h2x vs MagiCAD
This h2x vs MagiCAD comparison examines how two MEP design platforms handle system layouts, engineering calculations, automatic sizing, BIM and CAD workflows, project outputs, collaboration and onboarding.
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h2x vs MagiCAD: The short answer
h2x is a standalone, cloud-based MEP design platform that connects visual system layouts with engineering calculations, automatic sizing and project outputs.
MagiCAD is an MEP BIM suite that works inside Revit, AutoCAD and BricsCAD, adding discipline-specific modelling, calculations, manufacturer data and documentation tools.
The main difference is where the engineering work takes place. h2x gives engineers a focused browser-based environment that can be used before a detailed BIM model is ready. MagiCAD performs MEP design and calculations inside Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD.
Choose h2x if:
You want engineers to start calculations, system layouts and sizing early, without needing the core engineering workflow to take place inside Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD.
Choose MagiCAD if:
Your team wants MEP calculations, modelling and documentation to stay inside Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD as the CAD or BIM model develops through the project.
What are h2x and MagiCAD used for?
h2x is MEP design software for mechanical, plumbing and fire engineers, allowing teams to begin from PDF drawings and develop calculations, system layouts and sizing before a detailed CAD or BIM model is required.
- Designed around the engineer's workflow, from early concept through to final documentation
- Mechanical, plumbing and fire design
- Heat loss and heat gain calculations
- Heating, cooling and ventilation
- Water, drainage and gas systems
- Automatic pipe and duct sizing
- Pressure loss calculations
- PDF drawings, 3D view, reports and BOMs
- AutoCAD and Revit integrations
MagiCAD is an MEP BIM design suite for Revit, AutoCAD and BricsCAD, where MEP modelling and engineering calculations are developed within the selected host environment.
- Built around MEP design and calculations within the selected Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD environment
- Ventilation, piping and electrical design
- Integrated sizing and balancing
- Pressure loss calculations
- Water, drainage and gas calculations
- Manufacturer BIM-object library
- 3D coordination and clash review
- Quantity lists and calculation reports
h2x vs MagiCAD comparison table
| Comparison area | h2x | MagiCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Product overview | ||
| Primary purpose and best fit | Standalone MEP system design, calculations, automatic sizing and project outputs for engineers, consultants and contractors. | Multidisciplinary MEP modelling, calculations and documentation inside Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD. |
| MEP design scope | All mechanical, plumbing and fire workflows. | Mechanical, electrical and plumbing workflows, with capabilities varying by product and host platform. |
| Workflow, review and collaboration | ||
| Platform and access | Cloud-based platform accessed through a supported web browser, without requiring Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD for the main engineering workflow. | Desktop software that requires a compatible Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD environment. |
| CAD and BIM workflow | Designs can be transferred into AutoCAD or Revit for further drawing or BIM development. | Runs directly inside Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD, keeping the MEP design within the host environment. |
| Starting and developing a design | Engineers can begin from scaled PDF plans and progressively develop loads, system layouts, calculations and sizing as the design changes, without requiring a detailed CAD or BIM model. | MEP systems and calculations are developed within Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD. Partly modelled and early-stage workflows are supported, with the design becoming increasingly detailed within the selected host environment. |
| Connected system design and sizing | Users draw connected MEP systems while calculations, heat loads, flow rates, pressure losses and automatic sizing remain linked to the system layout. | Users model intelligent MEP systems within Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD, with integrated calculations and sizing operating against partly or fully modelled systems. |
| Calculation results and review | Calculation results can be viewed visually against the system layout, with filters helping engineers review values such as flow rate, velocity, pressure loss and sizing in the context of the design. | Calculation results are available through calculation reports and system interrogation tools within the host environment, with results and sizing data able to be applied back to the model. |
| Design history and auditability | Built-in History Mode helps teams review previous project states and understand how a design has changed over time. | Project history and version management depend on the selected CAD/BIM host and wider project environment rather than a dedicated MagiCAD project-history workflow. |
| Collaboration and design review | Projects can be shared and reviewed through a browser without every participant using CAD or BIM software. | Collaboration is managed through the selected host platform and project environment. Relevant workflows can also use tools such as Autodesk Construction Cloud dataset sharing and BCF coordination. |
| Calculations and outputs | ||
