Quick Overview
- 1#1: AVEVA E3D Design - Advanced 3D modeling software for clash-free design of piping, equipment, HVAC, and structures in complex industrial plants.
- 2#2: Hexagon Smart 3D - Comprehensive plant design platform for creating detailed 3D models, automating engineering tasks, and supporting large-scale projects.
- 3#3: Bentley OpenPlant - Integrated suite for 3D plant modeling, piping design, and interdisciplinary collaboration with digital twin capabilities.
- 4#4: Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D - CAD-based tool for creating P&IDs, 3D piping models, and orthographic drawings with automated production of isometrics.
- 5#5: CADWorx Plant Design - User-friendly 3D plant design software for piping, equipment layout, and steel structures with integrated analysis tools.
- 6#6: CADMATIC 3D Plant Design - 3D design solution for plants and ships featuring automated drawing generation and digital twin technology.
- 7#7: M4 PLANT - Modular software for 3D piping, plant layout, steel structures, and HVAC design with cloud collaboration options.
- 8#8: Siemens COMOS - Integrated platform for plant engineering, 3D modeling, and lifecycle management from FEED to operations.
- 9#9: Smap3D Plant Design - Add-on modules for AutoCAD and SolidWorks enabling P&ID, piping, steel, and ducting design in plants.
- 10#10: Tekla Structures - BIM software specialized in detailed modeling and fabrication of steel structures for industrial plants.
We evaluated tools based on advanced features, reliability, ease of use, and value, ensuring a curated list that balances specialized capabilities with broad applicability across diverse plant projects.
Comparison Table
This comparison table evaluates leading plant design software tools, including AVEVA E3D Design, Hexagon Smart 3D, Bentley OpenPlant, Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D, CADWorx Plant Design, and others, to help users identify the right fit for their projects. Readers will gain insights into each tool's core capabilities, integration strengths, and ideal applications, facilitating informed decisions for plant design and engineering workflows.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AVEVA E3D Design Advanced 3D modeling software for clash-free design of piping, equipment, HVAC, and structures in complex industrial plants. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Hexagon Smart 3D Comprehensive plant design platform for creating detailed 3D models, automating engineering tasks, and supporting large-scale projects. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | Bentley OpenPlant Integrated suite for 3D plant modeling, piping design, and interdisciplinary collaboration with digital twin capabilities. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D CAD-based tool for creating P&IDs, 3D piping models, and orthographic drawings with automated production of isometrics. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 5 | CADWorx Plant Design User-friendly 3D plant design software for piping, equipment layout, and steel structures with integrated analysis tools. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | CADMATIC 3D Plant Design 3D design solution for plants and ships featuring automated drawing generation and digital twin technology. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | M4 PLANT Modular software for 3D piping, plant layout, steel structures, and HVAC design with cloud collaboration options. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 8 | Siemens COMOS Integrated platform for plant engineering, 3D modeling, and lifecycle management from FEED to operations. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Smap3D Plant Design Add-on modules for AutoCAD and SolidWorks enabling P&ID, piping, steel, and ducting design in plants. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Tekla Structures BIM software specialized in detailed modeling and fabrication of steel structures for industrial plants. | enterprise | 7.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 5.4/10 | 6.5/10 |
Advanced 3D modeling software for clash-free design of piping, equipment, HVAC, and structures in complex industrial plants.
Comprehensive plant design platform for creating detailed 3D models, automating engineering tasks, and supporting large-scale projects.
Integrated suite for 3D plant modeling, piping design, and interdisciplinary collaboration with digital twin capabilities.
CAD-based tool for creating P&IDs, 3D piping models, and orthographic drawings with automated production of isometrics.
User-friendly 3D plant design software for piping, equipment layout, and steel structures with integrated analysis tools.
3D design solution for plants and ships featuring automated drawing generation and digital twin technology.
Modular software for 3D piping, plant layout, steel structures, and HVAC design with cloud collaboration options.
Integrated platform for plant engineering, 3D modeling, and lifecycle management from FEED to operations.
Add-on modules for AutoCAD and SolidWorks enabling P&ID, piping, steel, and ducting design in plants.
BIM software specialized in detailed modeling and fabrication of steel structures for industrial plants.
