Comparison

BIMx vs SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD

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

Head to head
About

BIMx

Explore and collaborate on architectural BIM projects with interactive 3D models and linked documentation. Visualize designs, access BIM data, and streamline communication between the construction site and office.

Highlights
  • Interactive 2D & 3D BIM model exploration
  • Linked 2D documentation and 3D views
  • Access BIM element data
  • On-site collaboration tools
  • Game-like 3D navigation
  • Real-time 3D cutaways
  • Measure in 3D and 2D
Read full description

Graphisoft’s BIMx is an interactive app for exploring BIM projects and linked documentation sets created in Archicad, MEP Designer, and DDScad. Please download to visualize or collaborate on architectural design projects on your mobile device(s). BIMx offers professional building visualization with game-like navigation to explore and visualize architectural projects. BIMx features the ‘BIMx hyper-model’ – allowing non-design professionals to explore and fully understand architectural design intent, view project deliverables, and access element-level BIM data. BIMx links the 3D model with the relevant 2D documentation layouts, providing a seamless way to view the 3D cutaway model in the context of a 2D layout — and vice versa. BIMx connects the construction site with the architect’s office for streamlined collaboration. Real-time model cut-throughs, in-context measuring, and project markups in the model context make BIMx your best on-site BIM companion. Drive the design narrative on the building site for fast, specific client feedback. Features: • Hyperlinked 2D & 3D views with interactive markers • Trace 2D drawings on 3D with animation • Access project and building component-related BIM information • Superfast 2D documentation viewer • Game-like 3D navigation • Gravity & Egress recognition • Option to access a Hyper-model element from outside of the app • Google Cardboard VR support on iPhones • Real-time 3D cutaway • Cut Plane Color Picker • Shading options • Shadow casting • Sun positioning by date and time • Measure in 3D and on 2D layouts • Explore 3D models of any size thanks to the streaming 3D engine • Save Favorites • Create compelling presentations • Print support, PDF export • Keyboard, mouse, and gamepad support BIMx Pro features, available with Graphisoft account-based licensing: • Issue creation – BCF-based documentation revisioning • Hide 3D elements and control Layer visibility in the virtual model • Customizable Cut Plane Explore the BIMx Pro features with the built-in demo model. Joining BIMcloud in Hyper-models published from Teamwork projects unlocks messaging and Pro features. View our Terms of Use: https://graphisoft.com/legal/terms-of-use/bimx-ios and Privacy Policy: https://graphisoft.com/legal/privacy-policy Send your comments and suggestions to bimx@graphisoft.com!

About

SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD

This app provides interactive 3D animations to guide users through assembling physical products. It offers features like step-by-step viewing, rotation, zooming, and automatic playback for a more engaging building experience.

Highlights
  • Interactive 3D animations
  • Step-by-step assembly guidance
  • Model rotation and zooming
  • Timeline for reviewing steps
  • Automatic playback of assembly
Read full description

The Mechanics Laboratory app was developed by Clementoni so that assembling your products can become easier and more fun. Through this free app for smartphones and tablets, by Science & Play TechnoLogic, your models will materialise on the screen, piece by piece, thanks to interactive 3D animations. With the Timeline you can view each step several times and rotate, zoom and shift the model as it is being built. You can decide how must time to spend on each step, or use the Playback function to automatically view the entire assembly process. Choose the box, select the model and start building straight away! From the screen to reality, with easy and clear steps that you check from any angle!

Screenshots

BIMx4 screens
SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD at free against BIMx's free with in-app purchases. SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). BIMx's advantage is ratings volume (168 vs 9) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for BIMx against 3.9 for SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BIMx has 168 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 56% of BIMx's written reviews are positive against 48% of SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BIMx ships an update every 6 weeks, SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
BIMx versus SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBIMxSCIENCE & PLAY BUILD
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (168 ratings) — better3.9 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews56.4% of reviews — better47.6% of reviews
Number of ratings168 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size175 MB464 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGraphisoft SEClementoni S.p.A.

Customer experience

BIMx

All ratings168 ratings
Positive74.4%
Neutral3.0%
Negative22.6%
Written reviews362 reviews
Positive56.4%
Neutral8.6%
Negative35.1%

SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD

All ratings9 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive47.6%
Neutral19.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

BIMx

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Issues with downloading and opening models
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
  • Inconsistent rendering and color issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to annotate and markup models
  • Support for more CAD file formats beyond ArchiCAD
  • Improved camera controls and navigation
  • Integration with desktop ArchiCAD software

SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BIMx

No in-app purchases

None

SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BIMx free?
BIMx is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD free?
SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BIMx or SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD?
BIMx is rated higher. BIMx averages 4.0 out of 5 from 168 ratings, while SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD averages 3.9 from 9 ratings.
Do BIMx or SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD have ads?
Neither BIMx nor SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BIMx or SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD?
BIMx ships an update every 6 weeks, and SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD every 4 months. Most recently, BIMx was updated on November 5, 2026 and SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD on November 2, 2026.

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