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Archicad

graphisoft.com

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Spec score 9.5 #1 of 36 in Architecture Software

What it is

Archicad is building information modeling software for architects, designers, engineers, and other AEC professionals working on building projects. Its tools cover mass modeling, sketches, optioneering, quantity take-offs, building elements, and custom components. The software turns 3D models into coordinated drawings with real-time and automated annotation updates, and supports openBIM workflows through IFC, BCF, and IDS. BIMcloud can host a centralized model with live updates and notifications. Studio includes local teamworking with BIMcloud Basic; Collaborate adds MEP modeling and Graphisoft-hosted BIMcloud for global Teamwork. Visualization options include photorealistic visuals, fly-throughs, animations, and a cloud-powered AI Visualizer. Archicad runs on macOS and Windows, with compatible file formats and Teamwork between versions. Studio costs $201 a month, billed with an upfront $2,414 + tax for a one-year subscription per seat. Collaborate costs $237 a month, with $2,840 + tax upfront for a one-year term per seat. Eligible students and educators can use a free educational license for non-commercial work; EDU files carry an irremovable watermark.

Spec sheet

What it does
Archicad is Graphisoft’s BIM platform for architects, designers, engineers and other AEC professionals, covering design, modeling, visualization, documentation and collaboration.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Purpose
Archicad is BIM software for architects, designers, engineers, and other AEC professionals to design, document, collaborate, and deliver building projects.Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Trial
Graphisoft offers a 30-day trial with unlimited access for one seat, including Archicad, BIMcloud Basic and BIMx.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Integrations
Graphisoft lists Bluebeam, BIMplus, Solibri, Autodesk Forma, Revit, Enscape, Twinmotion and D5 connections or extensions.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Headquarters
Budapest, HungaryRead 23 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Company
Graphisoft says it was founded in 1982 and develops Archicad, BIM software for architecture and design.Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
API and SDK
The General API Development Kit lets developers extend Archicad with add-ons and includes API, function, structure, error-code and FAQ documentation.Read 14 Oct 2026 · archicadapi.graphisoft.com
API compatibility limit
Graphisoft warns that API interfaces change between releases and does not guarantee binary compatibility with older add-ons.Read 14 Oct 2026 · archicadapi.graphisoft.com
BIMx
BIMx links 3D models with 2D documentation and provides mobile and desktop viewing, measurement, cutaways and markups.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Collaboration
BIMcloud can host a centralized model for live updates and notifications; Archicad Collaborate includes Graphisoft-hosted BIMcloud for global Teamwork.Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Commercial license requirement
Archicad 29 commercial use requires a cloud license, CodeMeter software key, or CodeMeter hardware key.Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Company founded
Graphisoft was founded in 1982 and developed Archicad as a BIM solution for architecture and design.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Company headquarters
Graphisoft is headquartered at Graphisoft Park in Budapest, Hungary.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Company size
Graphisoft states that it employs more than 700 people across 21 offices in 13 countries.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Design tools
Its tools cover mass modeling, sketches, optioneering, quantity take-offs, building elements, and custom components.Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Developer program
Graphisoft offers developer registration, authorization codes, downloadable development kits, optional developer licensing and support.Read 14 Oct 2026 · archicadapi.graphisoft.com
Documentation
BIM workflows generate coordinated drawings, sections, elevations and schedules that update with the model.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Documentation and support
Graphisoft provides versioned Help documentation, Graphisoft Learn courses, technical support and a user community.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Educational access
Students and educators can receive a renewable free educational license covering Archicad, BIMx and BIMcloud Basic.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Educational limits
EDU licenses are for non-commercial learning, teaching, or academic projects, and EDU files carry an irremovable watermark.Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Intelligent objects
Customizable doors, windows, stairs, railings and curtain walls support detailed architectural modeling.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Licence
Archicad is proprietary software governed by an End User License Agreement; it is licensed rather than sold and is not open source.Read 14 Oct 2026 · help.graphisoft.com
Limit: BIMx Android
Google Play reviewers report occasional rendering freezes, compatibility problems and authentication issues on some Android devices.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Limit: cost
Reviewers say subscriptions, updates, plugins and changing licensing can reduce value, especially for small practices.Read 14 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Limit: custom modeling
TrustRadius reviewers cite weaker export controls, custom object creation and 3D manipulation as shortcomings.Read 14 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Limit: interoperability
Reviewers report difficulty collaborating with firms using Revit or other dominant platforms and describe interoperability as limited.Read 14 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
MEP
The product page describes parametric mechanical, electrical and plumbing modeling, documentation and clash detection.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Notable news: 2026 release
Graphisoft’s 2026 release timeline planned Archicad 30 and related product releases for early October 2026.Read 14 Oct 2026 · community.graphisoft.com
Open standards
The product supports openBIM workflows using IFC, BCF, and IDS standards.Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
OpenBIM interoperability
Archicad supports buildingSMART standards including IFC, BCF and IDS for cross-platform exchange.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Operating systems
Archicad runs on macOS and Windows, and the two versions are compatible for file formats and Teamwork.Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Owner
Graphisoft has been part of the Nemetschek Group since 2007.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Parametric design
Its building tools include parametric walls, slabs, roofs, columns and beams that preserve relationships as designs change.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Plan distinction
Archicad Studio includes local teamworking with BIMcloud Basic, while Archicad Collaborate includes MEP modeling and Graphisoft-hosted BIMcloud for global Teamwork.Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Praise: BIM workflow
Reviewers repeatedly praise coordinated 2D and 3D work, automatic drawing updates and strong BIM modeling capabilities.Read 14 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Praise: usability
Independent reviewers commonly describe Archicad as intuitive, graphics-oriented and easy to use for architectural design.Read 14 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Rating on Apple App Store
4.2 out of 5 from 47 ratingsRead 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on G2
4.6 out of 5 from 293 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on GetApp
4.4 out of 5 from 280 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Google Play
4.2 out of 5 from 6.06K reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Rating on Trustpilot
3.5 out of 5 from 5 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Rating on TrustRadius
8.6 out of 10 from 29 reviews and ratingsRead 14 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Security communication
Graphisoft documents HTTPS and firewall or proxy service connections for Archicad, BIMcloud and licensing services.Read 14 Oct 2026 · support.graphisoft.com
Self-hosting
BIMcloud Basic runs on an in-house server for local teamwork, while BIMcloud SaaS provides cloud collaboration.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Structural modeling
Archicad provides native load-bearing modeling and creates a Structural Analytical Model for engineering coordination.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
System requirements
Archicad 30 minimums include 8 GB RAM, 5+ GB free disk space, a multi-core x64 processor and DirectX 11 graphics on PC; Apple Silicon or Intel Macs are supported.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Team collaboration
BIMcloud supports simultaneous work on shared models with synchronization, version management and distributed teams.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Trial eligibility
The trial page says users are eligible if they have never purchased a trial and have not applied for one in the last 12 months.Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Visualization
Archicad supports sketches, white models, photorealistic visuals, fly-throughs, animations and AI Visualizer output.Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com

