Revit vs Navisworks vs Bentley: Tool Selection Guide

Choosing the right Building Information Modeling (BIM) tool is one of the most important decisions for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) teams. With a wide range of platforms available, three solutions consistently stand out: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Navisworks, and Bentley OpenBuildings Designer.

These tools are often compared, but they are not direct competitors. Each serves a distinct role within the BIM ecosystem, supporting different stages of the project lifecycle. Understanding how they differ, and more importantly how they work together, is essential for making the right technology investment.

This guide explores the capabilities of each platform, highlights their core differences, and helps you determine the right tool or combination of tools based on your workflow, project type, and team requirements.

Understanding BIM Tool Categories

Before comparing the tools, it’s important to understand that BIM software falls into different categories:

Authoring tools that create intelligent 3D models

Coordination tools that combine models and detect clashes

Infrastructure-focused tools that handle large-scale civil and infrastructure projects

Revit, Navisworks, and Bentley each belong to different categories, which is why they are often used together instead of as replacements.

What is Autodesk Revit?

Autodesk Revit is one of the most widely used BIM authoring tools globally. It is designed for architects, structural engineers, and MEP professionals to create intelligent 3D models with embedded data.

Revit allows users to design buildings in a parametric environment where changes automatically update across all views and documentation.

Key Capabilities of Revit

• Parametric 3D modeling with automatic updates
• Integrated workflows for architecture, structure, and MEP
• Detailed documentation and drawing generation
• Strong collaboration through shared models
• Extensive libraries and BIM families

Revit is primarily used during the design and documentation phase of a project. It acts as the foundation where the building model is created.

When to Use Revit

Revit is the best choice when:

• You need end-to-end building design
• Your team requires multidisciplinary collaboration
• Documentation and drawings are a major deliverable
• You are working on commercial or large-scale building projects

What is Autodesk Navisworks?

Autodesk Navisworks is a coordination and review tool used in BIM workflows. It does not create models but instead aggregates models from various software platforms into a single environment.

Navisworks allows teams to review, simulate, and analyze models for construction readiness.

Key Capabilities of Navisworks

• Model aggregation from multiple disciplines
• Clash detection with interference checking
• 4D simulation for construction sequencing
• Model review and visualization
• Quantification and cost estimation tools

Navisworks plays a critical role in coordination and pre-construction planning.

When to Use Navisworks

Navisworks is ideal when:

• You need to combine models from multiple teams
• Clash detection is critical
• You want to simulate construction timelines using 4D BIM
• You need stakeholder-friendly visualization

In simple terms, Revit creates the model while Navisworks validates it.

What is Bentley Systems (OpenBuildings/AECOsim)?

Bentley Systems offers a suite of BIM tools, with OpenBuildings Designer, formerly known as AECOsim, being the most relevant for building design.

Bentley tools are widely used for infrastructure-heavy projects such as:

• Roads and highways
• Bridges
• Rail systems
• Airports and utilities

Unlike Revit, Bentley solutions are built with a strong focus on infrastructure and civil engineering workflows.

Key Capabilities of Bentley BIM Tools

• Advanced infrastructure modeling
• Strong integration with civil engineering workflows
• High-performance handling of large-scale projects
• Interoperability with MicroStation and other Bentley tools
• Detailed analysis for infrastructure systems

When to Use Bentley

Bentley is the best choice when:

• You are working on infrastructure or civil projects
• Your project involves large-scale engineering systems
• You need deeper integration with transportation or utilities workflows

Core Differences: Revit vs Navisworks vs Bentley

To simplify the comparison, here’s how these tools differ fundamentally: 

Workflow Comparison: How They Work Together

These tools are often used together in real-world BIM workflows because each one supports a specific stage of the project lifecycle. Instead of replacing one another, they create a connected ecosystem that improves accuracy, coordination, and execution.

