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: 0.00 USD per 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: 201.00 USD per 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: 237.00 USD per 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 USD per 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 123.00 EUR per 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 229.00 USD per 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 289.00 USD per 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 100.00 USD per 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.

	Archicad	Veras
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	Yes	Yes
Paid from	$201/mo	€1.32/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, iOS, macOS, Web, Windows	Web
Free plan	No	No
Paid from	201 /user/mo	—

Archicad vs Veras

Archicad

Veras