Alternatives to Bonsai
Free, open-source Blender add-on for authoring and analysing native IFC building models. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Bonsai
Free, open-source Blender add-on for authoring and analysing native IFC building models.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Bonsai.
Autodesk Revit
Commercial BIM software for designing, documenting and coordinating architectural, structural and MEP building projects.
Autodesk Revit is standalone commercial BIM for Windows covering architectural, structural and MEP design, with automatic drawing updates, but it is paid and closed source.
Archicad
Graphisoft's BIM software for architectural design, construction documentation and team collaboration.
Archicad is Graphisoft's commercial BIM application for macOS with OpenBIM collaboration and architectural elements, and it does not require Blender, but it is closed source.
ALLPLAN
A commercial BIM and CAD platform for architecture, structural and civil engineering, and construction.
ALLPLAN is a commercial Windows BIM platform spanning architecture, engineering and construction, with precast and steel modules, aimed at firms with pricing only through sales.
Vectorworks
Commercial CAD and BIM software for architecture, landscape design and entertainment lighting and stage design.
Vectorworks is paid CAD and BIM for Windows and macOS covering architecture, landscape and entertainment design, replacing a free add-on with closed-source commercial software.
FreeCAD
A parametric 3D modeller for real objects: design by sketching constrained 2D shapes, then change the parameters later.
FreeCAD is a free, open-source parametric modeller with an architecture workbench among others, running standalone on Windows, macOS and Linux, though workbench polish varies.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Blender
The free 3D creation suite: modelling, sculpting, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and video editing.
Bforartists
A fork of Blender with a reworked, more discoverable graphical interface.
Enscape
A real-time rendering and VR plugin that works inside architectural CAD and BIM tools.
Twinmotion
A real-time 3D visualization tool from Epic Games for architecture, products and design presentations.
BricsCAD
Native-DWG CAD software with 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM, and mechanical variants.
