If you hear the term "Select," it usually refers to maintenance. Historically, if you bought a perpetual license, you paid an annual "Select" fee for updates and support. Today, "Select" is generally bundled into the subscription price, but legacy users with older perpetual licenses still pay this separate maintenance fee.
Bentley primarily uses three licensing frameworks for MicroStation:
: If you exceed your owned seat count, you are billed for the additional usage at the end of the quarter. This is typically calculated at roughly 14% of the MSRP for that quarter. bentley microstation license cost
| | MicroStation Term | AutoCAD (Term) | |--|------------------|----------------| | Annual cost | ~$2,800 | ~$2,200 | | Industry focus | Infrastructure (roads, rails, utilities) | General AEC & manufacturing | | Collaboration | Built for ProjectWise | Built for BIM 360/ACC |
If you need a rough number for internal budgeting: is a safe mid-range estimate for standard MicroStation term license in North America/Europe. If you hear the term "Select," it usually
Because Bentley does not publish a public price list, costs vary based on region, the specific configuration required, and your relationship with the vendor. However, based on industry data and reseller listings, here are the estimated price ranges:
| License Type | Best for | Typical Annual Cost (USD) | Upfront Cost | |--------------|----------|--------------------------|---------------| | | Short-term projects, flexible staffing | $2,500 – $3,500 / year | None | | Perpetual License (legacy, mostly phased out) | Long-term use without recurring fees | ~$5,000 – $6,000 one-time + ~20% annual maintenance | High | | Enterprise License (E365) | Full Bentley ecosystem access | $4,000 – $6,000 / user / year | None | | MicroStation PowerDraft (light version) | 2D drafting only | ~$900 – $1,200 / year | None | Because Bentley does not publish a public price
When budgeting for MicroStation, the license fee is just the starting point.
Bentley Systems does for MicroStation. Instead, costs depend on license type, volume, region, and whether you buy through an authorized reseller or directly. Below is a realistic breakdown based on industry data (2024–2025).