Sefaira
Building design and building information modeling (BIM) software
CAD software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$1,995 per user per year
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
Small
Medium
Large
- Energy and utilities
- Professional services (engineering, legal, consulting, etc.)
- Public sector and nonprofit organizations
What is Sefaira
Sefaira is a building performance analysis tool used during early-stage architectural design to evaluate energy use, daylighting, and thermal comfort. It integrates with common 3D modeling workflows to let architects and design teams compare options and iterate on massing, envelope, and glazing decisions. The product focuses on rapid feedback rather than detailed, late-stage engineering simulation. It is commonly used to support sustainability targets and design trade-off discussions before detailed BIM documentation.
Early-stage performance feedback
Sefaira is designed for conceptual design phases where teams need quick comparisons across massing and façade options. It provides energy and daylighting outputs that help inform design decisions before committing to detailed BIM development. This supports iterative option testing without requiring a full engineering-model setup. The workflow aligns with schematic design timelines where speed matters more than exhaustive model fidelity.
Integrates with modeling workflows
Sefaira is commonly used alongside mainstream architectural modeling tools, reducing the need to rebuild geometry in a separate analysis environment. This integration helps keep analysis closer to the design model and supports faster iteration cycles. It also lowers the barrier for architects to run performance checks without handing off every iteration to specialists. The approach fits teams that want analysis embedded in design exploration.
Daylighting and energy in one
The product combines daylighting and energy-related analysis in a single toolset, enabling side-by-side evaluation of key sustainability drivers. This helps teams understand trade-offs (for example, glazing changes affecting both daylight and energy). Having multiple analysis lenses in one place can reduce tool switching during early design. It is particularly relevant for projects pursuing performance-based design narratives.
Not a full BIM authoring tool
Sefaira does not replace BIM authoring or detailed construction documentation software. Teams still need separate tools for producing coordinated BIM models, drawings, and deliverables. As a result, it functions as an analysis layer rather than a system of record for the building model. Organizations expecting end-to-end BIM production will need additional platforms.
Limited for detailed engineering simulation
The tool is oriented toward early design decisions and may not meet the depth required for detailed HVAC system design, advanced controls modeling, or final compliance-grade simulation workflows in all jurisdictions. Projects that require highly specialized or regulator-specific modeling often need dedicated engineering simulation tools and expert configuration. This can introduce handoff steps later in the project. The conceptual model assumptions may need refinement for final-stage analysis.
Workflow depends on model quality
Results depend on the quality and completeness of geometry, space definitions, and envelope assumptions provided by the design team. Inconsistent modeling practices can lead to misleading comparisons or additional cleanup work. Teams often need internal standards for inputs (e.g., zoning, schedules, constructions) to keep outputs consistent across options. This adds process overhead, especially for less experienced users.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sefaira (Annual) | $1,995 per year per user | Includes Sefaira Web App, Sefaira for SketchUp and Sefaira for Revit; annual prepaid subscription; early-stage energy, daylight, thermal comfort, HVAC analysis; purchase via SketchUp/Trimble store (price shown on the official SketchUp/Trimble product page). |
Seller details
Trimble Inc.
Westminster, Colorado, USA
1978
Public
https://www.trimble.com/
https://x.com/TrimbleCorpNews
https://www.linkedin.com/company/trimble/