1. Design Phase – Revit is used to develop architectural, structural, and MEP models in a parametric environment. Each discipline works within the same model or linked models, ensuring that design intent, geometry, and data are aligned from the beginning. Changes made in one area automatically reflect across drawings and schedules, which helps maintain consistency throughout the design process.
2. Coordination Phase – Navisworks brings together models from multiple disciplines into a single unified view. It allows teams to run clash detection to identify conflicts between systems such as ductwork, piping, and structural elements. This stage helps resolve issues before construction begins, reducing rework, delays, and cost overruns. It also supports 4D simulation, allowing teams to visualize construction sequencing and timelines.
3. Infrastructure Integration (if applicable) – Bentley tools are introduced when projects involve infrastructure elements such as roads, bridges, rail systems, or utilities. These tools handle large-scale engineering models and integrate them with building designs. This is especially important in projects like airports, metro systems, or large campuses where infrastructure and buildings must work together seamlessly.

This layered approach ensures that each tool is used for its core strength, resulting in a more efficient and coordinated project workflow.

Key Decision Factors When Choosing BIM Tools

When selecting between these tools, consider the following:

1. Project Type

Building-focused leads to Revit

Infrastructure-focused leads to Bentley

Multi-disciplinary coordination leads to Navisworks

2. Team Structure

If your team includes multiple disciplines, combining tools is often necessary. For example:

Architects use Revit

Engineers use Bentley

BIM managers use Navisworks

3. Workflow Requirements

Need design and documentation leads to Revit

Need clash detection and coordination leads to Navisworks

Need infrastructure modeling leads to Bentley

4. Interoperability

Modern BIM workflows rely heavily on file exchange formats like IFC. Most projects use multiple tools simultaneously rather than relying on one platform.

Real-World Use Cases

Understanding how these tools are applied in real projects helps clarify their roles and value within a BIM workflow.

• Case 1: Commercial Building Project – In a typical commercial building project, Revit is used to develop architectural, structural, and MEP models with detailed documentation. Once the design models are ready, Navisworks is used to combine these disciplines, run clash detection, and ensure all systems are properly coordinated before construction begins. This reduces conflicts on-site and improves overall project efficiency.
• Case 2: Airport or Metro Project – Large infrastructure projects such as airports or metro systems require a combination of tools. Bentley is used for infrastructure modeling, including runways, rail networks, and utility systems. Revit is used for terminal buildings and interior structures. Navisworks then brings everything together, allowing teams to coordinate across disciplines and ensure that infrastructure and building components align correctly.
• Case 3: Large Mixed-Use Development – In mixed-use developments that include residential, commercial, and public infrastructure, Revit handles the core building design. Bentley supports external infrastructure such as roads, drainage, and utilities. Navisworks is used to integrate all models, perform clash detection, and simulate construction sequencing. This ensures smooth coordination across multiple project scopes.

Which Tool Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your project requirements, team structure, and overall workflow.

Choose Revit if:

• You need a complete BIM authoring solution for building design
• Your focus is on architecture, structure, or MEP systems
• You require detailed drawings and documentation as part of your deliverables

Choose Navisworks if:

• You need advanced clash detection and coordination across multiple disciplines
• Your project involves several teams working on different models
• You want to simulate construction sequencing and improve planning accuracy

Choose Bentley if:

• You are working on infrastructure-heavy projects such as transportation or utilities
• You need advanced engineering capabilities and analysis
• Your projects involve large-scale systems that extend beyond buildings

Conclusion

Revit, Navisworks, and Bentley are all powerful BIM tools, but each serves a distinct role within the AEC lifecycle. Revit supports design and documentation, Navisworks ensures coordination and constructability, and Bentley specializes in infrastructure modeling.

When these tools are used together strategically, they create a more efficient and connected workflow. This leads to better coordination, reduced errors, and improved project outcomes.

The real advantage does not come from choosing one tool over another. It comes from understanding how to use them together to build a more scalable and future-ready BIM process.