| Heat load calculations | Includes heat loss and heat gain calculations within the same workflow used for system design and sizing. | Offers thermal load capabilities through relevant products and modules, including MagiCAD Room and Comfort & Energy (available for AutoCAD and BricsCAD, but not Revit). |
| Electrical design | Not currently supported. Electrical functionality is on the product roadmap, but no release date has been announced. | Supports electrical modelling and calculation workflows within the relevant MagiCAD products and host platforms. |
| Supported standards and methods | Supports a range of international standards and methods, including ASHRAE, BS, CIBSE, CIPHE, EN, DIN, AS and NFPA workflows. | Uses country-specific localisation, datasets and regional calculation methods. |
| Main project outputs | PDF drawings, calculation reports, sizing reports, Bills of Materials, schedules and secure design-sharing links. | BIM or CAD models, quantity lists, calculation reports, schedules and host-platform documentation. |
| Adoption, onboarding and pricing | ||
| Implementation, training and support | Focused browser-based workflow with guided demonstrations, custom training, learning resources and direct technical support. Users do not need advanced CAD or BIM authoring skills for the core engineering process. | Requires installation and familiarity with both MagiCAD's MEP tools and the selected Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD environment. Training and support options are available from MagiCAD and its partners. |
| Evaluation and pricing | Free project, demonstration and guided-evaluation options are available. Pricing is based on team size and required capabilities. | Pricing is quotation-based, with purchasing options available through MagiCAD's sales teams and regional partners. See the MagiCAD official website for current purchasing information. Buyers should also consider host-platform licensing, hardware, implementation and training requirements. |
Note: MagiCAD functionality varies according to the selected product, discipline, version and host platform. MagiCAD information was last checked in September 2026.
Where h2x and MagiCAD differ
The clearest differences appear in where the design workflow takes place, how users begin a project, which software licences are required and how engineering information is shared with reviewers.
Visual calculation results vs report-led review
h2x displays engineering results directly against the system layout, with filters helping engineers review flow rates, velocities, pressure losses, sizes and other calculation data visually across the design. MagiCAD provides detailed calculation reports and tools for reviewing calculated systems within its CAD or BIM environment.
Browser workflow vs host-platform design
h2x users can begin from scaled PDF drawings and develop heat loads, layouts, calculations and sizing within the same browser-based environment, with 2D and 3D views of the design shown above. MagiCAD users develop systems inside Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD, with calculations operating against systems that are partly or fully modelled.
Focused engineering vs combined BIM skills
h2x gives engineers a dedicated environment for calculations, system layouts, sizing and design review without requiring the core engineering process to take place inside CAD or BIM software. MagiCAD combines its MEP tools with Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD, so users work across both MagiCAD and the selected host environment.
Browser sharing vs host-platform access
h2x projects can be shared and reviewed through a browser without every participant using the same CAD or BIM software. MagiCAD collaboration depends on the host platform, project environment, licences and access arrangements available to each engineer, modeller or reviewer.
Should you choose h2x or MagiCAD?
The better option depends on whether your team needs a standalone MEP engineering platform or detailed design tools embedded within an existing CAD or BIM environment.
Verdict: h2x is the stronger fit for teams that want engineers to begin calculations and system design early, iterate quickly and review engineering results visually without making a detailed CAD or BIM model the centre of the workflow. MagiCAD is the stronger fit for teams that want MEP calculations, detailed modelling and documentation embedded directly within Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD.
Why teams choose h2x over MagiCAD
MagiCAD provides extensive MEP tools inside Revit, AutoCAD and BricsCAD. However, not every engineer needs to complete calculations, size systems and produce engineering outputs directly inside a full CAD or BIM environment. Its workflow remains tied to the selected host application and project setup.
h2x keeps loads, system layouts, calculations and sizing within a focused browser-based environment. This allows engineers to develop the core engineering design independently before transferring it into AutoCAD or Revit when detailed CAD or BIM development is required.
Automate heat load calcs
Calculate heating and cooling loads from project geometry, room information and design conditions, with results linked to system design and sizing.
Design complete HVAC systems
Create connected pipework and ductwork layouts while flow rates, pressure losses and system sizes remain synced with the engineering design.
Share designs through a browser
Give colleagues and project stakeholders access to current design information without requiring the same CAD or BIM application and licence setup.
What teams say about h2x
h2x vs MagiCAD frequently asked questions
Bring MEP design and calculations into the cloud
Book a demo to see how h2x connects heat loads, system layouts, automatic sizing and engineering outputs without requiring Revit, AutoCAD or BricsCAD for the core design workflow.
