# Best Civil Engineering Design Software

  *By [Daniel Rivera](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/daniel-rivera)*

   Civil engineering design software are specialized computer programs that enable users to create, analyze, and optimize infrastructure planning. Civil engineering design solutions help draft complex [3D designs](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-design) of municipal buildings and structures. These tools include functionality for railway modeling, road and highway design, and mapping—essentially assisting city infrastructure planning. These tools have the functionality to help in every stage of the design and construction process, including drafting, designing, visualizing, analyzing, and more.

Professionals across industries widely use civil engineering design software for project planning, determining costs, resourcing, and scheduling. Although they are intended for structural engineers, the [best civil engineering design software](https://learn.g2.com/best-civil-engineering-design-software) can be utilized by engineers in nearly every subset of the field. If they lack the specific functionality, these software solutions can typically integrate with [general-purpose CAD software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad) and [3D modeling software](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-modeling). These features facilitate efficiency, accuracy, and the overall success of civil engineering projects. The tools also help streamline workflows, make informed decisions, and deliver high-quality infrastructure solutions.

To qualify for inclusion in the Civil Engineering Design category, a product must:

- Provide users with the ability to modify 3D primitives
- Offer basic drawing tools like lines, circles and polygons
- Enable users to visualize their structures in 3D





## Category Overview

**Total Products under this Category:** 109


## Trust & Credibility Stats

**Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:**

- 30 Analysts and Data Experts
- 2,200+ Authentic Reviews
- 109+ Products
- Unbiased Rankings

G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category.


## Best Civil Engineering Design Software At A Glance

- **Leader:** [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews)
- **Highest Performer:** [GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohechms/reviews)
- **Easiest to Use:** [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews)
- **Top Trending:** [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews)
- **Best Free Software:** [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews)


## Top-Rated Products (Ranked by G2 Score)
### 1. [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews)
  MicroStation is a specialized computer-aided design (CAD) software solution tailored specifically for infrastructure design. It is designed to assist architects and engineers in transforming their creative visions into tangible projects, enabling them to present their designs effectively to clients and deliver high-quality results to the community. By providing a comprehensive suite of tools that are integrated into the platform, MicroStation allows users to work efficiently and flexibly, streamlining the design process without the need for additional add-ons. Targeted primarily at professionals in architecture and engineering, MicroStation serves a diverse range of industries, including transportation, utilities, and urban planning. Its capabilities cater to users who require robust design and documentation tools to handle complex infrastructure projects. As project demands grow in complexity and scale, MicroStation equips users with the necessary resources to manage these challenges effectively, ensuring timely and budget-conscious delivery of designs. One of the key features of MicroStation is its ability to facilitate the design, documentation, and visualization of infrastructure models in both 2D and 3D formats. This versatility allows users to create detailed and accurate representations of their projects, enhancing communication with stakeholders and clients. The software supports collaborative workflows, enabling seamless interaction among team members and external parties, which is essential for successful project execution. MicroStation also emphasizes risk minimization and automation acceleration. By providing advanced tools for modeling and analysis, users can identify potential issues early in the design process, reducing the likelihood of costly revisions later on. The software’s automation features streamline repetitive tasks, allowing professionals to focus on more strategic aspects of their projects. This efficiency not only helps in meeting deadlines but also enhances the overall quality of the work produced.


  **Average Rating:** 4.0/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 387

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 7.7/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 7.1/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 7.5/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Bentley Systems](https://www.g2.com/sellers/bentley-systems)
- **Company Website:** https://www.bentley.com/
- **Year Founded:** 1984
- **HQ Location:** Exton, PA
- **Twitter:** @BentleySystems (17,579 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/4929/ (5,614 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Project Engineer, Transportation Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering, Architecture & Planning
  - **Company Size:** 34% Enterprise, 33% Small-Business


#### Pros & Cons

**Pros:**

- Ease of Use (46 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (36 reviews)
- Detailed Engineering Drawings (21 reviews)
- Tool Efficiency (20 reviews)
- Efficiency (19 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Difficult Learning (15 reviews)
- Learning Curve (14 reviews)
- Difficult Configuration (11 reviews)
- Slow Performance (10 reviews)
- Outdated Interface (9 reviews)

### 2. [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews)
  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.


  **Average Rating:** 4.7/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 347

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 9.7/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 7.5/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [CivilGEO, Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/civilgeo-inc)
- **Company Website:** https://www.civilgeo.com/
- **Year Founded:** 2010
- **HQ Location:** Madison, WI 53717-2174
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/4800428/ (31 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Project Engineer, Civil Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering, Environmental Services
  - **Company Size:** 54% Small-Business, 32% Mid-Market


### 3. [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews)
  ZWCAD is a fast, powerful, and compatible 2D CAD solution for architects, designers, and engineers in the AEC and manufacturing industries. Its unparalleled compatibility and compelling price make it the best alternative to expensive subscription-based CAD solutions. Its lightning-fast performance, innovative features, and a complete set of tools enable professionals to bring their creative visions to life effortlessly.


