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Construction · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Twinmotion

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Twinmotion logo

Twinmotion

CAD

Real-time visualization for architecture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Twinmotion 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; Twinmotion epic Games' own pricing announcement (unrealengine.com/twinmotion.com) sets an individual Twinmotion seat at $445 per year, and the bundled Unreal Subscription covering Twinmotion, Unreal Engine and RealityCapture together at $1,850 per seat per year, once a company's annual gross revenue exceeds $1,000,000 USD; below that threshold the same software is free, including for commercial use, which makes list price highly dependent on company size rather than usage.
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Twinmotion covers Real-time rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Twinmotion actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Twinmotion differ
AttributeArchiCADTwinmotion
Starting price$177/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
CategoryConstructionCAD
Founded19821991

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), platforms (Windows, macOS), 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 ArchiCAD

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

Only in Twinmotion

  • Real-time rendering
  • Easy import
  • Vegetation
  • Phasing
  • VR export
  • Video export
  • Direct link to CAD
  • Revit

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

Twinmotion

  • Architectural visualizationnot ArchiCAD
  • Design presentationnot 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

Twinmotion

  • Epic Games' own pricing announcement (unrealengine.com/twinmotion.com) sets an individual Twinmotion seat at $445 per year, and the bundled Unreal Subscription covering Twinmotion, Unreal Engine and RealityCapture together at $1,850 per seat per year, once a company's annual gross revenue exceeds $1,000,000 USD; below that threshold the same software is free, including for commercial use, which makes list price highly dependent on company size rather than usage.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Twinmotion

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Non-commercial
  • Professional$499/month
    • Commercial use

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose Twinmotion if

  • You need real-time rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want easy import.
Twinmotion review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Twinmotion better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Twinmotion at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Twinmotion?
Twinmotion has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $177/month for ArchiCAD and Free for Twinmotion.
Does ArchiCAD or Twinmotion run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Twinmotion runs on Windows, MacOS.
Can I use Twinmotion for free?
Yes. Twinmotion 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 Twinmotion is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Twinmotion cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Twinmotion covers Real-time rendering, Easy import, Vegetation, Phasing. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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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