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Mining · head to head

Leica Geosystems Mining vs Rhino 3D

Leica Geosystems Mining logo

Leica Geosystems Mining

Mining

Advanced positioning and measurement for mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rhino 3D logo

Rhino 3D

CAD

3D computer graphics and CAD application

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Rhino 3D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Leica Geosystems Mining the solutions depend on buying Leica measurement hardware and sensors, including LiDAR and airborne laser scanning units, rather than software alone; Rhino 3D windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • They diverge on capability: Leica Geosystems Mining covers GNSS positioning, Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Leica Geosystems Mining and Rhino 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where Leica Geosystems Mining and Rhino 3D differ
AttributeLeica Geosystems MiningRhino 3D
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Ios, Android, WebWindows, Mac, iOS
CategoryMiningCAD
Founded19211980

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Leica Geosystems Mining

  • GNSS positioning
  • Total station surveying
  • 3D laser scanning
  • Drone integration
  • Real-time kinematic positioning
  • CAD systems
  • GIS platforms
  • Mining software

Only in Rhino 3D

  • NURBS modeling
  • Surface modeling
  • 3D visualization
  • Grasshopper
  • Rendering
  • Grasshopper
  • KeyShot
  • V-Ray

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Leica Geosystems Mining

  • Surveying and capturing detailed mine featuresnot Rhino 3D
  • Designing mine infrastructure from measured datanot Rhino 3D
  • Airborne LiDAR capture of mine sitesnot Rhino 3D

Rhino 3D

  • NURBS-based 3D modelling for product design and engineeringnot Leica Geosystems Mining
  • Precision engineering and prototyping (aerospace, automotive, jewellery)not Leica Geosystems Mining
  • Generative design with Grasshopper visual programmingnot Leica Geosystems Mining
  • Mesh editing and point cloud processingnot Leica Geosystems Mining

Where each one falls short

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

Leica Geosystems Mining

  • The solutions depend on buying Leica measurement hardware and sensors, including LiDAR and airborne laser scanning units, rather than software alone
  • No price, subscription fee or licensing term is published on the mining solutions page
  • Fleet management is handled by the separate Hexagon Mining business rather than by Leica Geosystems

Rhino 3D

  • Windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • Performance depends on hardware capabilities; complex projects require better equipment
  • Pre-release/Work-in-Progress builds may contain bugs and are not production ready

Pricing, plan by plan

Leica Geosystems Mining

On request
  • Leica Mining Suite$45000/year
    • GNSS positioning
    • Total station systems
    • 3D laser scanning

Rhino 3D

Free
  • EvaluationFree
    • 90-day trial
    • All features included
    • No credit card required
  • Student License$195/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Commercial License$995/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Student Upgrade$95/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Requires prior license key
    • Support included

Which should you pick?

Choose Leica Geosystems Mining if

  • You need gnss positioning.
  • You work on Windows, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want total station surveying.
Leica Geosystems Mining review

Choose Rhino 3D if

  • You need nurbs modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, iOS.
  • You also want surface modeling.
Rhino 3D review

Questions people ask

Is Leica Geosystems Mining or Rhino 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. Leica Geosystems Mining starts at On request and Rhino 3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Leica Geosystems Mining or Rhino 3D?
Rhino 3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Leica Geosystems Mining and Free for Rhino 3D.
Does Leica Geosystems Mining or Rhino 3D run on more platforms?
Leica Geosystems Mining runs on Windows, Ios, Android, Web. Rhino 3D runs on Windows, Mac, iOS.
Can I use Rhino 3D for free?
Yes. Rhino 3D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Leica Geosystems Mining starts at On request.
What is Leica Geosystems Mining best used for?
Leica Geosystems Mining is most often used for surveying and capturing detailed mine features, designing mine infrastructure from measured data, airborne lidar capture of mine sites. Of those, surveying and capturing detailed mine features and designing mine infrastructure from measured data are not what Rhino 3D is typically brought in for.
What can Leica Geosystems Mining do that Rhino 3D cannot?
Leica Geosystems Mining covers GNSS positioning, Total station surveying, 3D laser scanning, Drone integration. Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling, Surface modeling, 3D visualization, Grasshopper. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Rhino 3D: How much does Rhino 3D cost?

Student licenses cost EUR 195, commercial licenses cost EUR 995. Both are perpetual one-time purchases. Upgrades from prior versions cost EUR 95 for students and EUR 595 for commercial users.

Source
Rhino 3D: Is there a free trial?

Yes, a 90-day evaluation license is available free with no credit card required. Full features are included and commercial use is allowed.

Source
Rhino 3D: Can Rhino 3D licenses be shared across multiple users?

Commercial versions support floating licenses that can be shared. Student licenses are limited to single-user perpetual licenses. All licenses include support and service releases.

Source
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