  **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 346

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 7.6/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 8.4/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [ZWSOFT](https://www.g2.com/sellers/zwsoft)
- **Company Website:** https://www.zwsoft.com
- **Year Founded:** 1998
- **HQ Location:** Guangzhou, Guangdong
- **Twitter:** @ZWSOFT (1,602 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/796054/ (358 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Engineer, Designer
  - **Top Industries:** Architecture & Planning, Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 68% Small-Business, 25% Mid-Market


#### Pros & Cons

**Pros:**

- Ease of Use (71 reviews)
- Efficiency (33 reviews)
- Powerful Performance (26 reviews)
- Tool Efficiency (25 reviews)
- Easy Learning (18 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Update Issues (9 reviews)
- Slow Performance (8 reviews)
- Software Freezing (8 reviews)
- Missing Features (7 reviews)
- Lack of Features (6 reviews)

### 4. [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews)
  Autodesk® Civil 3D® software is a civil engineering design and documentation solution that supports Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows on civil infrastructure projects, including roads and highways, rail, site development, airports, and water. Civil 3D helps civil infrastructure professionals improve project delivery, reduce risk, errors, and omissions, and respond faster to project changes. Additionally, users can streamline time-consuming tasks such as corridor design, (road and rail), intersection design, parcel layout, site grading, and piping design with specific tools and customizable design standards.  Civil 3D pricing starts at $275.00 per month, per user. Civil 3D does offer a free trial. Flexible subscription options available. Talk to sales at: (818) 797-9909


  **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 288

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 7.4/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 7.9/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Autodesk](https://www.g2.com/sellers/autodesk)
- **Year Founded:** 1982
- **HQ Location:** San Francisco
- **Twitter:** @autodesk (275,061 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/autodesk/ (15,679 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** NASDAQ:ADSK

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Civil Engineer, Project Manager
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering, Construction
  - **Company Size:** 43% Mid-Market, 31% Small-Business


#### Pros & Cons

**Pros:**

- Design Development (2 reviews)
- Tools (2 reviews)
- Versatility (2 reviews)
- Customization (1 reviews)
- Designing Software (1 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Data Loss (2 reviews)
- Large File Handling (2 reviews)
- Performance Issues (2 reviews)
- Slow Performance (2 reviews)
- App Stability (1 reviews)

### 5. [GeoHECHMS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohechms/reviews)
  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.


  **Average Rating:** 4.7/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 122

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 9.6/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 7.5/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [CivilGEO, Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/civilgeo-inc)
- **Company Website:** https://www.civilgeo.com/
- **Year Founded:** 2010
- **HQ Location:** Madison, WI 53717-2174
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/4800428/ (31 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Civil Engineer, Project Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering, Consulting
  - **Company Size:** 56% Small-Business, 29% Mid-Market


### 6. [GeoSTORM](https://www.g2.com/products/geostorm/reviews)
  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.


  **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 42

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 9.6/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 7.2/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [CivilGEO, Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/civilgeo-inc)
- **Company Website:** https://www.civilgeo.com/
- **Year Founded:** 2010
- **HQ Location:** Madison, WI 53717-2174
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/4800428/ (31 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Project Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 83% Small-Business, 14% Mid-Market


### 7. [OpenRoads Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/openroads-designer/reviews)
  OpenRoads Designer CONNECT Edition, the successor to Bentley’s industry leading civil engineering brands InRoads, GEOPAK, MX, and PowerCivil, is a truly innovative design application, built to address the demands of today’s evolving infrastructure industry. By blending traditional engineering workflows for plan, profile, and cross-sections with 3D parametric modeling, OpenRoads Designer enables the model-centric creation of all your design deliverables. This application supports all aspects of a detailed roadway design including survey, geotechnical, drainage, subsurface utilities, corridor modeling, analysis, and quantification. It is a comprehensive, multi-discipline 3D modeling application that advances the delivery of roadway projects from conceptual design through construction. OpenRoads Designer provides the latest technology and tools you need to efficiently design, model, and produce project deliverables in a dynamic, interactive, and parametrically enabled environment.


  **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 128

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 7.6/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 7.7/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 7.9/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Bentley Systems](https://www.g2.com/sellers/bentley-systems)
- **Year Founded:** 1984
- **HQ Location:** Exton, PA
- **Twitter:** @BentleySystems (17,579 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/4929/ (5,614 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** NASDAQ: BSY

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Civil Engineer, Transportation Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering, Construction
  - **Company Size:** 42% Enterprise, 35% Mid-Market


### 8. [Tekla Tedds](https://www.g2.com/products/tekla-tedds/reviews)
  Tekla Tedds is powerful software developed to meet the needs of the structural engineering workflow and designed to help you automate your repetitive structural calculations. Choose from one or more of our regularly updated calculation libraries or write your own, and create professional documentation every time. Combine your structural calculations with 2D frame analysis.


