Software · head to head
PLAXIS vs RS2
PLAXIS
Software
Finite element software for geotechnical analysis
- 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; 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: PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis, RS2 covers 2D finite element analysis.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which PLAXIS and RS2 actually diverge.
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
- Excavation design
- Support design
- ArcGIS
- Leapfrog
- Linux support
Only in RS2
- 2D finite element analysis
- Stress-strain modeling
- Bolt design
- Support sizing
- RocData
- Dips
Both cover
- Slope stability assessment
- AutoCAD
- GeoStudio
- 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 RS2
- Designing excavations, tunnels, embankments and foundationsnot RS2
- Modelling groundwater flow, consolidation and seismic response in geotechnical worksnot RS2
RS2
- Two dimensional finite element analysis of slopes, excavations and tunnelsnot PLAXIS
- Modelling groundwater seepage and consolidation in geotechnical designsnot PLAXIS
- Assessing rock and soil stability for mining and civil engineering projectsnot 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
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
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
RS2
On request- RS2 Standard$11000/year
- 2D finite element analysis
- Slope stability
- Excavation design
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 RS2 if
- You need 2d finite element analysis.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want stress-strain modeling.
Questions people ask
- Is PLAXIS or RS2 better?
- Neither clearly leads. PLAXIS 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, PLAXIS or RS2?
- PLAXIS starts at On request and RS2 at On request.
- Does PLAXIS or RS2 run on more platforms?
- PLAXIS runs on Windows, Linux. RS2 runs on Windows.
- 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 RS2 is typically brought in for.
- What can PLAXIS do that RS2 cannot?
- PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis, Advanced soil modeling, Excavation design, Support design. RS2 covers 2D finite element analysis, Stress-strain modeling, Bolt design, Support sizing. Both handle Slope stability assessment, AutoCAD, GeoStudio, Windows support.