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Mining · head to head

PLAXIS vs Whittle

PLAXIS logo

PLAXIS

Mining

Finite element software for geotechnical analysis

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Whittle logo

Whittle

Mining

Strategic open pit mine optimization software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Whittle the Internet Archive's capture of Dassault Systemes' GEOVIA Whittle page on 20 January 2021 named it as one of seven distinct GEOVIA mining products (alongside Surpac, GEMS, Minex, MineSched, PCBC, InSite), sold via a 'How to buy' contact process with no price figure published.
  • They diverge on capability: PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis, Whittle covers Pit optimization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PLAXIS and Whittle actually diverge.

Attributes where PLAXIS and Whittle differ
AttributePLAXISWhittle
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWindows
Founded19841981

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

  • 2D & 3D finite element analysis
  • Advanced soil modeling
  • Slope stability assessment
  • Excavation design
  • Support design
  • AutoCAD
  • GeoStudio
  • ArcGIS

Only in Whittle

  • Pit optimization
  • NPV maximization
  • Cutoff grade analysis
  • Pushback design
  • Economic modeling
  • Surpac
  • MineSched
  • PCBC

Both cover

  • 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 Whittle
  • Designing excavations, tunnels, embankments and foundationsnot Whittle
  • Modelling groundwater flow, consolidation and seismic response in geotechnical worksnot Whittle

Whittle

  • Pit optimizationnot PLAXIS
  • Strategic planningnot PLAXIS
  • Feasibility studiesnot PLAXIS
  • Economic analysisnot PLAXIS
  • Scenario comparisonnot 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

Whittle

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Dassault Systemes' GEOVIA Whittle page on 20 January 2021 named it as one of seven distinct GEOVIA mining products (alongside Surpac, GEMS, Minex, MineSched, PCBC, InSite), sold via a 'How to buy' contact process with no price figure published.

Pricing, plan by plan

PLAXIS

On request
  • Virtuoso Subscription$undefined/12-month
    • Software access
    • Training included
    • Auto-renewal
  • Perpetual License with SELECT$undefined/mo
    • One-time purchase
    • Annual maintenance subscription
    • 24/7 technical support
  • Enterprise Plans$undefined/mo
    • Custom arrangements
    • Global pricing
    • Comprehensive software portfolio

Whittle

On request
  • Whittle Standard$15000/year
    • Pit optimization
    • Economic analysis
    • Multiple scenarios
  • Whittle Enterprise$25000/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • Scheduling integration
    • NPV maximization

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.
PLAXIS review

Choose Whittle if

  • You need pit optimization.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want npv maximization.
Whittle review

Questions people ask

Is PLAXIS or Whittle better?
Neither clearly leads. PLAXIS starts at On request and Whittle at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PLAXIS or Whittle?
PLAXIS starts at On request and Whittle at On request.
Does PLAXIS or Whittle run on more platforms?
PLAXIS runs on Windows, Linux. Whittle 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 Whittle is typically brought in for.
What can PLAXIS do that Whittle cannot?
PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis, Advanced soil modeling, Slope stability assessment, Excavation design. Whittle covers Pit optimization, NPV maximization, Cutoff grade analysis, Pushback design. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PLAXIS: What are PLAXIS software tiers?

PLAXIS offers four main tiers: PLAXIS 3D (basic deformation and safety analysis), PLAXIS 3D Advanced (creep/flow-deformation coupling and consolidation), PLAXIS 3D Ultimate (dynamic vibration analysis and time-dependent groundwater flow), and 3D WorkSuite (combines PLAXIS 3D Ultimate with GeoStudio 3D Advanced).

Source
Whittle: Where can I find pricing for GEOVIA Whittle?

Whittle is an advanced strategic mine planning product. Pricing information is not available on the public product page and requires contacting Dassault Systèmes directly through their contact form.

Source
PLAXIS: What licensing models does PLAXIS offer?

PLAXIS offers three licensing approaches: 12-month Virtuoso Subscription (recommended for small to medium businesses), Perpetual License with SELECT (one-time purchase plus annual maintenance), and Enterprise Plans (custom arrangements for larger organizations). Regional pricing varies.

Source
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