OpenBuildings Designer vs Designcenter for BIM

OpenBuildings Designer9.0Visit Designcenter for BIM8.7Visit

Higher score OpenBuildings Designer #4 in Building Information Modeling Software 9.0/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit site

vs

Designcenter for BIM #6 in Building Information Modeling Software 8.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 3 features Contact Siemens

• OpenBuildings Designer fits best

  Large teams coordinating cross-discipline building design

• Designcenter for BIM fits best

  Enterprise teams seeking collaborative building design

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Side by side

Feature	OpenBuildings Designer 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Designcenter for BIM 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.7
Ranking	#4 in Building Information Modeling Software	#6 in Building Information Modeling Software
Best for	Large teams coordinating cross-discipline building design	Enterprise teams seeking collaborative building design
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$3,844/yr	Pricing on request
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop, Cloud
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Integrations	10 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenBuildings Designer 1/3 · Designcenter for BIM 2/3
OpenBIM support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Cloud collaboration	✓	✓
Model version history	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Model authoring	Not checked yet	Multidiscipline
Platforms	Not checked yet	Windows desktop; cloud/browser options are available for Designcenter X
Supported file formats	Not checked yet	IFC; Revit RVT import; native Designcenter NX format
Our review
Pros	Models architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines in 3D Combines clash detection, energy analysis, and quantity reporting Exchanges IFC, COBie, DWG, RFA, and SketchUp data	Parametric building design includes structures, grids, elevations and roofs Bidirectional IFC exchange supports open BIM workflows Concurrent design, model validation and clash detection across building systems
Cons	The published annual license price is $3,844 Runs on Windows, with no mobile access listed Broad multidisciplinary scope may exceed narrower design needs	BIM is an add-on to the Designcenter CAD environment Pricing is quote-based rather than published as a standalone price Desktop support is Windows-only
Our verdict	OpenBuildings Designer is Bentley Systems' multidisciplinary BIM software for architects, structural engineers, mechanical and electrical designers, and construction teams. It brings building modeling, coordinated documentation, analysis,… Read the review →	Designcenter for BIM is a Siemens add-on for creating and documenting building models within the Designcenter CAD environment. It suits architecture, engineering and construction teams that need building design to work alongside other… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• OpenBuildings Designer — where it wins

  • Models architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines in 3D
  • Combines clash detection, energy analysis, and quantity reporting
  • Exchanges IFC, COBie, DWG, RFA, and SketchUp data

  Where it doesn't

  • The published annual license price is $3,844
  • Runs on Windows, with no mobile access listed
  • Broad multidisciplinary scope may exceed narrower design needs

• Designcenter for BIM — where it wins

  • Parametric building design includes structures, grids, elevations and roofs
  • Bidirectional IFC exchange supports open BIM workflows
  • Concurrent design, model validation and clash detection across building systems

  Where it doesn't

  • BIM is an add-on to the Designcenter CAD environment
  • Pricing is quote-based rather than published as a standalone price
  • Desktop support is Windows-only

• OpenBuildings Designer9.0/10 · Paid

  Multidiscipline BIM with clash detection and energy analysis, at an annual license price of $3,844.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• Designcenter for BIM8.7/10 · Pricing on request

  A Windows-based BIM add-on for coordinated building design, documentation and model validation.

  Contact SiemensFull verdict →