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Software · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Buildertrend

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Software

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Buildertrend logo

Buildertrend

Software

Construction project management for home builders and remodelers

From
$99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; Buildertrend pricing is by quote only, with no rate, plan name or minimum published on the pricing page
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Buildertrend covers Project scheduling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Buildertrend actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Buildertrend differ
AttributeArchiCADBuildertrend
Starting price$177/month$99/month
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19822006

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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

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

Only in Buildertrend

  • Project scheduling
  • Customer management
  • Financial tracking
  • Selections management
  • Change orders
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero
  • Zillow

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

Buildertrend

  • Running scheduling, budgets, change orders and client communication for a residential construction businessnot ArchiCAD
  • Giving homeowners a client portal to approve selections and view progressnot ArchiCAD
  • Consolidating estimating, purchase orders and job costing for custom home builders and remodelersnot 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

Buildertrend

  • Pricing is by quote only, with no rate, plan name or minimum published on the pricing page
  • Getting a price requires completing a multi-step form declaring builder type and annual construction volume, then booking a call with a sales representative
  • The only published discount is 10% off for paying annually upfront

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchiCAD

$177/month

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.

Buildertrend

$99/month
  • Core$99/month
    • Project scheduling
    • Daily logs
    • Photo management
  • Pro$299/month
    • Everything in Core
    • Proposals & estimates
    • Customer portal
  • Premium$499/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Financials
    • Time clock

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose Buildertrend if

  • You need project scheduling.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want customer management.
Buildertrend review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Buildertrend better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Buildertrend at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Buildertrend?
ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Buildertrend at $99/month.
Does ArchiCAD or Buildertrend run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Buildertrend runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Buildertrend is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Buildertrend cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Buildertrend covers Project scheduling, Customer management, Financial tracking, Selections management.
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