Arkio

Arkio is built for architects and spatial designers who need to shape, present, and discuss models together. It is particularly well suited to teams working across mobile, desktop, and XR hardware, provided their meeting sizes and visualization workload fit the subscription limits.

Overview

Arkio combines solid modeling and collaborative design review in a shared workspace. Boolean operations and parametric volumes support early form development, while live sessions let participants inspect or change the same scene at the same time. Saved viewpoints, dictated notes, shared 2D frames, and generated images extend the workflow from modeling into critique and presentation.

The software is aimed at design teams rather than passive viewers. Its usefulness rises when decisions are made collectively around a model; teams needing large workshops or heavy AI visualization must choose a higher tier and monitor allowances.

Key features

Modeling and live collaboration

Real-time solid modeling gives users constructive tools for developing geometry instead of merely navigating finished files. Boolean operations and parametric volumes are practical for testing massing and spatial ideas quickly. During a meeting, attendees can view and edit one scene together, keeping discussion tied to the current design.

Starter meetings are restricted to two participants. Pro supports up to six, while Enterprise raises the ceiling to 24, so the product scales from one-to-one reviews to larger coordinated sessions only through paid licensing.

Review and visualization

Saved views provide repeatable reference points for critiques, and voice-transcribed notes capture comments without requiring typed minutes. Collaborative 2D frames support discussion beyond the three-dimensional scene. AI rendering adds a way to turn concepts into visual studies, but every render consumes one credit and the monthly allocation renews rather than accumulating. That makes the feature useful for selective visualization, not unlimited iteration.

Established-tool connections

Plugins connect Arkio with Archicad, Navisworks, Revit, Rhino, and SketchUp for model and related-data import or export. Pro includes Revit, Rhino, and SketchUp exchange, plus Archicad and Navisworks import. Enterprise retains those connections for teams that also need larger meetings and floating licensing.

Pricing

Starter — free

Starter includes all modeling tools, one-to-one meetings, and OBJ, GLB, and image import/export. It is a sensible way for an individual or pair to develop ideas and assess the workflow, but the two-person meeting cap rules it out for group reviews.

Pro — $35 a month

Annual billing is $35 month/user; month-to-month billing is $45 billed per month, with tax not included. Pro allows up to six meeting participants, supplies 500 AI credits each month, and adds Revit, Rhino, and SketchUp import/export alongside Archicad and Navisworks import. It fits small studios that need regular collaboration and established BIM or modeling connections. The six-person ceiling and user-based licensing can become restrictive for larger or frequently changing teams.

Enterprise — $85 a month

Enterprise costs $85 month per floating license on annual billing only, before tax. It supports up to 24 participants, includes 1,000 AI credits per license each month, and adds floating licenses and priority support. This is the appropriate tier for larger review meetings or organizations sharing seats across staff; annual-only billing and the higher per-license price make it excessive for occasional individual use.

A free 14-day Pro trial includes 20 AI credits, giving prospective teams a short period to evaluate higher-capacity meetings and rendering. A Pro license can be installed on two devices but used on only one at a time, an important constraint for people moving between machines. Schools and educational institutions can apply for free educational licenses.

Platforms

Arkio runs on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, with mobile viewing and VR/AR support. Its hybrid device coverage suits teams that move between desktop production, phones or tablets, and immersive review hardware.

Who it's for

Arkio is a strong choice for architectural practices, consultants, and spatial-design groups that want modeling and critique in the same live session. Pro is the practical starting point for a small professional team; Enterprise is justified when meetings approach two dozen people or floating seats matter. Solo users and pairs can stay on Starter, while schools should investigate the educational-license route. It is less suitable when collaboration is limited to viewing, when meetings regularly exceed 24 participants, or when AI rendering demand is too high for monthly credits.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Shared editing and viewing keep design decisions connected to a live scene.
• Pro: Boolean and parametric modeling support active form development, not just presentation.
• Pro: Plugins cover major tools including Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, Archicad, and Navisworks.
• Pro: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and XR support accommodate mixed-device teams.
• Con: Starter is limited to one-on-one meetings, so group collaboration requires payment.
• Con: AI output is metered monthly at 500 credits on Pro and 1,000 on Enterprise, with one credit per render.
• Con: Pro allows installation on two devices but simultaneous use on only one, which limits concurrent workstation access.
• Con: Enterprise requires annual billing, reducing flexibility for teams wanting a short commitment.

Alternatives

Archicad is the better pick for users seeking a dedicated paid architectural platform with an educational license option across desktop, mobile, and web.

Live Home 3D suits people who prefer a freemium home-design application with free and subscription or lifetime options.

Graphisoft BIMx is preferable when a free browser and device viewer is the priority rather than shared modeling meetings.

usBIM.platform fits teams wanting a free basic configuration with 10 GB of cloud storage and online applications.

Cedreo is an alternative for web and desktop residential visualization with a free tier limited to one project and five watermarked renderings.

Rayon is worth considering for browser-based drafting with a free editing experience and public-model allowance.

TAD Designer is a free option for users comfortable with its Lite edition and teamTAD Discord requirement for the full version.

Twinmotion is the alternative to consider when real-time visualization and cloud-oriented seat options matter more than Arkio's collaborative modeling meetings.

For broader comparisons, see Architecture Software and 3D Visualization Software.

Verdict

Choose Arkio if your architectural or spatial-design team needs to develop and review a shared model live across desktop, mobile, and XR devices. Its combination of solid modeling, synchronized meetings, design-review tools, and established-software integrations is the central reason to buy it. Look elsewhere if you need unrestricted meeting sizes, uncapped rendering, simultaneous multi-device use, or a short-term Enterprise commitment.