# MicroStation vs OpenBuildings Designer Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- Users report that MicroStation excels in "Drawing" with a score of 9.1, highlighting its robust capabilities for creating detailed designs, while OpenBuildings Designer trails with a score of 8.1, indicating it may not be as strong in this area.
- Reviewers mention that OpenBuildings Designer offers superior "Collaboration" features, scoring 9.2 in "Multi User" capabilities compared to MicroStation's 8.3, suggesting that it may be better suited for teams working on shared projects.
- G2 users note that MicroStation's "Dynamic Updating" feature, with a score of 8.7, allows for real-time changes in designs, which is particularly beneficial for projects requiring frequent adjustments, whereas OpenBuildings Designer scores lower at 7.6.
- Users on G2 highlight that OpenBuildings Designer has a better "Quality of Support" with a score of 8.5 compared to MicroStation's 7.6, indicating that users may find more reliable assistance when issues arise.
- Reviewers say that MicroStation's "Editing" capabilities are highly rated at 8.9, making it a preferred choice for users who prioritize detailed modifications, while OpenBuildings Designer's score of 8.5 suggests it may not be as efficient in this regard.
- Users report that OpenBuildings Designer shines in "File Import/Export" with a score of 9.3, making it easier to integrate with other software, while MicroStation's score of 8.4 indicates it may have some limitations in this area.



| | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.0 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 416 | 16 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (34.4% of reviews) | Small-Business (43.8% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $2,135.00 Per Year | $2,686  Includes software, support, and installation on up to 3 machines but only for one concurrent user at a time. Local currency pricing available. | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### MicroStation

Pros:
- Ease of Use (46 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (36 reviews)

Cons:
- Difficult Learning (15 reviews)
- Learning Curve (14 reviews)

### OpenBuildings Designer

Pros:
- Customer Support (1 reviews)
- Customization (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.2 (358 reviews) | 7.9 (14 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 7.7 (364 reviews) | 7.7 (14 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.6 (170 reviews) | 6.7 (5 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 7.1 (82 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.7 (326 reviews) | 8.2 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 7.7 (85 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.2 (350 reviews) | 7.3 (13 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### 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

### OpenBuildings Designer

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: OpenBuildings Designer 12-month subscription

Price: $2,686  Includes software, support, and installation on up to 3 machines but only for one concurrent user at a time. Local currency pricing available.


[Learn more about OpenBuildings Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/openbuildings-designer/reviews)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

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

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **MicroStation** | N/A | N/A |
| **OpenBuildings Designer** | 8.0/10 | 13 |

#### Design

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **Visualizing** | Not enough data | 8.3 (11 reviews) | 
| **Rendering** | Not enough data | 8.2 (10 reviews) | 
| **Drawing** | Not enough data | 8.1 (13 reviews) | 
| **Editing** | Not enough data | 8.6 (13 reviews) | 
| **Sequence Steps** | Not enough data | 7.3 (10 reviews) | 
| **Dynamic Updating** | Not enough data | 7.8 (12 reviews) | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multi User** | Not enough data | 8.9 (12 reviews) | 
| **File Import/Export** | Not enough data | 9.0 (13 reviews) | 
| **Annotating ** | Not enough data | 7.8 (13 reviews) | 
| **Document Storage** | Not enough data | 8.8 (13 reviews) | 

#### Construction

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fabrication** | Not enough data | 7.6 (7 reviews) | 
| **Reinforcement Tools** | Not enough data | 6.1 (6 reviews) | 
| **Clash Detection ** | Not enough data | 7.4 (12 reviews) | 
| **Grading** | Not enough data | 7.6 (7 reviews) | 
| **Earthwork** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 |
|---|---|---|
| **MicroStation** | 7.7/10 | 70 |
| **OpenBuildings Designer** | N/A | N/A |

#### Plan

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **Documentation ** | 8.2 (58 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Sequence** | 7.6 (49 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Annotate** | 8.2 (56 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Collaborate ** | 7.7 (52 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Design

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D Modeling** | 7.3 (52 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **3D Rendering ** | 7.2 (47 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing** | 8.7 (62 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Editing ** | 8.6 (59 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Construction

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fabrication** | 7.3 (44 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Reinforcement** | 7.3 (42 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Clash Detection** | 7.0 (39 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Grading** | 7.6 (44 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Earthwork** | 7.5 (45 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Engineering

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hydraulic engineering** | 7.2 (38 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Hydrologic engineering** | 6.9 (38 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Transportation engineering** | 8.7 (48 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Structural engineering** | 7.1 (38 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **MicroStation** | 8.2/10 | 122 |
| **OpenBuildings Designer** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 8.9 (95 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Modeling** | 8.4 (92 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Visualize ** | 8.1 (90 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering** | 7.6 (80 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Edit

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | 8.2 (98 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Push/Pull** | 8.0 (79 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Views** | 8.2 (86 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Grips ** | 8.3 (84 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | 8.3 (87 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Documentation ** | 8.1 (86 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Extract** | 8.1 (82 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories

**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 OpenBuildings Designer (1):** [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 | MicroStation | OpenBuildings Designer | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 34.4% | 43.8% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 31.9% | 43.8% | 
| **Enterprise** | 33.7% | 12.5% | 

### By Industry

#### MicroStation

- **Civil Engineering:** 39.8%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 11.4%
- **Construction:** 8.5%
- **Design:** 6.6%
- **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 3.4%
- **Oil & Energy:** 3.4%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 3.2%
- **Utilities:** 2.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 1.9%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 1.9%
- **Other:** 17.0%

#### OpenBuildings Designer

- **Architecture & Planning:** 25.0%
- **Construction:** 18.8%
- **Civil Engineering:** 18.8%
- **Higher Education:** 12.5%
- **Utilities:** 6.3%
- **Management Consulting:** 6.3%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 6.3%
- **Civic & Social Organization:** 6.3%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to MicroStation

- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1935 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1326 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 (192 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 OpenBuildings Designer

- [Revit](https://www.g2.com/products/revit/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (950 reviews)
- [Archicad](https://www.g2.com/products/archicad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (291 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1326 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1935 reviews)
- [Vectorworks Architect](https://www.g2.com/products/vectorworks-architect/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (236 reviews)
- [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (304 reviews)
- [Revit LT](https://www.g2.com/products/revit-lt/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (44 reviews)
- [Revizto](https://www.g2.com/products/revizto/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (241 reviews)
- [Navisworks](https://www.g2.com/products/navisworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (204 reviews)
- [AutoCAD MEP](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad-mep/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (203 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### 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."

### OpenBuildings Designer

- Title: [What is open building software?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-open-building-software) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "A user friendly BIM tool for all utility designers."
- Title: [Where can I found OpenBuildings training material?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/where-can-i-found-openbuildings-training-material) — 1 comment, 3 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "Go to Bentley Learn Server and create a free account

learn.bentley.com
connect.bentley.com

Best Wishes,"
- Title: [How can I promote OpenBuildings for Mechanical and plumbing firms](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-can-i-promote-openbuildings-for-mechanical-and-plumbing-firms) — 1 comment, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Andy,
We are using this LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14056987/ to share experiences with other OpenBuildings user.
Please join if you..."
- Title: [What is OpenBuildings Designer?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-openbuildings-designer) — 1 comment, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "A full explanation of what OpenBuildings Designer is can be found here:..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/microstation-vs-openbuildings-designer)