# Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) vs IfcOpenShell

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

| Attribute | Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) | IfcOpenShell |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 62.5 (58% (medium)) | 57.2 (75% (high)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | 100 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 73 | 73 |
| adoption.github_stars | 2,861 | 2,855 |
| 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":"IfcOpenShell is an open source library and geometry engine for developing digital platforms in the built environment. It provides comprehensive APIs and tools for IFC data manipulation, geometric analysis, model coordination, and format conversion. It is indexed under Bim Software.","source":"https://ifcopenshell.org/","question":"What is IfcOpenShell?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"IfcOpenShell 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://ifcopenshell.org/","question":"Is IfcOpenShell free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"IfcOpenShell supports Windows, macOS, Linux and a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://ifcopenshell.org/","question":"What platforms does IfcOpenShell support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. IfcOpenShell can be deployed cloud / SaaS and self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://ifcopenshell.org/","question":"Can IfcOpenShell be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 10 integrations for IfcOpenShell, including Blender, Oracle P6, Microsoft Project, Asta PowerProject, IDS, BCF, bSDD and CityJSON, plus 2 more. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://ifcopenshell.org/","question":"What does IfcOpenShell integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. IfcOpenShell 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 IfcOpenShell open source?","confidence":0.95}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":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. | IfcOpenShell is an open source library and geometry engine for developing digital platforms in the built environment. It provides comprehensive APIs and tools for IFC data manipulation, geometric analysis, model coordination, and format conversion. |
| 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":"perpetual_license","deployment_model":"cloud_web_viewer","authoring_vs_coordination":"model_authoring","3d_parametric_object_modeling":false,"ifc_openbim_standard_compliance":true,"automated_hard_and_soft_clash_detection":true,"4d_time_scheduling_and_5d_cost_estimation":true,"mep_mechanical_electrical_plumbing_detailing":true}` |
| integrations.count | - | 10 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"Blender"},{"name":"Oracle P6"},{"name":"Microsoft Project"},{"name":"Asta PowerProject"},{"name":"IDS"},{"name":"BCF"},{"name":"bSDD"},{"name":"CityJSON"},{"name":"COBie"},{"name":"Code_Aster"}]` |
| language.primary | C++ | C++ |
| license.spdx | LGPL-3.0 | LGPL-3.0 |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | - |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"web":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | `{"cli":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","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://ifcopenshell.org/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-24T09:46:26.970Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | open_source | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | free | free |
| pricing.transparent | yes | - |
| release.cadence_days | 1 | 1 |
| release.history | 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| `[{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610141628","date":"2026-10-14T16:30:26Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610141628"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610141217","date":"2026-10-14T12:19:34Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610141217"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610140758","date":"2026-10-14T08:00:22Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610140758"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/ifcsverchok-0.9.1.261013","date":"2026-10-13T12:51:02Z","type":"stable","version":"ifcsverchok-0.9.1.261013"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610131250","date":"2026-10-13T12:52:15Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610131250"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610121536","date":"2026-10-12T15:38:08Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610121536"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610102211","date":"2026-10-10T22:13:30Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610102211"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610101358","date":"2026-10-10T13:59:40Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610101358"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610101354","date":"2026-10-10T13:56:16Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610101354"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610101246","date":"2026-10-10T12:48:29Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610101246"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610101246","date":"2026-10-10T12:48:29Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610101246"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610100615","date":"2026-10-10T06:17:23Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610100615"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610100602","date":"2026-10-10T06:04:23Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610100602"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610100055","date":"2026-10-10T00:57:01Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610100055"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610100043","date":"2026-10-10T00:45:18Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610100043"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610091501","date":"2026-10-09T15:03:07Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610091501"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610091449","date":"2026-10-09T14:51:13Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610091449"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610071432","date":"2026-10-07T14:33:42Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610071432"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610071217","date":"2026-10-07T12:18:52Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610071217"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610062336","date":"2026-10-06T23:38:02Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.1-alpha2610062336"}]` |
| 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=pypi&package_name=ifcopenshell&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` |

## Capabilities (Bim Software)

| Capability | Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) | IfcOpenShell |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | Windows desktop heavy client | Cloud web viewer |
| 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 | Perpetual license |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T19:29:21.984Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*