# Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) vs Trimble Tekla Structures

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

| Attribute | Bonsai (BlenderBIM Add-on) | Trimble Tekla Structures |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 62.5 (58% (medium)) | 48.4 (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":"Structural engineers, designers, and construction professionals use Tekla Structures to create detailed 3D building models, coordinate project information, and generate fabrication-ready documentation. It is indexed under Bim Software.","source":"https://www.tekla.com/products/tekla-structures","question":"What is Trimble Tekla Structures?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Trimble Tekla Structures offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.tekla.com/products/tekla-structures","question":"Is Trimble Tekla Structures free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 3 integrations for Trimble Tekla Structures, including Trimble Connect, Tekla PowerFab and Tekla Model Sharing. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.tekla.com/products/tekla-structures","question":"What does Trimble Tekla Structures integrate with?","confidence":0.6}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"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. | Structural engineers, designers, and construction professionals use Tekla Structures to create detailed 3D building models, coordinate project information, and generate fabrication-ready documentation. |
| 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}` | `{"authoring_vs_coordination":"model_authoring","3d_parametric_object_modeling":true,"ifc_openbim_standard_compliance":true,"structural_steel_and_concrete_rebar_detailing":true}` |
| integrations.count | - | 3 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"Trimble Connect"},{"name":"Tekla PowerFab"},{"name":"Tekla Model Sharing"}]` |
| 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"}` | `{"summary":"Free tier for education; trial available","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.tekla.com/products/tekla-structures","retrievedAt":"2026-08-22T22:28:12.712Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | open_source | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | free | low |
| pricing.transparent | yes | no |
| 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.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) | Trimble Tekla Structures |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | 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 | - |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T19:30:01.131Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*