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Mining · head to head

MineSight vs UDEC

MineSight logo

MineSight

Mining

Integrated mine design and planning software

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: MineSight mineSight (now part of Hexagon Mining) sells time-limited lease licenses rather than perpetual seats for exploration-stage users: License to Explore is scoped explicitly to "the life of a drilling campaign" and comes as two separate products, HxM Explorer and HxM Modeler, with additional functionality (UAV point-cloud surface meshing, a QAQC module) sold as further add-ons rather than included (archived press release, 6 March 2016); UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • They diverge on capability: MineSight covers Geological modeling, UDEC covers Distinct element modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MineSight and UDEC actually diverge.

Attributes where MineSight and UDEC differ
AttributeMineSightUDEC
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining), founded (1981).

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 MineSight

  • Geological modeling
  • 3D mine design
  • Production scheduling
  • Resource estimation
  • Operations planning
  • ArcGIS
  • SAP
  • Oracle

Only in UDEC

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

Both cover

  • AutoCAD
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

MineSight

  • Mine planningnot UDEC
  • Resource schedulingnot UDEC
  • Pit designnot UDEC
  • Underground developmentnot UDEC
  • Production optimizationnot UDEC

UDEC

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

Where each one falls short

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

MineSight

  • MineSight (now part of Hexagon Mining) sells time-limited lease licenses rather than perpetual seats for exploration-stage users: License to Explore is scoped explicitly to "the life of a drilling campaign" and comes as two separate products, HxM Explorer and HxM Modeler, with additional functionality (UAV point-cloud surface meshing, a QAQC module) sold as further add-ons rather than included (archived press release, 6 March 2016)

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

MineSight

On request
  • MineSight Core$18000/year
    • Geological modeling
    • Mine design
    • Block modeling
  • MineSight Advanced$35000/year
    • Production scheduling
    • Resource estimation
    • Advanced optimization

UDEC

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

Which should you pick?

Choose MineSight if

  • You need geological modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want 3d mine design.
MineSight 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 MineSight or UDEC better?
Neither clearly leads. MineSight 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, MineSight or UDEC?
MineSight starts at On request and UDEC at On request.
Does MineSight or UDEC run on more platforms?
MineSight runs on Windows. UDEC runs on Windows, Linux.
What is MineSight best used for?
MineSight is most often used for mine planning, resource scheduling, pit design, underground development. Of those, mine planning and resource scheduling are not what UDEC is typically brought in for.
What can MineSight do that UDEC cannot?
MineSight covers Geological modeling, 3D mine design, Production scheduling, Resource estimation. UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. Both handle AutoCAD, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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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