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Mining · head to head

RS2 vs UDEC

RS2 logo

RS2

Mining

2D finite element stress analysis for mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
U

UDEC

Mining

Universal distinct element code for mining analysis

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • They diverge on capability: RS2 covers 2D finite element analysis, UDEC covers Distinct element modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RS2 and UDEC actually diverge.

Attributes where RS2 and UDEC differ
AttributeRS2UDEC
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux
Founded19891981

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 RS2

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

Only in UDEC

  • Distinct element modeling
  • Joint network modeling
  • Block interaction analysis
  • Support interaction
  • Dynamic analysis
  • FLAC3D
  • 3DEC
  • Leapfrog

Both cover

  • AutoCAD
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

RS2

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

UDEC

  • Geotechnical engineering simulationsnot RS2
  • Discrete element modeling and analysisnot RS2
  • Mining and tunneling software analysisnot RS2

Where each one falls short

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

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

UDEC

  • The UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • Fluid Flow, Barton-Bandis joint analysis, Creep, Thermal and User Defined Models are optional add ons charged on top of the base licence
  • Writing custom constitutive models requires the separately licensed UDM option and C++ programming
  • Purchases through the Buy Now route are prepaid annual subscriptions rather than a permanent licence

Pricing, plan by plan

RS2

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

UDEC

On request
  • UDEC Professional$19000/year
    • Distinct element analysis
    • Joint modeling
    • Block interaction

Which should you pick?

Choose RS2 if

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

Choose UDEC if

  • You need distinct element modeling.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want joint network modeling.
UDEC review

Questions people ask

Is RS2 or UDEC better?
Neither clearly leads. RS2 starts at On request and UDEC at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RS2 or UDEC?
RS2 starts at On request and UDEC at On request.
Does RS2 or UDEC run on more platforms?
RS2 runs on Windows. UDEC runs on Windows, Linux.
What is RS2 best used for?
RS2 is most often used for two dimensional finite element analysis of slopes, excavations and tunnels, modelling groundwater seepage and consolidation in geotechnical designs, assessing rock and soil stability for mining and civil engineering projects. Of those, two dimensional finite element analysis of slopes, excavations and tunnels and modelling groundwater seepage and consolidation in geotechnical designs are not what UDEC is typically brought in for.
What can RS2 do that UDEC cannot?
RS2 covers 2D finite element analysis, Stress-strain modeling, Slope stability assessment, Bolt design. UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. Both handle AutoCAD, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
UDEC: How much does UDEC cost?

UDEC pricing is not published on the product page. The vendor directs inquiries through an 'Ask an Expert' contact option at [email protected] or a 'Request a Quote' option through the itascasoftware.com store.

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
UDEC: What is UDEC's pricing model?

UDEC is available through a subscription model rather than one-time licensing. Prepaid annual subscriptions are available through the software store, and pricing is customized based on quote requests.

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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