NEW TO ARCHICAD
THE BEST DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Experience in BIM.
Archicad gives architects, engineers, and builders a single environment for design, documentation, and quantity takeoff — from concept to construction set.
WHY ARCHICAD
One tool. Every phase.
Most BIM tools were built for one role. Archicad was built for the whole process — and that changes what's possible.
Design & Documentation
2D and 3D live in one file. Change the model — every plan, section, elevation, and schedule updates automatically. No file handoffs, no version drift.
For
Architects, engineers, designers.
Best-in-Class 3D
Real-time 3D with live sections, elevations, and interior views updating as you model. Native performance on Apple Silicon. Visualizations straight from the production model.
For
Architects, design teams, Mac users.
Construction Coordination
MEP composites, structural coordination, constructability review — all from one model. XREF-based discipline coordination across Architectural, Structural, and MEP without file chaos.
For
GCs, BIM managers, field engineers.
Field Use
BIMx delivers offline-capable model access on any mobile device. Total Station integration extracts layout points directly from the model — formwork, anchor bolts, column grids.
For
Foremen, layout crews, self-perform GCs.
Quantity Takeoff
Interactive schedules pull quantities directly from model elements — by trade, assembly, material. Connect to Excel via The BRIDGE for cost analysis. No separate estimating software.
For
Estimators, PMs, BIM managers.
Building Science
Composite wall assemblies, material properties, thermal control layers — modeled with real building science, not surface approximations. The foundation of the CONTRABIM 2.0 system.
For
Designers, energy modelers, BIM managers.
THE COMPARISON
How does Archicad compare?
A direct look at the tools AEC professionals use most — and where Archicad fits. Honest, not a puff piece.
| Feature | Archicad Studio | Revit | SketchUp Pro | AutoCAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost (solo) | ✓$2,414 — all-in, no add-ons | ✗$3,005 standalone; $3,675 AEC Collection | ✓$349–$749 — but limited BIM | ~$2,095 full / $530 LT — 2D only |
| Licensing model | ✓Floating via BIMcloud — any user, any seat | ✗Named only — no floating, no sharing | ~Named subscription only | ✗Named licenses only |
| 2D + 3D in one file | ✓Native — single file, always in sync | ~Yes, but heavier file overhead | ✗3D in SketchUp, 2D in AutoCAD — split | ✗2D primary — 3D is an add-on |
| Quantity takeoff | ✓Built-in interactive schedules — model-driven | ~Schedules available, less flexible output | ✗Not native — plugin-dependent | ✗Manual only — no BIM data |
| Team collaboration | ✓BIMcloud Basic included — real-time teamwork | ✗ACC / BIM 360 required — extra cost | ✗Basic multi-user — no co-authoring | ✗XREF-based — fragmented |
| Construction use | ✓GC coordination, layout, MEP composites, field | ~Possible — steeper curve for field teams | ✗Visualization only | ~Shop drawings — 2D only |
| BIM intelligence | ✓Full BIM — intelligent elements, live schedules | ✓Full BIM — deep parametrics, family library | ✗Surface modeling only | ✗Lines, no intelligence |
| Mobile field viewer | ✓BIMx included — offline-capable | ~ACC viewer — cloud-dependent, extra cost | ✗Not available | ✗Not applicable |
| Learning curve | ✓Accessible for architects, builders, owners | ✗Steep — built for dedicated BIM teams | ✓Easy entry — but shallow for real projects | ~Familiar for CAD — no BIM path forward |
| US market position | ~Growing — 30K+ users, underserved by vendors | ✓Dominant in large enterprise firms | ✓Widespread — concept & visualization | ✓Still dominant in CDs & shop drawings |
Revit is dominant for a reason — it's built for large enterprise firms with dedicated BIM teams and IT. Archicad delivers equivalent BIM capability without that overhead. Pricing in USD, excl. tax; verify current rates before purchase.
TRIAL PATH
Try Archicad Studio free for 30 days.
Full software, full access — no credit card required. Enter your details and we'll send you straight to the Graphisoft trial plus a getting-started guide from CONTRABIM.
Step 01
Enter your details
Name, email, role. 30 seconds.
Step 02
Get the trial link
We email your link to the Graphisoft trial — complete signup on their site in about 2 minutes.
Step 03
CONTRABIM follows up
A short sequence with getting-started resources and the CB membership offer.
Start your free Archicad trial
We'll send a direct link to the Graphisoft 30-day trial + a CONTRABIM getting-started guide.
No spam. Just the link + resources. Unsubscribe anytime.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Ready to commit? Choose your plan.
Both plans include full Archicad. The difference is how your team collaborates.
Architectural design with local team collaboration.
- Archicad — full design & documentation
- BIMcloud Basic — local server teamwork
- BIMx — mobile model viewer for field use
- Graphisoft AI Assistant
- Annual updates & support
- Solo practitioners and small firms
- Teams sharing files on a local network
- Not ideal for remote multi-office teams
Full BIM collaboration with Graphisoft cloud hosting.
- Everything in Studio
- BIMcloud SaaS — Graphisoft-hosted cloud server
- Real-time multi-user teamwork (remote-ready)
- MEP Designer integration
- Advanced cross-discipline coordination
- Multi-office or remote teams
- BIM managers coordinating across disciplines
- GCs needing live design coordination
CONTRABIM is an affiliate partner of Graphisoft. Purchases made through our links earn us a commission at no additional cost to you. Verify current pricing at graphisoft.com before purchase.
CB MEMBER BONUS
Buy through CONTRABIM. Start with the software and the system.
The software costs the same whether you buy from Graphisoft directly or through us. The difference is what you get with it — once your purchase is verified.
What you get — after purchase verification
- CB Membership — first year at $360 (50% off)
- CONTRABIM 2.0 Template — ready to deploy from day one
- Getting-started training — you're not starting from zero
- Community access + live meetups
After your first year, CB membership renews at $360/year — same rate, no surprises. The 50% discount unlocks after a verified Archicad purchase through the CONTRABIM affiliate link.
PICK YOUR NEXT STEP
Pick your next step.
Three ways forward — no dead ends.
TRY IT FREE
Start the trial
Full Archicad Studio, 30 days, no credit card.
- 30-day free trial
- Getting-started guide
- No commitment
BUY STUDIO
Get Studio
Solo and small-team design — $2,414/year, plus 50% off CB.
- Full Archicad + BIMx
- BIMcloud Basic
- 50% off CB year one