AVEVA E3D Design
enterpriseAdvanced 3D modeling software for clash-free design of piping, equipment, HVAC, and structures in complex industrial plants.
Advanced, fully integrated clash management system that proactively avoids conflicts across the entire project lifecycle
AVEVA E3D Design is a leading 3D modeling and design software specifically engineered for complex plant projects in industries like oil & gas, power, and chemicals. It provides advanced capabilities for piping, structural steel, equipment, and HVAC design, with seamless integration of laser scan data for as-built modeling. The software's clash-free workflow and automation tools significantly reduce rework and accelerate project delivery for large-scale engineering teams.
Pros
- Superior clash detection and avoidance for error-free designs
- Comprehensive spec-driven modeling and design reuse capabilities
- Robust integration with laser scans, PDMS migration, and AVEVA ecosystem
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training
- High hardware demands and resource-intensive performance
- Premium pricing inaccessible for small firms
Best For
Large engineering contractors and EPC firms managing multibillion-dollar plant projects requiring maximum accuracy and efficiency.
Pricing
Enterprise licensing with custom quotes; typically starts at $50,000+ annually per seat for subscriptions, plus maintenance fees.
Hexagon Smart 3D
enterpriseComprehensive plant design platform for creating detailed 3D models, automating engineering tasks, and supporting large-scale projects.
Database-driven rule-based automation that enables real-time, clash-free design updates across billion-object plant models
Hexagon Smart 3D is a comprehensive 3D CAD software solution tailored for plant design in industries like oil & gas, power, chemicals, and marine. It enables the creation of fully constructible digital plant models, including piping, equipment, steel structures, HVAC, and cable management, with built-in automation for clash-free design. The platform supports integration with laser scan data, reality modeling, and enterprise databases for efficient engineering workflows on large-scale projects.
Pros
- Exceptional automation tools for piping routing and structural placement
- Superior clash detection with Quick Clash and space evaluation features
- Robust integration with reality capture data and digital twin platforms
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training
- High hardware demands for handling massive models
- Premium pricing limits accessibility for smaller firms
Best For
Large EPC firms and owner-operators tackling complex greenfield or brownfield plant projects with high collaboration needs.
Pricing
Enterprise-level custom licensing; annual subscriptions typically range from $15,000+ per user, with volume discounts for large deployments—contact sales for quotes.
Bentley OpenPlant
enterpriseIntegrated suite for 3D plant modeling, piping design, and interdisciplinary collaboration with digital twin capabilities.
Connected data environment via iTwin platform for real-time cloud collaboration and lifecycle data management
Bentley OpenPlant is a comprehensive suite of applications for 3D plant design, enabling detailed modeling of piping, equipment, structures, and instrumentation in industrial facilities like refineries, power plants, and process plants. It supports the full project lifecycle from P&ID development through construction documentation and as-built management, leveraging Bentley's MicroStation platform for robust CAD capabilities. Key tools include OpenPlant Modeler, Isometrics Manager, and Orthographics Producer, with strong emphasis on standards compliance and data interoperability.
Pros
- Extensive 3D modeling tools with advanced clash detection and automated routing
- Superior interoperability with P&ID, laser scan data, and Bentley ecosystem
- Rule-based automation and parametric catalogs for standards-compliant designs
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to MicroStation foundation
- High cost unsuitable for small firms or simple projects
- Resource-heavy performance on standard hardware
Best For
Large engineering firms and EPC contractors managing complex, multi-discipline industrial plant projects.
Pricing
Subscription-based enterprise licensing, typically $10,000–$25,000+ per user annually, with custom quotes for project bundles.
Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D
enterpriseCAD-based tool for creating P&IDs, 3D piping models, and orthographic drawings with automated production of isometrics.
Spec-driven piping design with automatic clash detection and compliance checking
Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D is an industry-standard software for plant design, extending the AutoCAD platform to provide intelligent 3D modeling of piping systems, equipment, and structures. It supports the full workflow from P&ID creation to 3D modeling, automated orthographic drawings, pipe isometrics, and bills of materials generation. Designed for process plant engineers, it ensures spec-driven design compliance and seamless data integration across project phases.
