# Top 10 Carlson Survey Alternatives & Competitors **Average Rating:** 3.9/5 **Total Number of Reviews:** 11 If you are considering Carlson Survey, you may also want to investigate similar alternatives or competitors to find the best solution. Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to Carlson Survey include files and features. The best overall Carlson Survey alternative is MicroStation. Other similar apps like Carlson Survey are Civil 3D, ZWCAD, GeoHECRAS, and OpenRoads Designer. Carlson Survey alternatives can be found in [Civil Engineering Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) but may also be in [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad). ## Best Paid & Free Alternatives to Carlson Survey - [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) - [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) - [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) - [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews) - [OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/openroads-designer/reviews) - [GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohechms/reviews) - [AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/products/autoturn/reviews) - [Site3D](https://www.g2.com/products/site3d/reviews) - [ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/products/actcad-actcad-bim/reviews) - [GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/products/geostorm/reviews) ## Top 10 Alternatives to Carlson Survey Recently Reviewed By G2 Community Browse options below. Based on reviewer data, you can see how Carlson Survey stacks up to the competition, check reviews from current & previous users in industries like Civil Engineering, Construction, and Building Materials, and find the best product for your business. ### 1. [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) By Bentley Systems **Average Rating:** 4.0/5 **Total Reviews:** 416 MicroStation is a modeling environment explicitly for the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation of all infrastructure types including utility systems, roads and rail, bridges, buildings, communications networks, water and wastewater networks, process plants, mining, and more. MicroStation can be used either as a software application or as a technology platform. Reviewers say compared to Carlson Survey, MicroStation is: - More expensive Categories in common with Carlson Survey: [Civil Engineering Design](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Compare:** [Carlson Survey vs MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/compare/carlson-survey-vs-microstation) **Compare MicroStation with other alternatives:** - [MicroStation vs Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-microstation) - [MicroStation vs ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/microstation-vs-zwcad) - [MicroStation vs GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohecras-vs-microstation) - [MicroStation vs OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/compare/microstation-vs-openroads-designer) - [MicroStation vs GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-microstation) - [MicroStation vs AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-microstation) - [MicroStation vs Site3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/microstation-vs-site3d) - [MicroStation vs ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-microstation) - [MicroStation vs GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/compare/geostorm-vs-microstation) ### 2. [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) By Autodesk **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Reviews:** 305 Civil 3D civil engineering design software is a civil design and documentation solution that supports Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows. Reviewers say compared to Carlson Survey, Civil 3D is: - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Carlson Survey: [Civil Engineering Design](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Compare:** [Carlson Survey vs Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/carlson-survey-vs-civil-3d) **Compare Civil 3D with other alternatives:** - [Civil 3D vs MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-microstation) - [Civil 3D vs ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-zwcad) - [Civil 3D vs GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-geohecras) - [Civil 3D vs OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-openroads-designer) - [Civil 3D vs GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-geohechms) - [Civil 3D vs AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-civil-3d) - [Civil 3D vs Site3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-site3d) - [Civil 3D vs ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-civil-3d) - [Civil 3D vs GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-geostorm) ### 3. [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) By ZWSOFT **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Reviews:** 351 ZWCAD is a powerful, reliable, and DWG-compatible CAD solution that enables you to boost design efficiency without switching cost. Reviewers say compared to Carlson Survey, ZWCAD is: - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements - More usable Categories in common with Carlson Survey: [Civil Engineering Design](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Compare:** [Carlson Survey vs ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/carlson-survey-vs-zwcad) **Compare ZWCAD with other alternatives:** - [ZWCAD vs MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/compare/microstation-vs-zwcad) - [ZWCAD vs Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-zwcad) - [ZWCAD vs GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohecras-vs-zwcad) - [ZWCAD vs OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/compare/openroads-designer-vs-zwcad) - [ZWCAD vs GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-zwcad) - [ZWCAD vs AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-zwcad) - [ZWCAD vs Site3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/site3d-vs-zwcad) - [ZWCAD vs ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-zwcad) - [ZWCAD vs GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/compare/geostorm-vs-zwcad) ### 4. [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews) By CivilGEO, Inc. **Average Rating:** 4.7/5 **Total Reviews:** 350 GeoHECRAS is an advanced hydraulic modeling software that simplifies HEC-RAS modeling as it accelerates river and floodplain analysis by reducing repetitive GIS and CAD processing. Tasks like merging DEMs, generating elevation profiles, or building