Software · head to head
Octane Render vs BricsCAD
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Octane Render studio+ is limited to 10 render nodes by default; BricsCAD the Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support
- They diverge on capability: Octane Render covers GPU rendering, BricsCAD covers DWG native.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Octane Render and BricsCAD actually diverge.
| Attribute | Octane Render | BricsCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | one-time |
| Founded | 2008 | 2002 |
Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), free tier (No), platforms (Windows, MacOS, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Octane Render
- GPU rendering
- Unbiased rendering
- Out-of-core geometry
- AI denoising
- Network rendering
- Blender
- Maya
- Cinema 4D
Only in BricsCAD
- DWG native
- 2D drafting
- 3D modeling
- BIM
- Sheet metal
- Mechanical
- LISP support
- AutoCAD compatible
Both cover
- Windows support
- MacOS support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Octane Render
- GPU accelerated unbiased rendering from Blender, Cinema 4D, Maya or Houdininot BricsCAD
- Network rendering across multiple GPU nodesnot BricsCAD
- Producing photoreal stills and animation for product and archviz worknot BricsCAD
BricsCAD
- 2D drafting as a DWG native alternative to AutoCADnot Octane Render
- 3D mechanical design and assembly modellingnot Octane Render
- BIM modelling and construction documentationnot Octane Render
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Octane Render
- Studio+ is limited to 10 render nodes by default
- Monthly billing costs 23.95 euro per month against 19.99 euro per month on the yearly plan
- Offline USB dongle support is restricted to annual subscriptions and the dongle costs an extra 49 euro
- The offline dongle must be updated every 4 months and blocks access to cloud features
- There is no free tier, only a demo version
- OctaneRender is GPU only, so hardware compatibility must be tested before purchase
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
Octane Render
$29/month- Prime$19.99/month
- 1 GPU
- Studio$39.99/month
- 2 GPUs
BricsCAD
$29/month- Lite$550/month
- 2D drafting
- Pro$875/month
- 2D + 3D
- Ultimate$1575/month
- All features
Which should you pick?
Choose Octane Render if
- You need gpu rendering.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want unbiased rendering.
Choose BricsCAD if
- You need dwg native.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want 2d drafting.
Questions people ask
- Is Octane Render or BricsCAD better?
- Neither clearly leads. Octane Render 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, Octane Render or BricsCAD?
- Octane Render starts at $29/month and BricsCAD at $29/month.
- Does Octane Render or BricsCAD run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, MacOS, Linux, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is Octane Render best used for?
- Octane Render is most often used for gpu accelerated unbiased rendering from blender, cinema 4d, maya or houdini, network rendering across multiple gpu nodes, producing photoreal stills and animation for product and archviz work. Of those, gpu accelerated unbiased rendering from blender, cinema 4d, maya or houdini and network rendering across multiple gpu nodes are not what BricsCAD is typically brought in for.
- What can Octane Render do that BricsCAD cannot?
- Octane Render covers GPU rendering, Unbiased rendering, Out-of-core geometry, AI denoising. BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support, Linux support.