# MicroStation, ZWCAD vs OpenRoads Designer Comparison

| | MicroStation | ZWCAD | OpenRoads Designer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.0 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 399 | 349 | 139 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (34.2% of reviews) | Small-Business (69.2% of reviews) | Enterprise (43.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $2,135.00 Per Year | Free Trial 1 license With One-Time Purchase | $6,057.00 1 practitioner Per Year | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### MicroStation

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

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

### ZWCAD

Pros:
- Ease of Use (71 reviews)
- Efficiency (33 reviews)

Cons:
- Update Issues (9 reviews)
- Slow Performance (8 reviews)

### OpenRoads Designer

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | MicroStation | ZWCAD | OpenRoads Designer | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.2 (345 reviews) | 9.3 (322 reviews) | 8.4 (112 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 7.7 (351 reviews) | 9.5 (324 reviews) | 6.9 (112 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.5 (157 reviews) | 9.5 (232 reviews) | 6.4 (29 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 7.0 (83 reviews) | 9.1 (44 reviews) | 7.3 (23 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.7 (314 reviews) | 9.2 (301 reviews) | 7.6 (98 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 7.7 (85 reviews) | 9.1 (46 reviews) | 8.1 (31 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.2 (340 reviews) | 9.6 (319 reviews) | 7.8 (109 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

### ZWCAD

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: ZWCAD Standard

Price: Free Trial 1 license With One-Time Purchase

Description: Cost-effective 2D CAD for 2D drafting

Key Features:
- Cost-effective 2D CAD for 2D drafting
- 2D drafting tools
- Basic 3D viewing functionality

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/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

### Civil Engineering Design

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **MicroStation** | 7.5/10 | 65 |
| **ZWCAD** | 8.2/10 | 94 |
| **OpenRoads Designer** | 8.3/10 | 34 |

#### Plan

| Feature | MicroStation | ZWCAD | OpenRoads Designer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Documentation ** | 8.1 (54 reviews) | 8.9 (87 reviews) | 7.6 (32 reviews) | 
| **Sequence** | 7.5 (46 reviews) | 8.4 (87 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 
| **Annotate** | 8.1 (53 reviews) | 8.7 (89 reviews) | 8.1 (32 reviews) | 
| **Collaborate ** | 7.6 (49 reviews) | 8.2 (83 reviews) | 8.6 (31 reviews) | 

#### Design

| Feature | MicroStation | ZWCAD | OpenRoads Designer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D Modeling** | 7.1 (48 reviews) | 7.8 (79 reviews) | 8.8 (32 reviews) | 
| **3D Rendering ** | 7.0 (45 reviews) | 7.2 (80 reviews) | 8.0 (31 reviews) | 
| **Drawing** | 8.6 (58 reviews) | 9.4 (91 reviews) | 8.5 (31 reviews) | 
| **Editing ** | 8.6 (57 reviews) | 9.4 (91 reviews) | 8.1 (32 reviews) | 

#### Construction

| Feature | MicroStation | ZWCAD | OpenRoads Designer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Fabrication** | 7.2 (41 reviews) | 8.2 (84 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 
| **Reinforcement** | 7.2 (40 reviews) | 8.3 (83 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 
| **Clash Detection** | 6.9 (38 reviews) | 7.6 (80 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 
| **Grading** | 7.5 (42 reviews) | 7.7 (80 reviews) | 8.6 (19 reviews) | 
| **Earthwork** | 7.4 (43 reviews) | 7.8 (80 reviews) | 9.1 (20 reviews) | 

#### Engineering

| Feature | MicroStation | ZWCAD | OpenRoads Designer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hydraulic engineering** | 7.1 (37 reviews) | 7.6 (79 reviews) | 7.7 (21 reviews) | 
| **Hydrologic engineering** | 6.8 (37 reviews) | 7.5 (77 reviews) | 7.8 (22 reviews) | 
| **Transportation engineering** | 8.7 (47 reviews) | 7.6 (79 reviews) | 9.0 (27 reviews) | 
| **Structural engineering** | 6.9 (36 reviews) | 8.8 (82 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **MicroStation** | 8.1/10 | 113 |
| **ZWCAD** | 8.9/10 | 267 |
| **OpenRoads Designer** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | MicroStation | ZWCAD | OpenRoads Designer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 8.8 (92 reviews) | 9.4 (262 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Modeling** | 8.3 (89 reviews) | 8.5 (238 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Visualize ** | 8.1 (87 reviews) | 8.5 (240 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering** | 7.5 (79 reviews) | 7.9 (233 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Edit

| Feature | MicroStation | ZWCAD | OpenRoads Designer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | 8.1 (94 reviews) | 9.3 (258 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Push/Pull** | 8.0 (79 reviews) | 8.6 (242 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Views** | 8.2 (85 reviews) | 9.1 (245 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Grips ** | 8.3 (84 reviews) | 9.0 (244 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | MicroStation | ZWCAD | OpenRoads Designer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | 8.2 (83 reviews) | 9.1 (255 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Documentation ** | 8.1 (84 reviews) | 9.1 (247 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Extract** | 8.0 (80 reviews) | 8.9 (249 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Civil Engineering Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design)

**Unique to MicroStation (1):** [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)

**Unique to ZWCAD (1):** [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | MicroStation | ZWCAD | OpenRoads Designer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 34.0% | 69.2% | 23.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 31.8% | 26.3% | 33.6% | 
| **Enterprise** | 34.2% | 4.4% | 43.2% | 

### By Industry

#### MicroStation

- **Civil Engineering:** 40.7%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 10.7%
- **Construction:** 8.8%
- **Design:** 6.9%
- **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 3.6%
- **Oil & Energy:** 3.6%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 3.0%
- **Utilities:** 2.7%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 1.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 1.6%
- **Other:** 16.5%

#### ZWCAD

- **Architecture & Planning:** 21.0%
- **Civil Engineering:** 16.0%
- **Construction:** 14.2%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 7.4%
- **Manufacturing:** 6.5%
- **Automotive:** 4.4%
- **Oil & Energy:** 4.1%
- **Consulting:** 3.6%
- **Design:** 3.3%
- **Industrial Automation:** 2.1%
- **Other:** 17.5%

#### 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 MicroStation

- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1930 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 (644 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 ZWCAD

- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1930 reviews)
- [DraftSight](https://www.g2.com/products/draftsight/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (208 reviews)
- [Octave BricsCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/octave-bricscad/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (135 reviews)
- [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (304 reviews)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [nanoCAD Free](https://www.g2.com/products/nanocad-free/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (23 reviews)
- [progeCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/progecad/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (11 reviews)
- [AutoCAD LT](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad-lt/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (285 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 (644 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 (347 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)
- [Site3D](https://www.g2.com/products/site3d/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (36 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."

### ZWCAD

- Title: [Dynamic blocks](https://www.g2.com/discussions/dynamic-blocks) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Comment deleted by user."
- Title: [H](https://www.g2.com/discussions/zwcad-h) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Farhatullah,

To learn how to make the most of ZWCAD, simply check out tutorials on zwsoft.com and ZWSOFT's YouTube channel."

### 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/microstation-vs-zwcad-vs-openroads-designer)