BricsCAD
Belgian DWG-based CAD platform with 2D drafting, 3D modelling, BIM and mechanical toolsets, sold by Bricsys NV in Ghent
Quick Overview
| Company | Bricsys NV (Octave BricsCAD) |
|---|---|
| Category | CAD Software |
| Headquarters | Ghent, Belgium |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Belgium (EU) |
| Data Location | Desktop application; account and website data controlled by Bricsys NV in Belgium |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Native DWG, 2D drafting, 3D modelling, BIM toolset, mechanical toolset, surveying, LISP, .NET and BRX APIs, 30-day trial |
| Pricing | Lite EUR 330/year, Pro EUR 710/year, Mechanical EUR 998/year, BIM EUR 1,060/year, Ultimate EUR 1,176/year |
| Best For | Teams that want to keep DWG workflows and LISP routines while changing vendor |
| Replaces | AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT |
Detailed Review
BricsCAD is built on the DWG format and lets users bring their current menus, command scripts, customisations and templates into the platform, according to the vendor. That makes it the most direct route for a team that wants to leave AutoCAD without redrawing its archive.
The contracting company is Bricsys NV in Ghent, whose privacy statement and terms are under Belgian law. The brand now appears as Octave BricsCAD, because Bricsys became part of Octave, the company spun off from Hexagon AB in 2025.
Five product levels
BricsCAD is sold as Lite for 2D drafting, Pro for 2D and 3D, plus Mechanical, BIM and Ultimate bundles. The vendor lists them from EUR 330 to EUR 1,176 per year on its Pro page.
Open to customisation
LISP is supported for existing routines, and the developer portal documents .NET and BRX APIs. The vendor also lists hundreds of partner applications for industry-specific workflows.
File exchange
Default formats include DWG, DXF, DWT, ACIS SAT and PDF. BIM formats such as Revit, IFC, Rhino and SketchUp come with the BIM and Ultimate levels, while Parasolid, STEP, SolidWorks and similar formats need the Communicator add-on.
Limitations to Consider
Prices on the vendor page are quoted per year, so the product is a recurring cost. Mechanical and many 3D exchange formats need the separate Communicator for BricsCAD add-on, and BIM formats need the BIM or Ultimate level. The product is now part of Octave, a group created from a Hexagon spin-off, so the ownership picture is larger than the Belgian entity alone. For a perpetual licence see progeCAD or ARES Commander.
Who Should Use BricsCAD
Engineering, building and surveying teams that work in DWG and want a European contracting entity with Belgian-law terms.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Native DWG with LISP support
- Five levels from 2D to BIM and mechanical
- Prices published per product level
- Belgian contracting entity
- 30-day free trial
Cons
- Yearly prices recur
- Communicator add-on needed for many 3D formats
- Part of the larger Octave group
- Hosting details for account services not stated on the pages checked
Alternatives to BricsCAD
Other European cad software worth comparing before you decide:
ARES Commander
Germany · Family-owned Berlin CAD in DWG for Windows, macOS and Linux
Archicad
Hungary · BIM design software for architects, from Budapest
Allplan
Germany · BIM platform for architecture, structural and civil engineering
progeCAD
Switzerland · AutoCAD-compatible 2D/3D CAD with a perpetual licence
See all European cad software or compare them directly against AutoCAD on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The vendor describes BricsCAD as a DWG-based platform that works natively with DWG and also reads DXF, DWT, ACIS SAT and PDF.
The vendor lists EUR 330 per year for Lite, EUR 710 for Pro, EUR 998 for Mechanical, EUR 1,060 for BIM and EUR 1,176 for Ultimate.
The contracting entity named in its privacy statement is Bricsys NV in Ghent, Belgium. The brand is now Octave BricsCAD, as Bricsys is part of Octave, spun off from Hexagon AB in 2025.