Best Civil Engineering Software with a Free Trial
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Compare the Top Civil Engineering Software with a Free Trial as of February 2026
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What is Civil Engineering Software with a Free Trial?
Civil engineering software includes a wide range of tools designed to assist civil engineers in the design, analysis, and management of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, buildings, and water systems. These software solutions enable engineers to create detailed designs, perform structural analysis, simulate environmental impacts, and generate construction plans. Features may include 3D modeling, geotechnical analysis, and hydraulic simulations. Civil engineering software also helps manage project timelines, track resources, and ensure compliance with local codes and regulations. These tools improve efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration among project teams, making them essential for delivering successful engineering projects. Compare and read user reviews of the best Civil Engineering software with a Free Trial currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
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1
Newforma
Newforma
Newforma empowers over 4M professionals and 1,500 AECO firms worldwide by revolutionizing Project Information Management. We transform vast amounts of project data into a meticulously organized, easily accessible, and fully searchable resource—all from a single, centralized platform. From pre-construction to years after completion, Newforma ensures you have the critical information you need at every stage of your projects. With over 50 integrations with the industry's most widely used applications and two decades of expertise, Newforma is your trusted partner in elevating project delivery through unparalleled information management. -
2
ActCAD Software
Jytra Technology Solutions
ActCAD is a native dwg/dxf cad software suitable for professional 2D drafting and 3D modeling projects. ActCAD is trusted by over 30000 users in over 103 countries for more than 10 years. The interface, commands, icons, dialogs, shortcuts etc. are very much similar to other popular cad software tools available in market. Flexible license types available even for single license. There is no learning for existing cad users while saving 80% of the costs. ActCAD offers free email technical support without any limitations. ActCAD can be fully customized and programs can be developed using our free API toolkit. It supports popular programming languages like , lisp dcl, .net, C++ etc. Apart from all regular commands, ActCAD offers many productive tools like pdf to cad converter, Block libraries, Image to Cad converter, handling point sets between Cad and Excel and many more. ActCAD is suitable for any high end professional projects in the domains of Architecture, Civil, Mechanical,AutomotiveStarting Price: $249.00/one-time/user -
3
SkyCiv Structural 3D
SkyCiv Engineering
SkyCiv Structural 3D is a cloud-based Structural Analysis software that allows users to model, analyze and design complex 3D structures. It is completely online; requiring no installation to use. SkyCiv Structural 3D offers the very best in online structural analysis. It includes the following: - Powerful Analysis: Linear, P-Delta, Cables, Buckling, Plates, Frequency, RS - Integrated Design checks for steel, wood, connections, foundations, wind (AISC, NSD, AISI, EN, AS, CSA, BS plus more...)Starting Price: $79/month/user -
4
AutoCAD
Autodesk
Autodesk AutoCAD is the world’s leading 2D and 3D CAD software, trusted by millions of architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It provides precision tools to design, draft, and document complex projects across industries. The 2026 version introduces Autodesk AI, enabling automated drafting, smart block recognition, and real-time collaboration through Autodesk Docs. With customizable workspaces, AutoLISP automation, and access to over 1,000 apps, users can streamline every stage of their design workflow. AutoCAD also offers seven specialized industry toolsets that boost productivity by up to 63%, from architecture to electrical and mechanical design. Available on desktop, web, and mobile, AutoCAD empowers professionals to design anywhere with confidence and efficiency.Starting Price: $1,268 per user per year -
5
Civil Designer
Civil Designer Software
Civil Designer is an integrated software suite of modules for earthworks, roads, highways, stormwater, wastewater, and potable water supply which seamlessly integrates into your BIM workflow. Combine the modules that you need for your projects and design, analyze, model, measure, document and visualize civil infrastructure with ease.Starting Price: EUR 65 p/m Design Centre Only -
6
MicroStation
Bentley Systems
MicroStation by Bentley Systems is the trusted computer-aided design (CAD) software built specifically for infrastructure design. It enables architects, engineers, and designers to create precise 2D and 3D drawings that bring complex projects to life—from bridges and highways to utilities and smart cities. With powerful tools for design, documentation, and visualization, MicroStation helps professionals deliver projects faster, more accurately, and with greater confidence. The software natively supports DGN, DWG, and point-cloud data, eliminating file conversion hassles and improving collaboration across teams. Its robust environment connects applications, data, and users to ensure seamless project delivery at any scale. MicroStation is the foundation of modern infrastructure design—reliable, interoperable, and built for professionals who build the world.Starting Price: $250 per month -
7
Kenesto
Kenesto Corporation
Kenesto is a cloud-based storage solution for managing engineering, design, and construction documents. Kenesto is much less expensive than enterprise PDM solutions but provides automatic file locking, versioning, vaulting, 2D/3D viewing, and web-based design review tools not found in consumer-grade cloud storage solutions such as Dropbox and Google Drive. The solution behaves like a mounted disk in the customer's office but the with a single source of truth in the cloud. File locking prevents users from overwriting each other's data. All versions of all files are stored in perpetuity. Using the familiar user interface of Windows Explorer, files and folders are arranged in the same way as one would expect for a C Drive. Kenesto includes tasks and workflows. A plugin for SolidWorks is available for no charge. All file transfers from the user’s local computer to the cloud are encrypted. All files are stored in secure AWS S3 and are encrypted.Starting Price: $27/user/month (single user) -
8
GeoHECRAS
CivilGEO, Inc.