HEC-RAS floodplain surfaces are completed in half the time. The software integrates LiDAR surveying data, NLCD Land Cover data, and FEMA Flood maps directly into AutoCAD, MicroStation, or ArcGIS workflows. GeoHECRAS is used for river modeling, 1D and 2D hydraulic modeling, dam breach analysis, and HEC-RAS bridge modeling, along with complex floodplain encroachment studies—all with built-in reporting and reduced external GIS dependency. Reviewers say compared to Carlson Survey, GeoHECRAS is: - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements - Better at support Categories in common with Carlson Survey: [Civil Engineering Design](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Compare:** [Carlson Survey vs GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/compare/carlson-survey-vs-geohecras) **Compare GeoHECRAS with other alternatives:** - [GeoHECRAS vs MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohecras-vs-microstation) - [GeoHECRAS vs Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-geohecras) - [GeoHECRAS vs ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohecras-vs-zwcad) - [GeoHECRAS vs OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohecras-vs-openroads-designer) - [GeoHECRAS vs GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-geohecras) - [GeoHECRAS vs AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-geohecras) - [GeoHECRAS vs Site3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohecras-vs-site3d) - [GeoHECRAS vs ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-geohecras) - [GeoHECRAS vs GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohecras-vs-geostorm) ### 5. [OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/openroads-designer/reviews) By Bentley Systems **Average Rating:** 4.1/5 **Total Reviews:** 139 OpenRoads is a transportation, civil analysis and design software, designed to enable the project delivery of road networks through construction-driven engineering and deliver all the information needed to support operational workflows. Reviewers say compared to Carlson Survey, OpenRoads Designer is: - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Carlson Survey: [Civil Engineering Design](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Compare:** [Carlson Survey vs OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/compare/carlson-survey-vs-openroads-designer) **Compare OpenRoads Designer with other alternatives:** - [OpenRoads Designer vs MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/compare/microstation-vs-openroads-designer) - [OpenRoads Designer vs Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-openroads-designer) - [OpenRoads Designer vs ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/openroads-designer-vs-zwcad) - [OpenRoads Designer vs GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohecras-vs-openroads-designer) - [OpenRoads Designer vs GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-openroads-designer) - [OpenRoads Designer vs AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-openroads-designer) - [OpenRoads Designer vs Site3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/openroads-designer-vs-site3d) - [OpenRoads Designer vs ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-openroads-designer) - [OpenRoads Designer vs GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/compare/geostorm-vs-openroads-designer) ### 6. [GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohechms/reviews) By CivilGEO, Inc. **Average Rating:** 4.7/5 **Total Reviews:** 127 GeoHECHMS speeds up watershed modeling by automating subbasin delineation, Curve Numbers, and Time of Concentration calculations. As an advanced data wrapper to industry-standard HEC-HMS, it simplifies workflows and accelerates common hydrologic preprocessing tasks needed for HEC-HMS modeling. Engineers use its AutoCAD-compatible interface to pull land use and soil data, compute TR 55/TR-20 parameters and simplify pre- and post-development scenarios for seamless detention/retention pond design. The software supports multiple rainfall distributions and routing methods, such as Muskingum, Kinematic Wave, Modified Puls, and Snyder Unit Hydrograph. Both US and metric (SI) units are supported, making GeoHECHMS a powerful solution for accurate watershed modeling and hydrologic analysis. Reviewers say compared to Carlson Survey, GeoHECHMS is: - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements - Better at support Categories in common with Carlson Survey: [Civil Engineering Design](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Compare:** [Carlson Survey vs GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/compare/carlson-survey-vs-geohechms) **Compare GeoHECHMS with other alternatives:** - [GeoHECHMS vs MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-microstation) - [GeoHECHMS vs Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-geohechms) - [GeoHECHMS vs ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-zwcad) - [GeoHECHMS vs GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-geohecras) - [GeoHECHMS vs OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-openroads-designer) - [GeoHECHMS vs AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-geohechms) - [GeoHECHMS vs Site3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-site3d) - [GeoHECHMS vs ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-geohechms) - [GeoHECHMS vs GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-geostorm) ### 7. [AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/products/autoturn/reviews) By Transoft Solutions **Average Rating:** 4.3/5 **Total Reviews:** 50 Advanced vehicle swept path and turn simulation software for the transportation and engineering professional. Reviewers say compared to Carlson Survey, AutoTURN is: - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Carlson Survey: [Civil Engineering Design](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Compare:** [Carlson Survey vs AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-carlson-survey) **Compare AutoTURN with other alternatives:** - [AutoTURN vs MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-microstation) - [AutoTURN vs Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-civil-3d) - [AutoTURN vs ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-zwcad) - [AutoTURN vs GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-geohecras) - [AutoTURN vs OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-openroads-designer) - [AutoTURN vs GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-geohechms) - [AutoTURN vs Site3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-site3d) - [AutoTURN vs ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-autoturn) - [AutoTURN vs GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-geostorm) ### 8. [Site3D](https://www.g2.com/products/site3d/reviews) By Microplot Ltd **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 36 Site3D is a fully featured software product for the engineering design of road systems and housing developments. Reviewers say compared to Carlson Survey, Site3D is: - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements - More usable Categories in common with Carlson Survey: [Civil Engineering Design](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Compare:** [Carlson Survey vs Site3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/carlson-survey-vs-site3d) **Compare Site3D with other alternatives:** - [Site3D vs MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/compare/microstation-vs-site3d) - [Site3D vs Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-site3d) - [Site3D vs ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/site3d-vs-zwcad) - [Site3D vs GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohecras-vs-site3d) - [Site3D vs OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/compare/openroads-designer-vs-site3d) - [Site3D vs GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-site3d) - [Site3D vs AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-site3d) - [Site3D vs ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-site3d) - [Site3D vs GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/compare/geostorm-vs-site3d) ### 9. [ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/products/actcad-actcad-bim/reviews) By ACTCAD **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 50 ActCAD has been consistently providing CAD Solutions for years and is the leading Indian CAD Software trusted by over 1 Million happy users worldwide. A power-packed genuine CAD Software available to you at a reasonable price. Reviewers say compared to Carlson Survey, ActCAD BIM is: - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements - More usable Categories in common with Carlson Survey: [Civil Engineering Design](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Compare:** [Carlson Survey vs ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-carlson-survey) **Compare ActCAD BIM with other alternatives:** - [ActCAD BIM vs MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-microstation) - [ActCAD BIM vs Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-civil-3d) - [ActCAD BIM vs ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-zwcad) - [ActCAD BIM vs GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-geohecras) - [ActCAD BIM vs OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-openroads-designer) - [ActCAD BIM vs GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-geohechms) - [ActCAD BIM vs AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-autoturn) - [ActCAD BIM vs Site3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-site3d) - [ActCAD BIM vs GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-geostorm) ### 10. [GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/products/geostorm/reviews) By CivilGEO, Inc. **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Reviews:** 49 GeoSTORM is a Civil 3D-integrated stormwater modeling software that streamlines catchment area delineation, runoff calculations, and flow routing. It supports multiple hydrology methods, such as EPA SWMM, SCS TR-55/TR-20, Rational, Modified Rational, and DeKalb Rational, enabling flexible hydrologic analysis. Capabilities include interactive detention/retention pond design and roadway catch basin optimization using major U.S. and Canadian foundry catalogs, which helps engineers move from concept to deliverable efficiently. Additional features include cloud-based mapping, 2D/3D model visualization, and in-depth automated report generation. GeoSTORM is engineered for both urban and rural stormwater drainage systems, supports scenario comparisons, and accelerates design review and iteration, making stormwater workflows faster and easier to maintain. Reviewers say compared to Carlson Survey, GeoSTORM is: - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements - Better at support Categories in common with Carlson Survey: [Civil Engineering Design](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Compare:** [Carlson Survey vs GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/compare/carlson-survey-vs-geostorm) **Compare GeoSTORM with other alternatives:** - [GeoSTORM vs MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/compare/geostorm-vs-microstation) - [GeoSTORM vs Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/civil-3d-vs-geostorm) - [GeoSTORM vs ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/compare/geostorm-vs-zwcad) - [GeoSTORM vs GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohecras-vs-geostorm) - [GeoSTORM vs OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/compare/geostorm-vs-openroads-designer) - [GeoSTORM vs GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/compare/geohechms-vs-geostorm) - [GeoSTORM vs AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/compare/autoturn-vs-geostorm) - [GeoSTORM vs Site3D](https://www.g2.com/compare/geostorm-vs-site3d) - [GeoSTORM vs ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/compare/actcad-actcad-bim-vs-geostorm) ## Explore Articles - [Which vendor offers AI-assisted website design features?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-vendor-offers-ai-assisted-website-design-features) - [Which financial fraud prevention solutions minimize false positives that overwhelm analyst teams?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-financial-fraud-prevention-solutions-minimize-false-positives-that-overwhelm-analyst-teams) - [Top analytics software for small businesses](https://www.g2.com/discussions/top-analytics-software-for-small-businesses) - [best bot platforms](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-best-bot-platforms-in-2025) - [Best Zero Trust Networking Software](https://www.g2.com/discussions/looking-for-the-best-zero-trust-networking-software-in-2025) - [What is the best encryption software for securing sensitive files without degrading user workflow speed?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-encryption-software-for-securing-sensitive-files-without-degrading-user-workflow-speed) ## Spotlight Categories - [Contact Center Workforce Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/contact-center-workforce) - [Operational Risk Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/operational-risk-management) - [Mobile Marketing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mobile-marketing)