Plans and prices

Archicad EDU Free Free educational license; student/educator licenses valid for 1 year For eligible students, educators, and educational institutions · non-commercial use · watermark on views and printouts Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Archicad Studio $201 a month $201 + tax / month; upfront payment of $2,414 + tax / 1-year Subscription Term / seat Architectural design · local collaboration · Archicad · BIMx Pro · BIMcloud Basic Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Archicad Studio $201 a month $2,414 + tax upfront for a 1-year subscription per seat Basic-complexity projects · individual or local teams · Archicad · BIMcloud Basic · BIMx Pro Baseline · 50 AI credits/license/month Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Archicad Collaborate $237 a month $237 + tax / month; upfront payment of $2,840 + tax / 1-year Subscription Term / seat Architectural design · collaboration · MEP design · Archicad · BIMx Pro · BIMcloud Software as a Service Read 30 Sep 2026 · graphisoft.com
Archicad Collaborate $237 a month $2,840 + tax upfront for a 1-year subscription per seat Medium-complexity projects · multidisciplinary or multi-office teams · BIMcloud SaaS · MEP Designer · BIMx Pro with Teamwork · 50 AI credits/license/month Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com
Archicad Max $475 a month $5,700 + tax upfront for a 1-year subscription per seat High-complexity projects · advanced MCP AI · 250 AI credits/license/month · all language versions · ProKit add-ons · full Graphisoft Learn Read 14 Oct 2026 · graphisoft.com

Every Archicad plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports openBIM through IFC, BCF, and IDS.
  • 3D models generate coordinated drawings and annotation updates.
  • BIMcloud supports centralized models and live updates.
  • Free educational license available for eligible users.

Limits

  • Studio starts at $201 a month.
  • Plans require upfront one-year subscription payments.
  • EDU files carry an irremovable watermark.
  • Commercial use of Archicad 29 requires a license key.

Who it suits

Archicad suits AEC professionals who need design, documentation, and collaboration tools for building projects. The educational license is for eligible students, educators, and institutions using it for non-commercial learning, teaching, or academic projects.

Archicad in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

Archicad is BIM software for designing and documenting building projects, with tools for architecture and related AEC disciplines. It suits professionals who need a coordinated building model and a way to collaborate around it. Its case is strongest when design, documentation and teamworking need to stay connected; the paid plans commit each seat for a year.

Key features

Archicad covers early design work such as mass modeling, sketches and exploring options, as well as building elements, custom components and quantity take-offs. That range can carry a project from concept toward documentation, and multi-discipline coverage, clash detection and quantity take-off support suit teams working beyond architectural form alone.

