Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Building Information Modeling Software

OpenBuildings Designer vs ideCAD

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score OpenBuildings Designer #4 in Building Information Modeling Software 7.5/10 From $3,844/mo (annual) ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit site
ideCAD #6 in Building Information Modeling Software 7.0/10 From $39/mo · 30-day trial ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit ideCAD

OpenBuildings Designer leads on 1 check, ideCAD on 2, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOpenBuildings Designer · 7.5/10
  • Most featuresideCAD · 2 of 3

OpenBuildings Designer scores higher on our rubric for building information modeling software: 7.5 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

ideCAD offers openbim support; OpenBuildings Designer doesn't publish it. OpenBuildings Designer offers cloud collaboration; ideCAD doesn't. ideCAD offers model version history; OpenBuildings Designer doesn't publish it.

OpenBuildings Designer is the better fit for large teams coordinating cross-discipline building design. ideCAD is the better fit for budget-minded teams needing architecture and structural BIM.

  • OpenBuildings Designer fits best

    Large teams coordinating cross-discipline building design

  • ideCAD fits best

    Budget-minded teams needing architecture and structural BIM

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature OpenBuildings Designer 7.5/10 Visit ↗ ideCAD 7.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.5 7.0
Ranking #4 in Building Information Modeling Software #6 in Building Information Modeling Software
Best for Large teams coordinating cross-discipline building design Budget-minded teams needing architecture and structural BIM
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 Phone, Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenBuildings Designer 1/3 · ideCAD 2/3
OpenBIM support Not published ✓ (best)
Cloud collaboration ✓ (best) —
Model version history Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Model authoring Not published Multidiscipline
Platforms Not published Windows 10/11; mobile viewing of exported PDFs
Supported file formats Not published IFC, DWG, DXF, DWF, OBJ, PDF, 3DS, Tekla DMP, SAP2000, CSICOL, XLS
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
  • Combines architectural modeling with structural analysis, design, and detailing
  • Exchanges models through IFC and supports DWG/DXF and other formats
  • Includes automated drawings, reports, visualization, and recoverable backups
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
  • Windows desktop software; no cloud collaboration
  • Monthly pricing applies to ideCAD Architectural, while other editions differ
  • Permanent-use license costs $2,735 upfront
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 →

ideCAD brings architectural BIM modeling and documentation together with structural modeling, analysis, design, and detailing in a Windows desktop product. It is aimed at architects and structural engineers who want coordinated work in a…

Read the review →
  1. OpenBuildings DesignerBuilding Information Modeling Software 7.5From $3,844/mo (annual)
  2. ideCADBuilding Information Modeling Software 7.0From $39/mo · 30-day trial

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

  • ideCAD — where it wins

    • Combines architectural modeling with structural analysis, design, and detailing
    • Exchanges models through IFC and supports DWG/DXF and other formats
    • Includes automated drawings, reports, visualization, and recoverable backups

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows desktop software; no cloud collaboration
    • Monthly pricing applies to ideCAD Architectural, while other editions differ
    • Permanent-use license costs $2,735 upfront
  • OpenBuildings Designer7.5/10 · From $3,844/mo (annual)

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

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • ideCAD7.0/10 · From $39/mo · 30-day trial

    A broad architecture-and-structure BIM tool with a $39 monthly entry plan.

    Visit ideCADFull verdict →

More comparisons

All building information modeling software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update