Is ArchiCAD or Houzz Pro better?

Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Houzz Pro at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.

Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Houzz Pro?

Houzz Pro has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $177/month for ArchiCAD and Free for Houzz Pro.

Does ArchiCAD or Houzz Pro run on more platforms?

ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Houzz Pro runs on Web, Ios, Android.

Can I use Houzz Pro for free?

Yes. Houzz Pro 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 Houzz Pro is typically brought in for.

What can ArchiCAD do that Houzz Pro cannot?

ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Houzz Pro covers Project management, Client communication, Portfolio management, Lead management.

Construction · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Houzz Pro

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From: $177/month
Rated: -

Full review Website

Houzz Pro

Construction

Business management platform for home builders and remodelers

From: Free
Rated: -

Full review Website

The short version

Only Houzz Pro 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; Houzz Pro the Pro plan includes only 1 seat and additional users cost $60 per user per month
They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Houzz Pro covers Project management.
Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Houzz Pro actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Houzz Pro differ
Attribute	ArchiCAD	Houzz Pro
Starting price	$177/month	Free
Free tier	No	Yes
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Web, Ios, Android
Founded	1982	2009

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Houzz Pro

Project management
Client communication
Portfolio management
Lead management
Budgeting
QuickBooks
Square
Stripe

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

Houzz Pro

Generating remodeling and design leads from a Houzz professional profilenot ArchiCAD
Producing estimates, proposals and change orders for residential design and build projectsnot ArchiCAD
Running client-facing selection boards and 3D floor plans for interior designersnot 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

Houzz Pro

The Pro plan includes only 1 seat and additional users cost $60 per user per month
Plans are gated by annual project volume, with Pro limited to up to $500,000, Custom covering $500,000 to $5M and Enterprise required above $5M
Advertising packages are a separate add-on starting at $499 per month on top of the software subscription
No monthly subscription price for any tier is shown on the pricing page
Takeoffs, scheduling, selections boards, daily logs, budgets, bid management, change orders and financial reporting are not in the free basic plan

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

Houzz Pro

Free

FreeFree
- Portfolio showcase
- Lead generation
- Basic profile
Plus$39/month
- Advanced portfolio
- Lead management
- Client communication

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

ArchiCAD review

Choose Houzz Pro if

You need project management.
You want to start without paying.
You work on Web, Ios, Android.
You also want client communication.

Houzz Pro review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Houzz Pro better?: Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Houzz Pro at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Houzz Pro?: Houzz Pro has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $177/month for ArchiCAD and Free for Houzz Pro.
Does ArchiCAD or Houzz Pro run on more platforms?: ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Houzz Pro runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Houzz Pro for free?: Yes. Houzz Pro 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 Houzz Pro is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Houzz Pro cannot?: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Houzz Pro covers Project management, Client communication, Portfolio management, Lead management.

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

Houzz Pro: How much do additional Houzz Pro users cost?

Additional user seats on the Houzz Pro plan cost $60 per user per month.

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

Houzz Pro: What is the cost of Houzz Pro's advertising package?

Houzz Pro offers an add-on advertising package starting at $499 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

Houzz Pro: Is there a free trial for Houzz Pro?

Houzz Pro offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required and includes a free basic plan with 3D Floor Planner, Estimates, and Invoicing.

Source

ArchiCAD vs Houzz Pro

ArchiCAD

Houzz Pro

The short version

Where they differ

What each one covers

Only in ArchiCAD

Only in Houzz Pro

What people use each for

ArchiCAD

Houzz Pro

Where each one falls short

ArchiCAD

Houzz Pro

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchiCAD

Houzz Pro

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

Choose Houzz Pro if

Questions people ask

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Related pages

More on ArchiCAD

More on Houzz Pro

Keep looking

Other head to heads