  **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 37

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Trimble](https://www.g2.com/sellers/trimble)
- **Year Founded:** 1978
- **HQ Location:** Sunnyvale, CA
- **Twitter:** @TrimbleCorpNews (12,044 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/5160/ (10,636 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** NASDAQ

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering, Construction
  - **Company Size:** 51% Small-Business, 32% Mid-Market


### 9. [ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/products/actcad-actcad-bim/reviews)
  ActCAD is a native dwg/dxf cad software suitable for professional 2D drafting and 3D modeling projects. ActCAD is trusted by over 30000 users in over 103 countries for more than 10 years. The interface, commands, icons, dialogs, shortcuts etc. are very much similar to other popular cad software tools available in market. Flexible license types available even for single license. There is no learning for existing cad users while saving 80% of the costs. ActCAD offers free email technical support without any limitations. ActCAD can be fully customized and programs can be developed using our free API toolkit. It supports popular programming languages like , lisp dcl, .net, C++ etc. Apart from all regular commands, ActCAD offers many productive tools like pdf to cad converter, Block libraries, Image to Cad converter, handling point sets between Cad and Excel and many more. ActCAD is suitable for any high end professional projects in the domains of Architecture, Civil, Mechanical, Automotive.


  **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 47

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [ACTCAD](https://www.g2.com/sellers/actcad)
- **Year Founded:** 2010
- **HQ Location:** Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
- **Twitter:** @actcadsoftware (383 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/13207154/ (14 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Architecture & Planning, Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 80% Small-Business, 18% Mid-Market


#### Pros & Cons

**Pros:**

- Affordable (1 reviews)
- Efficiency (1 reviews)
- Helpful (1 reviews)
- Powerful Performance (1 reviews)
- Pricing (1 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Difficult Learning (1 reviews)
- Expensive (1 reviews)
- Insufficient Training (1 reviews)
- Learning Curve (1 reviews)
- Limited Features (1 reviews)

### 10. [Autodesk InfraWorks 360](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-infraworks-360/reviews)
  InfraWorks 360™ preliminary engineering and design software improves your infrastructure project outcomes throughout the asset lifecycle. Make decisions in the context of the real world, not the CAD world. Combine and connect data to better create, view, analyze, share, and manage information anywhere, on any device using the power of the cloud.


  **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 36

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 6.8/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Autodesk](https://www.g2.com/sellers/autodesk)
- **Year Founded:** 1982
- **HQ Location:** San Francisco
- **Twitter:** @autodesk (275,061 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/autodesk/ (15,679 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** NASDAQ:ADSK

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering, Construction
  - **Company Size:** 43% Mid-Market, 33% Small-Business


### 11. [ArcGIS CityEngine](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-cityengine/reviews)
  Esri CityEngine is 3D modeling software for quickly creating large urban environments. The environments you choose to create can be based on real-world data or can be completely conceptual. CityEngine saves you time by using rules to automatically create the urban environment based on your input. You can import 3D models you've created in other software to create context around them and export your entire environment into visualization tools, game engines and VR experiences.


  **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 20

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 8.4/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Esri](https://www.g2.com/sellers/esri)
- **Year Founded:** 1969
- **HQ Location:** Redlands, CA
- **Twitter:** @Esri (188,943 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/5311/ (7,207 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Company Size:** 168% Mid-Market, 64% Enterprise


### 12. [Carlson Civil](https://www.g2.com/products/carlson-civil/reviews)
  Carlson Civil provides the most robust automation and ease-of-use of any civil design solution available today, and it does dynamic updating without a single custom object. What might take days with other civil software takes just hours, or even minutes, with the powerful, intuitive Carlson Civil: • Road NETwork. Build all roads, intersections and cul-de-sacs in 2D and 3D with a single click of the “PROCESS” button. • Site NETwork. Elevate your estimating accuracy with this intuitive layer-based surface generator for easy cut/fill and material quantities calculations. • Lot NETwork. Quickly define an entire subdivision of lots based on an outer boundary, interior ROWs or Centerlines, and a simple set of user-defined “rules,” then pick “PROCESS” and the lots appear, defined and labeled.


  **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 22

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 9.7/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Carlson Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/carlson-software)
- **Year Founded:** 1983
- **HQ Location:** Maysville, US
- **Twitter:** @CarlsonSoftware (2,346 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/58209/ (135 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering, Construction
  - **Company Size:** 41% Mid-Market, 36% Small-Business


### 13. [OpenFlows WorkSuite](https://www.g2.com/products/openflows-worksuite/reviews)
  Utilities and engineering firms around the world trust OpenFlows WaterCAD as a reliable decision-support capability for their infrastructure. Design new water systems and manage existing water networks effectively to reduce disruption risks and energy use. OpenFlows WaterCAD’s ease-of-use helps you successfully plan, design, and operate water distribution systems.


