Softwr

Mining · head to head

RS2 vs Vulcan

RS2 logo

RS2

Mining

2D finite element stress analysis for mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vulcan logo

Vulcan

Mining

Industry-standard 3D mine planning and modeling software

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; Vulcan neither the Vulcan product page nor the Maptek store page shows a price, a licence term or a subscription length
  • They diverge on capability: RS2 covers 2D finite element analysis, Vulcan covers Geological modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RS2 and Vulcan actually diverge.

Attributes where RS2 and Vulcan differ
AttributeRS2Vulcan
Founded19891981

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), 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
  • AutoCAD
  • GeoStudio
  • RocData

Only in Vulcan

  • Geological modeling
  • Block modeling
  • Mine design
  • Resource estimation
  • Production scheduling
  • Surpac
  • Leapfrog
  • I-Site

Both cover

  • 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 Vulcan
  • Modelling groundwater seepage and consolidation in geotechnical designsnot Vulcan
  • Assessing rock and soil stability for mining and civil engineering projectsnot Vulcan

Vulcan

  • Geological modelling, block modelling and resource estimationnot RS2
  • Open pit and underground mine design and schedulingnot RS2
  • Grade control and geotechnical analysis at operating minesnot 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

Vulcan

  • Neither the Vulcan product page nor the Maptek store page shows a price, a licence term or a subscription length
  • Vulcan is a base product extended by nine paid add on modules covering geology and estimation, open pit design, underground design, scheduling, grade control and geotechnics, so the entry licence does not cover a full workflow
  • Buying requires going through the Maptek store or contacting Maptek directly for a quote

Pricing, plan by plan

RS2

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

Vulcan

On request
  • Vulcan Standard$8000/year
    • 3D modeling
    • Mine design
    • Block modeling
  • Vulcan Professional$15000/year
    • Advanced geostatistics
    • Resource estimation
    • Pit optimization
  • Vulcan Enterprise$25000/year
    • All modules
    • Custom solutions
    • Priority support

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 Vulcan if

  • You need geological modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want block modeling.
Vulcan review

Questions people ask

Is RS2 or Vulcan better?
Neither clearly leads. RS2 starts at On request and Vulcan at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RS2 or Vulcan?
RS2 starts at On request and Vulcan at On request.
Does RS2 or Vulcan run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 Vulcan is typically brought in for.
What can RS2 do that Vulcan cannot?
RS2 covers 2D finite element analysis, Stress-strain modeling, Slope stability assessment, Bolt design. Vulcan covers Geological modeling, Block modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation. Both handle 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
Vulcan: How do I purchase Vulcan software?

Vulcan can be purchased through Maptek's online store at store.maptek.com, or by contacting Maptek directly through their website contact form for assistance with licensing options.

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
Vulcan: What support resources are available for Vulcan users?

Maptek provides comprehensive support through their Help portal at help.maptek.com/vulcan/, customer support contact options, and a Maptek Account system for managing licenses and downloads.

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
Vulcan: Can I work offline with Vulcan licenses?

Yes, Maptek Account includes "secure borrowing and fail-safe modes" that "support working from anywhere, including offline."

Source
Vulcan: What add-ons are available for Vulcan, and how do they expand functionality?

Vulcan offers specialized add-ons for geology, open pit/underground design, optimization, scheduling, grade control, geotechnical analysis, and drillhole optimization to support specific mining roles and operational tasks.

Source
Vulcan: Is training available for Vulcan users?

Maptek offers comprehensive training programs through multiple regional centers including Australia, North America, Europe, and Southern Africa, with both online and in-person options available.

Source
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