# ActCAD BIM vs Octave BricsCAD Comparison

| | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 50 | 135 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (78.7% of reviews) | Small-Business (72.1% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Contact Us With One-Time Purchase | €314.00 1 User Per Year | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### ActCAD BIM

Pros:
- Affordable (1 reviews)
- Efficiency (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Difficult Learning (1 reviews)
- Expensive (1 reviews)

### Octave BricsCAD

Pros:
- 3D Modeling (2 reviews)
- CAD Compatibility (2 reviews)

Cons:
- 3D Modeling (1 reviews)
- Difficult Configuration (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (37 reviews) | 9.0 (105 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.9 (38 reviews) | 8.8 (107 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.4 (13 reviews) | 8.9 (34 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.3 (12 reviews) | 8.8 (27 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.7 (38 reviews) | 9.0 (87 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.0 (12 reviews) | 9.0 (25 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.0 (36 reviews) | 8.8 (99 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

### Octave BricsCAD

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: BricsCAD® Lite

Price: €314.00 1 User Per Year

Description: Familiar CAD drafting functionality

Key Features:
- All familiar CAD functions in .dwg
- Full LISP support (vl, vlr, vla and vlax)
- 2D Constraint Management

[Browse all 5 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/octave-bricscad/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ActCAD BIM** | N/A | N/A |
| **Octave BricsCAD** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 |
| **Octave BricsCAD** | N/A | N/A |

#### Plan

| Feature | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Documentation ** | 8.8 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Sequence** | 8.0 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Annotate** | 8.5 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Collaborate ** | 8.1 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Design

| Feature | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D Modeling** | 7.1 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **3D Rendering ** | 6.7 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing** | 8.6 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Editing ** | 8.3 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Construction

| Feature | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fabrication** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Reinforcement** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Clash Detection** | 6.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Grading** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Earthwork** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Engineering

| Feature | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hydraulic engineering** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Hydrologic engineering** | 8.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Transportation engineering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Structural engineering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ActCAD BIM** | 8.0/10 | 28 |
| **Octave BricsCAD** | 8.6/10 | 86 |

#### Design

| Feature | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 9.2 (24 reviews) | 9.3 (78 reviews) | 
| **Modeling** | 7.6 (15 reviews) | 8.8 (55 reviews) | 
| **Visualize ** | 7.5 (18 reviews) | 8.8 (55 reviews) | 
| **Rendering** | 7.2 (15 reviews) | 7.8 (38 reviews) | 

#### Edit

| Feature | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | 8.7 (23 reviews) | 8.5 (75 reviews) | 
| **Push/Pull** | 7.8 (17 reviews) | 8.6 (53 reviews) | 
| **Views** | 8.0 (21 reviews) | 8.6 (66 reviews) | 
| **Grips ** | 7.7 (20 reviews) | 8.5 (67 reviews) | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | 8.3 (19 reviews) | 8.8 (61 reviews) | 
| **Documentation ** | 8.1 (17 reviews) | 8.3 (53 reviews) | 
| **Data Extract** | 8.3 (16 reviews) | 8.2 (44 reviews) | 

### CAD Libraries

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **ActCAD BIM** | 6.9/10 | 10 |
| **Octave BricsCAD** | N/A | N/A |

#### Library

| Feature | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 |
| **Octave BricsCAD** | N/A | N/A |

#### File Options

| Feature | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 9.8 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)

**Unique to ActCAD BIM (5):** [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), [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)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | ActCAD BIM | Octave BricsCAD | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 78.7% | 72.1% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 17.0% | 24.8% | 
| **Enterprise** | 4.3% | 3.1% | 

### 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%

#### Octave BricsCAD

- **Construction:** 20.0%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 16.2%
- **Civil Engineering:** 16.2%
- **Design:** 6.9%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 6.9%
- **Oil & Energy:** 3.1%
- **Machinery:** 3.1%
- **Building Materials:** 2.3%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 2.3%
- **Industrial Automation:** 2.3%
- **Other:** 20.8%

---
## 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 (643 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 (351 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 (696 reviews)
- [Revit](https://www.g2.com/products/revit/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (953 reviews)

### Alternatives to Octave BricsCAD

- [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 (643 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (520 reviews)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (351 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)
- [CMS IntelliCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/cms-intellicad/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (97 reviews)
- [TurboCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/turbocad/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (31 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..."

### Octave BricsCAD

- Title: [Is BricsCAD free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-bricscad-free) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "for the working version it is better to use a licensed version"
- Title: [What is BricsCAD used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-bricscad-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Mechanical design, Piping, P&ID's, Machines, food processing"
- Title: [Are there any courses](https://www.g2.com/discussions/are-there-any-courses) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Pedro, at the moment we have the BIM academy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc7lZG3eA1E&list=PLONdQc9bizsfzuES9MrwxUEH9M4PPfyRm. We are also..."
- Title: [BricsCAD seems to loose edges when taking flat shots. Is there a setting that needs to be adjusted to clean up the flat shot block?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/27852-bricscad-seems-to-loose-edges-when-taking-flat-shots-is-there-a-setting-that-needs-to-be-adjusted-to-clean-up-the-flat-shot-block) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Hi there, 

Thank you for your question!

We would advise creating a ticket on this matter. Be sure to add a scenario and sample file in order for our..."
- Title: [Is it possible to do simulation and animation using BricsCAD ?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/24249-is-it-possible-to-do-simulation-and-animation-using-bricscad) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "You can indeed animate objects in BricsCAD. There is a dedicated animation panel.
There is also an anipath command to control camera movement."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-octave-bricscad)