Comparison

DFM CDE vs IFC Viewer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DFM CDE

Features
Read full description

Cloud based InControl CDE is accessible wherever your work takes you. You can even search and list the documents without first downloading the entire file. If you can’t access the web, you still can access InControl CDE. Everyone is working on the latest version of the file, without e-mailing large attachments to colleagues and peers.

About

IFC Viewer

Access and explore Building Information Modeling (BIM) data on your mobile device. Navigate 3D models, inspect element details, and search for specific components. Export data for further analysis.

Highlights
  • View IFC models in 3D
  • Spatial tree browsing
  • Inspect element properties
  • Search by name, type, or ID
  • Selection tools
  • Export data to CSV/Excel
Features
Read full description

Open an IFC on iPhone, iPad or Mac. On iPhone Duo, unfold it — the same model is still there. IFC Viewer is the native Apple app for opening, inspecting and checking IFC2x3 and IFC4 models. No desktop BIM licence. No subscription. £2.99 opens the model. £24.99 unlocks all 14 Pro Tools, once. Buy a single tool for £1.99 if you only need one. ON IPHONE DUO Open the model on the cover. Unfold it across both screens. Fold it back and the loaded model stays loaded — Quick View or project, selection included. The viewer follows closed, partially open, fully open, portrait and landscape. ON MAC AND IPAD The same review workspace: open a model, inspect it, and hand it to Clash Detection, Quantity Takeoff, Model Compare or Federator without re-importing. VIEW AND INSPECT • Open IFC2x3 and IFC4 files • Navigate in 3D, select elements, inspect properties • Browse the model structure • Quick View for a fast check, projects for ongoing review • iPhone, iPad and Mac 14 PRO TOOLS, OPTIONAL Clash detection, model compare, quantity takeoff, federation, IDS validation, COBie, BCF issues, coordinate checking, parameter review, QA and model health. Use one tool, or unlock all of them. LOCAL Models stay on the device. Existing purchases restore as before. Made for architects, engineers, contractors, BIM coordinators and anyone who is sent an IFC and needs an answer before the meeting. Help and FAQs: IFCViewer.co.uk

Screenshots

DFM CDE4 screens
IFC Viewer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DFM CDE at Free against IFC Viewer's $2.99. DFM CDE also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.0). IFC Viewer's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 4 months). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

DFM CDE is free to download; IFC Viewer costs $2.99 up front. IFC Viewer sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. DFM CDE asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DFM CDE ships an update every 4 months, IFC Viewer every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
DFM CDE versus IFC Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDFM CDEIFC Viewer
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating—1.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB109 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDigital Facilities Management LtdJamie Ward

In-app purchases

None

DFM CDE

No in-app purchases

11 purchases

IFC Viewer

One-time11
  • IFC BCF Issue Tracker$1.99
  • IFC Federator$1.99
  • IFC COBie Reporter$1.99
Show 8 more
  • IFC IDS Validator$1.99
  • IFC Model Compare$1.99
  • IFC IDS Creator$1.99
  • IFC Query Studio$1.99
  • IFC QA Reporter$1.99
  • IFC AI Data Compliance$1.99
  • IFC COBie Updater$1.99
  • Clash Detection$2.99

Questions

Is DFM CDE free?
DFM CDE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is IFC Viewer free?
IFC Viewer costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Do DFM CDE or IFC Viewer have ads?
Neither DFM CDE nor IFC Viewer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DFM CDE or IFC Viewer?
DFM CDE ships an update every 4 months, and IFC Viewer every 3 days. Most recently, DFM CDE was updated on October 9, 2026 and IFC Viewer on October 11, 2026.

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