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

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · BIM Software

Tekla Structures vs Bonsai

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Tekla Structures #3 in BIM Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Try Tekla Structures
Bonsai #24 in BIM Software 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Bonsai

Tekla Structures leads on 0 checks, Bonsai on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreTekla Structures · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Bonsai
  • Free trialonly Tekla Structures
  • Most featuresTekla Structures · 5 of 5

Tekla Structures scores higher on our rubric for bim software: 9.1 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #24.

Bonsai offers free plan; Tekla Structures doesn't. On mobile access, Tekla Structures gives you Viewer where Bonsai offers None.

Tekla Structures is the better fit for structural engineering and detailing teams. Bonsai is the better fit for budget-conscious openBIM practitioners.

  • Tekla Structures fits best

    Structural engineering and detailing teams

  • Bonsai fits best

    Budget-conscious openBIM practitioners

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Tekla Structures 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Bonsai 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 7.1
Ranking #3 in BIM Software #24 in BIM Software
Best for Structural engineering and detailing teams Budget-conscious openBIM practitioners
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop, Cloud Desktop
Platforms Windows, Web Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Phone, Docs, Community, Tickets Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Tekla Structures 5/5 · Bonsai 4/5
IFC support ✓ ✓
Cloud collaboration ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Clash detection ✓ ✓
Quantity takeoff ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
Specs
Discipline coverage Multi-discipline Multi-discipline
Mobile access Viewer None
Our review
Pros
  • Multi-material 3D modeling with detailed production drawings
  • Clash checking, quantities, logistics and construction information workflows
  • Tekla Open API, IFC support and cloud collaboration options
  • Native IFC authoring with viewing and exploration
  • Broad architecture, structural, MEP, scheduling, and FM coverage
  • Built-in quantities, cost schedules, clash detection, and drawings
Cons
  • Subscription pricing requires contact with a local sales team
  • Mobile access is for viewing and collaboration, not native modeling
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simpler BIM workflows
  • Desktop-only workflow with no mobile access
  • Cloud collaboration is outside the stated workflow
  • Blender-centered rather than a standalone BIM application
Our verdict

Tekla Structures is a structural BIM application for engineers, designers, detailers, fabricators, contractors and project managers. It covers multi-material 3D modeling, structural detailing, production drawings, reports, schedules,…

Read the review →

Bonsai is a free, open-source BIM add-on for Blender built around IFC as its native data structure. It is aimed at architects, engineers, construction professionals, facility managers, and other AEC teams working with openBIM processes.…

Read the review →
  1. Tekla StructuresBIM Software 9.1Pricing on request · 30-day trial
  2. BonsaiBIM Software 7.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Tekla Structures — where it wins

    • Multi-material 3D modeling with detailed production drawings
    • Clash checking, quantities, logistics and construction information workflows
    • Tekla Open API, IFC support and cloud collaboration options

    Where it doesn't

    • Subscription pricing requires contact with a local sales team
    • Mobile access is for viewing and collaboration, not native modeling
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simpler BIM workflows

  • Bonsai — where it wins

    • Native IFC authoring with viewing and exploration
    • Broad architecture, structural, MEP, scheduling, and FM coverage
    • Built-in quantities, cost schedules, clash detection, and drawings

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop-only workflow with no mobile access
    • Cloud collaboration is outside the stated workflow
    • Blender-centered rather than a standalone BIM application

More comparisons

All BIM software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update