FrameAI vs IDEA StatiCa

Full structural workflow, not just connection checks — AI-powered, browser-based, 1/15 the cost

Upload a structural steel PDF. FrameAI extracts every member, runs the Eurocode calculations, and exports shop-ready drawings — without a seat license, a FEM textbook, or a 3-month onboarding.

Try the live demo → Calculate your savings
15×
cost difference
2 min
PDF → drawings
$0
setup cost
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Feature comparison

Feature FrameAI IDEA StatiCa
BIM import (IFC / Tekla / Revit) ◑ ✓ Via IDEA Checkbot (IFC import)
EN 1993-1-8 connection design ✓ ✓ CBFEM — 250+ templates
EN 1993-1-9 fatigue ✓ ✓ Partial fatigue assessment
EN 1992 concrete design ✓ ✓ IDEA Detail / Member / Beam
EN 1995 timber design ✓ ✗ Not covered
EN 1998 seismic design ✓ ✓ All regions
DSTV NC1 export ✓ ✗ Not supported
DXF export ✓ ✓ Basic DXF export
IFC 4.3 export (ISO 16739-1:2024) ✓ ✗ IFC import only (no export)
PDF calculation reports ✓ ✓ PDF calculation reports
Revision diff / AutoDiff ✓ ✗ Not available
ROI calculator ✓ ✗ Not available
Public REST API + webhooks (Studio) ✓ ✓ Public API (GitHub repo)
Starting price per seat / yr $120 $1,990–5,250 / yr
Free tier ✓ Always free ✗ 14-day trial only

Workflow comparison

Traditional workflow
IDEA StatiCa
  • Download and install IDEA StatiCa desktop app
  • Import model geometry — manual input or IFC
  • Select connection template from library (~250 templates)
  • Configure loads and design parameters
  • Run analysis — single connection at a time
  • Review results and manually iterate
Total time per joint 1–3 hours per connection
FrameAI workflow
AI-powered steel design
  • Upload a structural PDF drawing (or type geometry)
  • AI auto-designs every connection per EN 1993-1-8
  • Instant Eurocode check + AutoDiff on revision
Total time per joint 30–60 min end-to-end

Pricing

Traditional
IDEA StatiCa
$1,990–5,250 / yr
Per seat per year.
Annual contract required.
Implementation + training extra.
FrameAI
Pro
$60 / yr
Total price, all inclusive.
No seat limit. No training cost.
Browser-based, instant access.
FrameAI
Studio
$400 / yr
Total price, all inclusive.
No seat limit. No training cost.
Browser-based, instant access.

Pricing from public sources as of June 2026. Contact competitor for current quotes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import my existing IDEA StatiCa model or IFC file?
FrameAI accepts IFC uploads. IDEA Checkbot can export models to IFC — import that directly. SAF v2.x round-trip is also supported for Scia/Tekla/Nemetschek workflows.
Do you cover Dutch / German / Belgian National Annexes for Eurocode?
Yes. FrameAI supports NA variants for NL, DE, BE, FR, IT, PT, RO, SI, HR across EN 1993-1-1, -1-8, -4, -8, and EN 1998-1.
What about IFC round-trip — can I send model data back to IDEA?
FrameAI exports IFC 4 files. You can use IDEA Checkbot to import and verify the connection geometry against your IDEA StatiCa model.
Is there a free trial?
Yes — FrameAI has a free tier with no time limit. Upload up to 5 drawings per month at no cost. IDEA StatiCa offers a 14-day trial but requires a credit card.
Does FrameAI cover concrete design?
Yes. FrameAI ships EN 1992-1-1 concrete checks on /intake PDFs: bending (§6.1), shear (§6.2 V_Rd,c + V_Rd,s with variable strut inclination), crack width (§7.3 SLS), and minimum reinforcement (§9.2/§9.3/§9.5). Rebar schedules with BS 8666 shape codes are generated automatically. See /examples/eurocode/en-1992-rc-slab-shear for a worked example.
What's the pricing compared to IDEA StatiCa?
FrameAI Studio is $400/yr total. IDEA StatiCa starts at $1,990/seat/yr — over 4× more. For a 3-person structural firm, that is $5,970/yr in IDEA licensing vs $400/yr in FrameAI.
See the Eurocode hand-calc validation report →

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No install. No sales call. Upload your first drawing and see the difference.

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