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Mining · head to head

UDEC vs Whittle

U

UDEC

Mining

Universal distinct element code for mining 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: UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store; 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: UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Whittle covers Pit optimization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which UDEC and Whittle actually diverge.

Attributes where UDEC and Whittle differ
AttributeUDECWhittle
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWindows

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining), founded (1981).

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 UDEC

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

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.

UDEC

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

Whittle

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

UDEC

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

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 UDEC if

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

Choose Whittle if

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

Questions people ask

Is UDEC or Whittle better?
Neither clearly leads. UDEC 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, UDEC or Whittle?
UDEC starts at On request and Whittle at On request.
Does UDEC or Whittle run on more platforms?
UDEC runs on Windows, Linux. Whittle runs on Windows.
What is UDEC best used for?
UDEC is most often used for geotechnical engineering simulations, discrete element modeling and analysis, mining and tunneling software analysis. Of those, geotechnical engineering simulations and discrete element modeling and analysis are not what Whittle is typically brought in for.
What can UDEC do that Whittle cannot?
UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. Whittle covers Pit optimization, NPV maximization, Cutoff grade analysis, Pushback design. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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
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