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Software · head to head

Creo vs BricsCAD

Creo logo

Creo

Software

Award-winning 3D CAD software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
BricsCAD logo

BricsCAD

Software

DWG-based CAD platform

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Creo every Creo user must buy a licence of the Creo Design Essentials package as a minimum before anything else can be added; BricsCAD the Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support
  • They diverge on capability: Creo covers Parametric modeling, BricsCAD covers DWG native.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Creo and BricsCAD actually diverge.

Attributes where Creo and BricsCAD differ
AttributeCreoBricsCAD
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWindowsWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded19852002

Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), 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 Creo

  • Parametric modeling
  • Direct modeling
  • Simulation
  • Generative design
  • Additive manufacturing
  • AR integration
  • Model-based definition
  • Windchill PLM

Only in BricsCAD

  • DWG native
  • 2D drafting
  • 3D modeling
  • BIM
  • Sheet metal
  • Mechanical
  • LISP support
  • AutoCAD compatible

Both cover

  • License management
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Creo

  • Parametric 3D mechanical CAD for product and machinery designnot BricsCAD
  • Mold design and mold machining workflowsnot BricsCAD

BricsCAD

  • 2D drafting as a DWG native alternative to AutoCADnot Creo
  • 3D mechanical design and assembly modellingnot Creo
  • BIM modelling and construction documentationnot Creo

Where each one falls short

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

Creo

  • Every Creo user must buy a licence of the Creo Design Essentials package as a minimum before anything else can be added
  • Capabilities such as the Generative Design Extension, Creo Simulation Live, Advanced Assembly Extension and GD&T Advisor are sold as separate paid extensions
  • Published prices in the PTC Store cover only Creo Design Essentials, the Creo Suites and select extensions; the other design packages require talking to sales
  • Buying an individual extension requires contacting a sales representative rather than self service

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

Creo

$29/month
  • Creo Elements/Direct$2310/month
    • Direct modeling
  • Creo Parametric$2310/month
    • Parametric modeling
    • Simulation
  • Creo+$2930/month
    • SaaS delivery
    • Real-time collaboration

BricsCAD

$29/month
  • Lite$550/month
    • 2D drafting
  • Pro$875/month
    • 2D + 3D
  • Ultimate$1575/month
    • All features

Which should you pick?

Choose Creo if

  • You need parametric modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want direct modeling.
Creo review

Choose BricsCAD if

  • You need dwg native.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want 2d drafting.
BricsCAD review

Questions people ask

Is Creo or BricsCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. Creo 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, Creo or BricsCAD?
Creo starts at $29/month and BricsCAD at $29/month.
Does Creo or BricsCAD run on more platforms?
Creo runs on Windows. BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
What is Creo best used for?
Creo is most often used for parametric 3d mechanical cad for product and machinery design, mold design and mold machining workflows. Of those, parametric 3d mechanical cad for product and machinery design and mold design and mold machining workflows are not what BricsCAD is typically brought in for.
What can Creo do that BricsCAD cannot?
Creo covers Parametric modeling, Direct modeling, Simulation, Generative design. BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. Both handle License management, Windows support.
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