# ActCAD BIM vs MicroStation Comparison --- ## AI Generated Summary - **G2 reviewers report** that MicroStation excels in handling large and complex drawings, particularly in infrastructure and architectural projects. Users appreciate its stability and precision, noting that it manages references well, which is crucial for demanding projects. - **Users say** that ActCAD BIM offers excellent functionality at a very attractive price point, making it a great choice for small businesses. Its similarity to AutoCAD allows for easy transition, with users highlighting the ability to transfer customizations with minimal changes. - **Reviewers mention** that MicroStation provides a more robust overall experience, reflected in its higher G2 Score and a significant number of recent reviews. This suggests a strong user base that finds value in its features, such as the ability to create custom shortcuts for efficiency. - **According to verified reviews** , ActCAD BIM shines in ease of setup and administration, with users noting that it requires minimal training to get started. This is particularly beneficial for smaller teams or those new to CAD software. - **Users highlight** that while MicroStation has a higher entry-level price, its extensive capabilities justify the investment for larger enterprises. Features like advanced modeling and documentation tools are frequently praised, making it a preferred choice for complex projects. - **Reviewers note** that ActCAD BIM's lower price point and perpetual licensing model are significant advantages for budget-conscious users. However, some users feel that it may lack the depth of features found in MicroStation, particularly in areas like advanced rendering and clash detection. | | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.0 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 50 | 414 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (78.7% of reviews) | Small-Business (34.1% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | Contact Us With One-Time Purchase | $2,135.00 Per Year | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### ActCAD BIM Pros: - Affordable (1 reviews) - Efficiency (1 reviews) Cons: - Difficult Learning (1 reviews) - Expensive (1 reviews) ### MicroStation Pros: - Ease of Use (44 reviews) - 3D Modeling (35 reviews) Cons: - Difficult Learning (13 reviews) - Learning Curve (13 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (37 reviews) | 8.2 (357 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.9 (38 reviews) | 7.7 (363 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 9.4 (13 reviews) | 7.6 (169 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 9.3 (12 reviews) | 7.0 (83 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 8.7 (38 reviews) | 7.7 (325 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.0 (12 reviews) | 7.7 (86 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.0 (36 reviews) | 7.2 (349 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 ### MicroStation #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: MicroStation 12-month Subscription Price: $2,135.00 Per Year Description: Get access to software that comes with training – fast! Bentley’s eStore, Virtuosity, offers a convenient way to lease a 12-month license of Bentley software for a low, upfront cost. Every online purchase through Virtuosity comes as a Virtuoso Subscription that includes training and auto-renewals. Local currency pricing available. Key Features: - Training via Virtuosity Keys - Flexible for your project needs - Named-User license [Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ActCAD BIM** | N/A | N/A | | **MicroStation** | N/A | N/A | #### Design | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Visualizing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Rendering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Editing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Sequence Steps** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Dynamic Updating** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Collaboration | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Multi User** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **File Import/Export** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Annotating ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Document Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Construction | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Fabrication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Reinforcement Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Clash Detection ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Grading** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Earthwork** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Generative AI | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **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 | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **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 | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **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 | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **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 | | **MicroStation** | 7.7/10 | 70 | #### Plan | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Documentation ** | 8.8 (12 reviews) | 8.2 (58 reviews) | | **Sequence** | 8.0 (9 reviews) | 7.6 (49 reviews) | | **Annotate** | 8.5 (11 reviews) | 8.2 (56 reviews) | | **Collaborate ** | 8.1 (9 reviews) | 7.7 (52 reviews) | #### Design | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **3D Modeling** | 7.1 (8 reviews) | 7.4 (53 reviews) | | **3D Rendering ** | 6.7 (7 reviews) | 7.2 (48 reviews) | | **Drawing** | 8.6 (12 reviews) | 8.7 (62 reviews) | | **Editing ** | 8.3 (12 reviews) | 8.7 (60 reviews) | #### Construction | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Fabrication** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 7.3 (44 reviews) | | **Reinforcement** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | 7.3 (42 reviews) | | **Clash Detection** | 6.0 (5 reviews) | 7.0 (39 reviews) | | **Grading** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 7.6 (44 reviews) | | **Earthwork** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 7.5 (45 reviews) | #### Engineering | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Hydraulic engineering** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 7.2 (38 reviews) | | **Hydrologic engineering** | 8.0 (5 reviews) | 6.9 (38 reviews) | | **Transportation engineering** | Not enough data | 8.7 (48 reviews) | | **Structural engineering** | Not enough data | 7.0 (37 reviews) | ### General-Purpose CAD | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ActCAD BIM** | 8.0/10 | 28 | | **MicroStation** | 8.2/10 | 121 | #### Design | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Drawing** | 9.2 (24 reviews) | 8.9 (95 reviews) | | **Modeling** | 7.6 (15 reviews) | 8.4 (92 reviews) | | **Visualize ** | 7.5 (18 reviews) | 8.1 (90 reviews) | | **Rendering** | 7.2 (15 reviews) | 7.6 (80 reviews) | #### Edit | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **File Import ** | 8.7 (23 reviews) | 8.2 (97 reviews) | | **Push/Pull** | 7.8 (17 reviews) | 8.0 (79 reviews) | | **Views** | 8.0 (21 reviews) | 8.2 (86 reviews) | | **Grips ** | 7.7 (20 reviews) | 8.3 (84 reviews) | #### Collaboration | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Annotate** | 8.3 (19 reviews) | 8.3 (87 reviews) | | **Documentation ** | 8.1 (17 reviews) | 8.1 (86 reviews) | | **Data Extract** | 8.3 (16 reviews) | 8.1 (82 reviews) | ### CAD Libraries | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ActCAD BIM** | 6.9/10 | 10 | | **MicroStation** | N/A | N/A | #### Library | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **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 | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **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 | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **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 | | **MicroStation** | N/A | N/A | #### File Options | Feature | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **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 | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **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 | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Drawing** | 9.8 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (2):** [Civil Engineering Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad) **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), [Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/building-design-and-building-information-modeling-bim) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | ActCAD BIM | MicroStation | |---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 78.7% | 34.1% | | **Mid-Market** | 17.0% | 32.1% | | **Enterprise** | 4.3% | 33.8% | ### 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% #### MicroStation - **Civil Engineering:** 39.9% - **Architecture & Planning:** 10.9% - **Construction:** 8.5% - **Design:** 6.6% - **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 3.5% - **Oil & Energy:** 3.5% - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 3.2% - **Utilities:** 2.9% - **Telecommunications:** 1.9% - **Information Technology and Services:** 1.9% - **Other:** 17.3% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to ActCAD BIM - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1934 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews) - [AutoCAD LT](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad-lt/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (285 reviews) - [DraftSight](https://www.g2.com/products/draftsight/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (208 reviews) - [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (350 reviews) - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews) - [Revit](https://www.g2.com/products/revit/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (947 reviews) - [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1000 reviews) ### Alternatives to MicroStation - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1934 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews) - [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (304 reviews) - [AutoCAD LT](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad-lt/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (285 reviews) - [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (191 reviews) - [DraftSight](https://www.g2.com/products/draftsight/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (208 reviews) - [AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/products/autoturn/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (50 reviews) - [Autodesk InfraWorks](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-infraworks/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (42 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..." ### MicroStation - Title: [Microstation](https://www.g2.com/discussions/33530-microstation) — 2 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "We'd be happy to answer any questions you have! Let us know what additional details you're looking for." --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-microstation)