Pros
- Seamless P&ID-to-3D integration with live data linking
- Automated production of isometrics, orthographics, and BOMs
- Extensive spec-driven piping library and validation tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to AutoCAD foundation
- High subscription costs with limited perpetual options
- Performance lags on extremely large models
Best For
Engineering firms in oil & gas, chemical, or power industries already invested in the Autodesk ecosystem needing robust 3D plant modeling.
Pricing
Annual subscription starting at $2,310 USD per user, with multi-year discounts available.
CADWorx Plant Design
enterpriseUser-friendly 3D plant design software for piping, equipment layout, and steel structures with integrated analysis tools.
Spec-driven modeling that automatically pulls from project databases for accurate, standards-compliant designs without manual data entry
CADWorx Plant Design is a powerful 3D CAD software suite developed by Hexagon for industrial plant design, offering tools for piping, equipment, structural steel, HVAC, and cable tray modeling. It integrates seamlessly with AutoCAD or BricsCAD, enabling efficient 3D modeling, clash detection, automated isometric and orthographic drawing generation, and bill of materials extraction. Widely used in oil & gas, petrochemical, power, and chemical industries, it supports project collaboration through tools like Design Reviewer and interoperability with analysis software such as CAESAR II.
Pros
- Comprehensive 3D modeling with extensive spec-driven libraries for pipes, valves, and equipment
- Automated production of fabrication isometrics, BOMs, and reports saving significant time
- Strong integration with analysis tools and standards compliance for global projects
Cons
- Steep learning curve, especially for users new to AutoCAD-based workflows
- High licensing costs make it less viable for small firms or freelance designers
- Performance can lag on extremely large models without high-end hardware
Best For
Mid-to-large EPC firms and engineering teams handling complex industrial plant projects in oil & gas, chemicals, and power sectors.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing; perpetual licenses or annual subscriptions starting around $5,000-$10,000 per seat depending on modules.
CADMATIC 3D Plant Design
enterprise3D design solution for plants and ships featuring automated drawing generation and digital twin technology.
Fully integrated model-based design environment that unifies 3D modeling, analysis, and production outputs without data silos
CADMATIC 3D Plant Design is a comprehensive CAD solution tailored for industrial plant engineering, enabling detailed 3D modeling of piping, equipment, structures, HVAC, and cable trays. It supports multidisciplinary collaboration with advanced clash detection, automated isometric and drawing generation, and seamless integration with ERP and PLM systems. The software streamlines workflows from concept to construction, emphasizing information modeling for efficient project delivery in process industries.
Pros
- Powerful multidisciplinary 3D modeling and clash detection
- Automated documentation and BOM generation
- Strong data interoperability with industry standards
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- High cost for smaller firms
- Primarily on-premise with limited cloud options
Best For
Large EPC contractors and engineering firms in oil & gas, power plants, and marine sectors needing robust, integrated 3D plant design.
Pricing
Enterprise licensing with custom quotes; perpetual or subscription models starting at tens of thousands annually, plus maintenance fees.
M4 PLANT
enterpriseModular software for 3D piping, plant layout, steel structures, and HVAC design with cloud collaboration options.
SQL Server-powered data-centric architecture enabling ultra-scalable modeling of enormous plant designs without performance degradation
M4 PLANT by CAD Schroer is a comprehensive 2D/3D plant design software suite tailored for industrial facilities, enabling the creation of P&IDs, piping layouts, equipment modeling, and full 3D plant walkthroughs. It features a unified data model that ensures consistency from schematic design through to fabrication isometrics and material take-offs. Optimized for large-scale projects, it leverages a Microsoft SQL Server backend to handle millions of objects with high performance and supports rule-based automation for design validation.
Pros
- Superior performance for massive projects with millions of objects
- Seamless integration between 2D P&ID and 3D modeling
- Rule-based automation and plant-wide data consistency
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring specialized training
- Enterprise pricing inaccessible for small firms
- Fewer native integrations with mainstream CAD tools
Best For
Large EPC firms and engineering consultancies handling complex multi-discipline industrial plant projects.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing; perpetual or subscription models starting at $20,000+ annually per seat, contact vendor for quotes.
