--- title: Octave BricsCAD Reviews meta_title: 'Octave BricsCAD Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 135 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Octave BricsCAD works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.5 review_count: 135 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-08-07' parent_category: name: CAD url: https://www.g2.com/categories/cad --- # Octave BricsCAD Reviews **Vendor:** Octave **Category:** [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad) **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 135 ## About Octave BricsCAD BricsCAD the first all-in-one CAD design solution in .dwg that answers all your needs; 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and BIM. The BricsCAD® family of products brings a cost-effective, multi-platform CAD solution to Windows, macOS, and Linux. BricsCAD is available as a permanent/perpetual license & subscription license, for networked or stand-alone computers. You can also add Maintenance for ease of keeping up-to-date. Familiarity for other CAD users and full LISP support can help reduce a new BricsCAD® users’ learning curve to a day or less. With innovative machine learning tools, you increase drawing accuracy while saving time. ## Octave BricsCAD Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users value the **intuitive 3D modeling** capabilities of Octave BricsCAD, seamlessly enhancing their CAD experience. (2 reviews) - Users value the **CAD compatibility** of Octave BricsCAD, enjoying seamless integration with DWG files and AutoCAD routines. (2 reviews) - Users value the **compatibility with DWG files** , enabling smooth transitions from other CAD software effortlessly. (2 reviews) - Users find BricsCAD **easy to learn** , appreciating its all-in-one capabilities for 2D and 3D tasks. (2 reviews) - Users commend the **seamless integration with AWS** that enhances cloud scalability and automation capabilities in BricsCAD. (1 reviews) - Users love the **detailed engineering drawings** in BricsCAD, praising its reliability and powerful CAD capabilities. (1 reviews) - Drawing Tools (1 reviews) - Ease of Use (1 reviews) - Efficiency (1 reviews) - Integration Capabilities (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users experience **slow simulation** while working in 3D Layout, facing performance lags and frustrating visibility issues. (2 reviews) - Users report frequent **software freezing** , particularly when handling parametric blocks and during updates, leading to frustration. (2 reviews) - Users find the **3D Layout functionality inadequate** , as it leads to disorganization and performance issues in Paperspace. (1 reviews) - Users find **difficult configuration** challenging, particularly for new users unfamiliar with advanced features and customization options. (1 reviews) - Users find **difficult learning** due to limited resources and complexity in accessing advanced features effectively. (1 reviews) - Users face **extra costs** due to licensing management and limitations with serverless deployments in BricsCAD. (1 reviews) - Users experience **inefficiency** with Octave BricsCAD due to lag from visibility states and cumbersome block management. (1 reviews) - Users struggle with **large file handling** in BricsCAD, experiencing performance issues and layout chaos in Paperspace. (1 reviews) - Users report that **large model handling** in BricsCAD leads to significant performance issues, making it difficult to work effectively. (1 reviews) - Layout Issues (1 reviews) ## Octave BricsCAD Reviews ### 1. Amazing!!!! The one and only software I will ever need!! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 23, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Very useful and easy to navigate and customize. I love the way you can easily draw in 2D and quickly turn it into a 3D drawing, I've also had a couple of technical issues with the software and the customer service people were amazing. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I really have nothing bad to say about this software, it is truly efficient and amazing. I can't tell you how much it has helped my productivity, I love it is just the best. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Productivity and efficiency are a very big part of our business so we need a top of the line software that can help us keep those standards high. BricsCAD provides that so we are able to stay on top. ### 2. Good, reliable, cost effective software **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Graham D. | Associate, Quality Assurance, Operations & I.T Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 28, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** it is stable, easy to use and much cheaper than AutoCAD **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Sometimes does not have all the same features as AutoCAD, e.g tables as cad entities. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** No need for AutoCAD's full network license. We can use BricsCAD Lite which inserts geo-referenced images, has some built-in express tools and runs lisp routines. ### 3. Reasonably priced, fast alternative to Autocad subscription plan. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mark S. | Estimator, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 03, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** I especially like the Quad feature and the Blockify command **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Nothing so far, though I'm looking for more help videos on YouTube for certain features. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Being able to modify a floorplan quickly to get back to the homeowner in a timely manner has been a great asset. ### 4. Good affordable alternative to AutoCAD **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 24, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Cost is much better than AutoCAD, but otherwise very similar. It's lighter than Vectorworks, and better for bigger schemes (also easier to open DWGs and use xrefs) - so more interoperable. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Lite version lacks some ease of functionality, but is workable if you get into using commands not buttons. Haven't figured out some of the QUAD. Array is a bit less easy than AutoCAD. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Garden design, sharing files between users. Accurate plans. ### 5. A software with so much potential **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Paulo R. | BIM Constructor, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 23, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Commands are faster than other softwares **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Addition of more commands. The BIM part is not as intuitive as other software, the structure can be developed. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Planning and coordination of different fields of construction ### 6. IT IS VERY USER FRIENDLY, THANKS **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sushant Y. | PARTNER, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 28, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** IT IS THE SAME AS AUTOCAD, ALL FILES IN AUTOCAD ANY VERSION, CAN BE OPEND, VERY USER-FRIENDLY, THANKS **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** NOTHING IS MISSING, EVRY THING IS OK, THANKS **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** it is highly recommendable to other users in our field. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** NO PROBLEM, EVRY THING IS EASY AND FINE ### 7. BIM and plugins **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Danilo P. | BIM Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 30, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** BIM flexibility on classifications, QUAD, Python scripts **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Stability, deliverables coming from sections shoud be more easy and faster **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Working in 3D BIM without a specific training ### 8. Easy transition from AutoCAD **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 09, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** So easy transition from AutoCAD to BricsCAD. All funcions I need are there and I even did not notice that I am using different software! **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Same as other CAD products, I have to set up all these personal settings to apply whenever upgrades. It would be great, if upgrade is more seamless **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** AutoCAD annual subscription model is higher cost. BricsCAD eliminated this! ### 9. Very good, all I need **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Stuart W. | Computer Aided Design Drafter, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 23, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Ease of all of the controls. Tabs are easy and clear to identify **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** When the app occasionally crashes and it doesn't auto save **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Accurate measurements ### 10. BricsCAD was the ideal solution for a cost-effective fully functioning CAD package **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Neal M. | Transport Planner, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 08, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** I'm impressed with the third-party applications and how smoothly they integrate with BricsCAD. It's good value for money and there is the ability to purchase a perpetual license. This made it the prime choice for me. I needed a CAD package that could run the AutoTURN vehicle tracking package. BricsCAD was much cheaper than the alternatives. A free trial is available to test the software. The trial allowed me to confirm the software would meet my needs as I wanted a CAD package that was easy to use but capable of producing high quality outputs. Being a novice CAD user, I was impressed with the level of tutorials available online from the BricsSYS website. These helped me learn the software quickly. From watching the tutorials, I have been able to create the drawings I need very quickly and produce outputs of a high standard. The software is very user-friendly, and the commands used are straightforward, so even if you're not sure of the exact one to use it's easy to find it. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Getting to know where all of the menus and commands are was a bit tricky at first. There are more online tutorials available for the more well-used CAD packages but, from what I've seen, the operation of the software is quite similar and is not a huge disadvantage for me as I hadn't used the alternative packages that much. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Make use of the trial version of the software to see if it meets your needs. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** The software has allowed me to generate site plans and proposed highway design options. The ability to import pdfs to use as a base for some drawings is very useful and the software's compatibility with other CAD filetypes means that I can continue to work on drawings created by others. The third party applications for use in BricsCAD are very useful. Autoturn vehicle tracking software compatibility is the main reason I purchased BricsCAD and has provided an ideal solution for my needs as a transport planner. Overall, the software enables me to quickly produce drawings to a high standard. **Official Response from Jessica Lyford:** > We love to hear it, thanks Neal! We are proud of our application catalogue of third-party applications, so it is always interesting to hear how our customers use them in their workflows. We also have more tutorials coming soon that we hope you will find useful! You will become a BricsCAD expert in no time ;) Enjoy! ### 11. Good Cad software option compared to Autocad **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sam H. | Transport Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 07, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** After using BricsCAD daily for 5 years in my old job, I recently spent a lot of time comparing Autocad to Bricscad when I went into a new job for a company that didn't have CAD capabilities. The learning curve between the two is small, but I did read that Bricscad is easier for new users to pick up on several review websites. Stability and speed, both key factors, are meant to be similar, which was reinforced by my testing of both. I found no file compatibility issues between the two. Briccad however was a lot cheaper, and their customer service was more present too. The software also has more features, though Im yet to work out if we will use any of them! We also purchased software from another developer for vehicle tracking, made for BricsCAD. Through testing I found the software to be easier to use than AutoTrack for Autocad. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** It does sometimes crash, like AutoCAD does. Other than that, I really enjoy using it **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** 2D Street design, from the initial measurements, option testing and refinement, right through to making it look good As far as our work goes, it caters really well for our work. **Official Response from Jessica Lyford:** > Thanks for your feedback, Sam, and for choosing BricsCAD! We are always working to improve BricsCAD's stability, and it is actually a key focus of our next release. Glad to hear our software is providing the value you need for 2D street design! ### 12. BricsCAD, efficient CAD that one can actually own. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Edward C. | Sales Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 11, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Once one gets used to using the "Quad" it becomes quite invaluable. The speed at which BricsCAD opens DWG files is twice as fast as my other CAD platform. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I would like a Dimension Break feature as well as text along an arc. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** This is an excellent option compared to other choices available. The maintenance cost is very reasonable, and Bricsys is constantly updating the software. I also own another CAD application from the second-largest userbase behind AutoCAD. BricsCAD seems to be much more polished and has a very nice blog with news and articles to help along the way. I'm delighted with my decision to give BricsCAD a try. I run V21 on an HP workstation with a Quadro card, but anything seems to run it acceptable as a 2D app. I also use BricsCAD on my Intel and M1 Macs with no issue. Give it a 30-day trial, and I think you may see the benefits as well. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** BricsCAD (Lite) is not really solving anything that another CAD platform could not per say solve but it sure has made drawing very enjoyable. **Official Response from Jessica Lyford:** > Hi Edward, thank you for your review. We think the Quad is a pretty cool feature too and we are confident you'll like what's to come in V22 this October! I have forwarded your feedback to the team as well. Thanks again, Jess ### 13. Great cad proram **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Brendan M. | Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 23, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Easy and intuitive to use, produces great drawings **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Nil program works effectively for my requirements **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** defeats competitors **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Civil engineering cad drawings ### 14. No regrets on switching to BricsCAD, from a 30 year AutoCAD user. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mac M. | Architectural Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 31, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Ease of transition from AutoCAD to BricsCAD. From implementation, and getting acquainted with the new GUI. When I first started using BricsCAD it was about 95% of AutoCAD offered, with the constant updates and feature additions I'd say it's about 98% now. Have a feature request? Submit it and give them a few months. Good chance you'll see it implemented on the next update. True story, had this happen a few times. NEVER had this type of support from the 'Desk. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** The GUI isn't quite as polished, but it has gotten much better with the constant updates. Dark Mode, updated icons were just two that I can think of. The Settings/Options are very granular. This thing has more buttons and settings than the Space Shuttle. So many that it looks intimating... "touch something and might break it" kind of feeling. But you get used to it and grow to appreciate the "full discloser" of what can be changed. The biggest help is the search bar at the top when looking for something. There was a learning curve in the beginning when trying to search for common AutoCAD settings. The settings are in there, it just may be a different term for it in BricsCAD. This was the biggest source of frustration (although not THAT big) during the implementation phase. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** The biggest problem I have is just making a living. Work, make money, pay the bills, get my kids raised without paying an arm and a leg for CAD software. After paying my yearly subscription for BricsCAD, I no longer feel the need to go cry in the shower until the hurt goes away. **Official Response from Jessica Lyford:** > Thanks Mac for your review. Great to hear you made the switch and it is working out so well for you. I will share your GUI feedback with the team - we are always working to improve BricsCAD so your insights are very helpful! Have a great day. Jess ### 15. Very stable software **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 27, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Multiple CAD platforms all in one software. More capabilities with parametric blocks. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** One thing that I would like to see improvement on is interface upgrades. Pop-up windows for command prompts instead of command line prompts. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Don't wait. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Easier transition from 3D to BIM. Also the possibility to use parametric blocks in both the 2D and 3D environments and the ability to have more control of the functionality. ### 16. Satisfied with some small hiccups. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Maritime | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 26, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Loading much faster than AutoCAD in remote working enviroment. Lite to work with **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Dynamic blocks editing is missing, interference osnap is somewhat inaccurate. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** We use BricsCAD for creating 2D drawings. The most important is the ability to quickly draft things. So far as a company we are satisfied with the software. ### 17. Excellent value **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Anthony d. | Architect, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 27, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** 2D and 3D drafting with customisable user interface **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** AI sometimes doesn't do what you want it to **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Autocad and Revit for a fraction of the price. ### 18. Very good option **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jorge Antonio B. | Irrigation design manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 26, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** It's a one payment for life and you get all the tools other options charge you for **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I couldn't find anything bad for this software. Has everything I need and yo don't require a high end computer **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** It's the perfect tool **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is perfect for irrigation design ### 19. BricsCAD Review **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Christopher B. | IT Support Specialist, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 24, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** That is is just as user friendly and intuitive as AutoCAD **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I have yet to find anything to dislike.! **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** We are closing a huge gap in ROI for AutoCAD, BricsCAD can do everything that AutoCAD enables us for a fraction of the cost! ### 20. Buy once, and with out crying. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Joe M. | Measurements Committee member, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 12, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** I like the functionality of BricsCAD. It took me almost no time to make the transition from AutoCAD. There were no problems with using my existing LSP routines. The pricing and license terms are fantastic, especially for a small business. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** There are some minor functionality differences from AutoCAD. Polylining with an island in the middle is like using AutoCAD 2009. And for tables, I wish there was a way that they could be formatted so that commas are automatically put in place. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Make the jump to BricsCAD as soon as you are able to. You won't regret it and won't look back. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I do as-built floor plans and area analysis. So BricsCAD is perfect for this. ### 21. Brics! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Machinery | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 26, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** The ability to open and change drawings from Autocad and solidworks. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Opening and manipulating 3D and step drawings can be difficult, but it does work. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Keeping my company ahead of drawing requests. ### 22. Good AutoCAD alternative for the money **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 31, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Very close to AutoCAD for full-time use. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Still some weird and illogical behavior. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Get it! **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Much cheaper alternative to AutoCAD for the same functionality, plus the perpetual license. ### 23. good value per cost , **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Avraham K. | Factory engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 23, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** I like the low cost per the options a received **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I would like to have a SolidWorks like a breakdown structure in the mechanical design **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Affordable mechanical CAD software that includes assy. ### 24. quite and overall satisfied **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Àris Ath. T. | Τεχνική Βοήθεια - Ανάδοχος, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 23, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** lock in the disc no hasp key carrying with notebook **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** dont know, probably the disfuntctions with lisp etc **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** none **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** simple trials, introductions to parametric design, value for money ### 25. Great software and excellent support **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 07, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Interface and the look & feel. I use BIM version and it's very intuitive. In case there are some issues there is perfect helpdesk **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** As Mac user, there are some limitations and there were more bugs in the earlier versions. All of them solved within a couple updates. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Try it and you will like it **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** 2D and 3D drawings **Official Response from Jessica Lyford:** > Thanks for reviewing BricsCAD! Our support team are looking forward to unveiling more helpdesk enhancements soon too ;) ### 26. Cad compare **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 03, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Cost to buy/easy to install and update, **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Viewport properties to lock and unlock, doesn't seem to work with right mouse click, maybe it my setup though **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Na **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Nothing comes to mind ### 27. Bricscad as a Packaging Design Tool **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** David W. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 17, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** The pace of development has been very swift, so new tools are constantly being added. Any support requests are acknowledged and always dealt with thorougly and if they are bugs they are squashed very quickly. The ability to use lisp files with none or very little tweaking, which also gives you access to all the online lisps out there which are normally free (and their developers). 2D Parametrics. Options to buy outright, have maintenance support or subscribe. Definitley price. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Very little really, the adherence to a lot of the Autocad commands is what irks me the most as they are some times quite quirky, but I guess Bricscad's market is to convert Autocad users so I can understand why this is so. Plotting/Exporting PDF's is overly complicated as it uses the awkward Autocad styled plot output methodology. The Dark theme shouldn't have so dark dialogs as they are difficult to read (Autocad's dialogs aren't as dark as the main screen icon areas). The ability to filter geometric constraints so you can hide all the extraneous ones and concentrate on the ones that actually change the design. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Download the trial, go on the forum to ask useage questions and contact support as they will reply to any support questions even during your trial. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am creating cardboard cartons and displays which can be drawn in 2D or 3D allowing me to visualise for clients what the item will look like before creating a prototype. Saving good money by not purchasing bespoke packaging software and also deciding what new features I want to include by having routines written by the myriad of lisp and .net developers out there. ### 28. Good AutoCAD replacement **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 23, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Cheaper and lighter than AutoCAD (at least the 2D version of the program) **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** So far, I have nothing negative to add. It works well. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** It's a fully-featured 2D CAD and a great replacement for AutoCAD LT (the previous application used). Fully compatible with AutoCAD, it allows to exchange files with Autodesk (and others) applications. ### 29. It's really helpful in terms of technical drawings. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 23, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Friendly interface, responding quickly to most of the tools, also the online tutorials are really helpful. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Since this moment, I cannot find something specific I don't like in the software. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am using BricsCAD for designing fire sprinkler systems. ### 30. Works, but isn't quite up to the autocad standard yet. Has potential to be, however. **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 23, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** I like the customizable toolbar, very useful. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I dislike the pick points on it. It seems to jump from objects very aggressively. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Don't expect the functionality to be entirely the same. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** The same thing with the pick points. ### 31. Technical Services **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Seth F. | Technical Services, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 06, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** The software works as I would expect from a CAD software package with a fair price point. I needed something I could use a few times a month that was still affordable. This was the best option I could find. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** There are a few differences that took a minute to learn. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Great option for the price point. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use the software for blast design and layout for specialized situations. **Official Response from Jessica Lyford:** > Great to hear how easy it was for you to transition to BricsCAD, Seth. Thanks for your review! ### 32. Great autocad replacement **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 01, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** I like the ease of use as its the same autocad **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I have found nothing i dislike as of yet **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** We are solving architectural steel framing problems ### 33. Good alternative to more expensive CAD softwares **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Abdallah A. | Structural Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 20, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Bricscad gives you a cost-effective solution to view, edit, and share DWG files. It is a good cheaper alternative to other CAD solutions. It gets the job done. One big plus that goes in the way for BricsCad is that it can run smoothly on lower end pc's, it uses much less resources and the performance is better with BricsCad. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Sometimes Bricscad gets buggy and lags when working on big projects. Also the user interface is outdated when compared to other CAD softwares. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Viewing, editing, and publishing DWG drawings. Also Bricscad can be used to model 3D elements and plot these drawings. Just like Autocad. ### 34. Bricscad is every bit as good as autocad, for most things **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 21, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** The program though similar to autocad is a lot lighter. There are commands you will find missing when you move to Bricscad, but there are others than mean basically the same thing, and I prefer Bricscad support **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I don't like how a few extension I need for using our trimble, etc, are solely programs for autocad, Bricscad could do better at trying to diversify themselves into other software similar to ACad **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Main benefit is the price, and the customer service ### 35. The Brics Cad it's very like to CAD then is easy to manipulated the tolls **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Automotive | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 08, 2022 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** The tools is similar another software (CAD) **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Sometimes I spend a lot of time to running some drawing **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** The BRICS cad have the same tools that CAD and I recommend **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** We realized some reviews in our layout, and we use the Brics cad; the benefits are the fast to rework or change some drawing ### 36. Easy to use and Economically friendly **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ye Win H. | Assistant Director for Manufacturing, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 13, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Easy to use and transfer from another software like AutoCAD **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Library option, Limited on Library option compare to other well know software. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Cheaper alternative and reliable software **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Drafting **Official Response from Jessica Lyford:** > Thanks for reviewing BricsCAD, Ye Win H! It's always great to receive feedback, so I will share it with our team. ### 37. Very likely - simple to use **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Felix S. | chief Executive Officer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 12, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** It was easy to learn and easy to use. The fast switching between the surfaces. We also use the communicator and can edit all customer drawings that we receive in different formats. Creating a pdf is very helpful **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Dimensioning is an area that I have not yet mastered enough and which is why I cannot cope well **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Creation of layouts of halls and systems - in which we plan our devices. Technical drawings of machines and individual parts - especially samplers for bulk goods. an employee learned another CAD program and was able to find his way around and work in BricsCAD within a very short time ### 38. More like the Autocad I know and love **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Tracy D. | M, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 08, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** This interface has a look and feels is reminiscent of the Autocad program I used for so long. It is a bit more intuitive and more user-friendly! Love it. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** So far, so good! I pretty much like the interface. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** It simply allows me to create and modify drawings without too much monkey motion! **Official Response from Jessica Lyford:** > Thanks Tracy. We love that you love BricsCAD too! Welcome to the BricsCAD family :) ### 39. Bricscad BIM Workflow the best software for a MEP&R Consultant Engineer **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Pedro R. | Managing Director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 14, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** The easy Bricscad workflow and practicability **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Autodesk has several courses for improvement, I think Bricscad could follow the same logic. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Bricscad is affordable and has a practical approach to engineering design. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Electrical Schematics, Power and Air Conditioning Layouts ### 40. Simple, but useful CAD Software. **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Grace R. | Design Trainee, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 28, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** I like that you can take drawings from the CAD software and print them out as drawings for other programs. Most of the operations that must be done are easy to perform. There are other operations that seem hard to wrap my mind around, and I find the command **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I am not overly familiar with BricsCAD, however, some of the tings I dislike is that you can't print off/export more than one drawing at a time. It makes moving the drawings more tedious. Also, it can be hard to recenter on a certain area of the sheets, and usually can only be fixed by scrolling extremely out and in. Not exactly a time saver. The program also seems sort of out dated by the looks of it, but it may be less resolution and user friendly to save on the memory it takes up on a computer. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** When the Drawings come to me they are already completed usually, but they are easier to edit than in other programs we use. Since the drawings are a grouping of lines instead of a connected shape and parts. ### 41. On the whole a lot better than Autocad but needs a couple of adjustments to be complete **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ben B. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 11, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** It is easy to use and has a lot more commands **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Some of the commands are not not very user friendly I tend not to use Array any more as it is not very good it needs to be more menu driven like Autocad it is a command I used to use a lot but now I just go into Autocad to use the array command but when my licence expires I will have to look for an alternative The web based instructions are not very good and seem to miss bits out could do with being alot more clear and concise **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Data extraction is a very useful command and get used a lot it has saved an enormous amount of time for scheduling this has reduced the time from days to minutes Could do with a couple of slight upgrades to make it even better ### 42. Mechanical Designer **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 07, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** It is AutoCad friendly. Most commands are the same **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I don't dislike it at all... It is as though I'm using AutoCad still and I have used AutoCad 14 years. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Water pressure calculations for water flow components. Airflow calculations HVAC ductwork for heating load. Much more **Official Response from Jessica Lyford:** > So much positivity, thank you! We are happy to hear you feel so comfortable in BricsCAD. ### 43. Great alternative to AutoCAD **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 07, 2021 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Familiar user interface, excellent customer support and some great features **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** There are some very minor bugs, nothing to put someone off buying though **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** A cost effective CAD package for our factory **Official Response from Jessica Lyford:** > Thank you for your review! We think it's a great alternative too :) ### 44. just - WOW. Cant believe its legal. Seriously! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jose G. | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 09, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** I love the fact that the majority of our extremely advance, proprietary, in-house software works great just as it did in Autocad. Just as any design firm we have literally hundreds of custom routines, 3rd-party apps, and custom .net /vba software that we once thought was only meant to be run and limited to Autodesk software and thanks to BricsCAD we found out that simply isn't the case. Of course the price simply can NOT be beat. Its a win-win for us all the way around. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Very little to dislike, there are a couple of quirks but I'm sure its a matter of variables and custom programming, just need to weed those lil bugs out on our end. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** First I have to say, if you are thinking of holding back because your library of dynamic blocks may not work, or a pgp, or a lisp file, or even VBA code I can honestly tell you make the leap, they will work. In some cases a tweak or two may be required but for the cost of updating your routine compared to staying in the Autodesk grasp, its well worth the cost. Secondly, all of our users have noticed a great speed increase in using BricsCAD compare to Autodesk Autocad. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** We are a structural engineering firm based in Texas and provide design services for a large part of the southwest. Our design focus is primarily post tension foundation designs, wood frame analysis, and wind lateral designs. With a lightweight footprint and the ability to use pre-existing add-ons, BricsCAD has allowed us to re-purpose design machines we once we thought were headed for the graveyard, and allowed us to bring on additional staff with less of a financial impact. We can literally do more, with less. ### 45. Mechanical Modeling, Sheet Metal 2D to 3D, Use for Laser Cutting **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Graham J. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 05, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Quickly answered Online Support and can shart troubling files, a good website with tutorials, love the Manipulator Tool really speeds up the workflow, extra tools to use the product for other non-work-related hobbies and project around the home like garden design **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Drafting up Welding can be time-consuming as the symbols are not in a library unless you create it. Drafting Views can take more time compared to other software I have used and the dimension dissociating can be annoying after the updating of your 3D parts. I have had it crash/error on the Grafix but that may be down to my PC. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Think about what elements you really need from you CAD system and are you buying functionality that you will never use **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Breaking down supplied full assemblies to get the sheet metal parts, Completing large layouts for Airport Conveying systems fully in 3D, for hobby creating DXFs to use on own laser cutter from designed parts. The benefits I know are when comparing this back to other software I have used, the one-stop-shop which is Bricscad means I can use 2D and 3D within the same drawing then include the flat patterns. I don't know another product that can do this. It is an extremely capable even on a lightweight PC, you can work with large assemblies with ease. Also being able to work with companies who are using AutoCAD products, who are typically larger but give them the same level of service and quality in the drawing. ### 46. Amazing capability and value. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Stan E. | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 05, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Constantly improving with more features. The breadth of capabilities is remarkable. It would require multiple software packages from other vendors to match the feature set of BricsCAD. This, along with perpetual licensing, makes BricsCAD the ultimate value proposition. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I haven't found a downside after 8 years of BricsCAD use. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** Just try it. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use BricsCAD for 3D visualization in the construction industry to validate complex installation concepts, increase efficiency, and communicate concepts to the team. Proposals are more effective when the customer can see for themselves what your plan is. This removes perceived risk from the analysis of innovative approaches, and can create a competitive advantage. For execution, a lot of my work involves the modeling of rigging and/or cranes. The use of 3D constraints has increased design effectiveness, especially in the accurate representation of real-world lifting situations. All of this has resulted in safer, better planned projects. ### 47. BricsCAD - essential for business **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Civil Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 05, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** The software is very user friendly, it operates with types commands or icons allowing flexibility when using. Use this for CAD drawings in Civil Engineering Consultancy. Integrates well with other software with menu for tracking software easily loaded to the platform. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** Honestly I have no issues with the software using for circa 7 years, any issues with in this period - resolved quickly with support provided. The customer experience has always been very positive - nothing to dislike. **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** You will wonder why you did not use this system before, setting up my own business I looked for CAD packages that where cost effective. To my delight BricsCAD has been the best CAD package I have used having used various packages in education and in my early career. I soon realised I had found the best package at a very cost effective price for my business and I have never looked to other packages since discovering BricsCAD. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Used for drafting and the capabilities of BricsCAD are huge compared to what I need daily but there is always the security of knowing functionality is available for BIM and 3D work which is not required often but on occassion. Knowing BricsCAD has these capabilities is reassuring. ### 48. 2D Very Good 3D Complicated **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Paper & Forest Products | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 05, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** Compatibility with Autocad, lisp, vba. Very easy to use Autocad Experience and port it in this software. Very interesting have a software that connect 3D and 2D drawings in that way. **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** I'm comparing this software with SolidWorks and Sketchup (The softwares that I use for 3D modeling right now). I have tryed to do something in 3D with my bricscad pro (only for try) and the sensation is that I'm not able to do what I wanna do in an easy way, and to don't organize my projet as I prefer. I need to follow and remember a lot of things and software options to make it work well. For example, sketchup consent me to organize elements in blocks (components) and groups and easily exchange elements between them. I know that scketchup has a lot of limitation such as circle made by polygons, poor layout documents interface, and other, but the easy way to organize the project as I want is a key feature for me. I also tryed shape that goes in that way, but for now is still not reach the freedom of sketchup. In my opinion, if you overcome this problem, the feature for layout and for the solid modeling would llow me to overcome the fear to abandon the other 3D softwares to use bricscad. **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Bricscad solves all the problems for 2D projects, and allows me to automate them with autolisp and vba software, with lower cost than an autocad full. ### 49. BricsCAD Review **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Richard C. | Technical Support Analyst, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 11, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** The program is much smaller then AutoCAD and faster to install **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** The server licensing is extremely confusing **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** The program is similar to AutoCAD and would not need too much training **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** No so much problem , but BricsCAD and run CADWorx and we use CADWorx extensively ### 50. Modern Cost Effective CAD/BIM Solution **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mohammed S. | Director, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 12, 2020 **What do you like best about Octave BricsCAD?** I have been using AutoCAD for more than 25 years , recently I have got a chance to explore this product . As an AutoCAD expert I could easily transform my knowledge into BricsCAD because of the similarities in Interface and approach . But BricsCAD has much more capabilities because its combination of 5 Modules . We can use a single software for sketching , drafting , modeling , rendering , mechanical design and BIM . We can perform a particular task with fewer number of clicks by using certain interface elements such as Quad menu and Its truly amazing !!! The performance of this software in a given platform is really good ! Above all , The Shape module is free and we have an option to own this product for a nominal cost . I would like to call BricsCAD , AutoCAD Plus ! **What do you dislike about Octave BricsCAD?** If there an option by which user can own this product Module wise , that would be appreciable . There should also be a provision to purchase this software online with local currency . **Recommendations to others considering Octave BricsCAD:** I highly recommend BricsCAD to all Beginner , Intermediate and Professional users of CAD / BIM **What problems is Octave BricsCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I create 2D drawings and 3D Models in the area of Civil and Mechanical Engineering and training students to do the same . ## Octave BricsCAD Discussions - [Are there any courses](https://www.g2.com/discussions/are-there-any-courses) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [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 - [Is BricsCAD free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-bricscad-free) - 2 comments - [What is BricsCAD used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-bricscad-used-for) - 2 comments - [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 - [View Octave BricsCAD pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/octave-bricscad/reviews?page=2&qs=pros-and-cons§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-13+17%3A16%3A50+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=fdcbfca9-62ac-4de6-8f8e-81dd487534a1&secure%5Btoken%5D=76aaece2e25ddae11d02e6b107e8d21459e79e3b55f84e7fa39b14606841743f&format=llm_user) ## Octave BricsCAD Integrations - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) - [Revit](https://www.g2.com/products/revit/reviews) ## Octave BricsCAD Features **Design** - Drawing - Modeling - Visualize - Rendering **Edit** - File Import - Push/Pull - Views - Grips **Collaboration** - Annotate - Documentation - Data Extract **Additional Functionality** - API - Image Editing - Activity Dashboard - Animation - Reference Management - Secure Data Storage - Third-Party Integrations - Configuration Management - Annotations - Drag & Drop - Data Synchronization - For 3D Printing - Customizable Templates - Modeling & Simulation - For Manufacturers - Multiple Format Support - Workflow Management - Version Control - Document Management - Sketching and Annotation Tools - Multiple Projects - For Architects - Content Library - Bill of Materials Management - Collaboration Tools - Design Management - Rules-Based Workflow - Reporting/Analytics - Data Visualization - Generative AI - Data Capture and Transfer - Projections - AI Copilot - Real Time Comparisons - Document Generation - Component Library - Compliance Management - Customizable Branding - File Management - Real-Time Updates - Configurable Workflow ## Top Octave BricsCAD Alternatives - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (1,841 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (1,299 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (631 reviews)