# Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) vs FreeCAD

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

| Attribute | Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) | FreeCAD |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 62.5 (58% (medium)) | 55.7 (33% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | 100 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 73 | 4 |
| adoption.github_stars | 2,861 | 34,290 |
| 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":"FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeling application that enables users to design real-world objects with precise dimensions and parameters. It supports bidirectional 2D-to-3D workflows, includes specialized workbenches for various domains (mechanical design, architecture, CAM), and seamlessly integrates with numerous file formats. It is indexed under CAD Software.","source":"https://www.freecad.org","question":"What is FreeCAD?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"FreeCAD is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the LGPL-2.1 licence. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.freecad.org","question":"Is FreeCAD free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"FreeCAD supports Windows, macOS and Linux. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://www.freecad.org","question":"What platforms does FreeCAD support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. FreeCAD can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://www.freecad.org","question":"Can FreeCAD be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 8 integrations for FreeCAD, including STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC and DAE. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.freecad.org","question":"What does FreeCAD integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. FreeCAD is published under the LGPL-2.1 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/freecad/FreeCAD","question":"Is FreeCAD open source?","confidence":0.95}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"self_hosted":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. | FreeCAD is a free, open-source 3D parametric modeling tool that allows users to create and modify parametric designs. It supports multiple platforms and features a community-driven ecosystem of modules and macros. |
| 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}` | `{"iso_27001":false,"soc2_type_ii":false,"pricing_model":"completely_free_oss","deployment_model":"native_desktop_local","authoring_vs_coordination":"model_authoring","3d_parametric_object_modeling":true,"ifc_openbim_standard_compliance":true,"point_cloud_lidar_scan_ingestion":true,"fea_stress_and_thermal_simulation":true,"parametric_history_based_timeline":true,"pcb_electrical_circuit_design_sync":false,"cam_toolpath_generation_cnc_milling":true,"dwg_dxf_autocad_standard_file_import":true,"bim_architectural_information_modeling":true,"2d_drafting_and_dimensioning_blueprints":true,"automated_hard_and_soft_clash_detection":false,"nurbs_and_surface_mathematical_modeling":true,"stl_export_for_standardized_3d_printing":true,"4d_time_scheduling_and_5d_cost_estimation":false,"mep_mechanical_electrical_plumbing_detailing":false,"structural_steel_and_concrete_rebar_detailing":false}` |
| integrations.count | - | 8 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"STEP"},{"name":"IGES"},{"name":"STL"},{"name":"SVG"},{"name":"DXF"},{"name":"OBJ"},{"name":"IFC"},{"name":"DAE"}]` |
| language.primary | C++ | C++ |
| license.spdx | LGPL-3.0 | LGPL-2.1 |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"hqCountry":"BE","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"web":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | `{"mac":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":"open_source","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Sponsor - Bronze","summary":"From 1 USD/1 EUR per month","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":1,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Sponsor - Silver","summary":"From 25 USD/25 EUR per month","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":25,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Sponsor - Gold","summary":"From 100 USD/100 EUR per month","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":100,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Sponsor - Platinum","summary":"From 200 USD/200 EUR per month","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":200,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false}],"summary":"Free and open source. Optional sponsorships from 1 USD/month","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.freecad.org","retrievedAt":"2026-10-14T21:29:56.149Z","startingPrice":{"amount":1,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | open_source | open_source |
| pricing.price_level | free | free |
| pricing.starting_price | - | `{"amount":1,"currency":"USD"}` |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | 1 | 5 |
| release.history | 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| `[{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.10.14","date":"2026-10-14T00:46:23Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.10.14"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/26.3rc1","date":"2026-10-08T14:40:27Z","type":"prerelease","version":"26.3rc1"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.10.07","date":"2026-10-07T00:56:59Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.10.07"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.10.01","date":"2026-10-01T12:47:28Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.10.01"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.09.30","date":"2026-09-30T00:56:31Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.09.30"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/1.1.4","date":"2026-09-28T13:58:35Z","type":"stable","version":"1.1.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.09.23","date":"2026-09-23T00:49:32Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.09.23"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.09.16","date":"2026-09-16T06:36:36Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.09.16"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.09.09","date":"2026-09-09T00:56:51Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.09.09"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.09.02","date":"2026-09-02T03:54:40Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.09.02"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.26","date":"2026-08-26T01:46:26Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.26"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.20","date":"2026-08-20T05:32:11Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.20"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.12","date":"2026-08-12T06:16:55Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.12"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.05","date":"2026-08-05T00:46:24Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.05"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.29","date":"2026-07-29T00:48:02Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.29"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/1.1.3","date":"2026-07-25T04:53:36Z","type":"stable","version":"1.1.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/1.1.2","date":"2026-07-23T15:01:22Z","type":"stable","version":"1.1.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.22","date":"2026-07-22T00:48:07Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.22"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.15","date":"2026-07-15T00:44:04Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.15"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.09","date":"2026-07-09T19:33:50Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.09"}]` |
| 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}` | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=conda&package_name=freecad&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` |

## Capabilities (Bim Software)

| Capability | Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) | FreeCAD |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | Windows desktop heavy client | native_desktop_local |
| 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 | completely_free_oss |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T20:15:36.495Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*