  **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 43

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 7.9/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 8.4/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Bentley Systems](https://www.g2.com/sellers/bentley-systems)
- **Year Founded:** 1984
- **HQ Location:** Exton, PA
- **Twitter:** @BentleySystems (17,579 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/4929/ (5,614 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** NASDAQ: BSY

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering, Construction
  - **Company Size:** 50% Small-Business, 34% Mid-Market


### 14. [Plex-Earth](https://www.g2.com/products/plex-earth/reviews)
  Civil Engineer, Surveyor or Architect? Our AutoCAD-based visualisation platform lets you easily assess your project’s site, with both 3D terrain data and aerial photography, speeding up processes and reducing errors throughout your workflow. From the colorful Google Maps to razor-sharp, realistic and fully-licensed images from Airbus, Maxar, Nearmap and Hexagon,  Plex-Earth empowers your CAD with the imagery and data for you to design and communicate with confidence! It’s right there at your fingertips, while you’re designing. Our award-winning team has been an Autodesk Authorized Developer since 2010, and our cloud-based platform is loved by thousands of engineers worldwide. In fact, Plex-Earth is one of the most popular plugins in the Autodesk App Store. Ready to see the benefits of Plex-Earth for yourself? Sign up for a free trial today and experience the power of a practical GIS built for AEC professionals.


  **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 20

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 9.7/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 7.3/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Plex-Earth](https://www.g2.com/sellers/plex-earth)
- **Year Founded:** 2010
- **HQ Location:** Nea Ionia, Athens
- **Twitter:** @plexearth (271 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/plexearth/ (16 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 50% Small-Business, 30% Mid-Market


### 15. [Civil Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-designer/reviews)
  ⸻ Civil Designer is a top civil infrastructure design software providing an integrated, all-in-one suite for the planning, design, and analysis of complex civil engineering projects. The software combines bulk earthworks, roads and highways, surface drainage, wastewater systems, and pressurised water network design into a single, unified application. By consolidating multiple disciplines into one platform, Civil Designer helps engineering teams streamline workflows, reduce errors, and improve overall project efficiency. Civil Designer is built around a model-based civil design approach, enabling engineers to create intelligent 3D models from the earliest stages of a project. This allows for early clash detection between infrastructure elements, helping teams identify and resolve potential conflicts before construction begins. As a result, design rework is reduced, coordination between disciplines is improved, and project risks are minimised. Often evaluated as a strong alternative to Autodesk Civil 3D and Bentley OpenRoads, Civil Designer offers powerful functionality while maintaining flexibility and ease of use. Its comprehensive toolset makes it suitable for a wide range of infrastructure projects, including transportation corridors, land development, municipal services, and utility networks. The software supports Open BIM workflows, ensuring effective collaboration and data exchange across multidisciplinary teams. With advanced compatibility for IFC, LandXML, and 3D DWG formats, Civil Designer enables accurate interoperability throughout the project lifecycle. These open standards help future-proof designs and support informed decision-making. By delivering integrated infrastructure design tools within a single application, Civil Designer empowers civil engineers to produce higher-quality designs faster, making it a reliable and scalable solution for modern civil infrastructure projects. If you'd like to learn more about why engineering teams choose Civil Designer: https://www.civildesigner.com/why/


  **Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 18

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Civil Designer International](https://www.g2.com/sellers/civil-designer-international)
- **Year Founded:** 1989
- **HQ Location:** Cape Town, South Africa
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/civil-designer/about (29 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 56% Small-Business, 39% Mid-Market


### 16. [ClearCalcs](https://www.g2.com/products/clearcalcs/reviews)
  Easy to use cloud structural design and analysis software for timber, steel, wood, concrete, masonry, and more.


  **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 10

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 2.9/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 3.7/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 4.7/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [ClearCalcs](https://www.g2.com/sellers/clearcalcs)
- **Year Founded:** 2016
- **HQ Location:** Hawthorn, Australia
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearcalcs (35 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 90% Small-Business, 20% Mid-Market


### 17. [Site3D](https://www.g2.com/products/site3d/reviews)
  Site3D is a fully featured software product for the engineering design of highways, drainage and residential developments. Quickly and accurately design whole sites including roads, junctions, roundabouts, footways, surface interfacing, contours, volumes, drainage, housing and more. Site3D is a powerful software tool for the 3D engineering design of road schemes and infrastructure.


  **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 35

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Microplot Ltd](https://www.g2.com/sellers/microplot-ltd)
- **Year Founded:** 1980
- **HQ Location:** Biggleswade, United Kingdom
- **Twitter:** @Site3Dsoftware (80 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/3817974/ (7 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 67% Small-Business, 25% Mid-Market


### 18. [AutoTURN](https://www.g2.com/products/autoturn/reviews)
  AutoTURN Pro is a comprehensive swept path and turning simulation software with a robust vehicle library. The software allows you to create vehicle simulations to analyze whether your design vehicle can move through your site and road designs safely and efficiently. Our patented technology helps you automate review, presentation, and reporting processes, saving time and increasing your productivity. Aside from AutoTURN Pro, there are other versions within the product family: AutoTURN and AutoTURN Online.


