# Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) vs Bricsys BricsCAD BIM

**Leader by vioscaleAI score:** Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on)

| Attribute | Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) | Bricsys BricsCAD BIM |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 62.5 (58% (medium)) | 47 (75% (high)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 73 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 2,861 | - |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"An open-source platform for creating, auditing, and analyzing IFC-based building information models with support for structural analysis, MEP systems, costing, scheduling, and facility management. It is indexed under Bim Software.","source":"https://bonsaibim.org/","question":"What is Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on)?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the LGPL-3.0 licence. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://bonsaibim.org/","question":"Is Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) supports Windows, macOS and Linux. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://bonsaibim.org/","question":"What platforms does Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://bonsaibim.org/","question":"Can Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) is published under the LGPL-3.0 licence, a copyleft licence, so check its terms before embedding it in a closed-source product. Licence terms can change between releases, so verify against the repository for the version you intend to use.","source":"https://github.com/ifcopenshell/ifcopenshell","question":"Is Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) open source?","confidence":0.95}]` | `[{"answer":"CAD software that enables architects and engineers to construct detailed building models by combining 2D drafting with 3D parametric geometry, point cloud processing, and industry-standard data exchange formats. It is indexed under Bim Software.","source":"https://www.bricsys.com/bricscad-bim","question":"What is Bricsys BricsCAD BIM?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Bricsys BricsCAD BIM is a paid product; published pricing starts at €1060 per year. There is no free tier. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.bricsys.com/bricscad-bim","question":"How much does Bricsys BricsCAD BIM cost?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Bricsys BricsCAD BIM can be deployed on-premise, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://www.bricsys.com/bricscad-bim","question":"Can Bricsys BricsCAD BIM be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 5 integrations for Bricsys BricsCAD BIM, including DWG, IFC, BCF, Leica and Point cloud formats. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.bricsys.com/bricscad-bim","question":"What does Bricsys BricsCAD BIM integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have independently confirmed GDPR for Bricsys BricsCAD BIM. Certifications we do not list are ones we have not been able to verify from public sources, which is not the same as Bricsys BricsCAD BIM not holding them. Always confirm compliance directly before you rely on it.","source":"https://www.bricsys.com/privacy","question":"What security certifications does Bricsys BricsCAD BIM have?","confidence":0.7}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"on_prem":true}` |
| description.long | A suite of free applications that enable architects and engineers to author, review, and share building information models in the IFC format without vendor lock-in, built on the open IfcOpenShell library. | A BIM authoring platform built on the native DWG standard that enables professionals to design, model, and document building projects with integrated point cloud processing and standards-based data exchange. |
| features.capabilities | `{"iso_27001":false,"soc2_type_ii":false,"pricing_model":"perpetual_license","deployment_model":"windows_desktop_heavy_client","authoring_vs_coordination":"model_authoring","3d_parametric_object_modeling":true,"ifc_openbim_standard_compliance":true,"point_cloud_lidar_scan_ingestion":false,"vr_ar_headset_model_walkthroughs":false,"automated_hard_and_soft_clash_detection":true,"4d_time_scheduling_and_5d_cost_estimation":true,"mep_mechanical_electrical_plumbing_detailing":true,"structural_steel_and_concrete_rebar_detailing":false}` | `{"pricing_model":"annual_subscription","deployment_model":"windows_desktop_heavy_client","authoring_vs_coordination":"model_authoring","3d_parametric_object_modeling":true,"ifc_openbim_standard_compliance":true,"point_cloud_lidar_scan_ingestion":true,"mep_mechanical_electrical_plumbing_detailing":true}` |
| integrations.count | - | 5 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"DWG"},{"name":"IFC"},{"name":"BCF"},{"name":"Leica"},{"name":"Point cloud formats"}]` |
| language.primary | C++ | - |
| license.spdx | LGPL-3.0 | - |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | - |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"web":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | - |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","summary":"Free and open source software","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://bonsaibim.org/","retrievedAt":"2026-10-15T20:22:27.216Z"}` | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"2D Drafting","summary":"€330/year","commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":330,"period":"year","currency":"EUR"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"2D & 3D CAD","summary":"€710/year","commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":710,"period":"year","currency":"EUR"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"BricsCAD BIM","summary":"€1,060/year","commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":1060,"period":"year","currency":"EUR"}],"contactSales":false}],"summary":"From €330/year. Free 30-day trial.","currency":"EUR","freeTier":false,"sourceUrl":"https://www.bricsys.com/bricscad-bim","retrievedAt":"2026-10-05T12:45:21.113Z","freeTrialDays":30,"startingPrice":{"amount":330,"period":"year","currency":"EUR"},"billingPeriods":["year"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | no |
| pricing.model | open_source | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | free | high |
| pricing.starting_price | - | `{"amount":330,"currency":"EUR"}` |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | 1 | - |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/ifcsverchok-0.9.1.261015","date":"2026-10-15T15:50:44Z","type":"stable","version":"ifcsverchok-0.9.1.261015"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/ifcopenshell-python-0.9.0post1","date":"2026-10-15T11:22:57Z","type":"stable","version":"ifcopenshell-python-0.9.0post1"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/ifcconvert-0.9.0post1","date":"2026-10-15T12:00:48Z","type":"stable","version":"ifcconvert-0.9.0post1"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsaiviewer-0.9.0post1","date":"2026-10-15T12:00:49Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsaiviewer-0.9.0post1"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151805","date":"2026-10-15T18:05:12Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151805"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151611","date":"2026-10-15T16:11:52Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151611"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151607","date":"2026-10-15T16:07:53Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151607"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151550","date":"2026-10-15T15:50:32Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151550"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151546","date":"2026-10-15T15:48:32Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151546"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151541","date":"2026-10-15T15:43:55Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151541"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151435","date":"2026-10-15T14:36:49Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151435"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151149","date":"2026-10-15T11:51:35Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151149"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151056","date":"2026-10-15T10:58:16Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610151056"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.0post1","date":"2026-10-15T11:45:19Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.0post1"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142317","date":"2026-10-14T23:19:11Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142317"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142314","date":"2026-10-14T23:16:36Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142314"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142309","date":"2026-10-14T23:11:05Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142309"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142217","date":"2026-10-14T22:18:40Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142217"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142213","date":"2026-10-14T22:15:44Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142213"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142209","date":"2026-10-14T22:11:20Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610142209"}]` | - |
| security.gdpr | - | yes |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=pypi&package_name=ifcopenshell&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` | - |

## Capabilities (Bim Software)

| Capability | Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) | Bricsys BricsCAD BIM |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | Windows desktop heavy client | Windows desktop heavy client |
| Authoring vs coordination | Model authoring | Model authoring |
| 3d parametric object modeling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automated hard and soft clash detection | ✓ | - |
| 4d time scheduling and 5d cost estimation | ✓ | - |
| Point cloud lidar scan ingestion | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ifc openbim standard compliance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mep mechanical electrical plumbing detailing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Structural steel and concrete rebar detailing | ✗ | - |
| Vr ar headset model walkthroughs | ✗ | - |
| SOC2 type ii | ✗ | - |
| ISO 27001 | ✗ | - |
| Pricing model | Perpetual license | Annual subscription |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T20:15:39.414Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*