OpenBuildings Designer vs Autodesk Navisworks

OpenBuildings Designer8.9Visit Autodesk Navisworks8.7Visit

Higher score OpenBuildings Designer #5 in BIM Software 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit site

vs

Autodesk Navisworks #7 in BIM Software 8.7/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Autodesk

• OpenBuildings Designer fits best

  Large multidisciplinary engineering projects

• Autodesk Navisworks fits best

  Construction teams aggregating and checking models

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Side by side

Feature	OpenBuildings Designer 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Autodesk Navisworks 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.7
Ranking	#5 in BIM Software	#7 in BIM Software
Best for	Large multidisciplinary engineering projects	Construction teams aggregating and checking models
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$3,844/yr	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7	Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	10 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenBuildings Designer 5/5 · Autodesk Navisworks 5/5
IFC support	✓	✓
Cloud collaboration	✓	✓
Clash detection	✓	✓
Quantity takeoff	✓	✓
API access	✓	✓
Specs
Discipline coverage	Multi-discipline	Multi-discipline
Mobile access	None	None
Our review
Pros	Covers architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical modeling Combines clash detection, energy analysis, and generative design Exchanges IFC, COBie, DWG, RFA, and SketchUp data	Combines multidisciplinary models for coordinated review and measurement Supports clash detection, interference reporting, and issue coordination Includes IFC support, quantity takeoff, 5D scheduling, and API workflows
Cons	Annual licensing starts at $3,844 per license Runs on Windows with no mobile access May be more scope than focused design teams need	Primarily targets Windows workstations No dedicated iPhone or iPad app Focused on coordination and review rather than BIM authoring
Our verdict	OpenBuildings Designer is multidisciplinary BIM software from Bentley Systems for architects, structural engineers, mechanical and electrical designers, and construction teams. It brings 3D building modeling, coordinated documentation,… Read the review →	Autodesk Navisworks is desktop project-review software for architecture, engineering, and construction teams working across multiple disciplines. It combines design and construction data into coordinated models for review, measurement,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• OpenBuildings Designer — where it wins

  • Covers architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical modeling
  • Combines clash detection, energy analysis, and generative design
  • Exchanges IFC, COBie, DWG, RFA, and SketchUp data

  Where it doesn't

  • Annual licensing starts at $3,844 per license
  • Runs on Windows with no mobile access
  • May be more scope than focused design teams need

• Autodesk Navisworks — where it wins

  • Combines multidisciplinary models for coordinated review and measurement
  • Supports clash detection, interference reporting, and issue coordination
  • Includes IFC support, quantity takeoff, 5D scheduling, and API workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Primarily targets Windows workstations
  • No dedicated iPhone or iPad app
  • Focused on coordination and review rather than BIM authoring

• OpenBuildings Designer8.9/10 · Paid

  A deep multidisciplinary BIM suite for large engineering projects, priced for specialist teams.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• Autodesk Navisworks8.7/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A mature Windows tool for aggregating, reviewing, and coordinating multidisciplinary BIM models.

  Visit AutodeskFull verdict →