OpenBuildings Designer review
A broad Windows BIM suite for coordinated architectural and engineering projects.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
OpenBuildings Designer is multidisciplinary BIM software for architects, structural engineers, mechanical and electrical designers, and construction teams. It combines 3D building modeling with coordinated drawings, schedules, documentation, visualization, simulation, clash detection, quantity reports, and analysis across building disciplines. The Windows application also connects project information with Bentley’s iTwin and ProjectWise environments, making it suited to large building projects that require coordination across several technical teams.
The published plan is OpenBuildings Designer at $3,844 per license for 12 months, billed annually. The plan includes building design, visualization, documentation, simulation, building energy simulation and performance analysis, generative design, IFC, RFA, and DWG data exchange, plus OpenBuildings Speedikon. The subscription is described as a 12-month Virtuoso subscription including one license and two service/training Keys. There is no free plan, so organizations should evaluate the annual commitment against their need for multidisciplinary modeling and analysis.
Its strongest fit is a coordinated workflow spanning design, engineering, performance, and documentation. Energy analysis uses EnergyPlus and Radiance, while visual programming supports generative and computational design. iTwin Platform, ProjectWise, Excel, NBS Chorus, Components Center, Relux, GIS data services, and other listed connections extend the project ecosystem. Teams needing IFC and COBie exchange, in-product clash detection, quantity and volume analysis, or shared project information will find broad coverage here. Smaller teams seeking a narrowly focused or lower-cost design tool should look elsewhere.
OpenBuildings Designer pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Models architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines
- Includes clash detection, energy analysis, and quantity reporting
- Exchanges IFC, COBie, DWG, RFA, and SketchUp data
- Where it doesn't
- Annual licensing is $3,844 per license
- Runs on Windows rather than across multiple platforms
- Its broad feature set may exceed focused design workflows
OpenBuildings Designer fact sheet, pricing and score →
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