OpenBuildings Designer vs BricsCAD BIM

OpenBuildings Designer8.8Visit BricsCAD BIM8.4Visit

Higher score OpenBuildings Designer #5 in Architectural Design Software 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit site

vs

BricsCAD BIM #6 in Architectural Design Software 8.4/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit BricsCAD BIM

• OpenBuildings Designer fits best

  Large multidisciplinary building-design projects

• BricsCAD BIM fits best

  Value-conscious multidisciplinary BIM teams

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Side by side

Feature	OpenBuildings Designer 8.8/10 Visit ↗	BricsCAD BIM 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.4
Ranking	#5 in Architectural Design Software	#6 in Architectural Design Software
Best for	Large multidisciplinary building-design projects	Value-conscious multidisciplinary BIM teams
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$3,844/yr	€1,060/seat/yr
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7	Tickets, Docs
Integrations	10 integrations	8 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenBuildings Designer 1/5 · BricsCAD BIM 1/5
BIM authoring	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Parametric modeling	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Construction documents	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Rendering tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
IFC support	✓	✓
Specs
Platform	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Project limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Models architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines Includes clash detection, energy analysis, and quantity reporting Exchanges IFC, COBie, DWG, RFA, and SketchUp data	Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop workflows Combines IFC, RVT/RFA, BCF, DWG, Rhino, and SketchUp support Includes scan-to-BIM, clash checking, quantities, and BIMIFY AI classification
Cons	Annual licensing is $3,844 per license Runs on Windows rather than across multiple platforms Its broad feature set may exceed focused design workflows	No free plan; licensing starts at annual per-seat billing Cloud collaboration is not included No mobile access is available
Our verdict	OpenBuildings Designer is multidisciplinary BIM software for architects, structural engineers, mechanical and electrical designers, and construction teams. It combines 3D building modeling with coordinated drawings, schedules,… Read the review →	BricsCAD BIM is a desktop BIM authoring toolset for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It combines 2D drafting, 3D modeling, parametric modeling, BIM data management, building documentation, and point-cloud Scan-to-BIM… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• OpenBuildings Designer — where it wins

  • Models architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines
  • Includes clash detection, energy analysis, and quantity reporting
  • Exchanges IFC, COBie, DWG, RFA, and SketchUp data

  Where it doesn't

  • Annual licensing is $3,844 per license
  • Runs on Windows rather than across multiple platforms
  • Its broad feature set may exceed focused design workflows

• BricsCAD BIM — where it wins

  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop workflows
  • Combines IFC, RVT/RFA, BCF, DWG, Rhino, and SketchUp support
  • Includes scan-to-BIM, clash checking, quantities, and BIMIFY AI classification

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; licensing starts at annual per-seat billing
  • Cloud collaboration is not included
  • No mobile access is available

• OpenBuildings Designer8.8/10 · Paid

  A broad Windows BIM suite for coordinated architectural and engineering projects.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• BricsCAD BIM8.4/10 · 30-day trial

  A paid desktop BIM tool for multidisciplinary teams needing IFC and Revit interoperability.

  Visit BricsCAD BIMFull verdict →