Speckle
UK model data platform from London that versions design data from Revit, Rhino and Tekla and shows it in dashboards and a 3D viewer
Quick Overview
| Company | AEC Systems Ltd (Speckle) |
|---|---|
| Category | BIM Software |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2020 |
| EU Presence | Yes - United Kingdom (UK) |
| Data Location | Default storage region UK; EU, US, APAC and Canada regions on the Enterprise plan |
| Open Source | Apache License 2.0 for the server repository, except Enterprise Edition modules |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Server code is on GitHub under Apache 2.0 outside the Enterprise Edition directories |
| Main Features | Connectors for Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Tekla, Civil 3D and IFC, file importers, model validation (beta), dashboards, Speckle Intelligence, 3D viewer, issues, automations, SSO |
| Pricing | Free plan (1 project, up to 3 users, 30-day version history); paid custom plans with unlimited projects and users, priced on request |
| Best For | BIM and computational design teams that move model data between Revit, Rhino, Tekla and dashboards |
| Replaces | Autodesk Data Exchange, Rhino.Inside.Revit, Autodesk Construction Cloud |
Detailed Review
Speckle does not model buildings. It receives published versions of models from the tools teams already use and keeps them in one versioned store, with a 3D viewer, issues, dashboards and validation checks on top.
The footer names AEC Systems Ltd and Companies House lists it as a private limited company, number 12403784, with its registered office in London, incorporated in January 2020. The register shows no person with significant control above 25 percent.
Connectors and data
The home page lists integrations for Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Tekla, Civil 3D, IFC and Forma, and says it reads Revit, Tekla, IFC and Civil 3D data side by side across a project or portfolio.
Plans and regions
The pricing page offers a free plan with 1 project, up to 3 users and a default UK storage region, and paid custom plans. Data residency options (UK, EU, US, APAC, Canada) and SSO are Enterprise features.
Open code
The speckle-server repository carries an Apache License 2.0 for most of the code, with the workspaces and gatekeeper modules under an Enterprise Edition licence.
Limitations to Consider
Speckle is a data layer, not an authoring tool. The free plan is small, European regions need an Enterprise plan, paid prices are on request, and the privacy policy names a US hosting provider (DigitalOcean) in its UK data centre. Model validation is labelled beta.
Who Should Use Speckle
BIM and computational design teams that want versioned model data and dashboards across Revit, Rhino and Tekla.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- UK company registered at Companies House
- Free plan available
- Connectors for several authoring tools
- Apache 2.0 server code
- Data residency choices on Enterprise
Cons
- Not an authoring tool
- Free plan limited to 1 project
- Paid prices on request
- Model validation is beta
Alternatives to Speckle
Other European bim software worth comparing before you decide:
Archicad
Hungary · BIM design software for architects, from Budapest
Allplan
Germany · BIM platform for architecture, structural and civil engineering
BricsCAD
Belgium · DWG-based 2D and 3D CAD from Ghent, with BIM and mechanical toolsets
Solibri
Finland · Rule-based model checking and clash detection for IFC and Revit models
See all European bim software or compare them directly against Autodesk Data Exchange on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The speckle-server repository is under the Apache License 2.0, except for the workspaces and gatekeeper modules, which carry an Enterprise Edition licence. The hosted platform is a commercial service with a free plan.
The default storage region is the UK. Choosing the European Union, US, APAC or Canada requires the Enterprise plan according to the pricing page.
No, Speckle moves and analyses data from Revit, Rhino, Tekla and other tools but does not author models. It is useful when a team wants to reduce dependence on one vendor's data exchange.