Software · head to head
PLAXIS vs acQuire GIM Suite
PLAXIS
Software
Finite element software for geotechnical analysis
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
acQuire GIM Suite
Software
Geoscientific information management platform
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: PLAXIS bentley states the cost of PLAXIS 2D, 2D Advanced, 2D Ultimate and the 2D WorkSuite varies per region, and publishes no rate on the product page; acQuire GIM Suite pricing is not published
- They diverge on capability: PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis, acQuire GIM Suite covers Drill hole data management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which PLAXIS and acQuire GIM Suite actually diverge.
| Attribute | PLAXIS | acQuire GIM Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, Web |
| Founded | 1984 | 1996 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 PLAXIS
- 2D & 3D finite element analysis
- Advanced soil modeling
- Slope stability assessment
- Excavation design
- Support design
- AutoCAD
- GeoStudio
- Linux support
Only in acQuire GIM Suite
- Drill hole data management
- Sample tracking
- QAQC management
- Data validation
- Reporting tools
- Surpac
- Vulcan
- Micromine
Both cover
- ArcGIS
- Leapfrog
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
PLAXIS
- Finite element analysis of soil and rock deformation and stabilitynot acQuire GIM Suite
- Designing excavations, tunnels, embankments and foundationsnot acQuire GIM Suite
- Modelling groundwater flow, consolidation and seismic response in geotechnical worksnot acQuire GIM Suite
acQuire GIM Suite
- Capturing and validating drillhole and geological datanot PLAXIS
- Maintaining a single source of truth for geoscientific recordsnot PLAXIS
- Field data capture on mobile with offline workingnot PLAXIS
- Delivering geological data to modelling and reporting toolsnot PLAXIS
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
PLAXIS
- Bentley states the cost of PLAXIS 2D, 2D Advanced, 2D Ultimate and the 2D WorkSuite varies per region, and publishes no rate on the product page
- Consolidation, creep, groundwater flow and heat flow require the Advanced edition rather than the base PLAXIS 2D
- Dynamic, vibration and transient analysis require the Ultimate edition
- A perpetual licence only carries support and licence exchange rights while a paid annual SELECT subscription is maintained
- The Virtuoso subscription route is a 12 month lease, not an ongoing entitlement
acQuire GIM Suite
- Pricing is not published
- Built specifically for mining geology rather than general data management
Pricing, plan by plan
PLAXIS
On request- PLAXIS 2D$16000/year
- 2D finite element analysis
- Slope stability
- Mine design
- PLAXIS 3D$28000/year
- 3D finite element analysis
- Complex geometry modeling
- Advanced soil modeling
acQuire GIM Suite
On request- GIM Suite Standard$8000/year
- Data management
- QAQC tools
- Validation rules
- GIM Suite Enterprise$18000/year
- Multi-site deployment
- Advanced workflows
- Integration APIs
Which should you pick?
Choose PLAXIS if
- You need 2d & 3d finite element analysis.
- You work on Windows, Linux.
- You also want advanced soil modeling.
Choose acQuire GIM Suite if
- You need drill hole data management.
- You work on Windows, Web.
- You also want sample tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is PLAXIS or acQuire GIM Suite better?
- Neither clearly leads. PLAXIS starts at On request and acQuire GIM Suite at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, PLAXIS or acQuire GIM Suite?
- PLAXIS starts at On request and acQuire GIM Suite at On request.
- Does PLAXIS or acQuire GIM Suite run on more platforms?
- PLAXIS runs on Windows, Linux. acQuire GIM Suite runs on Windows, Web.
- What is PLAXIS best used for?
- PLAXIS is most often used for finite element analysis of soil and rock deformation and stability, designing excavations, tunnels, embankments and foundations, modelling groundwater flow, consolidation and seismic response in geotechnical works. Of those, finite element analysis of soil and rock deformation and stability and designing excavations, tunnels, embankments and foundations are not what acQuire GIM Suite is typically brought in for.
- What can PLAXIS do that acQuire GIM Suite cannot?
- PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis, Advanced soil modeling, Slope stability assessment, Excavation design. acQuire GIM Suite covers Drill hole data management, Sample tracking, QAQC management, Data validation. Both handle ArcGIS, Leapfrog, Windows support.