AppBreakup
Archicad logo

Archicad

Graphisoft's BIM software for architects, available on both Mac and Windows.

Verified facts
3 of 3
Alternatives ranked
5
Approved reviews
0
Visits sent from here
0

About Archicad

Archicad from Graphisoft, part of the Nemetschek Group, is one of the original BIM applications and a major rival to Revit, particularly popular with architects in Europe and with firms that work on Macs. You model with familiar building elements such as walls, slabs, roofs, windows and stairs, and plans, sections, elevations, schedules and documentation are generated from that model. Teamwork and BIMcloud handle collaboration, BIMx provides interactive model presentations on mobile, and it exchanges data with consultants through IFC and with other tools via plug-ins. Many architects find its design workflow more intuitive than Revit's, though Revit remains more common among engineers and large contractors. Graphisoft sells Archicad through subscription plans such as Studio and Collaborate, with education licences and a free trial. The macOS and Windows versions share fully compatible files.

Best for: Architects who want BIM with a design-friendly workflow, especially on Mac.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Runs on macOS and Windows with compatible files
  • Design-oriented BIM workflow many architects prefer
  • BIMx for interactive presentations

Why people leave

  • Less common than Revit among engineers and contractors
  • Expensive subscription
  • Learning curve for full documentation sets

Top Archicad alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1SketchUp logo
    SketchUp

    Faster, simpler modeling for concept design and smaller projects.

    62.6
  2. 2BricsCAD logo
    BricsCAD

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

    59.6
  3. 3Rh
    Rhino

    Freeform and parametric design for complex geometry, with Grasshopper.

    57.2
  4. 4Au
    Autodesk Revit

    The most widely used BIM tool, often required by engineers and contractors.

    56.0
  5. 5FreeCAD logo
    FreeCAD

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

    55.3

Why people left Archicad

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Archicad, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

Reviews

No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers

Write a review of Archicad
Your rating of Archicad

Never shown publicly. A work email helps us verify you.

What did you use it for, and what was good or bad? At least 40 characters.

A GitHub username, your company domain, or say you can send a screenshot. Verified reviews count more.

By submitting, you confirm you're at least 16 and agree to our terms. Your name, rating, review and the date are published; your email isn't. See our privacy policy.

Archicad: common questions

Is Archicad free?

No, Archicad is a paid product. Plans: Archicad Studio and Collaborate (checked on Archicad's own site).

Is Archicad open source?

No, Archicad is not open source. Open-source alternatives include FreeCAD.

What platforms does Archicad run on?

Archicad is available for Windows and macOS.

What are the best alternatives to Archicad?

The highest-ranked Archicad alternatives right now are SketchUp, BricsCAD and Rhino. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 Archicad alternatives