  **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 46

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 7.6/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 0.0/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Transoft Solutions](https://www.g2.com/sellers/transoft-solutions-70328cab-6aaa-48b8-b6d7-8f5f26fc3b85)
- **Year Founded:** 1991
- **HQ Location:** Richmond, British Columbia
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/497885/ (241 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Transportation Engineer, Project Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 48% Mid-Market, 26% Enterprise


### 19. [SkyCiv Structural 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/skyciv-structural-3d/reviews)
  SkyCiv Structural 3D is a cloud-based structural analysis software and design software that allows users to model and solve complex 3D structures. It is completely online; requiring no installation or updating. SkyCiv Structural 3D offers the very best in online structural engineering software and integrated design checks. Structural 3D is powerful structural analysis software that includes: - Reactions, Bending, Shear, Axial and Torsion Forces - Stress, Deflection and Plate Analysis - Fully Integrated Section Builder (database shapes, composites, DXF) - P-Delta (Non-linear) and Linear Analysis, Buckling Analysis - Frequency and Response Spectrum Analysis - Full 3D Renderer with Colored Contouring - PDF Analysis and Design Reporting - Import Load Combinations for US, UK, Aus, Canada and Europe - Fully integrated design modules (see below) Structural Design - Steel Member Design - AISC 360, EN 3, AS 4100, CSA S16, BS 5950 - RC Design - ACI 318, AS 3600, EN 2, CSA A23, BS 8110 - Wood Design - NDS, AS 1720 - Cold Formed - AISI, AS 4600 - Connection Design - AISC 360, EN3 - Wind Loads - ASCE 7-10, EN 1991, AS/NZ 1170, NBCC 2015 - Foundation Design - ACI 318, AS3600 Structural Analysis (Finite Element): - SkyCiv Structural 3D - SkyCiv Beam - SkyCiv Section Builder - SkyCiv Truss - SkyCiv Frame - SkyCiv Shaft SkyCiv's range of structural engineering software, is 100% cloud based, powerful and easy to use. Start your 14 day trial now, and see how you can save time with your designs.


  **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 15

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 5.0/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [SkyCiv Engineering](https://www.g2.com/sellers/skyciv-engineering)
- **Year Founded:** 2015
- **HQ Location:** Ultimo, Australia
- **Twitter:** @SkyCivOnline (434 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/6464175/ (29 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Company Size:** 67% Small-Business, 20% Enterprise


### 20. [midas Civil](https://www.g2.com/products/midas-civil/reviews)
  midas Civil is a Finite Element Analysis software developed by MIDAS Information Technology, used for bridge analysis and design. midas Civil combines the powerful pre-and post-processing features with an extremely fast solver which makes bridge modeling and analysis simple, quick, and effective. Also, there are several easy parameter modification tools available that can be used for parametric analysis leading to optimized and economical design. Modules Types: 1. midas Civil Conventional module carries wizards for quick modeling of conventional bridges in 2D and 3D as well as most user-friendly GUI for easy modification and result extraction. This module is for engineers handling structural analysis and design of conventional bridges as listed below and general structures. The module can handle concrete as well as steel bridges / Super and Substructure analysis on the same platform. 2. midas Civil Advanced module is a super set of midas Civil conventional versions. It carries bridge-specific wizards to save modeling time for engineers dealing with advanced bridge types like segmental, cable-stayed, and suspension bridges. This module is for engineers dealing with challenging structures requiring complex analysis. This module has wizards to generate the geometry along with construction stages and tendon placement in 3D. Unique tools for automatic cable force optimization at the final stage and construction stages. Software CapabilitieUser-friendly GUI The user-oriented input/output functions are based on a sophisticated and intuitive User Interface and up-to-date Computer Graphics techniques. They offer excellent facilities and productivity for the modeling and analysis of complex, large-scale structures. Intuitive Modeling midas Civil enables us to readily create nodes and elements as if we were drawing drawings using the major functions of CAD programs. Powerful automatic modeling functions such as Auto Mesh Generation and various Bridge Wizards are introduced. Once the basic section and bridge information and tendon placement data for the case of a PSC bridge are provided, the Wizard creates the completed bridge model as well as the construction stage models. Complete Analysis Options midas Civil provides linear and nonlinear structural analysis capabilities. A large collection of finite elements has been implemented for applications in civil and building structures. The program’s efficient analysis algorithms yield exceptional versatility and accurate results appropriate for practical design applications. Powerful Post-Processor The post-processor can automatically create load combinations in accordance with specified design standards. Changing the type of display can produce various forms of graphic output. Practically all the results can be animated, namely, mode shapes, time history results of displacements and member forces, dynamic analysis results, and static analysis results. midas Civil also provides results that are compatible with MS Excel, which enables the user to review all analysis and design results systematically. Auto Design and Load Rating Midas Civil provides various design check and load rating features including Eurocode & AASHTO LRFD, Bending, shear & torsional strengths, Composite plate girder design, Member forces & stresses for each construction stage and max & min stress summations, Automatic generation of load combinations in accordance with various design codes, MS Excel format calculation report.


  **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 15

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 6.9/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [midasoftware](https://www.g2.com/sellers/midasoftware)
- **Year Founded:** 2000
- **HQ Location:** New York, NY
- **Twitter:** @MIDASoftware (1,021 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/midasoft-inc (19 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 69% Small-Business, 19% Enterprise


### 21. [RoadEng Civil Engineer](https://www.g2.com/products/roadeng-civil-engineer/reviews)
  RoadEng Civil Engineer is a specialized software created to streamline the design of roads, railways, pipelines, and other corridor-based infrastructure projects. Unlike traditional CAD-heavy platforms, it emphasizes engineering efficiency, terrain modeling, and earthwork optimization, making it particularly effective for greenfield, rural and public works projects where speed and cost control are critical. Its intuitive interface allows most users to begin designing without extensive training. Enhanced add-on feature, Path Explorer AI, can quickly generating preliminary alignments and exploring multiple design alternatives with minimal effort. This AI-driven functionality accelerates early-stage planning, helping users evaluate options more intelligently before committing to detailed design. Combined with its lightweight performance, 3D visualization, and compatibility with common output formats like PDF, DWG, DGN, and LandXML, RoadEng Civil Engineer offers a modern, accessible solution for corridor design.


