Updated 5 June 2023 by James Ocean
Top BIM Software Tools in 2023
Table of Contents
It’s hard to imagine a construction project lifecycle without collaborations nowadays from contractors, engineers and architects all combining their efforts to achieve their goals from meeting client’s expectations, minimalizing the construction errors caused by miscommunication and so on. And, of course, while it is easy to do so with smaller projects – larger, more sophisticated construction projects would be having a hard time reaching the same level of cooperation without BIM software.
Overview
BIM – Building Information Modeling – is a complicated process that includes not only 3D modelling, but also planning, designing, constructing, collaboration, and more. The ability to share relevant data with all of the project’s participants makes BIM an excellent collaboration tool in general.
While 3D modeling is a part of BIM, and an important one, it is not just a replacement for previous types of 3D modeling like AutoCAD. A comprehensive BIM also includes maintenance data, project scheduling, costs information, and more.
BIM itself operates with so-called BIM objects – components that can be added to the 3D models in question, like plumbing, electric components, doors, windows and other construction elements that can alter the final construction result.
The most significant tendency so far in the BIM industry is the attempt at unification and standardization. So far, there are still too many different interpretations of Public Available Specifications from different BIM companies to say that the industry is standardized, but there’s still progress that can be seen on a yearly basis.
BIM advantages
The advantages of BIM can be seen with any project size, but it is most impactful when working with large construction projects, where you’ll be able to benefit heavily from clash detection, cost tracking, scheduling, and so on. Here are some of the significant advantages that a BIM solution can offer to different players in the construction market:
- Mobility: The availability of a centralized unified model accessible from anywhere improves productivity and efficiency. Project participants can access the model even without a laptop or PC, allowing for quick response to potential issues or changes.
- Accuracy: The BIM model can be used by all project participants throughout the project, and also to present the structure to owners or for post-construction tasks such as maintenance and commercial space sales. It ensures accuracy and facilitates various activities beyond construction.
- Visualization/Simulation: BIM software provides an excellent environment for simulations, including weather conditions, energy requirements, and more. It enables stakeholders to visualize and assess different scenarios.
- Updated timeline: Keeping diverse information within a single BIM model simplifies resource allocation and enhances project coordination. It enables all participants to stay informed about the current project status at any given time.
- Transparent approach: A shared model improves collaboration efforts among project stakeholders. It ensures transparency, allowing each stakeholder to access the necessary information for their respective roles.
- Clash detection: Utilizing the same model from the design phase onward makes it easier to detect clashes between objects and building components. This early detection significantly reduces unexpected rework and budget overruns.
- Project site evaluation: A BIM model can incorporate geographical information about the construction site, enabling various types of site evaluations from different perspectives.
- Real-time model updates: The centralized and data-rich BIM model can be updated in real-time with input from multiple stakeholders. This helps eliminate misinformation and scheduling conflicts.
Why BIM software is the inevitable future of multiple industries
The construction industry has been grappling with productivity issues for several decades, with the problem dating back to the 1960s. This productivity loss resulted in the same contract budget covering a larger number of labor hours, making the industry less efficient and less appealing to new workers.
A significant portion of the issue can be attributed to the industry’s adherence to traditional approaches throughout the construction process. This includes large construction companies with extensive workforces, conventional project delivery methods, and a heavy reliance on 2D CAD (Computer-Aided Drafting) for modeling and design processes.
Relying primarily on 2D CAD technology presented its own set of problems. It lacked the ability to effectively integrate scheduling and cost information, and collaboration among stakeholders was often challenging. The requirement for each team to create its own CAD model for presentation to owners and contractors further hindered collaboration between different participants in the construction process for a considerable period.
This situation resulted in confusion, conflicting information, reworks, budget overruns, missed deadlines, and other issues. Building Information Modeling (BIM) emerged as a transformative approach that offered a solution to the industry’s persistent productivity challenges while addressing many other shortcomings of the traditional approach.
Top BIM software tools of 2023
Now we’ll attempt to create a BIM software list with 30 different BIM systems, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Since the industry of BIM specifically revolves around large structures with big budgets – it’s obvious that all of the participants of this list would be premium products as well as some more affordable options. We’ll also list some free software solutions with similar capabilities, but it’ll be in a separate list below.
Revit
Revit is a well-known BIM construction software that aims to solve different architectural and design problems. It was developed by Autodesk and is one of the most popular solutions in the industry. A lot of different specialists can take advantage of Revit’s feature list, including architects, designers, MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) specialists, contractors, and more. The software itself offers an intelligent approach to different stages of the construction process via models.
This software is Microsoft Windows-exclusive, and can significantly reduce the miscommunication troubles by managing different parts of the process within the same system. This same system also boosts overall coordination efforts, and you can even simulate different projects’ visuals with that. Since Revit is considered a 4D BIM – it can also track the entire lifecycle of a specific construction project, from first concepts down to the regular maintenance and/or demolition.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Detailed model creation capabilities
- A massive number of integrations with other solutions and information types
- The versatility of the solution as a whole
- Praise-worthy customer support
Shortcomings:
- Higher than average system requirements for the PC version of the software
- Version compatibility only works one way – upgrading older models is possible, but downgrading existing models is not, which can be a problem with some of the more complicated models that are not updated as often as the rest
- The solution is not particularly user-friendly and has a rather high entry threshold
- Limited automation capabilities
Pricing:
- Revit can offer two different approaches in terms of its pricing model.
- The first one is a basic subscription that can be paid for on a monthly basis, yearly basis, or every three years:
- $350 per month
- $2,805 per year
- $8,415 per three years
- The second one implies accessing Revit as a part of Autodesk Flex program – a “pay-as-you-go” option that offers a daily price in tokens for a number of Autodesk services. Revit’s Flex cost is 10 tokens per day, and there are at least two token bundles available for purchase:
- 100 tokens for $300
- 500 tokens for $1500
- It is also possible to purchase a custom amount of tokens, depending on the needs of a specific company – and tokens themselves have an expiration period of 1 year after the purchase.
