GEOREKA vs Leapfrog Geo: An Honest Comparison for Modern Geological Modelling (2025)
If you’re evaluating geological modelling software, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Leapfrog Geo. As the industry standard, it’s often the default choice for mining companies and geological consultancies worldwide. But is it always the best choice for your specific needs?
At GEOREKA, we believe in empowering geologists with innovative, affordable tools that don’t compromise on capability. This comparison aims to help you make an informed decision by honestly evaluating both platforms across the metrics that matter most to working geologists.
| Feature | GEOREKA | Leapfrog Geo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $6,500/year | $15,000-25,000/year* |
| License Type | Floating (shareable) | Named or Floating* |
| Learning Curve | 1-2 weeks | 2-4 weeks |
| Free Trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Academic License | Heavily discounted | Available |
| Machine Learning | Alternative to RBFs | Limited/External |
| Tetrahedral ‘blocks’ | ✓ (Industry exclusive) | ✗ |
| Cloud Collaboration | ✗ | Via Central (additional cost) |
| *Leapfrog pricing varies by configuration and region | ||
The Price Difference: What It Really Means
Let’s address the elephant in the room first. GEOREKA costs approximately 70% less than Leapfrog Geo’s typical configuration. For a small mining company or consultancy with 3 geologists, this translates to:
- Leapfrog Geo: ~$45,000-75,000/year
- GEOREKA: $6,500/year (floating license shared by all users)
- Annual Savings: $38,500-68,500
But price alone doesn’t tell the full story. Let’s dive into what you get for your investment.
Technical Approach: Fundamentally Different Philosophies
How GEOREKA helps to think in Volumes
GEOREKA treats geological domains as 3D volumes from the very beginning. When you define a geological unit, you’re not drawing boundaries between domains – you’re defining the volume itself using implicit functions like RBF (Radial Basis Functions). This approach is:
- More intuitive for geological thinking
- Less prone to boundary errors (no holes in your models)
- Faster for complex geological relationships
How Leapfrog Geo Uses Boundaries
Leapfrog Geo, like most traditional software, focuses on creating boundaries between geological units. While this approach is well-established and proven, it can require more manual intervention when dealing with complex geological relationships.
Unique GEOREKA Advantages
1. Tetrahedral Mesh Output – Industry Exclusive
GEOREKA is currently the only geological modelling software in the mining industry that can output tetrahedral grids. Why does this matter?
- Direct integration with geotechnical analysis software
- Perfect boundary adherence – no partial blocks or sub-blocking needed
- Ideal for flow modelling and geophysical simulations
- More accurate volume calculations for complex ore bodies
2. Visual Workflow Integration
While others hide most of the underlying workflows, GEOREKA was built from the ground up to integrate visual workflows naturally into your daily tasks:
- Automation helps build first workflows
- Visual report of complete workflows
- Workflows adapted to your modelling style
- No need for external tools or plugins
3. True Floating Licenses Included
Every GEOREKA license is floating by default, meaning:
- Share between team members without additional cost
- Work from office or field without license transfers
- No idle licenses when geologists are on site
- Perfect for consultants working with multiple clients
Where Leapfrog Geo Excels
We respect Leapfrog’s position in the industry, and for these scenarios it might be the better choice:
1. Ecosystem Integration
Leapfrog has been around longer and offers:
- Extensive third-party integrations
- Direct connections to more mine planning software
- Wider consultant familiarity
- More extensive tutorial library
2. Industry Standard Status
- Required by some major mining companies
- More consultants trained on the platform
- Extensive community support
- Regular user conferences and training events
3. Specialized Extensions
Leapfrog offers specialized modules for:
- Geothermal modelling
- Hydrogeology
- Specific commodity types
Real-World Performance Comparison
Based on feedback from users who have experience with both platforms:
Model Creation Speed
Simple stratiform deposit:
- GEOREKA: <1 hour
- Leapfrog: 3-4 hours
Complex faulted terrain:
- GEOREKA: 12-16 hours
- Leapfrog: 6-8 hours
Simple resource estimation workflow:
- GEOREKA: half day
- Leapfrog: Full day
Times based on experienced users with prepared data
Who Should Choose GEOREKA?
✅ Small to medium mining operations looking to maximize ROI
✅ Geological consultancies needing flexible, shareable licenses
✅ Academic institutions teaching modern modelling techniques
✅ Teams interested in machine learning applications
✅ Projects requiring tetrahedral outputs for downstream analysis
✅ Companies prioritizing innovation over industry convention
Who Might Prefer Leapfrog?
✅ Major mining companies with established Leapfrog workflows
✅ Operations requiring specific Leapfrog-only integrations
✅ Teams with extensive Leapfrog training investments
✅ Projects with regulatory requirements specifying Leapfrog
What Our Users Say
“I use GEOREKA for all my wireframe modelling. It is faster and I think the results are more geologically representative than can be achieved by explicit modelling.”
– Greg Mosher, Independent Consultant
“GEOREKA is intuitive and user-friendly, which has made it easy for our team, including new members, to get up to speed quickly. The software’s exceptional visualization capabilities and flexible workflow have significantly enhanced our decision-making processes.”
– Ramin Rafiei, Novamera Inc.
Making the Switch:
Easier Than You Think
If you’re currently using Leapfrog, switching to GEOREKA is straightforward:
- Import your data – GEOREKA reads all standard formats
- Free training included – Our team ensures you’re productive quickly
- Parallel run period – Keep Leapfrog while you transition
- Ongoing support – Direct access to our development team
Try Before You Decide
We’re confident that once you experience GEOREKA’s innovative approach, you’ll see why a growing number of geologists are making the switch. But don’t take our word for it:
No credit card required. Full features included. Free training session.
The Bottom Line
Leapfrog Geo is a capable platform that has served the industry well. But if you’re looking for:
- Significant cost savings without compromising capability
- Innovative features like tetrahedral outputs and native ML
- A more intuitive volume-based modelling approach
- Flexible licensing that adapts to your team’s needs
…then GEOREKA deserves serious consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can GEOREKA import my existing Leapfrog projects? A: While direct project import isn’t available, GEOREKA can import all your source data (drillholes, surfaces, points) and our team can assist in model reconstruction.
Q: How does support compare? A: GEOREKA provides direct access to our development team, often resolving issues within hours. Leapfrog offers tiered support with varying response times.
Q: Is GEOREKA accepted by major mining companies? A: Increasingly yes. While some majors still specify Leapfrog, many now accept any professional geological modelling software that meets their technical requirements.
Q: What about training? A: We include free onboarding training and have growing library of tutorials. Leapfrog offers more extensive (paid) training programs.