HydroCAD

perpetual, node-based one-time; annual-license option; free sample version Engineer & Analyze

Standalone Windows stormwater hydrology and hydraulics modeler (TR-20, TR-55, SBUH; ponds, outlets, routing) in use since 1986. Licensed perpetually by node count (5-node $275 to 40-node $1,100; 20-node $825 is the most common) with an annual-license option and a free sample version. Direct CAD watershed import (v10+); desktop-only with no API.

2.6 /5 composite score
Standalone stormwater hydrology modeler (TR-20/TR-55/SBUH, ponds/outlets/routing) -- public perpetual node-based pricing (from ~$275; 20-node $825) and a free sample version aid adoption, though it is a desktop program with no API and interoperability limited to CAD watershed import.
Situational

Rubric Scorecard

How we grade →

Criterion Score Evidence
Value for the price 4/5 perpetual, node-based one-time; annual-license option; free sample version, from $275 Source →
Agent Friendliness 1/5 API: none (standalone desktop program)
Ease of adoption 3/5 --
Portability & lock-in 3/5 2 file formats
Interoperability 2/5 --

Pricing

Modelperpetual, node-based one-time; annual-license option; free sample version
Entry price$275
Free tierno
Free viewerno
Trialyes
Billing unitflat
Tiers5-node ($275), 20-node ($825), 40-node ($1100)
Visit HydroCAD →

How we verified this: we checked HydroCAD against its live site and an independent source — capterra.com. Nothing on this page is listed from memory. See how we grade. Verified 2026-07-19.

Evidence

File formats

FormatDirectionSupport
DXF import partial -- CAD watershed import (v10+).
DWG import partial -- CAD watershed import (v10+).

Sources

Pricing

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Bentley WaterGEMS
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