Customer reviews:
- Nayeemullah I. – “Revit is a powerful tool for building design and construction, but its complexity and cost may make it less suitable for individual users or smaller firms. Its collaborative capabilities and advanced visualization tools can be particularly useful for larger, more complex projects.”
- Prince B. – “Revit facilitates better collaboration between all stakeholders involved in a building project. The use of it’s visualization and rendering capabilities helps to understand the design intent and also communicate ideas more effectively.”
- Danielli S. – “My internal workflow is more fluid after a while working with Revit, I have ease and agility in building the architectural and furniture models. The graphic result that I achieve with the software has become the identity of my project presentations.”
Revizto
The prime use case for Revizto is to provide an integrated collaboration platform in the BIM environment for both 3D and 2D workflows, enabling users to communicate with all participants and stakeholders of the project in a collaborative environment. Revizto’s solutions can be leveraged throughout all stages of the construction process and includes features like clash management, issue tracker, synergy for 2D/3D models, and even the ability to explore your models in VR. This tool is a centralized, user-friendly platform to keep everything you need at hand. It enables accurate, critical data to be available to all stakeholders regardless of skill level, allowing them to make better, faster, and more efficient real-time decisions.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Great issue tracking capabilities across the board
- Ability to assign specific clashes to different personnel
- A variety of integrations with popular BIM and CAD solutions
- Useful coordination and collaboration tool with centralized information access
Shortcomings:
- There may be some difficulties with large project files, leading to software slow-downs or even crashes
- The UI may take some time getting used to after solutions such as Navisworks
- Data filtering is difficult to set up properly
- Reporting feature could be more customizable
Pricing:
- Revizto does not have any pricing information available in public, the only way to obtain such information is to request a quote from the company in question and/or schedule a demo of that same solution.
Customer reviews:
- Steven B. – “We are now only using this software for as-built purposes and we are trying to enforce it that the subs sign in to be able to do shop drawing changes that come in from out in the field. We want our superintendents more involved in the coordination process and this is how we plan to get them in there.”
- seiya o. – “fast, easy, and accurate visual coordination at ease by using Revizto. We were able to have our client provide positive feedback. customer service was great. I especially thank to rep for all the help that he provided in the early days of Revizto.”
- Bill M. – “Our project collaboration efficiency increased, as did our quality and confidence with our designs as a result of the “single source of truth” approach that Revizto provides.”
Navisworks
Navisworks is another BIM solution created by Autodesk. The main difference between Navisworks and Revit is that Navisworks is more about being a project review solution for AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) professionals. As with Revit, it is also capable of working with MS Windows, and it can also work together with other Autodesk 3D solutions to open and combine their models, review them and navigate through them with barely any difficulty.
Due to the nature of it, Navisworks is most important in the first stages of any project – namely, the pre-construction stage, controlling and predicting project outcome from the beginning. Both model coordination and clash detection are included to help with detecting any problems before the actual construction begins. There’s also model simulation, animation, data aggregation within a single model, and a plethora of other features.
There are two variations of Navisworks that Autodesk can currently offer – Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage. Navisworks Simulate is primarily a model review tool that can also perform tasks such as quantification, simulation, model analysis, and so on. Navisworks Manage, on the other hand, is a more sophisticated tool that can perform everything Navisworks Simulate can, as well as clash detection, issues integration with other Autodesk products, and general coordination between employees.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- The sheer number of different file formats that could be imported into Navisworks
- Support for the majority of existing BIM “dimensions”, including 4D (time), 5D (cost), and even 7D (sustainability)
- Extensive collaboration capabilities within a single solution
- Clash coordination with other teams is easy and simple
Shortcomings:
- May struggle with larger project files performance-wise
- The price scaling as a whole is not easy to keep up with
- High desktop hardware requirements
- Difficult to get into without any prior BIM software experience
Pricing:
- The pricing model of Navisworks Simulate is relatively simple, with a single price that could be paid for every month, every year, or once every three years:
- $135 per month
- $1,070 per year
- $3,210 per three years
- Navisworks Manage, on the other hand, could be paid for as a regular subscription:
- $330 per month
- $2,645 per year
- $7,935 per three years
- Alternatively, it is also possible to pay for Navisworks Manage using Autodesk Flex – a token-based pay-as-you-go system (Navisworks Manage costs 9 tokens per day):
- 100 tokens for $300
- 500 tokens for $1500
- It is also possible to purchase a custom amount of tokens, depending on the needs of a specific company – and tokens themselves have an expiration period of 1 year after the purchase.
Customer reviews:
- Jamal R. – “Overall, the experience of using Navisworks can be challenging at first, due to the complexity of the software and the steep learning curve required to master it. However, with time and practice, users can become proficient in using the software, and many find it to be an essential tool for their work.”
- Mahnoor I. – “By using Navisworks, we had a clear plan for how to carry out the different parts of the project. We were able to configure and test the models before starting the work on site, which helped us stick to the project schedule and keep from having to redo the work.”
- Jessica R. – “Many things Naviswork helped us with, as our ability to detect clashes between systems increased early, and this enabled us to study appropriate solutions and set the correct paths for them before starting implementation, which reflected positively on the level of completion of the project, as it became largely compatible with what was planned. Also, variance orders became less, which enabled us not to exceed the specified budgets.”
ArchiCAD
ArchiCAD is a 3D BIM software with design and modeling as its primary purposes. Graphisoft developed it, and it can work with both MS Windows and Mac desktop systems. ArchiCAD is extremely popular in the field of urban planning, designing and architecture since it manages to improve the entire workflow for these professions. All of the features of ArchiCAD are meant to be as useful for visualization purposes as possible, including both aesthetics and technological parts of it.
ArchiCAD is also considered one of the first BIM implementations, and it can work with both 3D and 2D geometry if needed. A variety of visualization and BIM functions allows ArchiCAD to be useful for any construction or architectural firm, and this is why ArchiCAD is considered one of the most beginner-friendly examples of BIM software on the market.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Can be used throughout the entire project realization process, from design to post-construction operations
- Extensive 3D model creation capabilities
- Can view projects in both 2D and 3D
- Easy navigation between different tools
Shortcomings:
- 2D drawing tools are lackluster
- A tedious detailing tool
- Layout drawing updates take a long time
- The object library could use a lot more customization options
Pricing:
- ArchiCAD offers three different licensing options – a commercial subscription-based license, a one-year renewable free educational license, and a fully-functional 30-day trial license.