GeoHECRAS is a river modeling software used to compute water surface profiles for steady and unsteady flow models, bridge and culvert roadway crossings, FEMA floodplain encroachments, stream restorations, inline reservoir structures, off-channel storage areas, and much more. GeoHECRAS offers: • Quickly Build 1D & 2D HEC-RAS Models • Automatic Assignment of Land Cover as Manning’s Roughness • Digital Terrain Cross Section Cutting • Automated Bridge & Culvert Sizing and Designing • Automated FEMA Floodplain Encroachments • LiDAR Elevation Terrain Processing • Automated Model Calibration • AutoCAD, MicroStation & ESRI ArcGIS Compatible • 100% Compatible with US Army Corps of Engineers HEC-RAS GeoHECRAS provides an easy-to-use, single graphical platform to rapidly create stunning HEC-RAS models and 3D visualizations from a variety of different data sources like AutoCAD, MicroStation, ArcGIS, Google Maps, and more. -
9
Civil 3D
Autodesk
Civil 3D® civil engineering design software supports BIM (Building Information Modeling) with integrated features to improve drafting, design, and construction documentation. Conduct grading design studies based on project constraints. Grading Optimization is available in Civil 3D only as part of the Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection. Transform how you navigate, visualize, and interact with Civil 3D design models. Project Explorer is an extension available in Civil 3D only through the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Collection. Experience more efficient workflows for surface modeling, corridor modeling, site design, storm and sanitary, and plan production and documentation with Civil 3D® civil engineering design software. Securely access Civil 3D files, data shortcuts, and xrefs from multiple locations and companies, all in a common data environment.Starting Price: $2,430 per year -
10
GeoHECHMS
CivilGEO, Inc.
GeoHECHMS greatly speeds up the creation, analysis, and review of stormwater models. It is a data wrapper to the industry-standard US Army Corps of Engineers HEC-HMS software using an AutoCAD compatible graphical user interface. GeoHECHMS offers: • Automated HEC-HMS Workflows • AutoCAD Civil 3D & ArcGIS Integration • Automated Watershed Delineation • Detention Pond Design • Purpose-Built Stormwater Design Tools • Automated TOC & Lag Time • Automated CN Computations • Comprehensive Report Generation GeoHECHMS lets you quickly compare different scenarios and alternatives, such as pre-development conditions with different post-development designs. Rapidly construct, design, analyze and compare detention and retention ponds. -
11
HydroCAD
HydroCAD Software Solutions
HydroCAD Stormwater Modeling provides easy TR-20, TR-55, SBUH, and Rational hydrology, plus TC calculations, pond storage, outlet hydraulics, pump routing, underground storage, pollutant loading, and more. Special features include direct CAD import, dam breach routing, skimmers, tubes, siphons, local rainfall data import, and a constantly expanding chamber library. Interactive graphical environment is fast and intuitive, producing better results in less time on every project.Starting Price: $295.00 -
12
ArCADia-ARCHITECTURE
ArCADiasoft
Intended for architects and all who shape and create building forms. ArCADia-ARCHITECTURE contains specialized architectural functions and options to accelerate the creation of documentation, including: automatic cross-sections, automatic dimensioning or lists creation. Thanks to the BIM technology used, the designer creating the architectural design automatically receives a digital model of the building. Because to that, the design process can be controlled on the interactive 3D preview at all times. This module expands the capabilities of the ArCADia BIM program with advanced functions, which means that part of the building modelling options are available in the ArCADia BIM program.Starting Price: $540.00/one-time -
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ArCADia-WATER SUPPLY INSTALLATIONS
ArCADiasoft
The module is intended for designers of internal sanitary installations and allows for creating the professional documentation of internal water supply installations. Easily and quickly create drawings using automatic connections of draw-off taps with the installation. Create calculations, generate axonometric views, check correctness in terms of hydraulics and automatic selection of elements from the library. This module expands the capabilities of the ArCADia BIM program with advanced functions, which means that part of the building modelling options are available in the ArCADia BIM program.Starting Price: $350.00/one-time -
14
SierraSoft Roads
SierraSoft
SierraSoft Roads is a BIM software for the design of roads and highways. The BIM functions of SierraSoft Roads allow you to produce, modify, share, and analyze road information models. Design and information modeling occur simultaneously with a strong optimization of activities and cost containment. In one product you have all the tools for design, policy control, information modeling and quantities calculation.Starting Price: $1190.00/year/user -
15
ClearCalcs
ClearCalcs
ClearCalcs is a cloud structural engineering software that enables engineers and designers to streamline their repetitive calculations with easy-to-use calculators for beams, columns, foundations, and more. With calculators available for the US standards, Eurocode, Australian standards, New Zealand standards, and Canadian standards, ClearCalcs is a one-stop shop for improving your productivity and design capability. Calculations can be linked together with one click, saving on time and errors, copy-pasting loads, and reports print to a simple, one-page PDF for easy checking.Starting Price: $79.00 USD / month -
16
AllyCad
Knowledge Base
AllyCAD is developed and distributed by Knowledge Base Software and has seen over 30 years of industry application and development. It is the preferred choice of thousands of technical draughtpersons who enjoy its user-friendly drawing tools and technique. AllyCAD places all the draughting functionality that you need at your fingertips, allowing you to design the way you want to. AllyCAD's industrial strength, advanced functionality and feature rich toolkits make it the only choice for our clients. AllyCAD allows 2D and 3D draughting, is fast and powerful. We have added and improved many features and functionality to give you the AllyCAD Advantage. Take a look at the Features page to get a more detailed overview. An advantage of using AllyCAD, is that the software comes with specialised toolkits have been designed to speed up essential but time-consuming tasks relevant to the various CAD disciplines. We are renowned for having the best support in the industry.Starting Price: $210 per year -
17
Plateia
CGS Labs
BIM ready solution for roadway design & reconstruction. Plateia is a professional, BIM-ready, 3D road design and reconstruction software solution. Using its flexible, dynamic data model, it supports BIM workflows and processes, and IFC standardized data format. Carefully designed UI and workflows are consistent with the road design engineering practice. This makes Plateia fast-to-learn and easy-to-use. It provides the commands and tools to support the entire design process. From preliminary to detailed design, from the initial input of survey data to complex 3D road models with analysis tools, to documentation and publishing features. Plateia is a professional, BIM-ready, 3D road design and reconstruction software solution. It provides the commands and tools to support the entire design process, from preliminary to detailed design, from the initial input of survey data to complex 3D road models with analysis tools, to documentation and publishing features.Starting Price: $263 per 30 days -
18
InfraWorks
Autodesk
InfraWorks® conceptual design software lets architecture, engineering, and construction professionals model, analyze, and visualize infrastructure design concepts within the context of the built and natural environment—improving decision making and accelerating project approvals. Aggregate large amounts of data to generate a rich context model. Seamlessly integrate design with geospatial GIS data. Model existing conditions that represent the built and natural environment. Visually explore conceptual design options in-context. Use analysis and simulation tools to explore important aspects of your project. Generate compelling and immersive visual experiences to communicate design intent. Establish existing site conditions and extract linear features to accelerate design.Starting Price: $1,825 per year -
19
SPACE GASS
SPACE GASS
SPACE GASS is a multi-purpose 3D analysis and design program for structural engineers. Its extensive range of features make it suitable for anything from beams, trusses and frames to buildings, towers, tanks, cable structures and bridges. Capabilities include a 64-bit multi-core solver, silky smooth 3D rendered graphics, plate finite elements, frame elements, cable elements, tension/compression-only elements, moving loads and links to many CAD and building management programs. Why SPACE GASS Save time, money, and get a safe and efficient design. Silky smooth graphical interface that lets you see your changes visually as you go. A fast sparse matrix solver that fully utilizes the parallel processing power of multi-core computers. A wide range of structural modeling tools, analysis options and design modules. Comprehensive video tutorials to walk you through some of the tricky stuff. Configurable for stand-alone or floating network systems.Starting Price: $600 per month -
20
Geotechnical Engineering Modelling Software (GEMS)
Geotechnical Engineering Modelling Software (GEMS)
Geotechnical Engineering Modelling Software (GEMS) develops advanced and intuitive CAD software for foundation analysis & design. GEMS foundation analysis suite employs finite element modeling techniques for analysis & design of shallow and deep foundations. The foundation analysis suite includes modules for analyzing beam foundations, pile foundations and a specialized module for analyzing offshore pile foundations. Try GEMS foundation analysis suite for FREE on the cloud. It is also available for trial download and purchase for PC & Mac's.Starting Price: $500/year/user -
21
Flow Calc 365
John R. Hamilton Enterprises, Inc.
