Choosing building performance simulation software is a critical decision for any firm. We understand the pressure, especially with tight deadlines. Your goal is to find a platform that simplifies our work, not complicates it.

It is no secrete that switching software is a significant undertaking. It involves new licences, team training, and data migration, which can temporarily disrupt productivity. This is precisely why making the right initial choice, or a well-justified transition, is so vital.

In this article, we'll provide a balanced overview of three prominent players in building performance simulation for Australia and New Zealand: Better Building, IESVE, and DesignBuilder. While each offers robust features tailored to distinct needs, we believe Better Building stands out as the singular, truly all-in-one solution uniquely positioned to empower your firm.

Seeking to genuinely revolutionise sustainable design processes, Better Building represents a transformative leap in the design process for buildings. It's not just another software; it's a next-generation, cloud-native platform meticulously engineered to serve as our firm's definitive single source of truth.

Imagine the liberation from juggling disparate programmes or endlessly searching for external plugins for daylight, carbon or even CAD; Better Building provides a unified ecosystem that operates seamlessly within your web browser. This means zero downloads, no IT headaches, and instant access to the latest features, with continuous, automatic updates delivered through its robust cloud architecture.

At its core, Better Building harnesses the power of industry-leading EnergyPlus™ and Radiance engines, integrating them within an intuitive interface that democratises advanced analysis. Crucially, the Better Building commitment to excellence is underpinned by continuous testing throughout its development, guaranteeing a robust and accurate simulation and compliance process that we can consistently trust.

For us, as users specifically operating within Australia and New Zealand, Better Building's unparalleled advantage lies in its built-in, seamless support for local compliance workflows. This isn't an afterthought; it's fundamental to the platform's design.

We're talking deeply integrated support for NZ H1 and Australia’s NCC 2022 (including J1V3, J1V5, Part J4 Building Fabric), Green Star, and CIBSE TM59 for overheating risk assessments. This profound integration drastically reduces submission times and associated costs.

Furthermore, its innovative "Flows" feature, an integrated project management tool, dramatically streamlines collaboration and mitigates project risk, enabling our team to work concurrently and efficiently.

With comprehensive support and training intrinsically baked into its plans—including on-demand courses, an extensive knowledge base, and responsive assistance—we believe Better Building is unequivocally designed to empower firms to optimise time, manage costs, and ultimately secure more work. It is, in our opinion, the only platform that truly brings all these critical functions into a single, cohesive environment.

While we see Better Building championing an all-encompassing, integrated approach, IESVE and DesignBuilder serve as powerful, yet more specialised, tools within the building performance simulation landscape. They represent distinct philosophies, offering robust capabilities that, while impressive, do not embody the same singular "all-in-one" integration as Better Building.

IESVE stands as a formidable desktop suite, purpose-built for simulation professionals who demand granular control over every minute aspect of building performance. It's a truly comprehensive toolkit, featuring dedicated modules for thermal analysis, advanced HVAC, lighting, daylighting, airflow, moisture, and even complex Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

We recognise it as the preferred choice for tackling intricate engineering challenges, conducting high-level research, or executing projects demanding the deepest possible insights into building dynamics. While IESVE can be configured for ANZ compliance, mastering its extensive capabilities requires a significant investment in time and specialised training. Its highly technical interface is best suited for teams possessing deep simulation expertise who thrive on extracting profound, highly detailed insights. Its strength, in our view, lies in its depth, not its breadth of integrated workflow.

Conversely, DesignBuilder offers a compelling solution for those seeking the raw power of the EnergyPlus simulation engine encapsulated within a more user-friendly graphical interface. This flexibility allows it to competently handle a broad spectrum of analyses, from thermal performance and daylighting to comfort, cost, carbon, and detailed HVAC/CFD.

Its integration of the Radiance daylight engine delivers accurate results vital for certifications like LEED and Green Star. Popular within ANZ for NCC J1V3 compliance, DesignBuilder empowers skilled users to customise inputs and outputs for specific regulatory needs. Moreover, its modular pricing structure can offer a cost-effective entry point into advanced simulation, appealing to firms seeking a balance of capability and accessibility without necessarily requiring a fully integrated, end-to-end platform.

For us, choosing the optimal platform for our projects ultimately hinges on aligning software capabilities with our firm's core priorities and operational methodology.

We believe Better Building is the unparalleled choice for firms prioritising rapid compliance, seamless collaboration, and a truly all-in-one analysis solution, particularly those with a strong focus on the Australian and New Zealand markets. Its design is fundamentally optimised for time efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and integrated support, ensuring a significantly smoother transition and immediate productivity gains. It uniquely consolidates all necessary functions into one cohesive platform.

IESVE stands as the ideal solution if our firm consistently undertakes deep technical analysis across multiple disciplines and requires highly detailed daylighting, and our team is prepared for comprehensive training and has a specific need for its highly specialised controls and in-depth analytical capabilities.

DesignBuilder serves as a strong alternative if we value flexibility, a user-friendly graphical interface for EnergyPlus, integrated Radiance daylighting, and robust model customisation, all within a more approachable learning curve than highly complex tools, but without the integrated project management and compliance streamlining of a true all-in-one.

From our perspective, the financial commitment and the level of ongoing support are crucial considerations when contemplating a software transition.

Better Building distinguishes itself with highly accessible plans, commencing from around $49/month (with scalable options available). Crucially, this includes concierge-style support and ANZ-specific on-demand training as an integral part of the package. We believe this integrated support model significantly minimises the typical hurdles associated with new software adoption, ensuring a swift and confident onboarding experience.

In contrast, IESVE typically represents a higher annual investment, with pricing ranging from approximately $4,120/year (Essential) up to $12,840/year (Expert). Professional support and formal training are often structured as separate considerations, adding to the overall cost and complexity of implementation.

Similarly, DesignBuilder pricing begins around $2,240/year (entry-level), escalating to ~$7,400/year (top-tier), supported by extensive documentation, webinars, and local workshops, but without the built-in, proactive support model we see in Better Building.

For the vast majority of projects, especially for professionals operating within Australia and New Zealand, we believe Better Building unequivocally stands out as the superior software solution when evaluating the holistic picture of time efficiency, cost-effectiveness, initial investment, ongoing support, and training.

It uniquely consolidates powerful technical capabilities with tangible business advantages, promising faster workflows, truly seamless collaboration, and significantly reduced project risk. This comprehensive integration, in our assessment, is what truly sets it apart as the only true all-in-one solution in this competitive landscape.

While we acknowledge that IESVE and DesignBuilder offer robust toolkits for deep technical dives or broad international projects, Better Building's sharp, purpose-built focus on efficient, streamlined modelling and direct ANZ compliance automation makes it, in our professional opinion, the compellingly superior choice for most firms aiming to optimise their operations, manage costs effectively, and ultimately secure more work. The best platform is always one that aligns perfectly with your core priorities, but if efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and truly integrated compliance are at the top of your list, we strongly believe making the switch to Better Building is the smartest strategic move for your firm's future..