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Construction · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Handoff

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Handoff logo

Handoff

Construction

AI estimating and proposals for residential remodelling contractors, priced per company not per seat

From
$119/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; Handoff pro and Scale require a 12 month commitment, so a seasonal remodeller who slows down over winter pays through the quiet months or stays on the more expensive month-to-month Flex tier
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Handoff covers Estimate from description.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Handoff actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Handoff differ
AttributeArchiCADHandoff
Starting price$177/month$119/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionPer company per month
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, iOS, Android
Founded1982Unknown

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

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 Handoff

  • Estimate from description
  • Photo-based estimating
  • AI takeoff
  • Custom pricing catalogues
  • Proposals and e-signature
  • Change orders
  • Invoicing and card payments

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

Handoff

  • A remodelling contractor who visits four kitchens a week and wants a priced proposal out the same evening instead of three days laternot ArchiCAD
  • A roofing business whose owner writes every estimate personally and is the bottleneck on salesnot ArchiCAD
  • A small builder who wants proposal, change order and invoice in one record so the final billing reconciles to what the client signednot ArchiCAD
  • A contractor collecting payment by card who wants to cut the processing rate from 3.35 to 2.85 per cent by moving to the annual Pro tiernot 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

Handoff

  • Pro and Scale require a 12 month commitment, so a seasonal remodeller who slows down over winter pays through the quiet months or stays on the more expensive month-to-month Flex tier
  • AI-generated line item pricing is based on general cost data, not your suppliers or your subcontractors, so every estimate needs review and the time saving is smaller than the marketing implies once a real pricing catalogue is built
  • AI takeoff only appears on the 899 dollar Scale tier and is capped at plans of 5,000 square feet, which excludes most light commercial and larger custom homes
  • Flex includes only 50 AI credits a month and one pricing catalogue, which a busy estimator exhausts quickly, making the entry tier more of a trial than a working plan
  • It targets residential remodelling specifically, with no scheduling, no field production tracking and no job costing depth, so a growing contractor outgrows it and migrates to a full construction management platform

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

Handoff

$119/month
  • Flex$119/month
    • Billed annually, 149 USD month to month
    • 2 users
    • 50 AI credits a month
  • Pro$239/month
    • Billed annually, 299 USD month to month
    • 12 month commitment
    • 5 users
  • Scale$719/month
    • Billed annually, 899 USD month to month
    • 12 month commitment
    • 5 users
  • Custom API$undefined/year
    • Quoted for multi-location businesses
    • API access
    • Custom integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose Handoff if

  • You need estimate from description.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want photo-based estimating.
Handoff review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Handoff better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Handoff at $119/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Handoff?
ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Handoff at $119/month.
Does ArchiCAD or Handoff run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Handoff 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 Handoff is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Handoff cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Handoff covers Estimate from description, Photo-based estimating, AI takeoff, Custom pricing catalogues.

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
Handoff: What does Handoff actually cost?

From 119 US dollars a month billed annually on Flex for two users, 239 on Pro for five users, and 719 on Scale which is the only tier with AI takeoff. Month to month prices are 149, 299 and 899.

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
Handoff: Is the card processing fee on top of the subscription?

Yes. It is 3.35 per cent on Flex and 2.85 per cent on Pro and Scale, charged on payments you collect through the platform.

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
Handoff: Does it do commercial construction?

No. It is built for residential remodelling scopes and its cost data and takeoff limits reflect that.

Handoff: Can I cancel monthly?

Only on Flex. Pro and Scale carry a 12 month commitment.

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