Softwr

Software · head to head

Vectorworks vs BricsCAD

Vectorworks logo

Vectorworks

Software

Design software for the AEC industry

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: Vectorworks the Internet Archive's capture of Vectorworks' products page on 12 December 2019 named seven distinct editions and add-on modules, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals, Designer, Vision, and the Braceworks/ConnectCAD add-ons, each with its own 'Buy Now' link, but no price figure appeared on the page itself.; BricsCAD the Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support
  • They diverge on capability: Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, BricsCAD covers DWG native.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Vectorworks and BricsCAD actually diverge.

Attributes where Vectorworks and BricsCAD differ
AttributeVectorworksBricsCAD
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWindows, MacOSWindows, 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 Vectorworks

  • BIM modeling
  • 2D/3D design
  • Documentation
  • Rendering
  • GIS integration
  • Entertainment design
  • Landscape tools
  • Lumion

Only in BricsCAD

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

Both cover

  • License management
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

Vectorworks

  • Building designnot BricsCAD
  • Landscape designnot BricsCAD
  • Stage designnot BricsCAD

BricsCAD

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

Where each one falls short

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

Vectorworks

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Vectorworks' products page on 12 December 2019 named seven distinct editions and add-on modules, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals, Designer, Vision, and the Braceworks/ConnectCAD add-ons, each with its own 'Buy Now' link, but no price figure appeared on the page itself.

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

Vectorworks

$29/month
  • Architect$2495/month
    • BIM
    • Architecture tools
  • Landmark$2495/month
    • Landscape design
    • GIS
  • Design Suite$3295/month
    • All modules combined

BricsCAD

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Vectorworks if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 2d/3d design.
Vectorworks 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 Vectorworks or BricsCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. Vectorworks 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, Vectorworks or BricsCAD?
Vectorworks starts at $29/month and BricsCAD at $29/month.
Does Vectorworks or BricsCAD run on more platforms?
Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS. BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
What is Vectorworks best used for?
Vectorworks is most often used for building design, landscape design, stage design. Of those, building design and landscape design are not what BricsCAD is typically brought in for.
What can Vectorworks do that BricsCAD cannot?
Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, Rendering. BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. Both handle License management, Windows support, MacOS support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Vectorworks

More on BricsCAD

Keep looking

Other head to heads