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CAD · head to head

Alibre Design vs ArchiCAD

Alibre Design logo

Alibre Design

CAD

Affordable professional CAD

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Alibre Design perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates; ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
  • They diverge on capability: Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Alibre Design and ArchiCAD actually diverge.

Attributes where Alibre Design and ArchiCAD differ
AttributeAlibre DesignArchiCAD
Starting priceOn request$177/month
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsWindowsWindows, macOS
CategoryCADConstruction
Founded19971982

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Alibre Design

  • Parametric modeling
  • Assemblies
  • Sheet metal
  • 2D drawings
  • BOM
  • CAM software
  • PDM
  • License key

Only in ArchiCAD

  • BIM modeling
  • Design tools
  • Documentation
  • Energy analysis
  • IFC support
  • Teamwork collaboration
  • Library parts
  • Lumion

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Alibre Design

  • Parametric 3D solid modelling for mechanical partsnot ArchiCAD
  • Producing 2D manufacturing drawings from 3D modelsnot ArchiCAD
  • Designing parts for 3D printing and small shop machiningnot ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD

  • Architectural design with BIM capabilitiesnot Alibre Design
  • Real-time team collaboration via BIMcloudnot Alibre Design
  • Automated documentation generation from design changesnot Alibre Design
  • Mixed Windows and macOS team environmentsnot Alibre Design

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Alibre Design

  • Perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates
  • Sheet metal, PDM data management and rendering are Design Expert only at $1,999
  • Scripting is excluded from the $199 Atom3D edition
  • CAM capability is sold as separate EZ-Mill, EZ-Turn and EZ-EDM products costing up to $2,999
  • A dedicated account manager is excluded from Atom3D

ArchiCAD

  • Available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
  • Subscription-only licensing model with no perpetual licence option
  • Studio tier does not include MEP Designer - requires Collaborate tier at $208/month

Pricing, plan by plan

Alibre Design

On request
  • Atom3D Lifetime License$125/mo
  • Design Pro Lifetime License$630/mo
  • Design Expert Lifetime License$1260/mo
  • Design Pro Monthly$99.9/month

ArchiCAD

$177/month
  • Archicad Studio$177/month
    • Archicad Windows & macOS
    • BIMx Pro
    • BIMcloud Basic
  • Archicad Collaborate$208/month
    • Archicad Windows & macOS
    • MEP Designer
    • BIMx Pro

Which should you pick?

Choose Alibre Design if

  • You need parametric modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want assemblies.
Alibre Design review

Choose ArchiCAD if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want design tools.
ArchiCAD review

Questions people ask

Is Alibre Design or ArchiCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. Alibre Design starts at On request and ArchiCAD at $177/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Alibre Design or ArchiCAD?
Alibre Design starts at On request and ArchiCAD at $177/month.
Does Alibre Design or ArchiCAD run on more platforms?
Alibre Design runs on Windows. ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS.
What is Alibre Design best used for?
Alibre Design is most often used for parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts, producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models, designing parts for 3d printing and small shop machining. Of those, parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts and producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models are not what ArchiCAD is typically brought in for.
What can Alibre Design do that ArchiCAD cannot?
Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Assemblies, Sheet metal, 2D drawings. ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Energy analysis. Both handle Rendering, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Alibre Design: Does Alibre Design require a subscription or is it a one-time purchase?

Alibre Design offers one-time lifetime licenses or monthly payment plans. Atom3D lifetime is $125, Design Pro is $630, and Design Expert is $1,260. Monthly payment plans spread costs over 10 months.

Source
ArchiCAD: What is the cost of Archicad's subscription plans?

Archicad Studio starts at $177/month or $2,123 upfront annually. Archicad Collaborate, the most popular tier, is $208/month or $2,497 upfront annually. Both include local and cloud teamworking capabilities.

Source
Alibre Design: What is the difference between Alibre Design Pro and Design Expert?

Design Expert ($1,260) is the complete design suite with advanced features, while Design Pro ($630) is the entry-level professional 3D/2D CAD software.

Source
ArchiCAD: What is the difference between Archicad Studio and Archicad Collaborate?

Studio includes architectural modeling and BIMcloud Basic for local teamwork. Collaborate adds MEP Designer for MEP modeling and BIMcloud SaaS for cloud-based global teamwork, and costs $31 more per month.

Source
Alibre Design: Do I need to pay separately for software updates and support in Alibre?

Yes. Annual support and update plans cost $50 per year for CAD software and $100-$200 per year for mill and turn add-ons.

Source
ArchiCAD: Is Archicad free for students?

Yes, Archicad offers free educational licenses for students, educators, and academic institutions. Archicad Studio is available free for 30 days as a trial.

Source
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