Software · head to head
ArchiCAD vs BuildingConnected
BuildingConnected
Software
Preconstruction and bid management platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only BuildingConnected has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; BuildingConnected the Internet Archive's capture of BuildingConnected's homepage on 16 December 2019 named three distinct network tools, BC Pro, TradeTapp, and Bid Board Pro, each sold via demo request or free trial with no price figure published; the product is now owned by Autodesk.
- They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, BuildingConnected covers Bid management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and BuildingConnected actually diverge.
| Attribute | ArchiCAD | BuildingConnected |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $177/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Web, Ios, Android |
Identical on both: 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
- BIM modeling
- Design tools
- Documentation
- Rendering
- Energy analysis
- IFC support
- Teamwork collaboration
- Library parts
Only in BuildingConnected
- Bid management
- Subcontractor network
- Prequalification
- Bid leveling
- Analytics
- Autodesk Build
- Autodesk Docs
- Procore
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ArchiCAD
- Architectural design with BIM capabilitiesnot BuildingConnected
- Real-time team collaboration via BIMcloudnot BuildingConnected
- Automated documentation generation from design changesnot BuildingConnected
- Mixed Windows and macOS team environmentsnot BuildingConnected
BuildingConnected
- Bid solicitationnot ArchiCAD
- Subcontractor prequalificationnot ArchiCAD
- Bid analysisnot ArchiCAD
- Vendor managementnot 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
BuildingConnected
- The Internet Archive's capture of BuildingConnected's homepage on 16 December 2019 named three distinct network tools, BC Pro, TradeTapp, and Bid Board Pro, each sold via demo request or free trial with no price figure published; the product is now owned by Autodesk.
Pricing, plan by plan
ArchiCAD
$177/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.
BuildingConnected
Free- Pro (Subcontractors)Free
- Bid opportunities
- ITB responses
- Company profile
- Pro (GCs)Free
- Bid management
- Subcontractor network
- Bid leveling
Which should you pick?
Choose ArchiCAD if
- You need bim modeling.
- You work on Windows, macOS.
- You also want design tools.
Choose BuildingConnected if
- You need bid management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want subcontractor network.
Questions people ask
- Is ArchiCAD or BuildingConnected better?
- Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and BuildingConnected at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or BuildingConnected?
- BuildingConnected has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $177/month for ArchiCAD and Free for BuildingConnected.
- Does ArchiCAD or BuildingConnected run on more platforms?
- ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. BuildingConnected runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use BuildingConnected for free?
- Yes. BuildingConnected has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month.
- 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 BuildingConnected is typically brought in for.
- What can ArchiCAD do that BuildingConnected cannot?
- ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. BuildingConnected covers Bid management, Subcontractor network, Prequalification, Bid leveling.