to geological logging data, streaming high-resolution core imagery into leapfrog models, sharing geoscientific imagery across a distributed exploration team. Of those, digitising and managing drill core photography and linking core imagery to geological logging data are not what UDEC is typically brought in for.
What can Imago do that UDEC cannot?
Imago covers Geological database, Drill hole management, Sample tracking, Data validation. UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. Both handle Leapfrog, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Imago: What are the Imago subscription tiers?

Imago offers three subscription tiers: Standard (single workspace, unlimited users, 3TB storage), Enterprise (multiple workspaces, unlimited users, 6TB shared storage, SSO and user group management), and Junior (single workspace, unlimited users, 500GB storage, for non-producing companies or academic licensing only). All tiers are contracted on 12-month agreements.

Source
UDEC: How much does UDEC cost?

UDEC pricing is not published on the product page. The vendor directs inquiries through an 'Ask an Expert' contact option at [email protected] or a 'Request a Quote' option through the itascasoftware.com store.

Source
Imago: What add-on options are available for Imago?

Imago offers add-on subscriptions including Chip Shot (RC chip tray capture control), Mobile Capture X (smartphone field capture workflows), and Storage (additional capacity in 1TB increments). Each additional mine site requires a separate Imago subscription.

Source
UDEC: What is UDEC's pricing model?

UDEC is available through a subscription model rather than one-time licensing. Prepaid annual subscriptions are available through the software store, and pricing is customized based on quote requests.

Source
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