# ActCAD BIM vs Civil 3D Comparison | | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 50 | 305 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (78.7% of reviews) | Mid-Market (43.9% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | Contact Us With One-Time Purchase | $275 per Month | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### ActCAD BIM Pros: - Affordable (1 reviews) - Efficiency (1 reviews) Cons: - Difficult Learning (1 reviews) - Expensive (1 reviews) ### Civil 3D Pros: - Design Development (2 reviews) - Tools (2 reviews) Cons: - Data Loss (2 reviews) - Large File Handling (2 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (37 reviews) | 8.6 (248 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.9 (38 reviews) | 7.3 (249 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 9.4 (13 reviews) | 6.5 (71 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 9.3 (12 reviews) | 6.4 (58 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 8.7 (38 reviews) | 7.4 (216 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.0 (12 reviews) | 7.4 (56 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.0 (36 reviews) | 8.2 (247 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### ActCAD BIM #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: ActCAD 2027 Software Price: Contact Us With One-Time Purchase Description: ActCAD is a 2D & 3D CAD software with functionality of the industry leaders. We offer two product options: - ActCAD Standard for 2D Drafting Power Users - ActCAD Primium for 2D Drafting, 3D Modeling and BIM (Building Information Modeling) functionality ActCAD can be used for applications across domains Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) including Structural, Electrical and Mechanical. We also offer value added products for specific applications based on ActCAD: - ActCAD Nesting - ActCAD Dials & Scales - ActCAD CNC Post Processor ActCAD uses the latest IntelliCAD 14 Engine, Open Design Alliance, dwg/dxf Libraries, ACIS 3D Modeling Kernel, and many other Technologies which ensures file support right from the early R2.5 to the latest 2027 Version of dwg/dxf. It also supports other file formats like .dgn, .step/.stp, .iges/.igs, .stl, .obj, 2D PDF, 3D PDF, .svg, .dae, etc. The interface and commands are designed in a manner that is familiar and easy for migration from any CAD Software. Key Features: - Support for 2027 dwg & dxf files - High Speed and Performance - IntelliCAD 14 Engine & ODA 21.11 Libraries [Learn more about ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/products/actcad-actcad-bim/reviews) #### Free Trial Yes ### Civil 3D #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Civil 3D Subscription (Monthly) Price: $275 per Month Description: Flexible options available, talk to sales at: (818) 797-9909 Key Features: - Access to the latest version - Use software anywhere - Access previous versions [Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ActCAD BIM** | N/A | N/A | | **Civil 3D** | 8.8/10 | 45 | #### Design | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Visualizing** | Not enough data | 8.6 (39 reviews) | | **Rendering** | Not enough data | 8.2 (35 reviews) | | **Drawing** | Not enough data | 9.2 (39 reviews) | | **Editing** | Not enough data | 8.8 (39 reviews) | | **Sequence Steps** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Dynamic Updating** | Not enough data | 8.8 (15 reviews) | #### Collaboration | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Multi User** | Not enough data | 8.4 (35 reviews) | | **File Import/Export** | Not enough data | 9.1 (39 reviews) | | **Annotating ** | Not enough data | 8.9 (38 reviews) | | **Document Storage** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | #### Construction | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Fabrication** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Reinforcement Tools** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Clash Detection ** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Grading** | Not enough data | 8.9 (17 reviews) | | **Earthwork** | Not enough data | 9.1 (15 reviews) | #### Generative AI | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Common Data Environment (CDE) - Building Design and Building Information Modeling | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Role-Based Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Centralized Data Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Cost Estimation - Building Design and Building Information Modeling | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Lifecycle Cost Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Quantity Takeoff & Cost Estimation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Electrical & Circuit Design - Building Design and Building Information Modeling | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Clash Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Electrical System Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **MEP Coordination** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Load Calculation & Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Interoperability with BIM & CAD** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Circuit Design Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Civil Engineering Design | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ActCAD BIM** | 7.9/10 | 15 | | **Civil 3D** | 8.3/10 | 127 | #### Plan | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Documentation ** | 8.8 (12 reviews) | 8.5 (109 reviews) | | **Sequence** | 8.0 (9 reviews) | Feature Not Available | | **Annotate** | 8.5 (11 reviews) | 8.3 (115 reviews) | | **Collaborate ** | 8.1 (9 reviews) | 7.6 (106 reviews) | #### Design | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **3D Modeling** | 7.1 (8 reviews) | 8.5 (101 reviews) | | **3D Rendering ** | 6.7 (7 reviews) | 7.4 (84 reviews) | | **Drawing** | 8.6 (12 reviews) | 9.1 (118 reviews) | | **Editing ** | 8.3 (12 reviews) | 8.8 (119 reviews) | #### Construction | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Fabrication** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | Feature Not Available | | **Reinforcement** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | Feature Not Available | | **Clash Detection** | 6.0 (5 reviews) | Feature Not Available | | **Grading** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 8.5 (39 reviews) | | **Earthwork** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 8.5 (36 reviews) | #### Engineering | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Hydraulic engineering** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 7.8 (57 reviews) | | **Hydrologic engineering** | 8.0 (5 reviews) | 7.7 (58 reviews) | | **Transportation engineering** | Not enough data | 8.3 (64 reviews) | | **Structural engineering** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | ### General-Purpose CAD | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ActCAD BIM** | 8.0/10 | 28 | | **Civil 3D** | N/A | N/A | #### Design | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Drawing** | 9.2 (24 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Modeling** | 7.6 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Visualize ** | 7.5 (18 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Rendering** | 7.2 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Edit | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **File Import ** | 8.7 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Push/Pull** | 7.8 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Views** | 8.0 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Grips ** | 7.7 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Collaboration | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Annotate** | 8.3 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Documentation ** | 8.1 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Data Extract** | 8.3 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | ### CAD Libraries | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ActCAD BIM** | 6.9/10 | 10 | | **Civil 3D** | N/A | N/A | #### Library | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Categorize** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Search** | 7.