Archicad

Overview

Archicad is BIM software for developing and documenting building projects across architecture and related disciplines. It best suits professional teams that need a coordinated model and shared project workflow. Its strongest case is the link between design, documentation, and collaboration; its main trade-off is a substantial annual commitment per seat.

Graphisoft, its Budapest-based developer, was founded in 1982. Archicad runs on macOS and Windows, with compatible file formats and Teamwork between the two versions.

Key features

Archicad combines mass modeling, sketches, design-option exploration, building elements, and custom components with quantity take-offs. This breadth supports work from early design through project documentation, though it is oriented toward building professionals rather than casual home-planning needs.

Drawings are generated from the 3D model, and model changes can update drawings and annotations in real time. That coordination can reduce the gap between the design model and its documentation. IFC, BCF, and IDS support openBIM workflows, while connections include Bluebeam, BIMplus, Solibri, Autodesk Forma, Enscape, Twinmotion, and D5.

Visualization ranges from sketches and photorealistic images to fly-throughs and animations, with a cloud-powered AI Visualizer as another option. BIMcloud can centralize a model for live updates and notifications. Archicad Collaborate adds Graphisoft-hosted BIMcloud for global Teamwork; teams that only need local collaboration can use Studio's BIMcloud Basic instead.

Pricing

Archicad EDU costs nothing. It is for eligible students, educators, and educational institutions, with a one-year license for students and educators. EDU use is limited to non-commercial learning, teaching, or academic projects, and its files carry an irremovable watermark on views and printouts. That makes it suitable for study, not commercial project delivery.

Archicad Studio costs $201 a month, billed as $201 + tax / month, with an upfront payment of $2,414 + tax for a 1-year Subscription Term per seat. It includes architectural design, Archicad, BIMx Pro, and BIMcloud Basic for local collaboration. This is the lower-cost commercial option for teams whose collaboration needs are local and who do not need the Collaborate plan's MEP modeling.

Archicad Collaborate costs $237 a month, billed as $237 + tax / month, with an upfront payment of $2,840 + tax for a 1-year Subscription Term per seat. It includes architectural design, collaboration, MEP design, Archicad, BIMx Pro, and BIMcloud Software as a Service. The extra cost is most relevant to teams that need MEP modeling or Graphisoft-hosted BIMcloud for global Teamwork; otherwise, Studio avoids paying for those additions. Both paid plans require an upfront annual commitment per seat.

The Archicad Studio trial gives one free seat unlimited access to Archicad, BIMcloud Basic, and BIMx for 30 days. Trial eligibility is limited to users who have never purchased a trial and have not applied for one in the last 12 months. Archicad 29 commercial use requires a cloud license, CodeMeter software key, or CodeMeter hardware key.

Platforms

Archicad runs on macOS and Windows. The versions are compatible for file formats and Teamwork. Mobile access is viewer-focused, rather than a replacement for desktop authoring.

Who it's for

Archicad is a strong fit for architects and AEC teams that need model-based documentation, openBIM exchange, quantity take-offs, and coordinated collaboration. Studio suits teams working locally; Collaborate is the better fit when hosted global Teamwork or MEP design is part of the workflow. Students and educators can use EDU for non-commercial work, provided the watermark and academic-use restriction are acceptable. It is less suitable for casual design projects or teams that cannot justify an annual per-seat subscription.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Drawings and annotations update from the 3D model, helping keep documentation coordinated as designs change.
• Pro: IFC, BCF, and IDS support openBIM workflows, and the named integrations connect Archicad with a range of adjacent tools.
• Pro: Studio and Collaborate separate local teamworking from hosted global Teamwork and MEP modeling, giving teams a clear choice based on workflow.
• Con: Paid seats require an upfront one-year subscription payment, which is a meaningful commitment for individuals and small teams.
• Con: The free EDU license is restricted to non-commercial work and adds an irremovable watermark, so it cannot stand in for a commercial license.
• Con: Mobile access is for viewing, leaving full design work to macOS or Windows.

Alternatives

For more options, compare Architecture Software, Architectural Design Software, and BIM Software.

• Live Home 3D is a freemium option with a free plan for readers who want a less costly alternative for home design.
• Graphisoft BIMx is a free viewer for readers who mainly need to open and view projects across mobile, desktop, and web.
• usBIM.platform offers a free basic configuration with 10 GB of cloud storage and online applications for readers seeking a cloud-based alternative.
• Rayon has a free plan with full editing, unlimited public models, and limited PDF and DWG export for readers who want a freemium design tool.
• TAD Designer is a free option for readers seeking a no-cost design tool.
• Twinmotion is a freemium option for readers focused on visualization.
• Bonsai is free and open source, for readers who prefer that model.
• VisualARQ is a paid alternative with a commercial license for readers considering another architecture design product.

Verdict

Choose Archicad if your practice needs coordinated BIM design and documentation, openBIM exchange, and collaboration options that scale from local work to hosted global Teamwork. Studio is the sensible commercial starting point when local collaboration is enough; choose Collaborate for MEP modeling or hosted Teamwork. Look elsewhere if the upfront annual cost, desktop-centered authoring, or professional focus does not match your needs.