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Archicad alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Archicad: less common than Revit among engineers and contractors, and expensive subscription. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Archicad, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. FreeCAD currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1FreeCAD logoFreeCADOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux3 of 370.3
2SketchUp logoSketchUpPaidNoWindows, macOS, Web +14 of 462.6
3BricsCAD logoBricsCADPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux3 of 359.6
4RhRhinoPaidNoWindows, macOS4 of 457.2
  1. FreeCAD logo

    1. FreeCADTop pick

    Best for: Engineers and makers who want free, offline parametric CAD they fully control

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    70.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Archicad

    Free and open source, with a BIM workbench for smaller projects.

    Pros

    • Free and open source for any use
    • Workbenches for parts, assemblies, drawings, FEM, CAM and BIM
    • Fully scriptable with Python

    Cons

    • Interface less polished than commercial CAD
    • Steeper learning curve for complex models
    • Fewer supplier models and integrations
    Visit FreeCAD Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is FreeCAD a good Archicad alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    LGPL-2.1
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, Mac, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freecad.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Modeling approach
    Parametric
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freecad.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. SketchUp logo

    2. SketchUp

    Best for: Architects, interior designers and woodworkers who want quick, intuitive 3D models

    PaidWindows, macOS, Web, iOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Archicad

    Faster, simpler modeling for concept design and smaller projects.

    Pros

    • Very quick to learn with push-pull modeling
    • Huge free model library in 3D Warehouse
    • LayOut turns models into construction documents

    Cons

    • Subscription only for current versions
    • Weak at organic and highly precise mechanical shapes
    • Large models can become slow
    Visit SketchUp Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SketchUp a good Archicad alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Starting price
    $10.75/user/month billed annually (Go)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sketchup.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    $33.25/user/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sketchup.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Schools
    Free with Google or Microsoft education accounts
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sketchup.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Studio platform
    Windows only
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sketchup.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. BricsCAD logo

    3. BricsCAD

    Best for: AutoCAD users who want a DWG-compatible alternative with perpetual licensing

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Archicad

    DWG-based CAD with a BIM toolset and perpetual licences.

    Pros

    • Native DWG with familiar AutoCAD-style commands
    • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Perpetual licences available

    Cons

    • Some AutoCAD add-ons and vertical tools aren't available
    • Smaller training and support community
    • BIM and mechanical toolsets less mature than Revit or SolidWorks
    Visit BricsCAD Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is BricsCAD a good Archicad alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    File format
    DWG-based
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bricsys.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bricsys.com(opens source in a new tab)
    BIM file support
    IFC, Revit, Rhino and more
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bricsys.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Rh

    4. Rhino

    Best for: Designers and architects who need precise freeform surfaces and parametric scripting

    PaidWindows, macOS

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Archicad

    Freeform and parametric design for complex geometry, with Grasshopper.

    Pros

    • Perpetual licence with no maintenance fees
    • Grasshopper visual programming included
    • Reads and writes a very wide range of formats

    Cons

    • No feature-history parametric modeling like SolidWorks
    • Rendering and animation need plug-ins
    • Upfront cost is high for hobbyists
    Visit Rhino Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Rhino a good Archicad alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Commercial price
    US$995 (Rhino 8, single user)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rhino3d.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence
    Perpetual, no maintenance fees
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rhino3d.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free evaluation
    90 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rhino3d.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Student price
    US$195
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rhino3d.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Archicad alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

FreeCAD logo

Best Archicad alternative for most people

FreeCAD

Free and open source, with a BIM workbench for smaller projects.

FreeCAD logo

Best Archicad alternative for a free option

FreeCAD

Free and open source, with a BIM workbench for smaller projects.

FreeCAD logo

Best Archicad alternative for open source

FreeCAD

Free and open source, with a BIM workbench for smaller projects.

SketchUp logo

Best Archicad alternative for Mac

SketchUp

Faster, simpler modeling for concept design and smaller projects.

BricsCAD logo

Best Archicad alternative for Windows

BricsCAD

DWG-based CAD with a BIM toolset and perpetual licences.

FreeCAD logo

Best Archicad alternative for Linux

FreeCAD

Free and open source, with a BIM workbench for smaller projects.

SketchUp logo

Best Archicad alternative for working in the browser

SketchUp

Faster, simpler modeling for concept design and smaller projects.

Archicad alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Archicad?

FreeCAD ranks first right now. Free and open source, with a BIM workbench for smaller projects. SketchUp and BricsCAD follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Archicad?

Yes. FreeCAD (open source) has a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Archicad?

Yes: FreeCAD.

Which Archicad alternatives work on Linux?

FreeCAD and BricsCAD run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Archicad?

The complaints we hear most: less common than Revit among engineers and contractors; expensive subscription; learning curve for full documentation sets.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Archicad, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.