Siemens COMOS
enterpriseIntegrated platform for plant engineering, 3D modeling, and lifecycle management from FEED to operations.
Data-centric architecture that synchronizes changes across P&ID, 3D models, and MRO data in real-time
Siemens COMOS is an integrated platform for plant engineering and design, supporting the full lifecycle from feasibility studies and P&ID development to 3D modeling, construction, and operations & maintenance. It provides discipline-specific tools for process, instrumentation, electrical, and mechanical engineering with a strong emphasis on data consistency and reuse. COMOS excels in managing complex, data-intensive projects in process industries by linking engineering data across 2D/3D environments and ERP systems.
Pros
- Seamless integration across engineering disciplines and lifecycle phases
- Robust data management ensuring consistency and error reduction
- Scalable for multinational projects with strong Siemens ecosystem compatibility
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- High upfront costs and long implementation times
- Less flexible for small-scale or agile projects
Best For
Large engineering firms and operators managing complex, multi-discipline industrial plants in oil & gas, chemicals, or power sectors.
Pricing
Enterprise-level pricing via custom quotes; typically perpetual licenses or annual subscriptions starting at $20,000+ per user, scaling with modules and users.
Smap3D Plant Design
specializedAdd-on modules for AutoCAD and SolidWorks enabling P&ID, piping, steel, and ducting design in plants.
Intelligent auto-routing for 3D piping with real-time clash detection and fully automated isometric drawing generation
Smap3D Plant Design is a comprehensive CAD add-in for SolidWorks and AutoCAD, specializing in 3D modeling for industrial plant design including piping, steel structures, HVAC, and cable trays. It automates routing, clash detection, BOM generation, and isometric drawings to streamline workflows. The software excels in integrating mechanical, electrical, and structural disciplines within a single environment.
Pros
- Seamless integration with SolidWorks and AutoCAD for native CAD users
- Automated pipe routing, clash detection, and isometric production
- Modular design covering piping, steel, HVAC, and instrumentation comprehensively
Cons
- Requires proficiency in host CAD software, steep learning curve for newcomers
- Not a standalone solution, dependent on SolidWorks or AutoCAD licenses
- Pricing can escalate with additional modules and user seats
Best For
Mid-sized engineering firms using SolidWorks or AutoCAD for detailed 3D plant piping and structural design projects.
Pricing
Modular licensing starting at €2,000+ per module; full suites and subscriptions require custom quotes based on users and features.
Tekla Structures
enterpriseBIM software specialized in detailed modeling and fabrication of steel structures for industrial plants.
Fabrication-oriented detailing that produces CNC machine files and erection drawings directly from the 3D model
Tekla Structures is a BIM software primarily focused on detailed 3D modeling and management of steel and concrete structures in construction projects. In plant design contexts, it excels at creating precise models of structural elements like pipe racks, platforms, and support frameworks within industrial facilities such as refineries or power plants. While it integrates well with other tools for clash detection and coordination, it lacks comprehensive native capabilities for piping, equipment layout, and process design typically required in full plant engineering workflows.
Pros
- Highly accurate structural modeling with parametric components for steel and concrete
- Robust clash detection and model coordination capabilities
- Generates fabrication-ready outputs like NC files and shop drawings
Cons
- Limited built-in tools for piping, instrumentation, and equipment modeling
- Steep learning curve and complex interface
- High licensing costs with additional expenses for modules and training
Best For
Structural engineers and detailers focused on modeling support structures and frameworks in industrial plant projects who need fabrication-level precision.
Pricing
Annual subscription per user starts at around $15,000-$25,000 depending on edition, modules, and region; perpetual licenses also available but less common.
Conclusion
The top tools deliver exceptional value, with AVEVA E3D Design emerging as the top choice for its advanced, clash-free 3D modeling in complex industrial plants. Hexagon Smart 3D and Bentley OpenPlant follow as strong alternatives, offering comprehensive platforms for large-scale projects and interdisciplinary collaboration, respectively, catering to diverse needs. Together, they represent the pinnacle of plant design software, each setting high standards for precision and innovation.
Explore AVEVA E3D Design to unlock its industry-leading capabilities and enhance your plant design processes today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison