Best MEP Software with a Free Trial of 2025

Revit provides specialized software for electrical design, while AutoCAD offers dedicated tools for both electrical and HVAC planning. Maximize the potential of your Revit model for electrical layouts by easily creating one-line riser diagrams, sizing feeders, accurately calculating voltage drops, conducting short-circuit analyses, and much more. Within the well-known AutoCAD platform, you can access a comprehensive electrical design tool that seamlessly combines calculations with drafting tasks. From generating panel schedules to creating one-line diagrams and assessing fault as well as voltage drop, the software covers all essential aspects. Additionally, in the AutoCAD environment, the HVAC design program allows you to efficiently layout, size, and draft your ductwork, ensuring a streamlined workflow for all your design needs. This integration of features not only enhances productivity but also simplifies the overall design process.

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 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, Bing Maps, and more.

Revizto unifies BIM intelligence, making it instantly accessible and actionable for all project team members. Revizto's advanced Issue tracker predefined workflows allow project team members to identify and manage model-based issues within the 3D space as well as 2D sheets. This includes addressing clash groups. Revizto gives everyone unified access to project data for both 2D and 3-D workflows. This allows anyone to use it according to their project requirements.

Enhance the accuracy of cost estimates for MEP building system projects during the detailing, fabrication, and installation phases by utilizing the Fabrication ESTmep™ software, which provides valuable insights into project expenses and aids in creating competitive bids. The interconnectedness of CADmep, ESTmep, and CAMduct facilitates adaptable workflows, allowing you to develop precise models for estimation purposes. You can easily import models for cost assessment and generate more competitive bids efficiently with the design line feature. Additionally, you can modify databases for rapid cost adjustments and present clients with various pricing alternatives for services. Visualizing job costs and conducting cost analysis through color coding enhances clarity. Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep serves as a comprehensive cost estimation tool that empowers mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) contractors to generate accurate cost projections throughout the entire project lifecycle. The software also offers a vast selection of manufacturer items and pattern templates, including 54 newly introduced imperial ranges, ensuring that users have access to an extensive resource for their project needs. With such capabilities, contractors can streamline their estimation processes and improve project profitability.

Cadsoft develops Envisioneer, 3D BIM technology. Envisioneer is the design center, from the initial design concept to the delivery of materials on-site. It is easy to use and provides a solid package for residential projects. Cadsoft Envisioneer's home design software allows for virtual reality (VR). Imagine being completely immersed in a space even before a single 2x4 arrives. You can with Oculus Rift and Envisioneer technology. Envisioneer is an excellent collaboration tool that directly supports Oculus Rift. Everybody can see the final project, and changes are made instantly. It can be used as a virtual showroom. Before problems occur on-site, have informed conversations. Use the Envisioneer VR app for clients and onsite crews to share immersive panoramas or Google Cardboard scenes. Clients can then view their project from their own time and devices. To learn more about Envisioneer, visit www.cadsoft.com

It is intended for architects of electrical and power equipment systems in buildings. It can also be used to document the professional documentation of low-voltage electrical systems. This module expands the capabilities and features of ArCADia's BIM program with advanced functions. It means that a portion of the building modeling options are available in ArCADia's BIM program

CAD and BIM Software Tailored for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Innovative Building Design The accessibility and affordability of BIM have reached new heights. Since 1986, 4M has been delivering advanced solutions for the Architecture and Engineering sectors, pioneering innovative BIM technologies since 1994. Currently, 4M boasts a user base exceeding 35,000 across more than 65 countries globally. Introducing 4MCAD Professional CAD version 21, a cost-effective and intelligent alternative to AutoCAD® for both 2D and 3D design utilizing DWG files. IDEA Architectural Design offers an intuitive and robust BIM solution for comprehensive 3D/5D architectural design in both DWG and IFC formats. FINE MEP Building Services provides sophisticated BIM software tailored for designing and calculating building services. Additionally, FineENERGY delivers advanced BIM tools for energy simulations and ratings. As a smart substitute for AutoCAD, our CAD software seamlessly utilizes DWG as its native format, allowing you to easily open and edit drawings generated by AutoCAD, ensuring no hassle with imports or exports. This compatibility guarantees a familiar interface and user experience for those transitioning from other platforms.

Revit, a Building Information Modelling (BIM) software, empowers engineers, designers, and contractors in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) sectors to create intricate models and facilitate collaboration among all stakeholders involved in a construction project. By utilizing Revit, the engineering design workflow is optimized, allowing users to work from a single model that improves communication regarding design intent prior to the commencement of construction. This enables early simulations and clash detection, leading to a more efficient design phase. Moreover, it provides essential data for energy analysis that supports engineering-based calculations. Users can design, model, and document building systems while integrating architectural and structural elements into a comprehensive building information model. Additionally, Revit offers tools specifically designed for automating the layout of fabrication models, preparing them for detailed coordination during fabrication and installation processes. Ultimately, Revit enhances the precision of the team’s work and accelerates project delivery, resulting in a more streamlined construction experience. The software’s capabilities not only improve individual contributions but also foster a cohesive approach to building project management.

No matter if your focus is on lighting, scenic, film, event, or exhibit design, Vectorworks stands out as the sole solution that provides the versatility needed to enhance your entire workflow. You can sketch, model, and document your creative concepts with unparalleled precision thanks to advanced drafting features and the most adaptable 3D modeling engine, which is supported by SIEMENS Parasolid technology. With access to a vast library filled with content from lighting, audio, video, scenic, and rigging manufacturers, you'll be able to create detailed light plots and streamline paperwork to adhere to tight schedules. Our platform boasts the most comprehensive import/export functionality, allowing you to seamlessly integrate design and technical production data from various sources. Additionally, project sharing functionality allows your whole team to collaborate on the same Vectorworks file in real-time. You can also utilize Vectorworks Cloud Services for mobile viewing and sharing, which includes rendering, storage, and file sharing capabilities. By incorporating Vision into Spotlight, you can effortlessly assess adjustments to your designs, impressing your clients in the process while ensuring a smooth and efficient design experience. This adaptability makes Vectorworks an essential tool for professionals aiming for excellence in their projects.

These metrics reflect the data that underpins the design's purpose, ensuring a well-balanced and safeguarded power distribution framework that encompasses aspects like short circuit current, grounding configuration, voltage hierarchy, and connectivity to the electrical grid. PowerCalc emerges as an innovative solution for designing a building's power distribution system. This robust tool delivers results driven by a comprehensive database, significantly reducing the time spent on design, minimizing errors, and smoothing out potential process disruptions. By leveraging its extensive proprietary database, PowerCalc makes informed selections of appropriate values to ensure adherence to the NEC and other relevant codes and engineering standards, which includes the NEC lookup tables. With just three user inputs for each circuit—namely load kVA, load type, and number of poles—PowerCalc can generate 300 outputs that comply with NEC, IEEE, and additional standards. Furthermore, any modifications made within the design are instantly updated throughout the entire system, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in the design process. This seamless integration allows designers to focus more on creativity while ensuring compliance and functionality.

Develop, design, and document infrastructure systems utilizing specialized tools tailored for MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) applications. The workspace features distinct palettes and specific ribbons designed to enhance the efficiency of your workflow tasks. Elevate the visual quality of your documentation while simultaneously increasing your drafting efficiency. You can batch convert one or multiple blocks and symbols effortlessly. Expand your Content Library with additional MEP components and folder options. The AutoCAD® 2022 software version introduces specialized toolsets for various industries, a more integrated experience across different platforms and Autodesk products, along with innovative automations like Count. You can create both single and multiline text (mtext) as a unified text object, allowing for comprehensive formatting of text, columns, and boundaries. Dimensions can be generated automatically, and as you hover over chosen objects, a preview will appear prior to their creation. Leaders can be crafted with diverse content types, including text or blocks, and you have the flexibility to easily format leader lines and set specific styles, ensuring that your designs are both functional and visually appealing. This allows for a more streamlined design process, helping you achieve your project goals more efficiently.

Experience the simulation of fluid dynamics, thermal transfer, and fluidic forces that are essential for achieving the desired outcomes of your projects. SOLIDWORKS® Flow Simulation is a user-friendly Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool integrated within SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD, allowing you to swiftly and effortlessly model the behavior of liquids and gases flowing through and around your designs to assess product efficacy and functionality. The SOLIDWORKS® suite is designed for ease of use, promoting a seamless collaboration that enhances your ability to create products in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. Through SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation, you and your colleagues can replicate fluid movement, heat distribution, and the associated forces critical for your product's triumph. Organizations of varying sizes require cohesive solutions to foster innovation and advance their operations. By employing integrated CFD capabilities, you can effectively evaluate the impacts of fluid dynamics, thermal exchange, and associated forces on your projects, while also enabling the exploration of multiple "what if" scenarios to facilitate rapid design optimization. This approach not only enhances product quality but also accelerates the overall development process.

SOLIDWORKS® Electrical Professional merges the electrical schematic design features of SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematics with the three-dimensional capabilities of SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D into a single comprehensive solution. For effective planning of embedded electrical systems, it is essential to have an integrated electrical toolset that includes both single- and multi-line schematic functionalities. Additionally, it is crucial for the design of embedded systems to ensure that all 2D and 3D work remains in sync for both the mechanical and electrical components involved. This tool aids in planning electrical systems by allowing users to create intricate embedded electrical layouts using straightforward pictorial representations of components and their connections. Furthermore, it offers a schematic creation tool that features a user-friendly interface designed to streamline repetitive tasks for enhanced efficiency. Users can also generate 2D representations of panels directly from electrical schematics, complete with outlines for electrical components. An extensive library of schematic symbols adhering to industry standards (such as IEC, ANSI, JIS, and GB) is complemented by a comprehensive database of manufacturer parts, making it an invaluable resource for engineers and designers. The combination of these features allows for a more efficient workflow in the design and documentation of electrical systems.

Advance Steel is a specialized software package designed for steel detailing, offering a robust 3D modeling environment that integrates with a comprehensive document management system. Within this 3D model, various intelligent structural components like beams, plates, bolts, and welds are utilized, which can be seamlessly combined using Parametric Connection tools that facilitate connection copying throughout the model. This results in a centralized hub that generates General Arrangements, Shop Assembly, and Part drawings essential for the fabrication process. Furthermore, the software's capabilities extend to platework, enabling users to devise intricate folded plate details that are vital for developing flat pattern drawings intended for shop use. Additionally, it features intelligent macros that simplify the creation of steel frameworks, allowing for easy adjustments to overall frame dimensions and section profile selections, while also incorporating Parametric connection tools for standard connection types and the flexibility to design custom connection details tailored to specific needs. This comprehensive approach ensures that Advance Steel meets the diverse requirements of modern steel detailing projects effectively.

CAD Schroer provides a variety of standard software solutions and applications focused on CAD, PLM, PDM, IoT, VR, and AR technologies. Our offerings are categorized into two main product lines: M4 and i4. The M4 line features solutions for CAD, plant engineering, and factory design. Meanwhile, the i4 range facilitates your Industry 4.0 initiatives and digital transformation projects through standardized software for AR, VR, and IoT. With the launch of version 7.0, CAD Schroer has integrated the MEDUSA4 and MPDS4 products into a unified CAD suite, consolidating all CAD solutions under the M4 brand moving forward. Each product package will be tailored to specific industries and assigned distinct names, such as M4 DRAFTING for 2D mechanical engineering design or M4 FACTORY for both 2D and 3D layouts in factory planning. This strategic restructuring enhances our ability to meet diverse customer needs in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.

AutoPIPE is an advanced software solution specifically designed for conducting pipe stress analysis. By utilizing its user-friendly modeling interface and sophisticated analytical features, you can enhance productivity and elevate quality control standards. The software facilitates seamless collaboration among pipe stress engineers, structural engineers, and CAD designers by offering interoperability with top plant design software. It comes equipped with specialized tools for intricate buried pipeline assessments, hot clash detection, wave loading, fluid transients, and the use of FRP/GRP or plastic pipes. Furthermore, AutoPIPE streamlines your workflow by integrating with various Bentley and third-party applications, including OpenPlant, AutoPLANT, PlantSpace, Hexagon PDS and SmartPlant, Autodesk Plant 3D, and Aveva E3D Design. Additionally, AutoPIPE efficiently identifies the most suitable pipe support locations to meet your design specifications while ensuring a cost-effective approach that does not compromise on quality or safety. Overall, this software enhances engineering practices by providing solutions that are both innovative and reliable.

ALCAD 2D/3D serves as an excellent alternative to AutoCAD, featuring a similar interface and functionality. This software focuses solely on CAD capabilities. You can find a comparison table between ALCAD and AutoCAD on their website: Compare ALCAD | ALCAD (alcads.com). ALCAD offers a fully compatible DWG-CAD interface, making it a viable substitute for AutoCAD users. The ALCAD 2025 Professional version for both 2D and 3D design is offered at an annual license fee of €199 or a one-time permanent license for €349. Additionally, this pricing structure makes ALCAD an attractive option for those looking to invest in CAD software without the recurring costs associated with some alternatives.