TrustRadius: an HG Insights company

Save this comparison

Save this comparison

Add Product

Recommended Comparisons

    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    ActCAD Software

    Score8.9 out of 10
    N/AActCAD is a 2D & 3D CAD software with two product options: - ActCAD Standard for 2D Drafting Power Users - ActCAD Professional for 2D Drafting & 3D ACIS Modeling Users - ActCAD Prime for 2D Drafting, 3D Modeling, and AEC Objects (walls, doors, windows, staircases, roofs, floors, etc.) ActCAD can be used for applications across domains of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) including Structural, Electrical, and…

    $249

    one-time fee per user

    MicroStation

    Score6 out of 10
    Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
    Bentley Systems offers the MicroStation application and product family as a 3D and 2D modeling and computer-aided design (CAD) solution for engineers and designers.

    $250

    Per User Per Month

    Pricing
    ActCAD SoftwareMicroStation
    Editions & Modules
    ActCAD 2025 Standard
    $249
    one-time fee per user
    ActCAD 2025 Premium
    $399
    one-time fee per user
    Microstation
    $250.00
    Per User Per Month
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    ActCAD SoftwareMicroStation
    Free Trial
    YesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesYes
    Entry-level Setup FeeRequiredNo setup fee
    Additional Details
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    ActCAD SoftwareMicroStation
    Considered Both Products
    Jytra Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
    Chose ActCAD Software
    It's the best alternative to cost-prohibitive CAD software.
    Incentivized
    Bentley Systems
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Best Alternatives
    ActCAD SoftwareMicroStation
    Small Businesses
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Civil 3D
    Score9.3 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Enterprises
    PTC Creo
    Score7.6 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    ActCAD SoftwareMicroStation
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.8
    (3 ratings)
    7.2
    (8 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    2.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    ActCAD SoftwareMicroStation
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Jytra Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
    Some dimensions move for no apparent reason. 3d modeling could be improved upon. As a 2D program I use it daily and prefer it to 3D modeling programs for drawing details.
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    MicroStation is THE program to use for roadway and corridor modeling. Most departments of transportation and municipalities in my region require that the models be delivered in the dgn format, so it is MicroStation or bust. It is an absolute pain to use some of the add-in features though. Things that are easy in other programs like making smart tables that update with the latest information usually necessitate the use of Axiom or similar outside programs/add-ins. I design storm sewer systems, and it takes us 6 months to train up new hires on this software, because it is NOT intuitive. You need to know which buttons to press, since it is not designed to be easily command-based like AutoCAD Civil 3D.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Jytra Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
    • This is one of the most complete packages that I've used, very intuitive, thus saying user-friendly is somewhat on the mild side, as it is a pleasure to use
    • Functionality is straightforward and all pertinent information are right on the screen
    • Its ease-of-use cuts down on documentation time thus allowing me to spend more time where it's really needed
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    • Plethora of design alternatives to choose from right from design to completed models
    • Detailed approach towards parametric, mesh and surface modelling
    • Well integrated modelling workflows
    • Intelligent parametric components with 2D and 3D designs
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Jytra Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
    • My major complaint is sometimes the dimensions do not stay where I place them.
    • 3D modeling is complicated for me.
    • Need to specify wall types and be able to create custom walls.
    • Need to have a roof manager to make trusses or hand-stack framing.
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    • Some of the more complex models have had a few issues exporting.
    • We've struggled with external consultants using the custom Autocad engineering tools, and it plays nicely with MicroStation.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Jytra Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
    No answers on this topic
    Bentley Systems
    MicroStation is very hard to use for our newest employees. It is not intuitive, and you need to know where to find the buttons to perform the commands you would like to perform instead of typing in the commands like other similar modeling programs. Also, it has no good traffic turning add-ins. We continue to run ALL our turning in Autoturn, since this is not a usable feature with MicroStation.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Jytra Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
    No answers on this topic
    Bentley Systems
    We haven't had to use it for many years, so not able to comment.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Jytra Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
    It's the best alternative to cost-prohibitive CAD software.
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    The only general purpose CAD program that you can compare MicroStation with would be AutoCAD. MicroStation, in my opinion, is a superior product in every way but one. That one issue is that there are just more people who have and know how to use AutoCAD than there are ones who know MicroStation. This makes AutoCAD easier to get up and running for most firms.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Jytra Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
    • Its ease-of-use allows me more time to focus on project needs and completion
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    • MicroStation usage is primarily necessitated by our major client who also uses the program.
    • Without using MicroStation there would be many times where we would not be able to provide our clients with what they need.
    • Therefore, MicroStation has had an incredibly positive impact on the business I work for as its usage has continued to secure contracts.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    ActCAD Software Screenshots

    Screenshot of ActCAD 2023 PrimeScreenshot of ActCAD 2023 StandardScreenshot of STL FileScreenshot of KML/KMZ FileScreenshot of 3D PDF ExportScreenshot of Sheet set Manager

    MicroStation Screenshots

    Screenshot of Take advantage of built-in support for 100+ common formats and data types for 2D and 3D raster and vector geometry and associated BIM information, including trusted RealDWGScreenshot of Supporting hundreds of coordinate systems and dozens of geospatial data types, users can reliably integrate existing data quickly and confidently.Screenshot of Produce better documentation, faster, with fully integrated 2D and 3D workflows, creating a single integrated model that allows you to view drawings and other model information directly immersed within the 3D modelScreenshot of You can ensure your design intent while speeding modeling with extremely powerful and flexible constraints and a range of solid, mesh, surface, and topological modeling toolsScreenshot of MicroStation's native support for an unmatched range of file formats and data types means you can leverage any data you have to speed drafting and modeling and decision-makingScreenshot of Turn your models into polished professional presentations to win stakeholder buy-in and speed approvals on your design projects.