Best ETABS Alternatives in 2026
The top ETABS alternatives are Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor: 15 engineering design software our editors would look at instead of ETABS, in our ranking order.
ETABS: Building-focused structural modeling, code design and dynamic analysis at a high one-time cost. Where it falls short: no free plan; perpetual licenses start at $7,439.
Switching from ETABS? For most engineering design software buyers the best ETABS alternative is Autodesk Revit, built for multidiscipline building design and BIM coordination. On a budget, Allplan starts at $140/user/mo, against $2,289/mo for ETABS. SOLIDWORKS has a free plan, which ETABS does not.
Why People Look for an ETABS Alternative
- No free plan; perpetual licenses start at $7,439
- Desktop deployment is limited to Windows
- Support is not available 24/7
- No free plan — 2 of the alternatives below have it
- Paid from $2,289/user/mo — Allplan is $140/user/mo
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallAutodesk Revit9.4
Multidiscipline building design and BIM coordination
Visit Autodesk Revit - Lowest priceAllplan8.6
Paid plans from $140/user/mo
Visit Allplan - Best free optionSOLIDWORKS9.1
Has a free plan (ETABS has none)
Visit SOLIDWORKS
All 15 ETABS Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forMultidiscipline building design and BIM coordination
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.3
A broad BIM platform for coordinated architectural, structural, and MEP building projects.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Autodesk Revit -
Best forBroad 2D/3D drafting across engineering teams
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.3
A broad 2D/3D CAD suite with native DWG workflows and desktop, web, and mobile access.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Autodesk -
Best forParametric mechanical design and manufacturing
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.3
A broad Windows CAD system for parametric design, manufacturing documentation, and simulation.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forCollaborative mechanical product development
- Better than ETABS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.3
A broad mechanical design suite with cloud collaboration, at a high annual price.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit SOLIDWORKS -
Best forEnterprise surface and product engineering
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.3
A broad parametric design suite for engineering teams working on complex parts and assemblies.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit CATIA -
Best forEnterprise mechanical CAD with PLM integration
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.3
Hybrid mechanical CAD with broad modeling tools and Teamcenter integration.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Siemens NX -
Best forIntegrated mechanical design, simulation and manufacturing
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.3
Creo brings design, simulation and manufacturing workflows together in Windows CAD software.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit PTC -
Best forCloud-native collaborative product design
- Better than ETABS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.3
A browser-based CAD and PDM suite spanning collaboration, control and manufacturing tools.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Onshape -
Best forMultidiscipline BIM teams needing cloud collaboration
- Better than ETABS:
- Paid from: $140/user/mo vs $2,289/user/mo
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.3
Allplan connects architectural, structural and civil BIM work with cloud coordination and detailing.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Allplan -
Best forCivil site, roadway and drainage engineering
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.3
A Windows desktop toolkit for civil design, analysis and project documentation.
- Simulation tools
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Autodesk -
Best forStructural analysis and design of infrastructure
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.3
Deep 3D structural analysis for engineering teams prepared for annual license costs.
- Simulation tools
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit STAAD.Pro -
Best forStructural steel detailing and fabrication
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.3
A focused Windows tool for parametric steel detailing, fabrication outputs, and AISC validation.
- Real-time collaboration
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Autodesk -
Best forInfrastructure CAD and geospatial engineering
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.3
A Windows desktop CAD suite for infrastructure teams working across 2D, 3D, geospatial data and BIM.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Bentley -
Best forProfessional PCB and ECAD-MCAD engineering
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.3
A professional ECAD environment combining PCB design, simulation, 3D validation, and MCAD collaboration.
8.1/10★★★★☆Try Altium Designer -
Best forPCB design with simulation and manufacturing controls
- Better than ETABS:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.3
A broad PCB design workflow for teams that need simulation and manufacturing controls.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit OrCAD X
ETABS Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to ETABS?
Autodesk Revit: #1 in our Engineering Design Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad BIM platform for coordinated architectural, structural, and MEP building projects.
Is there a free alternative to ETABS?
Yes. SOLIDWORKS and Onshape have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for ETABS alternatives?
No free plan; perpetual licenses start at $7,439; Desktop deployment is limited to Windows; Support is not available 24/7.
How do I switch from ETABS?
Export your data from ETABS (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel ETABS.
How to Switch from ETABS
- Export your data from ETABS (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel ETABS.
ETABS vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | ETABS | No | $2,289/mo | 7.3 |
| 1 | Autodesk Revit | No | 9.4 | |
| 2 | AutoCAD | No | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Autodesk Inventor | No | 9.2 | |
| 4 | SOLIDWORKS | Yes | $2,820/device/yr | 9.1 |
| 5 | CATIA | 9.0 | ||
| 6 | Siemens NX | No | 8.9 | |
| 7 | Creo | No | 8.8 | |
| 8 | Onshape | Yes | $1,500/user/yr | 8.7 |
| 9 | Allplan | No | $140/user/mo | 8.6 |
| 10 | Civil 3D | No | 8.5 | |
| 11 | STAAD.Pro | No | $3,995/unit/yr | 8.4 |
| 12 | Advance Steel | No | 8.3 | |
| 13 | MicroStation | No | 8.2 | |
| 14 | Altium Designer | No | 8.1 | |
| 15 | OrCAD X | No | 8.0 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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