- ArchiCAD’s commercial license can be purchased in three different forms:
- ArchiCAD – $225+ per month (before tax) – a basic version of ArchiCAD
- ArchiCAD Solo – $200+ per month (before tax) – a limited version of ArchiCAD with most of its sharing features turned off
- ArchiCAD Collaborate – $225+ per month (before tax) – a combination of ArchiCAD and BIMcloud
Customer reviews:
- Sadaf G. – “As an Architect, I have been able to use ArchiCAD for conceptual designs, detailed drafting, interior layouts as well as generating high-quality elevations, sections and 3D views for all my projects, including presentation drawings. In fact, 3D modelling and rendering have been made simple thanks to ArchiCAD. Visualization, (placing cameras) and gathering documentation are also uncomplicated. Rendering tools are useful and there is no need to get extra plug-ins for performing the same tasks that can be done within the software itself. I consider ArchiCAD to be better than its counterparts, e.g. Revit mainly because it is uncomplicated to use, with the same functionality at an economical investment.”
- Tim S. – “Excellent. Clarity over hand drafting. ease of changing any elements to the client’s or our own wishes. Creating modules like kitchen or bathroom layouts and popping them in wherever needed, often with fewer modifications. Exploring complex spatial configurations.”
- Krzysztof K. – “I met Archicad during my studies, I was and still am impressed by the possibilities of this program, which is still being developed. In my work, I use it to visualize interiors as they would look after renovation or home staging, it is possible because there is a large database of libraries of objects such as windows, doors, furniture, etc. This allows clients to make better decisions. I also use it to create dimensioned floor plans in 2 and 3D options. Before the meeting, customers review the plans and more specifically interested people come to the meetings, which saves everyone time.”
Vectorworks Architect
Vectorworks Architect is a solution package that includes both CAD and BIM tools. Its main goal is to work with the design process, both 2D and 3D, without damaging the creative vision of the original model. You can use this package to improve your entire workflow, from conceptualization to the actual construction.
There are design-oriented capabilities, parametric objects, industry-leading BIM tools, and more – all of that to streamline the creation process of your virtual representation. It is not a replacement for a creative process, but an extension of it, helping creators to have much more versatile choices and tools – without forgetting about BIM models and complex construction papers.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Relatively easy to learn and get used to
- Great for small and middle-sized projects
- Built-in accurate rendering capabilities
- A lot of praise for the overall user experience
Shortcomings:
- BIM capabilities are somewhat limited in comparison with other solutions on the market
- Some of the workflows between 2D and 3D are somewhat cumbersome and not user-friendly
- Potential incompatibilities with older software versions due to new features released
- May struggle with larger project files
Pricing:
- Vectorworks Architect uses a worldwide network of global distributors to deliver its products across the globe. Unfortunately, that means there is little to no public information available about the pricing of Vectorworks Architect, but it should differ quite a lot depending on the location.
Customer reviews:
- Imadur Rozan S. – “VectorWork is now supported with many 3rd party rendering software like lumion for the live sync rendering by installing the plugin for even better result, so whenever you make a changes, the render will follow up. And when it comes to choosing BIM softwares, especially if you’re new to it, the VectorWorks is the good choice to start for learning BIM due to their support and very complete yet detailed tutorials given on their official website. VectorWorks is mile ahead from other BIM softwares when it comes to landscape, 3D modelling and 2D details.”
- Rob G. – “We have been using the software over 20 years without hardly any issues! We can still open files from 1994!!!!!! We look at other softwares to make sure we are keeping up. When we factor in money, easy answer…..VectorWorks! We are a full BIM FIRM and VECTORWORKS does everything we need.”
- Adam J. – “This effective and intuitive CAD platform enables me to produce architectural drawings for clients with ease. I can produce incredibly detailed construction drawings that are both readable and informative and enable contractors, clients and any other 3rd party to understand exactly what is being proposed or changed.”
Edificius
Edificius is a unique BIM platform for architectural design. Capable of working in both 2D and 3D dimensions, architectural design is that much easier with all the new technologies and regulations in mind. There’s also garden and landscape visualization, static and real-time rendering, and more.
Some of the BIM features also include real-time cost estimating and structural engineering, a list of free interior resources via free catalogue, and more.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Intuitive user interface
- Real-time rendering and AI rendering capabilities
- Impressive performance even with heavy workloads
Shortcomings:
- Model sharing with cloud services is not possible
- Lack of quick access to necessary features
- Can become more difficult to work with if you need non-standard objects or parts
Pricing:
- Edificius can be purchased either as a separate solution or in a bundle, its price as a separate solution is as follows:
- €49 per month
- €34 per month if paid for a year in advance
- €30 per month if paid for two years in advance
- €27 per month if paid for three years in advance
Customer reviews:
- Roderick L. – “This software allows for efficient rendering and presentation. It’s worth a shot.”
- Verified Reviewer – “I think it’s a good software, it can be integrate with other softwares like Primus, Thermus, etc. to make your business faster. I think it can grow up in the next future to be a solid platform.”
- pippo21 p.– “This software is easy to understand graphically explanatory in architecture, structure, construction, bill of quantities, rendering, video, quantity takes off, schedule of timing and etc..”
midas Gen
midas Gen is one of many products developed by midas. The primary purpose of midas Gen is building management with BIM features. It can be leveraged to perform structural analysis with different theories and functions in mind to have both practical and accurate results.
midas Gen can also be used to streamline various structures to be more convenient, efficient and versatile. CAD-like features are used to create an intuitive modeling experience with nodes and elements. Other features also include full analysis, auto-design, user-friendly interface, and more.
Autodesk Construction Cloud (formerly Autodesk BIM 360)
Another creation of Autodesk is their Construction Cloud solution that works with construction management and project delivery. It unifies different processes of design, project and construction into one single process. At its core, it is a web service based on the cloud to avoid delays and improve decision-making by providing different teams access to relevant data.
