Bentley OpenBuildings Designer vs Autodesk Revit
OpenBuildings Designer and Revit are candidates for building information modelling in different engineering environments. Compare the required disciplines, drawings, model information and collaboration arrangement using the same copied project sample.
Which option fits the requirement?
OpenBuildings Designer and Revit are candidates for building information modelling in different engineering environments. Compare the required disciplines, drawings, model information and collaboration arrangement using the same copied project sample.
Seven differences that change the shortlist
| Buying question | Bentley OpenBuildings Designer | Autodesk Revit |
|---|---|---|
| Application context | Bentley building-design application | Autodesk building-information modelling application |
| Model focus | Building information models and coordinated design | Building models for supported design disciplines |
| Documentation | Selected building drawings and design information | Model-based drawings, schedules and documentation |
| Collaboration context | Bentley and supported project-information workflows | Selected Autodesk and supported collaboration services |
| Exchange boundary | Supported model formats and the chosen connected applications | Supported exchange and the chosen project workflows |
| Evaluation focus | Building disciplines, model exchange and required deliverables | Disciplines, authoring rights, coordination and deliverable handover |
| Cost components | Application licence, connected services, hardware and implementation | Selected software licence, collaboration services, hardware and setup |
Four worked buying briefs
These are hypothetical scenarios with explicit assumptions. They do not establish equal capabilities, measured usability or a negotiated price.
| Requirement | Proposed exercise | Accept when |
|---|---|---|
| Project sample | Recreate an authorised small building model and its key properties. | The team can locate the intended geometry and information. |
| Documentation | Produce the required drawings and a sample schedule. | Model and document updates follow the agreed project workflow. |
| Model exchange | Exchange a copied model through the intended supported route. | The receiving team can inspect required geometry and properties. |
| Team handover | Review authoring, coordination and project-information access. | The selected licences and services support the actual participant roles. |
Project sample
Can the team recreate an authorised small building model and its key properties?
Bentley OpenBuildings Designer: With Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, recreate an authorised small building model and its key properties.
Autodesk Revit: With Autodesk Revit, recreate an authorised small building model and its key properties.
The team can locate the intended geometry and information.
Documentation
Can the team produce the required drawings and a sample schedule?
Bentley OpenBuildings Designer: With Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, produce the required drawings and a sample schedule.
Autodesk Revit: With Autodesk Revit, produce the required drawings and a sample schedule.
Model and document updates follow the agreed project workflow.
Model exchange
Can the team exchange a copied model through the intended supported route?
Bentley OpenBuildings Designer: With Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, exchange a copied model through the intended supported route.
Autodesk Revit: With Autodesk Revit, exchange a copied model through the intended supported route.
The receiving team can inspect required geometry and properties.
Team handover
Can the team review authoring, coordination and project-information access?
Bentley OpenBuildings Designer: With Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, review authoring, coordination and project-information access.
Autodesk Revit: With Autodesk Revit, review authoring, coordination and project-information access.
The selected licences and services support the actual participant roles.
Scope and architecture
OpenBuildings Designer and Revit are candidates for building information modelling in different engineering environments. Compare the required disciplines, drawings, model information and collaboration arrangement using the same copied project sample.
Compare building-modelling applications through the project’s actual disciplines, deliverables, collaboration and exchange requirements. Product editions, authoring rights and connected services differ. A supported exchange format does not guarantee that every object, property or downstream edit transfers without review.
Bentley OpenBuildings Designer product information ↗ · Autodesk Revit product information ↗
Cost and migration planning
For Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, include application licence, connected services, hardware and implementation. For Autodesk Revit, include selected software licence, collaboration services, hardware and setup. Use the same workload and resilience assumptions, then confirm current vendor terms for the selected configuration.
Recreate a copied project sample and inspect geometry, properties, drawings, schedules and external references. Agree the model owner and supported exchange route before moving live project information.
Questions before you choose
How should we choose between Bentley OpenBuildings Designer and Autodesk Revit?
OpenBuildings Designer and Revit are candidates for building information modelling in different engineering environments. Compare the required disciplines, drawings, model information and collaboration arrangement using the same copied project sample.
Which costs belong in the comparison?
For Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, include application licence, connected services, hardware and implementation. For Autodesk Revit, include selected software licence, collaboration services, hardware and setup. Use the same workload and resilience assumptions, then confirm current vendor terms for the selected configuration.
What should we validate before a production move?
Recreate a copied project sample and inspect geometry, properties, drawings, schedules and external references. Agree the model owner and supported exchange route before moving live project information.
Turn the comparison into your own evaluation
Use the same criteria and priorities for both products, keep unknowns unassessed and record the plan and evidence behind your ratings.
Build a Bentley OpenBuildings Designer vs Autodesk Revit scorecard →Keep the assumptions with the figures
Use the date, billing cycle, units and limits with each example. Check current account terms before purchasing. Unverified prices and model costs stay unpriced.
Download the buying examples as JSON ↓Share the comparison
Use these examples when discussing the shortlist with your team.