Tekla Structures vs Trimble Connect

Tekla Structures9.1Visit Trimble Connect8.5Visit

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

vs

Trimble Connect #9 in BIM Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Try Trimble Connect

• Tekla Structures fits best

  Structural engineering and detailing teams

• Trimble Connect fits best

  Affordable cloud coordination for project teams

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Side by side

Feature	Tekla Structures 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Trimble Connect 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.5
Ranking	#3 in BIM Software	#9 in BIM Software
Best for	Structural engineering and detailing teams	Affordable cloud coordination for project teams
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$12.99/user/mo
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	30 days
Free trial length	30 days	30 days
Deployment	Desktop, Cloud	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, Web	Web, Windows
Support	Email, Phone, Docs, Community, Tickets	Email, Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations	5 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Tekla Structures 5/5 · Trimble Connect 5/5
IFC support	✓	✓
Cloud collaboration	✓	✓
Clash detection	✓	✓
Quantity takeoff	✓	✓
API access	✓	✓
Specs
Discipline coverage	Multi-discipline	Multi-discipline
Mobile access	Viewer	Viewer
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	Free plan plus a $12.99/user/month Business tier 2D and 3D viewing, annotations, clash sets, IFC, and mobile access REST API and integrations with Trimble, SketchUp, and other tools
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	Primarily a common data environment rather than a BIM authoring platform Advanced BIM tools require Business Premium or higher plans Plan families use different monthly and annual pricing structures
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 →	Trimble Connect is a cloud-based common data environment for architecture, engineering, construction, geospatial, and related project teams. It centralizes project files and model data, supports 2D and 3D viewing, and provides comments,… Read the review →

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

• Trimble Connect — where it wins

  • Free plan plus a $12.99/user/month Business tier
  • 2D and 3D viewing, annotations, clash sets, IFC, and mobile access
  • REST API and integrations with Trimble, SketchUp, and other tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Primarily a common data environment rather than a BIM authoring platform
  • Advanced BIM tools require Business Premium or higher plans
  • Plan families use different monthly and annual pricing structures

• Tekla Structures9.1/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

  A deep structural BIM platform for modeling, detailing, fabrication and project collaboration.

  Try Tekla StructuresFull verdict →
• Trimble Connect8.5/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A capable common data environment with model coordination, clash detection, and API access.

  Try Trimble ConnectFull verdict →