Autodesk Forma Build vs Vectorworks Architect
Autodesk Forma Build
autodesk.comVectorworks Architect
vectorworks.netSide by side
| Figure | Autodesk Forma Build | Vectorworks Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $66.67/mo | $127.50/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 2 |
| Spec score · Architecture Design software | 8.5 (#4) | 7.9 (#11) |
| Spec score · Architectural Design Software | 8.5 (#6) | 7.9 (#14) |
| Spec score · 3D Architecture Software | 8.4 (#6) | 7.9 (#11) |
| Founded | 1982 | 1985 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California | Columbia, Maryland, United States |
| Integrations | Forma Build lists Forma Design Collaboration, Forma Data Management, TradeTapp, accounting integration, and Forma Construction Connect, which supports custom connections to more than 200 systems. | The Vectorworks Partner Network includes integrations such as Solibri, Bluebeam, Revizto, and BIMCollab. |
| Purpose | Forma Build connects office, trailer, and jobsite teams to manage construction projects, documents, costs, quality, safety, and collaboration. | Vectorworks Architect is BIM software for design phases from pre-design through construction documentation. |
| Security | Autodesk says its security practices include a secure software development lifecycle, continuous vulnerability assessment, and risk mitigation. | Vectorworks says it uses technical and organizational measures to protect personal information and its data-processing addendum describes safeguards and breach notification obligations. |
| Support | The Forma Build purchase page advertises 24x7 online support options and resources. | Vectorworks offers technical support requests, online help, a knowledgebase, training, and professional consulting services. |
Plans
Autodesk Forma Build
- Forma Build Essentials$100 a month
- Forma Build - per user$175 a month
- Forma Build Essentials$800 a year
- Forma Build - per user$1,400 a year
- Forma BuildPriced on request
In their own words
Autodesk Forma Build
Autodesk Forma Build is paid construction project software connecting office, trailer, and jobsite teams. It manages documents, costs, quality, safety, collaboration, and workflows including RFIs, submittals, meetings, issues, forms, and schedules. Web, iOS, and Android access are listed, and the Autodesk Forma mobile app can provide project data offline. Forma Build Essentials includes punch lists, issue management, daily reports, forms, current sheets and files, and mobile field access. Autodesk describes Build features including Autodesk Assistant, Construction IQ, photo autotags, automatic sheet extraction, and AI-assisted specification and submittal workflows. Integrations include Forma Design Collaboration, Forma Data Management, TradeTapp, accounting connections, and Forma Construction Connect, which supports custom connections to more than 200 systems. Autodesk also lists an AECO partner ecosystem with more than 400 integrations. A free trial lasts 30 days; users who do not subscribe afterward lose project access. Plans include Forma Build Essentials at $100 per user monthly and Forma Build - per user at $175 per user monthly.
Vectorworks Architect
Vectorworks Architect is BIM software for architectural design from pre-design through construction documentation. Its parametric building objects include walls, doors, and windows, and it produces construction documentation, fabrication details, shop drawings, material take-offs, and schedules. Advanced 3D tools support custom parametric design elements; built-in assessments cover energy and embodied carbon. For presentations, the software supports renderings, AR/VR experiences, and mood boards. It supports openBIM and IFC, exchanges files with AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and Rhino, and connects with tools including Solibri, Bluebeam, Revizto, and BIMCollab. Cloud processing handles rendering, animations, and exports. The mobile app can make 3D models from photos and review cloud-hosted documents. A free trial is available, but there is no free plan. Annual costs $127.50 a year, billed $1,530.00 billed annually; Monthly costs $170 a month. A license can be installed on two machines, with active use limited to one device at a time.