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Deduplication** | 6.7 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Feedback** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### CAD | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Types** | 5.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Models** | 7.5 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Compatibility** | 8.1 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Integration | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Catalogs** | 6.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | | **CAD & PLM** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **ERP** | 6.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | ### CAD Viewers | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ActCAD BIM** | 8.5/10 | 11 | | **Civil 3D** | N/A | N/A | #### File Options | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Import files** | 9.3 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Export files** | 9.0 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | | **View 2D files** | 9.8 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **View 3D files** | 6.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Batch convert files** | 8.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | | **File size** | 9.3 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Tools | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Dimensioning tools** | 9.1 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Change units** | 8.3 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | | **3D/solid modeling tools** | 5.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Design | Feature | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Drawing** | 9.8 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (2):** [Civil Engineering Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design), [Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/building-design-and-building-information-modeling-bim) **Unique to ActCAD BIM (4):** [CAD Viewers](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-viewers), [CAD Libraries](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-libraries), [Sketching Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/sketching), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | ActCAD BIM | Civil 3D | |---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 78.7% | 29.6% | | **Mid-Market** | 17.0% | 43.9% | | **Enterprise** | 4.3% | 26.5% | ### By Industry #### ActCAD BIM - **Architecture & Planning:** 25.5% - **Civil Engineering:** 23.4% - **Construction:** 12.8% - **Computer Software:** 4.3% - **Information Technology and Services:** 4.3% - **Oil & Energy:** 4.3% - **Management Consulting:** 2.1% - **Investment Management:** 2.1% - **Internet:** 2.1% - **Maritime:** 2.1% - **Other:** 17.0% #### Civil 3D - **Civil Engineering:** 63.5% - **Construction:** 6.3% - **Government Administration:** 4.2% - **Architecture & Planning:** 3.8% - **Utilities:** 3.8% - **Environmental Services:** 2.4% - **Design:** 2.4% - **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 1.7% - **Renewables & Environment:** 1.7% - **Oil & Energy:** 1.4% - **Other:** 8.7% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to ActCAD BIM - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1936 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1327 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (644 reviews) - [AutoCAD LT](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad-lt/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (286 reviews) - [DraftSight](https://www.g2.com/products/draftsight/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (209 reviews) - [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (352 reviews) - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (520 reviews) - [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (416 reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (717 reviews) - [Revit](https://www.g2.com/products/revit/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (953 reviews) ### Alternatives to Civil 3D - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1327 reviews) - [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (416 reviews) - [Archicad](https://www.g2.com/products/archicad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (292 reviews) - [OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/openroads-designer/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (139 reviews) - [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (352 reviews) - [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (350 reviews) - [AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/products/autoturn/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (50 reviews) - [OpenFlows WorkSuite](https://www.g2.com/products/openflows-worksuite/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (44 reviews) - [Site3D](https://www.g2.com/products/site3d/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (36 reviews) - [Carlson Civil](https://www.g2.com/products/carlson-civil/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (22 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### ActCAD BIM - Title: [How can I get some of my old lisp routines to work. They don't work well with ActCAD.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/24142-how-can-i-get-some-of-my-old-lisp-routines-to-work-they-don-t-work-well-with-actcad) — 3 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Hi David, thank you for your valuable inputs. Please share the details of your programs we will try to improve them and add to ActCAD package. Please note..." - Title: [Is ActCAD legit?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-actcad-legit) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "I don’t have any problem with ActCad. It’s more affordable than any competitors. The quality might come out on top when you facilitate the team effort. ..." - Title: [What is ActCAD used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-actcad-used-for) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "I think, because I am not an expert in Computer Data Storage Structures, I don't know. It seems to be highly capable in allocating Data Space, such that the..." - Title: ["Not opened for read" error](https://www.g2.com/discussions/34302-not-opened-for-read-error) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Update: It is not a "trial" problem. I am able to use all commands when I create a new drawing (and I imagine when I open the drawing that was created in..." - Title: [I am trying to convert over to LINUX from Windows and wonder if a LINUX version will be available? I have tried using Wine to run ActCAD on LINUX Ubuntu but it doesn't seem to work (would appreciate any help with this).](https://www.g2.com/discussions/24491-i-am-trying-to-convert-over-to-linux-from-windows-and-wonder-if-a-linux-version-will-be-available-i-have-tried-using-wine-to-run-actcad-on-linux-ubuntu-but-it-doesn-t-seem-to-work-would-appreciate-any-help-with-this) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "If your system is robust enough, you could run VirtualBox https://www.virtualbox.org/ and then run a windows virtual system to use ActCAD. I've run my older..." ### Civil 3D - Title: [Is Civil 3d free for students?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-civil-3d-free-for-students) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "yes" - Title: [Is Civil 3d a BIM?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-civil-3d-a-bim) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "It can work with BIM" - Title: [What is Civil 3D used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/civil-3d-what-is-civil-3d-used-for) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "Topografia, Caminos, Redes de drenaje, Redes de conducciòn a presión." - Title: [What is new in Civil 3d?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-new-in-civil-3d) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "Grading optimization is the best feature in Civil 3D" - Title: [What can civil 3d do?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-can-civil-3d-do) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "Workflows for various civil engineering projects, such as those involving rail, roads, bridges, and tunnels, as well as site development and storm and..." --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-civil-3d)