Drawings come from the 3D model, with real-time coordination and automated annotation updates as the model changes. This is a practical advantage for keeping documentation aligned with design revisions. Support for IFC, BCF and IDS enables openBIM workflows, and integrations include Bluebeam, BIMplus, Solibri, Autodesk Forma, Enscape, Twinmotion and D5.

Visualization options include sketches, photorealistic visuals, fly-throughs, animations and a cloud-powered AI Visualizer. BIMcloud can centralize a model for live updates and notifications. Studio provides local teamworking with BIMcloud Basic; Collaborate adds Graphisoft-hosted BIMcloud for global Teamwork and MEP modeling. Collaborate is the better fit when remote, globally distributed teamwork or MEP design matters; Studio avoids paying for those additions when local collaboration is enough.

Pricing

Archicad EDU: free. This is for eligible students, educators and educational institutions, with licenses valid for one year. It is limited to non-commercial learning, teaching or academic projects, and files carry an irremovable watermark on views and printouts, so it is not a route to commercial project work.

Archicad Studio: $201 a month, billed $201 + tax / month, with an upfront payment of $2,414 + tax for a 1-year Subscription Term per seat. It includes architectural design, local collaboration, Archicad, BIMx Pro and BIMcloud Basic. This is the lower-cost commercial choice for architectural teams that can work locally and do not need MEP modeling or hosted global Teamwork.

Archicad Collaborate: $237 a month, billed $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 additional cost is justified for teams needing MEP modeling or Graphisoft-hosted global collaboration; otherwise Studio is the more economical fit.

A 30-day Archicad Studio trial gives unlimited access to Archicad, BIMcloud Basic and BIMx for one free seat. Eligibility requires that the user has never purchased a trial and has 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, and the two versions are compatible for file formats and Teamwork. Mobile access is viewer-oriented, rather than a substitute for desktop authoring. The broader platform listing also includes Android, iOS and web.

Who it's for

Archicad is aimed at architects, designers, engineers and other AEC professionals who need model-based design and coordinated project documentation. It is a strong fit for practices that value openBIM exchange, quantity take-offs and shared models. It is less suitable for commercial users seeking a low-commitment entry point, or for students intending to use educational files on paid projects.

Pros and cons

Pro: Coordinated drawings and annotation updates follow the 3D model, helping keep documentation in step with revisions.

Pro: IFC, BCF and IDS support openBIM workflows, while BIMcloud enables centralized collaboration.

Pro: Studio and Collaborate separate local teamwork from hosted global Teamwork and MEP modeling, giving teams a meaningful plan choice.

Con: Both commercial plans require a one-year subscription and upfront payment per seat, a significant commitment for occasional users.

Con: EDU files are watermarked and restricted to non-commercial use, ruling them out for commercial deliverables.

Con: Mobile access is for viewing, so teams needing mobile authoring should look elsewhere.

Alternatives

usBIM.platform has a free basic configuration with 10 GB of cloud storage and free online applications; consider it if a free cloud starting point matters more than Archicad's model-based design scope.

Vectorworks Architect is an alternative paid product with a free trial and an annual plan at $127.50 a year, billed $1,530.00 annually; compare it if its annual-plan structure is a better fit.

Allplan offers a paid ALLPLAN Basic plan at €123 a month, including interfaces, 3D modeling, 2D drafting, visualization and a BIM Easy content package; consider it if those listed capabilities align with the work.

Chief Architect is another paid option with a free trial and a Premier plan at $229 a month; consider it if its included upgrades, catalog downloads and priority technical support suit your requirements.

LibreCAD is a free, open-source 2D CAD option with no subscription or annual fee; choose it for free 2D drafting rather than Archicad's BIM workflow.

nanoCAD offers freemium access and a Windows-only Platform plan at $289 a year with 2D/3D drafting and native DWG support; consider it if that drafting focus and platform fit your needs.

ARCHLine.XP has a 3010.00 EUR perpetual license for the current version, with future version upgrades purchased separately; consider it if perpetual use of a version is preferable to a yearly subscription.

Hypar offers a free plan with three owned projects and a Professional plan at $100 a month per user; consider it if that project-based plan structure fits better.

Explore more options in Architectural Design Software, BIM Software and Architecture Software.

Verdict

Choose Archicad if your practice needs a BIM-centered design and documentation workflow with openBIM exchange and coordinated teamwork. Studio is the sensible starting point for local architectural collaboration; Collaborate earns its premium when hosted global Teamwork or MEP modeling is needed. Look elsewhere if a year-long per-seat commitment, desktop-oriented authoring or the EDU commercial restriction does not fit.

Verdict

Archicad combines BIM design and documentation with collaboration options that vary by plan. Compare Studio and Collaborate requirements, and note the educational license’s non-commercial restriction and watermark.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to ArchicadAll alternatives →