The entire lifecycle of your project can be managed with Autodesk Construction Cloud. Some of the notable features are design review, BIM coordination, safety program checklist, issue management, deliverable coordination, and more.
Customer ratings:
- Capterra – 4.3/5 stars based on 2,072 customer reviews
- G2 – 4.2/5 stars based on 1,907 customer reviews
Advantages:
- A great centralized data storage for drawings, reports, schedules, RFIs, etc.
- A wealth of capabilities for different professions and purposes
- Extremely useful in terms of collaborative capabilities
- A web-based nature means greatly improved accessibility from practically anywhere in the world
Shortcomings:
- Reliance on a web-based platform as the main distribution method could lead to complete paralysis of all work operations if Autodesk servers are down for some reason
- The inability to create a project template from scratch, it is only possible to duplicate or modify the existing one
- A lot of focus on Autodesk’s internal formats and solutions, with little to no compatibility with other software or platforms
- Update frequency can be an issue for companies that are used to a slower update schedule with no compatibility issues
Pricing:
- Autodesk Construction Cloud is a collection of a multitude of different products, with each product having its own price that can only be learned by requesting a quote from Autodesk.
Customer reviews:
- Jarmo P. – “Autodesk Construction Cloud is a great solution for construction companies of all sizes. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools to help streamline processes and improve efficiency. The user interface is intuitive and the integration with other popular software is a great bonus. The only downside is the cost, which is a bit on the high side.”
- Kanishk Kant S. – “Its ability to streamline project management workflows, centralize project data, and facilitate collaboration among team members, can result in increased efficiency and productivity. The platform’s design coordination and document management modules are also highly regarded, as they help teams to manage design changes and project documentation more effectively.”
- James N. – “All in all, my experience with Autodesk Construction Cloud has been optimistic. Although there were some obstacles to overcome when learning the software, the benefits of the platform made it well worth the investment of my time. By simplifying my project management process, I was able to finish projects more efficiently and successfully. For any construction industry professional who is willing to put in the effort to learn, Autodesk Construction Cloud is a valuable asset.”
SketchUp
SketchUp is an easy-to-use modeling tool that enables users to transform regular lines and shapes into various 3D forms. There’s no need to do everything from scratch thanks to the built-in collection of 3D models.
There are different tools that can be included in SketchUp. The regular free 3D modeling tool can be accessed from the web browser. A more comprehensive Pro solution has its own desktop client and can offer more versatile options for your 3D projects. And, at last, SketchUp Studio offers you to analyze your models and creations’ different parameters in real life before they’re built.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- A massive library of 3D objects
- User-friendly interface
- Extremely versatile set of modeling tools
- Collaboration capabilities with the help of Trimble Connect
Shortcomings:
- Little to no basic tutorials about the software’s general capabilities
- No native support for importing or exporting when it comes to most of 3D CAD/BIM solutions on the market
- Functionality can be extended with the help of plugins, most of which are not free
- Not a complete BIM solution, relies a lot on plugins that rarely work together if at all
Pricing:
- SketchUp can offer four different pricing tiers:
- “Free” is the most basic set of features for all users
- “Go” – $119 per year – is a rather minor extension of the free version without the limitations on 3D models and cloud storage capacity
- “Pro” – $299 per year – is a more serious approach to the topic, with a desktop application, design insights, 2D documentation, and an entire warehouse of extensions
- “Studio” – $699 per year – is a Windows-only tier with real-time photorealistic visualization, easy file importing from Revit, and many other features
Customer reviews:
- Prince B. – “SketchUp enables me to create 3D models of spaces, helping me to plan and visualize room layouts, furniture placement, lighting, and material choices. It aids in communicating design ideas to clients and streamlining the design process.”
- Chanaka A. – “Currently SketchUp is the best software for 3D modelling which is equipped with loads of features which are unavailable in alternative software. And requiring low performance while working very smooth is great. Some complications will occur if you do complex designs but for general purposes this is the best. Can be used even by a beginner without facing issues.”
- Vikash K. – “I think this is one of the most basic 3d software you can use. Learning it is so easy that you can start building in it just after an hour of learning.And the results you can get from these are in par with the leading 3d modelling software. If you need rendered views of your project its a very good software.”
Buildertrend
Buildertrend is a construction-stage BIM tools that is more suitable for remodelers and home builders. This cloud-based BIM product offers a plethora of different features including access to your project in real-time from anywhere, warranty management, change orders, and access to all of the subsequent data that is attached to the project like photos, documents, and so on.
This toolset makes it a popular pick for residential construction professionals. There’s also features like general project management, customer management, financial tools and pre-sale process. Each of these features includes a variety of functions and possibilities like plan mark-ups, budgets, and others.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- General versatility with a wealth of options such as scheduling, budgeting, etc.
- Praise-worthy customer support team
- A user-friendly interface
- Regular improvements and content updates
Shortcomings:
- Customization options are quite limited
- A rather steep learning curve
- Inability to track multiple pay rates
- Impossible to work with multiple tabs at once because they are not synchronized with each other
Pricing:
- Buildertrend’s pricing model is relatively simple, it has three subscription tiers:
- “Essential” – $339 a month – a basic set of features with scheduling, daily logs, comments, invoices, to-do lists, email marketing, and more
- “Advanced” – $599 a month – adds budgeting, bills, purchase orders, estimates, lead proposals, change orders, advanced reporting, and more
- “Complete” – $829 a month – can offer warrantiers, RFIs, selections, etc.
Customer reviews:
- Jarmo P. – “Overall, I’m very pleased with the Buildertrend software. It’s the perfect tool for managing projects and keeping everything organized. The user interface is intuitive and easy to use. The cost may be a bit high for smaller projects, but it’s worth it for larger projects.”
- David L. – “After being with BuilderTrend since 2014 we were hit with a 75% price increase without notice. They say that they sent out an email but we never received it. After telling them that we sere going to cancel they offered to drop the price backdown to almost where it was. I don’t agree with those types of business practices.”
- Arthur B. – “It is helping in changing the culture at TCON Homes. It is a bit hard to explain for construction people that planning is more cost effective than starting smashing walls because you are aggregating value doing physical labour.”