Flow Calc 365 is an advanced and powerful software calculator for open channel flow using the Manning Equation for regular and irregular channel geometries for steady uniform flow including circular and elliptical pipes. Civil Engineers have found Flow Calc to be a useful tool for quick calculation results and professional reports. Flow Calc can be used to solve for Manning N Value, Channel Slope, Normal Depth, and Flow Rate for irregular channels and pipe channels including elliptical pipes. Rating Tables of Flow Rate versus Normal Depth are easily created where the user can modify variables of a channel such as side slope, channel slope, Manning N Value, and other variables. Flow Calc 365 uses trusted software installation practices utilizing RSA SHA-256 encryption technology to provide the highest level of security trust with validation reputation that is compliant with Microsoft Smartscreen® technology.Starting Price: $99/year/license -
22
PowerPad
MasterSeries
MasterSeries PowerPad is a complete structural analysis and design suite. It is the ideal software choice for engineers who require a wide range of design capabilities at an extremely affordable price. By bundling lite versions of the core analysis and design programs, MasterSeries PowerPad delivers a wide range of well-established programs (not pro-forma's) at less than a third of their full version price. At the heart of PowerPad is our powerful MasterFrame analysis module. This integrates directly with our steel, concrete, composite, and timber design modules to give you a seamless, fully integrated, 3D analysis and design environment. PowerPad (Student Edition) is a free version of our commercial PowerPad Plus structural analysis and design software suite. PowerPad is not a set of proformas, but lite copies of our real programs bundled together. Simple steel, concrete, and timber beam designer. Analysis of beams, trusses, plane frames, grillages and space frames.Starting Price: $102.50 per month -
23
RISA-3D
RISA
Our user interface was created to be as easy to use as possible. Whether you’re creating geometry graphically in multiple views using advanced modeling tools or using spreadsheets to input data directly, RISA-3D has you covered. RISA-3D’s analysis and design features allow you to rapidly design structures of all types using a wide range of materials. Design buildings, bridges, tanks, culverts, and everything in between. Create reports with both graphical and numerical results including robust detailed output, giving you and your colleagues full confidence in your design. The latest user interface of RISA-3D was created with a structural engineers' workflow in mind. The familiar left-to-right, tab-by-tab ribbon approach, makes it effortless to progress through a model from conception to final design optimization by simply following the icon sequencing. Additionally, users have the ability to customize the interface so that their most used tools are available at all times.Starting Price: $1,970 per year -
24
RISAFloor
RISA
Create a single floor or multiple floors with ease using automatically generated grids, graphical input of structural members, and parent/child relationships in an easy-to-navigate environment. Easily design and optimize floor systems of various materials for applied loads, including live load reduction and vibrations while utilizing design rules that make managing results straightforward. RISAFloor ES includes optimization of rebar, full code checks including punching shear and detailing requirements, cracked section properties, and elastic deflection analysis. RISAFloor’s interface creates an intuitive floor-by-floor modeling environment for straightforward multi-story building creation. Quickly model floor elements using a DXF overlay, construction lines, and a combination of spreadsheet input and CAD-like modeling. In addition, parent/child floor relationships let you mimic one floor’s layout within another, eliminating repetitive modeling and modifications.Starting Price: $1,510 per year -
25
ADAPT-Builder
RISA
