xBIM Xplorer
xBIM Xplorer is a free, open-source IFC viewer made to demonstrate the capabilities of the xBIM Toolkit.
What xBIM Xplorer is
xBIM Xplorer is a free, open-source IFC viewer made to demonstrate the capabilities of the xBIM Toolkit. It is available as a Windows application and on the web. Users can open IFC files, navigate building models, inspect details such as roof thickness and door counts, hide or show building parts, and view a model in 360 degrees. The Windows version is a .NET application built on WPF and loads IFC2x3 and IFC4 models. Listed tools include IFC schema validation, query syntax for extracting data, IFC stripping, and federated model loading. Federated loading is marked beta and has known issues. Users can export IFC files as .ifcXML and ifcZIP. Plugins cover BuildingSmart BCF creation and viewing, COBie export, BuildingSmart mvdXML validation, and NBS DPoW validation; COBie export and NBS DPoW validation are beta with known issues. Xbim identifies the AEC sector as its core industry, including work with main contractors and consultancies on BIM data. The digitally signed Windows installer can update the installed version when launched. Documentation directs feedback and questions to the Xbim Xplorer repository issues page.
Good
- Free and open-source.
- Available on Windows and the web.
- Views IFC2x3 and IFC4 models on Windows.
- Exports IFC as .ifcXML and ifcZIP.
- Includes schema validation and data extraction tools.
Watch out
- Federated model loading is beta with known issues.
- COBie export is beta with known issues.
- NBS DPoW validation is beta with known issues.
Who it suits
It suits AEC professionals and others who need to inspect IFC building models or explore BIM data. The Windows version includes model validation and extraction tools alongside viewing.
Verdict
xBIM Xplorer provides IFC viewing across web and Windows, with additional tools for validation, extraction, and model handling. Check the beta notes for federated loading and two plugins before relying on those features.
Plans and prices
From xBIM Xplorer's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| xBIM Xplorer | Free | Free, open-source IFC viewer · standalone and web versions |
The facts
Each one read from xBIM Xplorer's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Display controls
- Users can show or hide parts of a building and view a model in 360 degrees.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Export
- The product page says users can export IFC files as .ifcXML and ifcZIP files.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Installation updates
- The digitally signed precompiled installer uses a modified version of Squirrel.Windows to keep the installed version up to date when launched.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Available plugins include BuildingSmart BCF production and viewing, COBie export, BuildingSmart mvdXML validation, and NBS DPoW validation; COBie export and NBS DPoW validation are marked beta with known issues.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Xbim says the AEC sector is its core industry and describes working with main contractors and consultancies on BIM data.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Model operations
- Listed features include IFC stripping and federated model loading, with federated loading marked beta and known to have issues.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Model support
- The Windows application can load IFC2x3 and IFC4 models.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Model viewing
- Users can open and view IFC files and navigate a model to inspect building information such as roof thickness and door counts.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- Xbim's privacy policy says it strives to protect personal data using commercially acceptable means but cannot guarantee absolute security.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- xBIM Xplorer is a free, open-source IFC viewer created to demonstrate the capabilities of the xBIM Toolkit.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The documentation directs users to the Xbim Xplorer repository issues page for feedback and questions.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Validation and extraction
- Listed features include IFC schema validation and querying syntax for data extraction.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker headquarters
- Xbim Ltd lists its mailing address as 11 Lansdowne Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, NE3 1HN.checked 9 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Windows version
- The downloadable Xplorer is a .NET Windows application running on WPF.checked 9 Oct 2026
Alternatives to xBIM Xplorer
- 1
Dalux
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.2From 49 DKK a month - 2
Nanome
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.2From $4.17 a month - 3
Sketchfab
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.2From $15 a month - 4
Aspose.3D Viewer
Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux7.3From $4 a month - 5
OmniView 3D
Free planAndroidiOSWeb7.3From $59 a month - 6
BIMcollab
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.2From €12.50 a month