Software · head to head
ArchiCAD vs Autodesk Revit
Autodesk Revit
Software
BIM software for architects and engineers
- From
- $29/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; Autodesk Revit autodesk Revit single-user commercial subscription is $2,910 USD per year ($365/month), with a 3-year term totaling $8,730, per Autodesk's own checkout pricing data embedded in the site (archived subscribe page, 2023).
- They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers Design tools, Autodesk Revit covers Parametric components.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Autodesk Revit actually diverge.
| Attribute | ArchiCAD | Autodesk Revit |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $177/month | $29/month |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (1982).
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 ArchiCAD
- Design tools
- Energy analysis
- IFC support
- Teamwork collaboration
- Library parts
- Lumion
- Twinmotion
- Solibri
Only in Autodesk Revit
- Parametric components
- Collaboration
- Structural analysis
- MEP design
- Cloud worksharing
- AutoCAD
- Navisworks
- BIM 360
Both cover
- BIM modeling
- Documentation
- Rendering
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ArchiCAD
- Architectural design with BIM capabilitiesnot Autodesk Revit
- Real-time team collaboration via BIMcloudnot Autodesk Revit
- Automated documentation generation from design changesnot Autodesk Revit
- Mixed Windows and macOS team environmentsnot Autodesk Revit
Autodesk Revit
- Building designnot ArchiCAD
- Construction documentationnot ArchiCAD
- BIM coordinationnot ArchiCAD
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Autodesk Revit
- Autodesk Revit single-user commercial subscription is $2,910 USD per year ($365/month), with a 3-year term totaling $8,730, per Autodesk's own checkout pricing data embedded in the site (archived subscribe page, 2023).
Pricing, plan by plan
ArchiCAD
$177/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.
Autodesk Revit
$29/month- Revit$2545/month
- Full BIM capabilities
- Collaboration tools
- AEC Collection$2975/month
- Revit + AutoCAD + Civil 3D + more
Which should you pick?
Choose ArchiCAD if
- You need design tools.
- You work on Windows, macOS.
- You also want energy analysis.
Choose Autodesk Revit if
- You need parametric components.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want collaboration.
Questions people ask
- Is ArchiCAD or Autodesk Revit better?
- Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Autodesk Revit at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Autodesk Revit?
- ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Autodesk Revit at $29/month.
- Does ArchiCAD or Autodesk Revit run on more platforms?
- ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Autodesk Revit runs on Windows.
- What is ArchiCAD best used for?
- ArchiCAD is most often used for architectural design with bim capabilities, real-time team collaboration via bimcloud, automated documentation generation from design changes, mixed windows and macos team environments. Of those, architectural design with bim capabilities and real-time team collaboration via bimcloud are not what Autodesk Revit is typically brought in for.
- What can ArchiCAD do that Autodesk Revit cannot?
- ArchiCAD covers Design tools, Energy analysis, IFC support, Teamwork collaboration. Autodesk Revit covers Parametric components, Collaboration, Structural analysis, MEP design. Both handle BIM modeling, Documentation, Rendering, Windows support.