Easily create complex concrete geometry including single levels, ramps, and multi-story concrete structures using robust modeling tools as well as import from CAD and BIM software. Efficiently analyze slabs or entire structures for the combined effects of gravity, lateral, and vibration loading, utilizing true 3D finite element analysis, straightforward load takedown, and realistic slab alignment. Whether you’re investigating an existing reinforced concrete slab or designing a multi-story post-tensioned building, ADAPT-Builder allows you to control all aspects of design including cracking, long-term deflections, and punching shear, ensuring results are accurate and complete. Whatever your concrete design needs are, there is ADAPT software for you. Compare packages and get started. ADAPT-Builder is the 3D modeling, analysis, and design platform for ADAPT-Floor Pro, Edge, MAT, and SOG, while Modeler can be used together with ADAPT-PT and RC.Starting Price: $3,745 per year -
26
Plex-Earth
Plex-Earth
You're always looking at the bigger picture to make better design decisions, so our satellite, aerial and drone imagery from the best available providers suits you perfectly, for insight, inspiration and understanding. It's actually better than being there! Now you can design with greater confidence, because you really can see everything; every bump and dip, every channel, ridge or obstruction on the site, and the surrounding areas too. Any time you like, and anywhere in the world. Impress and engage clients and stakeholders, winning their hearts, their appreciation – and the contract. Now you can export whole drawings into Google Earth, allowing everyone to easily tour, understand and appreciate your design and proposals.Starting Price: $499 per year -
27
RTOPO Hydrology
Rcad Software SRL
Simple, powerful and inexpensive CAD software for surveying. You can do triangulation, contour lines, color-filled contour maps, sections, intersections, volume between 2 triangulations, editing XYZ files, simulation of rainwater runoff, conversion of the existing contour lines resulting from maps in points and then in a triangulation, intersection and division of two triangulations or of a triangulation by a horizontal plan, transformation of a drawing containing entities as Polyline, Line, Block and Text, in XYZ points file and much more. You can represent 4D points cloud and process hundreds of thousands of points or triangles, even on less powerful PCs.Starting Price: $94 -
28
BRIGADE
TECHNIA AB
BRIGADE is an advanced FEM software for bridge analysis and design. The BRIGADE suite delivers a complete workflow for modelling, analysis and result presentation of bridges and other civil structures. With parametric 3D modelling, automatic meshing and built‑in handling of moving traffic loads according to Eurocode and other international standards, BRIGADE provides engineers with a powerful tool for bridge design, load calculation, damage assessment and dynamic analysis. -
29
AutoTURN
Transoft Solutions
AutoTURN® is used to confidently analyze road and site design projects including intersections, roundabouts, bus terminals, loading bays, parking lots or any on/off-street assignments involving vehicle access checks, clearances, and swept path maneuvers. As the vehicle swept path analysis software of choice for transportation engineers, planners, drafters, and architects, AutoTURN is used everyday. In fact, almost every state DOT in the US and provincial MOT in Canada use AutoTURN making it the defacto standard software of its kind for government agencies. Designers can make adjustments to a vehicle’s path through manipulation of points along the travel way, allowing for fine-tuning of vehicle position. Sections of the turning simulation can be added or adjusted for increased flexibility. These different editing functions can be used to adjust Arc, Corner and Oversteer path. -
30
RoadEng Civil Engineer
Softree Technical Systems
Faster, lighter, easier and specialized for the design of rural infrastructure, RoadEng significantly speeds up the corridor design process. Built from the ground up to work with surfaces, cross-sections, and alignments, RoadEng handles larger data sets in ways other civil design software cannot. No additional CAD software required. You don’t need to struggle with complicated and expensive CAD software. No need to learn and re-learn complicated software for complex highway interchanges and other things you don’t do. Geometric corridor design in a simple and intuitive user interface. Visualize your road design in 3D, plan, profile and section views simultaneously. Make a change to the project, dynamically watch all of the windows update. Minimize earthwork costs for roads, highways, and other corridor projects. Automatically balance your mass haul. Get the lowest cost vertical alignment.