Trimble Connect
Trimble Connect is an information exchange BIM cloud-based product. Its primary speciality is in delivering the right data to the right professionals at the right time. Some of the people that can take advantage of this technology are MEP professionals, subcontractors, architects, and others. A collaboration-focused environment is what Trimble attempts to create.
Delivering critical information in time might prove crucial for various stages of your workflow. Some of the main features are design coordination, on-site/off-site communication and project management. It can also integrate with a large number of construction tools to make your work easier.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- A mobile application improves collaboration and efficiency
- A wealth of general BIM capabilities
- Extensive collaboration features
Shortcomings:
- Requires good Internet connection
- User interface is somewhat cumbersome
- Very few helpful guides in the “help” section
Pricing:
- There are three main pricing tiers that Trimble Connect can offer:
- “Free” is a basic set of features for a single project and no more than five members
- “Business” – $12.99 per month per user – a complete removal of the free version limitations with administrative capabilities
- “Business Premium” – $23.95 per month per user, can only be billed annually – can offer advanced BIM capabilities, access to extensions and third-party apps, as well as more detailed 3D workflow
Customer reviews:
- tiago a. – “Great for document sharing and with a strong 3D / cad viewer you’ll be able to do with connect what others won’t. The”
- Vikash K. – “Overall its a good collaboration software which also supports a library of models and components that is as huge as it gets.”
- Aria S. – “Making models in Sketchup is something can be considered as easy task. Having Trimble Connect make the works way more easier because it has a large scale of libraries with so many models, extensions, and much more inside.”
BIMobject
BIMobject is one of the few free BIM content platforms. This solution is widely used by architects, contractors and designers to access industry-specific BIM objects. The only requirement to access this platform is a registration form that you can fill-out for free. There are thousands of different BIM objects sorted in different categories, based on type, size, region, file type, and more. Advanced filtering helps a lot with finding exactly what you need.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Search results are accurate and the database is impressively large
- The resource in question is accessible and user-friendly
- Plenty of object families to choose from, as well
Shortcomings:
- Subcategories could use some work, and many models are only available for specific software types, be it 3ds or SketchUp
- A sign up is required before any download
Pricing:
- Since BIMobject is a free platform for BIM models, all of its contents are free of charge and require nothing but user registration to start using any of the objects.
Customer reviews:
- Conrad B. – “BIMobject is a decent website if you are looking for families outside of your specific software library.”
- Abhijeet K. – “We downloaded the Revit faimiles by this platform. Like Air sourch heat pump of Daikin, FCU etc We use fitting and plumbing fixtures from this site .”
- Hentry S. – “It is really helpful if you do works requiring lots of furniture or BIMobjects.. especially in interior designs where you require lots of objects to fill in your scene. saves a lot of time , is available for most CAD software and is free.”
Civil 3D
Civil 3D is another BIM product created by Autodesk focused on civil engineering, but also offers some BIM-related features and workflows. Civil 3D helps developing projects more accurately, with fewer errors and risks, and faster adaptation to project changes. Streamlining more difficult and time-consuming tasks is also possible with Civil 3D (intersection and corridor design, site grading, , and so on).
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- 2D and 3D rendering capabilities with impressive rendering speed
- Compatibility with a variety of different data formats
- The ability to create your own object library
- Great for creating various surfaces with extreme accuracy
Shortcomings:
- Extreme system requirements for a desktop application
- Handling large projects is cumbersome
- A steel learning curve to learn most of the solution’s features
- Potential compatibility issues with older software versions
Pricing:
- Civil 3D can offer two different approaches in terms of its pricing model.
- The first one is a basic subscription that can be paid for on a monthly basis, yearly basis, or every three years:
- $335 per month
- $2,680 per year
- $8,040 per three years
- The second one implies accessing Civil 3D as a part of Autodesk Flex program – a “pay-as-you-go” option that offers a daily price in tokens for a number of Autodesk services. Civil 3D’s Flex cost is 9 tokens per day, and there are at least two token bundles available for purchase:
- 100 tokens for $300
- 500 tokens for $1500
- It is also possible to purchase a custom amount of tokens, depending on the needs of a specific company – and tokens themselves have an expiration period of 1 year after the purchase.
Customer reviews:
- Kalitt M. – “Overall my experience with the software has been positive, I have used it for over 3 years and it has helped me to accomplish my work duties and tasks. It is a very complete and comprehensive software, you can always keep learning about it.”
- Joseph E. – “In most cases, I utilize Autodesk Civil 3D for pipeline and structure design because of its accuracy and streamlined design process. Designing pipelines can be complicated and very time-consuming. Hence, I was glad that Civil 3D came to my aid as most of these minor pipeline details cannot be properly done on Autocad.”
- Condrae R. – “Civil 3D is used daily to create design drawings and analyze survey data to inform our design decisions. It is also used for volume calculations and shapefile generation. It is overall an great piece of software to use and is value for money.”
BricsCAD BIM
Another comprehensive BIM software is BricsCAD BIM – a versatile solution that can handle every process of your project, like adding details, sketching, and turn all of that into a fully functional building information model. You can freely control different elements and properties of your project, no matter the size of it.
Another way of specifying something within your model is to include additional information like definitions, layers, and so on. There are also smart structural-modeling capabilities that you can use to automatically classify linear solids.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- A versatile BIM/CAD solution with an interface that resembles AutoCAD quite a lot, making it easy for a lot of people to start using right away
- Acts as a hosting ground for hundreds of third-party utilities
- Support for both Windows and Linux devices
- Affordable lifetime license
Shortcomings:
- The starting screen is difficult to customize
- The overall performance on Linux is slower than on Windows
- Autosaving procedures produce stuttering until the process is complete
- More customization options for the layout is a must
Pricing:
- BricsCAD BIM is one of several offerings that Bricsys provides.
- It can be purchased for several different time periods, and all of the prices are before tax:
- $1,010 for a year
- $2,725 for three years
- $1,890 for a perpetual license
Customer reviews:
- Laurel L. – “BricsCad BIM enables building information modeling from design to documentation. This concept added to the features of BricsCad ultimate leads to excellent results.”
- Mohammad M. – “I’m very satisfied with what BricsCAD has to offer in terms of features & overall user experience. It’s an extremely cost-effective CAD utility that’s proven to be easy to learn & use for creating 2D (& 3D) drafts. Furthermore, I’ve noticed how relatively smaller DWG files are when saving a drawing via BricsCAD compared to other CAD programs I’ve used in the past which ultimately contributes to saving storage on my local disk drives.”
- Ammon N. – “I learned CAD in a more popular and different, but similar application. BricsCAD works in a similar way and has almost all of the same features that I liked about the other software.”
Sefaira
Sefaira is a design analysis BIM program that works primarily on early stages of building and construction. Its main goal is to look for energy, daylight and comfort goals by studying HVAC and ventilation systems. It can interact easily with apps like SketchUp or Revit, and can offer a wide range of inputs and controls for its analysis process.
Customer ratings:
- G2 – 4/5 stars based on 5 customer reviews
Advantages:
- Streamlined energy analysis for BIM models
- Can be used to analyze the usage of carbon, energy, water, and light for a structure
Shortcomings:
- Cannot be purchased separately from SketchUp
- There is something of a learning curve to get used to
Pricing:
- Sefaira is a rather niche product on its own, it does not have any public pricing available and the only way to receive it is to contact the software provider
Hevacomp
Another solution that handles specific BIM-related things is Hevacomp. This software is built specifically to perform building energy analysis, allowing you to construct energy-sufficient infrastructures with the predictions based on real-world performance.
The solution itself includes several different BIM tools like Dynamic Simulation, Electrical Designer, Mechanical Designer, etc. For example, Dynamic Simulation allows you to create building simulations based on UK building-related regulations. Building process streamlining is possible via a single standard building model.
Kreo
In the current modern world, it’s only natural that someone would attempt to utilize the advantages of AI for the BIM’s benefit. This is where Kreo comes in, working as an intelligent planning cloud-based software and offers AI capabilities in its work. Kreo is split into two different parts: Kreo Plan and Kreo Design. Kreo Plan can analyze existing BIM models and attempt to fix them via detailed reporting, predictions and other necessary information. Kreo Design, on the other hand, is a tool that helps companies to create BIM models at the early stages.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Support for different file formats
- The capability to overlay drawings for the sake of comparison
- Measurements could be connected with links to the solution’s own Excel-like table for better visibility
- A variety of automation features
Shortcomings:
- Displaying large PDF files can be problematic
- Inability to work with DWG files
- Further MEP automatization would be great
- Transferring information from an internal spreadsheet into a regular Excel table can be problematic
Pricing:
- There are three pricing tiers that Kreo can offer:
- “Team” for $17.81 per month per user with an annual payment schedule
- “Single User” for $22.28 per month with an annual payment schedule
- “Enterprise” can only be acquired by communicating directly with Kreo and has no public pricing available
Customer reviews:
- Harry B. – “Overall experience has been great with high levels of support offered by the company’s support team with use of this measurement software having saved large amounts of time when compiling and using raw measurement data to assemble BoQs and budgets for our clients with it being a significant improvement over our previous measurement software.”
- Fabio M. – “In the large part it’s very intuitive when compared to other measurment packages. Could use improved cost planning functionality on the app though. other software such as cost-x is a lot more advanced in this realm. also axonometric drawings for walls off 2d plans would be very beneficial!”
- George P. – “We are enabling our staff to be able to spend less time on quantification and more time on the analysis and insight pieces of cost planning, the value add section”
VisualARQ
VisualARQ is an on-premise BIM program with the main purpose of enhancing the usability of Rhinoceros 3D CAD application – widely used for both industrial and architectural designs. One of the main specialities of VisualARQ is freeform modeling, allowing users to convert any freeform geometry into complex shapes that can be filled with different unique geometries. It can also provide dynamic documentation, integrated object editor, and much more.
The Wild
The Wild is another remote collaboration platform, but this one can use both virtual and augmented reality to allow for saved time, better decision making and fewer errors by actually visualizing your designs. Both SketchUp and Revit are supported from the get-go. The Wild strives to bring everyone to the virtual future of collaboration on an entirely different level than before.
Customer ratings:
- G2 – 4.7/5 stars based on 44 customer reviews
Advantages:
- Multi-user collaboration with the help of virtual reality
- User-friendly interface without any excessive clutter
- Outstanding customer support
Shortcomings:
- Integrating non-VR headsets can be challenging
- The overall entry price of the VR technology
- Lack of instructions and guidelines for first-time users
Pricing:
- The Wild has four different pricing plans
- “Basic” starts from $295 per month, it is the smallest package available from The Wild, with respectable VR/AR collaboration for smaller teams
- “Standard” starts at $595 per month and provides a basic package of collaboration-related features and integrations for small or average-sized teams
- “Premium” starts at $1,795 per month and offers enhanced collaboration capabilities for BIM professionals and design experts
- “Enterprise” which does not have any public pricing available to it and can only be distributed in custom packages with a custom price
Allplan Architecture
As the name suggests, Allplan Architecture is a BIM solution built mainly for architects. You can easily use this software to create professional visualizations and drawings while having accurate costs and quantities of materials needed.
Working with only 3D or a combination of 2D and 3D is easily manageable with Allplan Architecture. At the same time, the user-friendly interface helps with the overall productivity of an architect, and you can easily exchange data with different planning partners for better teamwork and collaboration efforts.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Extensive scalability
- Flexibility, being able to create both quick designs and detailed construction models
- User-friendly interface
Shortcomings:
- It is slowly being replaced by other BIM solutions
- The development speed is not fast enough to be on par with the market’s growth
- Performance drops when working with larger files and models
Pricing:
- Allplan Architecture does not have any form of public pricing available, it is only possible to request a quote or to schedule a personal demo of the solution’s capabilities.
Customer reviews:
- Stefano P. – “The workflow in Allplan is slower than in Revit, which is both negative and positive because the level of detail that can be achieved is higher than in Revit.”
- Mira B. – “I would recommend users who have not used ALLPLAN to have a look at it especially if they need such type of software for a specific tasks. It would take them a lot less time to do it with ALLPLAN than other similar software that has a lot more complicated interface. Still, if you are going to need to start using BIM software continually (which at least in my industry is becoming a ‘must’) I would recommend having a look at other, more ‘popular’ software and developers.”
AECOsim Building Designer (OpenBuildings Designer)
AECOsim Building Designer is an infrastructure designing BIM software created by Bentley Systems. It can work with multiple disciplines at once, including architectural, electrical, structural, mechanical, and others.
Recently there’s been an impressive increase in the overall productivity, speed, connectivity and other parameters when it comes to AECOsim Building Designer. It can also work with mesh modeling to create concepts and parametric BIM content with ease.
Customer ratings:
- G2 – 4.3/5 stars based on 15 customer reviews
Advantages:
- Versatility for geometry-demanding projects
- The existence of MicroStation tools allows for an easy way to produce 2D drawings
- Reporting and automation capabilities
Shortcomings:
- Some of the more specific tools have not been up to the modern standards for years now
- The overall data system is not unified whatsoever and it could cause issues when moving data between different systems
- The program itself is very slow and takes a long time to load initially
Pricing:
- OpenBuildings Designer can be purchased from the official Bentley web store for $3,089 – $5,045 for a year-long subscription license that includes three “keys” (keys can be exchanged for additional services and help courses)
ActCAD BIM
ActCAD BIM is an extension of ActCAD 2020, which is a 3D modeling software, but with additional BIM-related functions. For example, it works with DWG and DXF files natively and can open many others, as well. The base of ActCAD BIM is IntelliCAD 9.2 engine with ODA 4.3 libraries; you can add generic parts of construction to your model with simple commands. There’s also a number of BIM-related tabs available in the Tool Palettes menu, alongside your standard 3D modeling options.
BIMx
BIMx is a multi-platform solution that allows users to present BIM models in both 3D and 2D, lessening the gap between the design table and the actual construction site. The list of supported platforms is as follows: MS Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.
The root of this software is a Hyper-model concept that allows you to quickly change 3D models in the form of drawing sheets. There are three main apps included: mobile viewer, desktop viewer and publisher. At the same time, 3D models themselves are presented in an interactive approach, making the entire interaction even more user-friendly.
Customer ratings:
- Capterra – 4.4/5 stars based on 5 customer reviews
Pricing:
- There is no public information about the pricing of BIMx or BIMx PRO
Customer reviews:
- Luis Guillermo G. – “As an architecture student, this software has provided me a new option to present my projects after I build a 3D model. Personally, I enjoy this way to navigate through my projects more than the traditional one of making renders of it and show them to my teachers, future colleagues, and fellow students; besides, I feel the experience like I’m exploring an amazing world through a device screen.”
- Tony F. – “Makes communicating a new design concept to a client easier and in the end means less likelihood of delivering an end product that differs from their perception.”
dRofus
Extensive workflow support and building information can be accessed at any point of the construction’s lifecycle with dRofus. It can freely integrate with popular BIM modeling software like Revit, ArchiCAD and IFC to be able to synchronize data in both ways. There’s also a plethora of other features available, like more accurate decision making, data conversion into a single standard format, heightened efficiency of project validation, significantly reduced risks, and so on.
Procore
Procore is another construction management platform that promotes extensive collaboration between all parts of the construction process. The technology itself is user-friendly and intuitive; it’s easy to use it to streamline your workflow. The overall user-friendliness makes it extremely valuable for people with insufficient skills with 3D models and such.
Procore is considered one of the best solutions on the market today, and it consists of 4 main parts: field productivity, construction financials, quality and safety, and also project management. Each part represents a specific field of the area within a project and they must work together to be even more effective when used by both professionals and regular people.
Customer ratings:
- Capterra – 4.5/5 stars based on 2,619 customer reviews
- G2 – 4.6/5 stars based on 1,871 customer reviews
Advantages:
- Great for workflow centralization efforts
- Offers a wealth of learning materials for newcomers and experts alike
- Extensive visualization capabilities
- Praise-worthy customer support
Shortcomings:
- Has a steep learning curve
- Cannot toggle between subsequent submittals or RFIs
- Some processes are somewhat time-consuming
- Can be somewhat slow for unknown reasons
Pricing:
- There is no public pricing available for Procore at its official website, and the only way to receive any relevant information about possible licensing options is to request a quote directly from the software provider company itself.
Customer reviews:
- Tiffany H. – “Procore has given us so many tools at every level in order to organize and track our projects. This is so important for every project and helps everyone stay on the same page.”
- Allison M. – “We began using Procore on a large multi-building multi-phase project. The software was easy for our team members to use and the more they used it the more they were impressed by it. The organization of the paperwork was a dream compared to the endless Excel spreadsheets we previously used. Procore’s interconnected features made our Project Engineers more efficient in their paperwork. The ability to take a tablet out on the site and step away from their desk made them more involved in the work being done.”
- Ricky Mark M. – “The stage offers a great many highlights that are explicitly intended to address the issues of development experts, for example, recording the board, project planning, financial plan following, and revealing instruments. Moreover, Procore’s cloud-based openness and portable application make it simple for groups to team up and keep awake to date on project progress from any place. While Procore may not be the most reasonable undertaking for the executive’s programming choice, it offers a vigorous and profoundly adjustable arrangement that can help development groups smooth out their work processes and complete ventures all the more productively.”
ArCADia BIM 11
ArCADia BIM 11 is a software that is capable of accelerating the design work via many useful solutions. For example, there’s an object library that you can use not to waste time modeling every window, and the entire design is object-oriented that way. There’s also some degree of BIM technology support, like document sharing and comparison, the usage of a native DWG format, precise drawing with the usage of coordinates, printing capabilities, and other useful features.
Tekla BIMsight
Another participant of the construction collaboration software is Tekla BIMsight, allowing you to combine models, identify clashes and fix issues with other participants of the process. The main purpose of this software is an advanced BIM system and structural engineering. Identifying and solving issues is even easier when you can find them at the design phase before construction begins.
There’s 3D navigation, mark-ups, IFC support, object transparency, multiple model viewing, and a plethora of other features. Additionally, now all of the features of Tekla BIMsight are available in Trimble Connect.
BEXEL Manager
Another example of a comprehensive BIM software is BEXEL Manager, built by Bexel Consulting. It is a sophisticated solution that specializes in managing construction project activity. There’s also a plethora of integration opportunities, IFC certified standards, and general experience of more than a decade on the market. BEXEL Manager’s list of capabilities includes features like budgeting, schedule optimization, cost analysis, change management, progress tracking, and more.
PriMus IFC
The main purpose of PriMus IFC is to take the measurements from various 3D models and to generate the quantity bill automatically. This tool is a reference standard for a lot of BIM 3D solutions. You can easily stay on top of your estimates with this tool. It can also update itself whenever there are changes in the related 3D model, perform IFC file viewing, manage price lists, and more.
IrisVR
IrisVR is one of the few companies that offer immersive design review and collaboration by taking advantage of virtual reality capabilities. There’s a plethora of integration opportunities with software like Revit, Navisworks, SketchUp and others, allowing for an easy and immersive VR experience when presenting your projects. IrisVR is represented by a desktop app called Prospect that can operate with HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Microsoft MR headset. There’s also a mobile app available that supports Samsung GearVR, Google Daydream and Cardboard.
Customer ratings:
Advantages:
- Amazing customer service
- User-friendly interface
- Responsive controls
Shortcomings:
- Large files may take a long time to load
- Inability to save specific drawings separately
- Few integrations with other data types of software types
Pricing:
- IrisVR can offer three different pricing plans:
- “Individual” – $225 per month for enthusiasts with their own virtual reality headsets
- “Workspace” – $350 per month for teams that share one or several headsets
- “Enterprise” – no public pricing available, suitable for bigger companies and enterprises
Customer reviews:
- Mark R. – “Utilized IRIS VR to bring a complex 3D model originally created in AutoDesk Revit into a virtual reality space, enhanced with an Oculus Rift Headset. Software was advertised as “one-click” to VR, and although I was skeptical, it worked. Within seconds, the model was deployed and ran smoothly on the Rift. Regarding pricing, we used the beta version at no charge, and even that functionality was great. With many competing products now emerging, I would give IRIS VR a strong rating.”
Free BIM solutions
In this BIM overview you’ve seen that the paid solutions are all vast and feature-rich, but there’s also a lot of free open source solutions that can do some of the similar functions with no price attached to help your team get started with BIM. To make it easier we’ll split our examples into five different categories: free BIM viewer, standard office BIM based on an application, BIM as an addition to CAD software, a complete BIM software toolkit, and an entire BIM right from the start.
As we’ve mentioned before, BIMx is an excellent free solution to view your BIM projects. Another alternative of that is BIM Vision, which can work with models from systems like Revit, ArchiCAD, Advance, Tekla, and others. This software is also IFC-standard, which means a set of standards that makes sure that the software can do the basic set of features in the sense of data visualization.
Our second example is, surprisingly enough, Microsoft Excel, and the initiative called COBie (Construction Operations Building Information Exchange). COBie is a specific data format that aims to record the most important data about a particular project. This data can then be saved in a spreadsheet – Excel spreadsheet, for example. This initiative has also proven that BIM itself can easily exist without any drawings whatsoever and work based on data lines from a spreadsheet.
Our third example’s requirements is a compromise between CAD software and BIM software. A combination of the two is called FreeCAD. FreeCAD is a CAD program that offers BIM features to help users with BIM-related tasks. FreeCAD is also IFC-compatible and can be further developed with Python. It’s a good way for any user that is already familiar with CAD software to start using BIM, as well.
Another challenge in our next category is to make a connection between the software terminology and the practical solution. One of such examples is xBIM (eXtensive Building Information Modeling). Created initially as a software development toolkit, it can also offer practical examples of real-life building context. It might be tough to understand it in some cases, but the usability advantages are far greater than these little troubles.
BIM as a complete system is represented in the face of a B-processor. It was created as a BIM software from the get-go, not as an adaption of CAD software, which is why 3D modeling here is somewhat easier to get used to. Users can extend the information about specific models with “tags”, and these tags can then be used to provide such information as cost breakdown, carbon footprint data and other info.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’re plenty of BIM-related solutions of any shape or form, and it shouldn’t be that difficult to find the one that suits your company the best – while keeping the disadvantages to a minimum. It is essential to recognize that there is no universally “best” solution in the BIM market as different solutions have their own advantages, shortcomings, and target audiences.
The choice of a specific solution depends on the features and functions that a company currently requires and anticipates needing in the future. Some companies may seek a simple solution focused on one or two specific features, while others may require a comprehensive BIM solution that covers their entire organization and offers a range of capabilities.
For instance, companies looking for BIM solutions with VR capabilities can consider options like Revizto, IrisVR, and The Wild. On the other hand, teams seeking accurate energy analysis may find the combination of SketchUp and Sefaira most beneficial. Additionally, comprehensive BIM solutions with a wide array of features, such as Revit, Vectorworks, and Buildertrend, are available for those who require extensive capabilities.
Why you can trust us
At Revizto, the team is committed to providing an objective view of various information, including products and technologies. They employ expert insights, product data, and strategic methodologies to create informative market overviews, ensuring visitors have access to comprehensive information for making informed decisions. Their materials encompass various factors like pricing, customer reviews, unique features, and more. The review process is conducted with a detailed methodology led by James Ocean, the BIM/VDC Specialist at Revizto.
James Ocean, as the Head of BIMspiration, plays a crucial role in supporting and educating the internal team and clients. He guides them on how to best leverage Revizto to maximize workflows, reduce costs, and successfully complete projects of all types.
About the author
BIM/VDC Specialist. James Ocean is Head of BIMspiration at Revizto and keeps everything moving onwards and upwards. From supporting and teaching our internal team as well as our clients, James shows us the ins-and-outs and how to best leverage Revizto to maximize workflows, cut costs, and get all types of projects through the finish line.