  **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 17

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Softree Technical Systems](https://www.g2.com/sellers/softree-technical-systems)
- **Year Founded:** 1989
- **HQ Location:** North Vancouver, Canada
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/1017119/ (15 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Construction
  - **Company Size:** 41% Small-Business, 41% Mid-Market


### 22. [Carlson Survey](https://www.g2.com/products/carlson-survey/reviews)
  Carlson Survey is a Windows software application for the Surveyor’s office to manage the complete job cycle from field data collection to drafting a final plan with several CAD options. With minimum effort and time, Carlson Survey allows users to design and produce a 2D drawing, an enhanced 3D surface model and construction layout data sets, for increasing their efficiency and profitability. • Compatibility: AutoCAD©, AutoCAD Map©, Land Desktop©, Civil3D© & IntelliCAD© • Automated Plan Drafting from Field Data • Generation of Surface Models, Roadways, Lots and Plans • Full COGO Features • Simple or Advanced Configurations


  **Average Rating:** 3.9/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 11

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 9.7/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 7.1/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Carlson Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/carlson-software)
- **Year Founded:** 1983
- **HQ Location:** Maysville, US
- **Twitter:** @CarlsonSoftware (2,346 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/58209/ (135 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 45% Small-Business, 27% Mid-Market


### 23. [MicroDrainage](https://www.g2.com/products/microdrainage/reviews)
  Advanced drainage design software that optimises the performance and effectiveness of drainage systems, including SuDS – both greenfield and retrofit.


  **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 24

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 7.1/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 7.2/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Innovyze](https://www.g2.com/sellers/innovyze)
- **Year Founded:** 1996
- **HQ Location:** Portland, Oregon
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/2105120/ (78 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Who Uses This:** Assistant Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 39% Enterprise, 32% Small-Business


### 24. [Qatium](https://www.g2.com/products/qatium/reviews)
  Qatium is an easy-to-use water management platform for utilities of all sizes. We give operations & planning teams full visibility to run their networks effortlessly in an open, digital environment. In particular, Qatium supports rural or underserved utilities — often most impacted by climate change — by offering our core functionality for free. With Qatium you can: — Build a digital replica or twin of your system — Streamline daily operations with warnings — Optimize network performance with scenarios & simulations


  **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 10

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [Qatium](https://www.g2.com/sellers/qatium)
- **Year Founded:** 2019
- **HQ Location:** Spain
- **Twitter:** @QatiumHQ (341 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/qatium (48 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Company Size:** 45% Small-Business, 27% Mid-Market


### 25. [HydroCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/hydrocad/reviews)
  HydroCAD combines the best of TR-20, TR-55, and SBUH, plus built-in hydraulics, graphics, automatic database, and on-screen routing diagram in a single program. (see comparison table) The result is the fastest, easiest, and most capable stormwater modeling system available. We call it HydroCAD because it brings the benefits of Computer Aided Design to hydrology, while not requiring any other CAD software. However, HydroCAD-10 now offers direct extraction of subarea data directly from AutoCAD®, without any other software.


  **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 13

**User Satisfaction Scores:**

- **Quality of Support:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Hydraulic engineering:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
- **Editing :** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
- **Sequence:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)


**Seller Details:**

- **Seller:** [HydroCAD](https://www.g2.com/sellers/hydrocad)
- **Year Founded:** 1986
- **HQ Location:** Chocorua, NH
- **Twitter:** @HydroCAD1 (17 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/1030344/ (2 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Reviewer Demographics:**
  - **Top Industries:** Civil Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 38% Small-Business, 31% Mid-Market




## Parent Category

[CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad)




---

## Buyer Guide

### What You Should Know About Civil Engineering Design Software 

### Civil engineering design software overview 

Civil engineering design software revolutionizes infrastructure development, offering advanced tools for planning, modeling, and optimizing projects. These solutions empower engineers to create efficient, safe, and sustainable structures, from structural analysis to transportation and environmental design. Civil engineers use software for designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructures such as roads, culverts, buildings, airports, railways, etc. The tool helps engineers draft technical drawings and view and analyze the designs to identify areas of improvement. [Engineering document management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/engineering-document-management) can also assist with the documentation process. 

These tools help calculate costs associated with the construction and maintenance of infrastructure over a given period. These solutions can be used for creating simple and complex technical drawings. 

### Who uses civil engineering design software?

The following personas most commonly use civil engineering software:

- **Civil engineers:** Civil engineering design software is most commonly used by those in the field of civil engineering itself. A civil engineer designs and maintains the construction of major public works projects, ranging from buildings to highways to airports. This software is helpful at every step of the construction process, from design to completion. Some civil engineers focus on a more niche function, such as transportation, structural, or geotechnical engineering.
- **Construction managers:** This tool aids in construction management by providing detailed information related to the project. The software offers functionalities to help them efficiently manage the entire construction lifecycle. Features such as cost estimation, budgeting, resource allocation, and progress monitoring allow them to coordinate better and control their projects.
- **Land surveyors:** In a construction project, responsibilities overlap between civil engineers and land surveyors. Both work together on construction projects to ensure the project reaches completion. Civil engineering design and[landscape design software](https://www.g2.com/categories/landscape-design) help surveyors examine a 3D landscape by collecting geological data, such as the distance between a series of points. The engineers then use this data to create blueprints for the project.

### Benefits of civil engineering design software 

Civil engineering software provides several benefits to users, such as:

- **Effective collaboration:** Whether a project is small or large, users can leverage civil engineering design software to communicate better. 3D models stored on a cloud platform make them easily and simultaneously accessible to different stakeholders. This makes it easy for them to view infrastructure plans, survey observations, and work on modifications while maintaining a steady flow of communication. Since every team member views the same 3D design plan and the latest project data, they can work together as a well-integrated team.
- **Fast calculations:** An important aspect of civil engineering is that calculations must be exact so the constructed structures are safe and stable. With this software, such calculations can be made much more quickly. Structures often have to go through some variation of a redesign. Civil engineering design platforms allow engineers to accomplish that while maintaining high accuracy of the calculations quickly. Some tools have formulas built in to include safety standards.
- **High productivity:** The tool increases overall productivity by reducing the chances of errors in the design and construction process. It helps engineers estimate the materials required for production and their cost. 3D visualizations of the design make it easy to examine the various components and identify areas of improvement prior to production.

### Challenges with civil engineering design software

Civil engineering design software provides many benefits to users. However, it does come with its own set of challenges, such as:

- **Learning curve:** Civil engineering is a complicated field; therefore, various software functionalities can often be challenging to master. The learning curve may be tough for those new to this field. 
- **Storage:** Those working with this software often create designs that need to be saved as large files. This means that civil engineering design platforms may take up a large portion of the memory on a user’s computer.
- **Cost:** The cost of this software is often high, making it too expensive for small businesses and individual users. 

### Civil engineering design software features 

The following are some core features within civil engineering platforms that can help users:

- **3D modeling:** The software helps with civil engineering design and construction documentation. Depending on the type of infrastructure project an engineer is working on, [3D models](https://www.g2.com/glossary/3d-model-definition)of structures can be created. In transportation engineering projects, these tools help produce digital models of transportation scenarios and aid in planning transportation systems. For geotechnical engineering projects, the tool helps in viewing and evaluating underground data and incorporating that data to create more realistic 3D representations of management systems. Hydraulic engineering projects would require the functionality to model and analyze drainage systems, stormwater, and sewer networks. Likewise, the tool is useful in various other engineering projects as it enables the project members to visualize the outcome in a real-world context.
- **Design modification:** This feature allows users to change the design easily. Various options are available to edit and adjust variables to meet client specifications. The software feature assists users in modifying the initial draft, and they do not need to start the work from scratch. Engineers can create replicas, rotate, resize, and crop the design to simplify the process.
- **Photorealistic rendering:** This feature takes a 3D model and places it into a fully realized 3D environment to provide users with visualizations of the final product.
- **Design automation:** It refers to the process of using engineering data for the automation of time-consuming, repetitive tasks such as modeling, designing, and analyzing structures. It makes the design process more efficient and reduces the chances of errors.

### Civil engineering design software pricing

The pricing varies based on several factors, such as features, capabilities, license models, the size of the organization, and more. Additionally, each software may offer different subscription plans depending on varying levels of functionality. 

Some general considerations are:

- **Trial periods:** Several software providers offer free trial periods, allowing users to explore the software's features before making a purchase decision.
- **Subscription models** : Users have access to subscription models where users pay a recurring fee (monthly or annually) for access to certain features. Different subscription models may offer different features.
- **License types** : Brands offer different types of licenses, such as single-user licenses or multi-user licenses. The pricing structure may vary based on the number of users.
- **Student discounts** : Some software vendors offer discounted pricing for educational institutions or students, making it more accessible for academic purposes.
- **Customization:** Software that allows customization or integration with other tools may have additional costs associated with these features.

Due to the dynamic nature of the software market, it's advisable to check with the specific vendors for the most up-to-date pricing information. Be sure to consider the project's specific needs and the technical support the software vendor provides when evaluating pricing options.

### How to choose the best civil engineering design software

#### Requirements gathering (RFI/RFP) for civil engineering design software

If a company is just starting and looking to purchase its first civil engineering design software or needs to update a legacy system—wherever a business is in its buying process, [G2](https://www.g2.com/) can help select the best solution.

Users should think about the pain points and jot them down, and these should be used to help create a criteria checklist. The checklist is a detailed guide that includes necessary and nice-to-have features, budget, number of users, integrations, security requirements, cloud or on-premise solutions, etc.

Additionally, the buyer must determine the project scale—the larger the project, the more users will need to use this software. This would drive the number of licenses they are likely to buy. Depending on the deployment scope, it might be helpful to produce a request for information (RFI), a one-page list with a few bullet points describing what is needed from the tool.

#### Compare civil engineering design software products

**Create a long list**

Vendor evaluations are important during the software buying process, from meeting the project functionality needs to implementation. It helps prepare a consistent list of questions regarding specific requirements and concerns to ask each vendor. Buyers should start by creating a long list containing different civil engineering design tools keeping in mind the following considerations:

- **Type of application:** Depending on the project's purpose, the organization can determine specific features the software should have to suit functional requirements. There are different infrastructure projects for which a civil engineering design tool may be used, such as structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, hydraulic engineering, environmental engineering, and more. For instance, hydraulic engineering projects would require software that helps create hydraulic schematics and design hydraulic systems. The organization may look for solutions that help simulate the hydrologic processes of watershed systems. Transportation simulation and analysis software will be ideal for transportation engineering, providing engineers with insights to build secure and efficient transportation systems.
- **User-friendly interface:** The user interface should be intuitive to allow engineers to easily create and modify the 3D design. A user-friendly interface helps in the effective analysis of different structures. It also facilitates communication across teams. Some solutions offer many built-in templates to help the engineer quickly start designing a model.
- **Deployment:** The tool may be cloud-based or an on-premises solution. If the organization opts for a cloud-based platform, it can be used anywhere and anytime. Engineers in different locations can share their work using cloud technology with contractors and receive real-time feedback. Some vendors may offer the capability to scale the solution from on-premises to the cloud.

**Create a short list**

From the long list of vendors, narrowing the list of contenders is pragmatic. Buyers must read user reviews, view ratings on the [G2 Grid](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design#grid)Ⓡ for the Civil Engineering Design software category, read useability ratings, and shorten the list of vendors in the G2 “My List” down to a handful_._

**Conduct demos**

Demos allow buyers to see how a civil engineering design platform works. While pre-recorded demonstrations and slide decks are available online, it is lucrative to request the vendor for a live demo of the software to dive deep into their technical capabilities. 

#### Selection of civil engineering design software

**Choose a selection team**

Creating a team that will collaborate throughout the entire process, from identifying problem areas to deploying the tool, is essential. The selection team should consist of members with the right interests, skills, and time to contribute to this process. The software selection team should consist of three to five people who fill the required roles. This may include the civil engineering project manager, project planners, and senior civil engineers on the team.

They should compare data, facts, and analyses noted during the process, such as the availability of advanced capabilities suited to a particular civil engineering discipline, usability, and security features to optimize the software selection process.

**Negotiation**

It is important to discuss their pricing structure, subscription fees, and licensing costs with the vendor. For instance, the vendor may discount multi-year contracts or give discounts to recommend the tool to other users.

**Final decision**

Selecting a vendor with a product offering aligned with the company’s project requirements will accelerate growth. Before going all in, it is recommended to roll out a test run or pilot program to test adoption with a small sample size of users. If the tool is well used and received, the buyer can be confident that the selection is correct. If not, it might be time to evaluate other offerings.

### Software and services related to civil engineering design software

Related solutions that can be used together with civil engineering design software include:

- **Building information modeling (BIM):** BIM is a computer-aided design tool commonly used in architecture, engineering, and construction. It assists in creating digital representations of buildings used across various stages, such as construction planning, design, construction, and operations. Integration of [BIM software](https://www.g2.com/categories/building-design-and-building-information-modeling-bim) enhances the overall design process. Civil engineers can use this software to model workflows and share design information with project stakeholders to make better decisions. The tool can create accurate 3D models and simulate the infrastructure. This helps them view and detect potential design, construction, or operations flaws and reduce rework, saving time and money. 
- **General-purpose CAD:** This software enables users to create 2D and 3D drawings and models of structures. Many civil engineering design solutions offer general-purpose CAD software functionalities to help users draft the basics of their designs.
- **Geographic information system (GIS):** Civil engineers can use [GIS software](https://www.g2.com/categories/gis) to gather and evaluate geospatial data. GIS software is useful in different disciplines. For instance, GIS mapping is useful in structural analysis, where 3D GIS maps are integrated with traditional design methods to enable engineers to evaluate a structural design. This helps them learn from past mistakes and make the design more efficient. GIS applications are also valuable for site examination as they help determine whether a particular location is suitable for infrastructure construction.
- [Construction project management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/construction-project-management) **:** Construction project management software assists engineers with project planning, scheduling, cost estimation, resource allocation, and monitoring. It also streamlines the flow of information among project stakeholders.

_Reviewed and edited by_ [_Sinchana Mistry_](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_profile%3AACoAAC1dbjEB3lcJNusAFxvyIzscLliWvzy7fXg&keywords=sinchana%20mistry&origin=RICH_QUERY_SUGGESTION&position=0&searchId=63abd15b-56c9-41e7-9405-286b2e0ba318&sid=*.8&spellCorrectionEnabled=false)