# IronCAD, MicroStation vs OpenRoads Designer Comparison | | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.0 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 43 | 408 | 139 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (73.7% of reviews) | Enterprise (34.0% of reviews) | Enterprise (43.2% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | $2,135.00 Per Year | $6,057.00 1 practitioner Per Year | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### IronCAD **Not enough data** ### MicroStation Pros: - Ease of Use (46 reviews) - 3D Modeling (36 reviews) Cons: - Difficult Learning (15 reviews) - Learning Curve (14 reviews) ### OpenRoads Designer **Not enough data** --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 8.4 (36 reviews) | 8.2 (354 reviews) | 8.4 (112 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.3 (37 reviews) | 7.7 (360 reviews) | 6.9 (112 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 9.1 (9 reviews) | 7.6 (166 reviews) | 6.4 (29 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 8.9 (9 reviews) | 7.0 (83 reviews) | 7.3 (23 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 7.9 (32 reviews) | 7.7 (323 reviews) | 7.6 (98 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.7 (9 reviews) | 7.7 (86 reviews) | 8.1 (31 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.8 (32 reviews) | 7.2 (346 reviews) | 7.8 (109 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### IronCAD #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### 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 ### OpenRoads Designer #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: OpenRoads Designer Virtuoso Subscription Price: $6,057.00 1 practitioner Per Year Description: Includes 5 Keys for added incremental services, training, and onboarding. Key Features: - A 1-year named user license of Bentley software for lower upfront costs - 5 keys to redeem for customizable training, mentoring, and consulting services - Direct access to in-house industry experts who know the challenges your team faces and the strategies to solve them [Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/openroads-designer/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### 3D Modeling | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **IronCAD** | N/A | N/A | | **MicroStation** | N/A | N/A | | **OpenRoads Designer** | N/A | N/A | #### Design | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Sculpting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Topology** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Brush Variety ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Effects** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Move | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Animate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Render** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Views** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Store & Manage | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Pipeline ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Controls** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Template library ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Generative AI | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Civil Engineering Design | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **IronCAD** | N/A | N/A | | **MicroStation** | 7.6/10 | 68 | | **OpenRoads Designer** | 8.3/10 | 34 | #### Plan | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Documentation ** | Not enough data | 8.1 (56 reviews) | 7.6 (32 reviews) | | **Sequence** | Not enough data | 7.5 (47 reviews) | Feature Not Available | | **Annotate** | Not enough data | 8.2 (55 reviews) | 8.1 (32 reviews) | | **Collaborate ** | Not enough data | 7.6 (51 reviews) | 8.6 (31 reviews) | #### Design | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **3D Modeling** | Not enough data | 7.3 (51 reviews) | 8.8 (32 reviews) | | **3D Rendering ** | Not enough data | 7.2 (47 reviews) | 8.0 (31 reviews) | | **Drawing** | Not enough data | 8.6 (61 reviews) | 8.5 (31 reviews) | | **Editing ** | Not enough data | 8.6 (59 reviews) | 8.1 (32 reviews) | #### Construction | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Fabrication** | Not enough data | 7.2 (43 reviews) | Feature Not Available | | **Reinforcement** | Not enough data | 7.3 (41 reviews) | Feature Not Available | | **Clash Detection** | Not enough data | 6.9 (38 reviews) | Feature Not Available | | **Grading** | Not enough data | 7.6 (43 reviews) | 8.6 (19 reviews) | | **Earthwork** | Not enough data | 7.5 (44 reviews) | 9.1 (20 reviews) | #### Engineering | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Hydraulic engineering** | Not enough data | 7.1 (37 reviews) | 7.7 (21 reviews) | | **Hydrologic engineering** | Not enough data | 6.8 (37 reviews) | 7.8 (22 reviews) | | **Transportation engineering** | Not enough data | 8.7 (47 reviews) | 9.0 (27 reviews) | | **Structural engineering** | Not enough data | 6.9 (36 reviews) | Feature Not Available | ### General-Purpose CAD | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **IronCAD** | 7.9/10 | 7 | | **MicroStation** | 8.2/10 | 120 | | **OpenRoads Designer** | N/A | N/A | #### Design | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Drawing** | 6.7 (7 reviews) | 8.9 (95 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Modeling** | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 8.4 (92 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Visualize ** | 7.6 (7 reviews) | 8.1 (90 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Rendering** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | 7.6 (80 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Edit | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **File Import ** | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 8.2 (97 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Push/Pull** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | 8.0 (79 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Views** | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 8.2 (86 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Grips ** | 8.1 (7 reviews) | 8.3 (84 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Collaboration | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Annotate** | 6.9 (6 reviews) | 8.3 (87 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Documentation ** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 8.1 (86 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Data Extract** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 8.1 (81 reviews) | Not enough data | ### CAD Viewers | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **IronCAD** | N/A | N/A | | **MicroStation** | N/A | N/A | | **OpenRoads Designer** | N/A | N/A | #### File Options | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Import files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Export files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **View 2D files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **View 3D files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Batch convert files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **File size** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Tools | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Dimensioning tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Change units** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **3D/solid modeling tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Design | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Simulation & CAE | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **IronCAD** | N/A | N/A | | **MicroStation** | N/A | N/A | | **OpenRoads Designer** | N/A | N/A | #### Design | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Rendering tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Tools | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Fluid analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Finite element analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Multibody dynamics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Work | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Discrete event modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Continuous event modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Mechanical event simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Manufacturing process simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Integrate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Environment | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Hardware support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Task** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **IronCAD** | N/A | N/A | | **MicroStation** | N/A | N/A | | **OpenRoads Designer** | N/A | N/A | #### Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Export Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Import Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **File Interoperability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **File size** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Hardware support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Unique to IronCAD (5):** [CAD Viewers](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-viewers), [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [3D Modeling Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-modeling) **Unique to MicroStation (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 OpenRoads Designer (1):** [Civil Engineering Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | IronCAD | MicroStation | OpenRoads Designer | |---|---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 73.7% | 33.8% | 23.2% | | **Mid-Market** | 13.2% | 32.2% | 33.6% | | **Enterprise** | 13.2% | 34.0% | 43.2% | ### By Industry #### IronCAD - **Furniture:** 13.2% - **Architecture & Planning:** 7.9% - **Packaging and Containers:** 7.9% - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 7.9% - **Automotive:** 7.9% - **Mining & Metals:** 5.3% - **Machinery:** 5.3% - **Government Administration:** 5.3% - **Design:** 5.3% - **Airlines/Aviation:** 2.6% - **Other:** 31.6% #### MicroStation - **Civil Engineering:** 40.2% - **Architecture & Planning:** 10.7% - **Construction:** 8.6% - **Design:** 6.7% - **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 3.5% - **Oil & Energy:** 3.5% - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 3.2% - **Utilities:** 2.7% - **Information Technology and Services:** 1.9% - **Telecommunications:** 1.6% - **Other:** 17.4% #### OpenRoads Designer - **Civil Engineering:** 73.6% - **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 7.2% - **Design:** 6.4% - **Construction:** 5.6% - **Architecture & Planning:** 4.0% - **Oil & Energy:** 0.8% - **Military:** 0.8% - **Higher Education:** 0.8% - **Government Administration:** 0.8% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to IronCAD - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews) - [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews) - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1932 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews) - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews) - [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (599 reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews) - [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (200 reviews) - [FreeCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/freecad/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (61 reviews) - [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (527 reviews) ### Alternatives to MicroStation - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1932 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) ### Alternatives to OpenRoads Designer - [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (304 reviews) - [Autodesk InfraWorks](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-infraworks/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (42 reviews) - [AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/products/autoturn/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (50 reviews) - [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (346 reviews) - [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (349 reviews) - [RoadEng Civil Engineer](https://www.g2.com/products/roadeng-civil-engineer/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (17 reviews) - [Carlson Civil](https://www.g2.com/products/carlson-civil/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (22 reviews) - [Civil Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-designer/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (18 reviews) - [GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohechms/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (123 reviews) - [Carlson Survey](https://www.g2.com/products/carlson-survey/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (11 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### IronCAD - Title: [What is IronCAD mechanical?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-ironcad-mechanical) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "It is a fantastic add on - highly recommend " ### 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." ### OpenRoads Designer - Title: [How do I create a terrain in OpenRoads designer?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-create-a-terrain-in-openroads-designer) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "To create a terrain in OpenRoads Designer, you can use the Terrain Create tool group which contains tools to create a terrain model from graphical elements,..." - Title: [Which software is used for highway design?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-software-is-used-for-highway-design) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "The most commonly used highway design software is developed by Bentley and Autodesk. Bentley’s OpenRoads Designer is a comprehensive and fully functioned..." - Title: [What is OpenRoads?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-openroads) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "OpenRoads Designer is a civil design application used for all types and sizes of civil projects around the world. It can be used for tasks such as..." - Title: [What is OpenRoads designer?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-openroads-designer) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "OpenRoads Designer is a civil design application used for all types and sizes of civil projects around the world. It can be used for tasks such as..." --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/ironcad-vs-microstation-vs-openroads-designer)