Softwr

Mining · head to head

PCBC vs RS2

PCBC logo

PCBC

Mining

Pit optimisation and scheduling software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RS2 logo

RS2

Mining

2D finite element stress analysis for mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PCBC dassault Systemes GEOVIA PCBC has no published commercial pricing and is sold via direct contact, with a separate Academic License Program as the only named alternative tier; RS2 the RS2 product page shows a USD per year pricing block with no figure filled in, so the annual lease cost is not published
  • They diverge on capability: PCBC covers Pit optimization, RS2 covers 2D finite element analysis.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PCBC and RS2 actually diverge.

Attributes where PCBC and RS2 differ
AttributePCBCRS2
Founded19811989

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), 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 PCBC

  • Pit optimization
  • Pushback scheduling
  • Cutoff grade analysis
  • NPV maximization
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Surpac
  • Whittle
  • MineSched

Only in RS2

  • 2D finite element analysis
  • Stress-strain modeling
  • Slope stability assessment
  • Bolt design
  • Support sizing
  • AutoCAD
  • GeoStudio
  • RocData

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

PCBC

  • Pit optimizationnot RS2
  • Pushback designnot RS2
  • Cutoff optimizationnot RS2
  • Economic analysisnot RS2

RS2

  • Two dimensional finite element analysis of slopes, excavations and tunnelsnot PCBC
  • Modelling groundwater seepage and consolidation in geotechnical designsnot PCBC
  • Assessing rock and soil stability for mining and civil engineering projectsnot PCBC

Where each one falls short

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

PCBC

  • Dassault Systemes GEOVIA PCBC has no published commercial pricing and is sold via direct contact, with a separate Academic License Program as the only named alternative tier

RS2

  • The RS2 product page shows a USD per year pricing block with no figure filled in, so the annual lease cost is not published
  • RS2 is sold only as an annual cloud hosted lease; the page describes no perpetual licence
  • The Personal Lease is one seat tied to one user device; using it across several machines requires the Flexible+ lease
  • Hosting licences on a local server rather than Rocscience's RocPortal requires contacting the vendor

Pricing, plan by plan

PCBC

On request
  • PCBC Standard$12000/year
    • Pit optimization
    • Pushback design
    • Economic analysis

RS2

On request
  • RS2 Standard$11000/year
    • 2D finite element analysis
    • Slope stability
    • Excavation design

Which should you pick?

Choose PCBC if

  • You need pit optimization.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want pushback scheduling.
PCBC review

Choose RS2 if

  • You need 2d finite element analysis.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want stress-strain modeling.
RS2 review

Questions people ask

Is PCBC or RS2 better?
Neither clearly leads. PCBC starts at On request and RS2 at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PCBC or RS2?
PCBC starts at On request and RS2 at On request.
Does PCBC or RS2 run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is PCBC best used for?
PCBC is most often used for pit optimization, pushback design, cutoff optimization, economic analysis. Of those, pit optimization and pushback design are not what RS2 is typically brought in for.
What can PCBC do that RS2 cannot?
PCBC covers Pit optimization, Pushback scheduling, Cutoff grade analysis, NPV maximization. RS2 covers 2D finite element analysis, Stress-strain modeling, Slope stability assessment, Bolt design. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PCBC: Where can I find GEOVIA PCBC pricing?

GEOVIA does not publish pricing on the product page. Interested buyers should contact GEOVIA directly via their contact link or visit the full GEOVIA website to request pricing information.

Source
RS2: How is RS2 priced?

RS2 uses an annual subscription licensing model with two options: Personal Lease for one seat and one user device, or Flexible+ Lease for multiple seats with unlimited user devices per seat. Specific pricing is not displayed on the website.

Source
PCBC: How can I learn more about PCBC before purchasing?

GEOVIA provides a user community resource where real-world users share experiences. You can also contact their sales team directly for product information and trial inquiries.

Source
RS2: Can RS2 be hosted locally?

RS2 uses cloud-hosted licensing managed through RocPortal, though local server hosting is available upon request by contacting the company.

Source
RS2: How can I find RS2 pricing details?

The website offers a Plans & Pricing FAQ section for additional details, or you can add licenses to your cart for purchase to see current pricing.

Source
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