Softwr

Construction & Architecture · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Kahua

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction & Architecture

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kahua logo

Kahua

Construction & Architecture

Cloud platform for construction and capital projects

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; Kahua pricing is by quote only, with no rate or minimum published; the vendor states pricing is based on organization type, program or construction scale, selected package, deployment environment and implementation requirements
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Kahua covers Project management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Kahua actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Kahua differ
AttributeArchiCADKahua
Starting price$177/month$400/month
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryUnknownConstruction & Architecture
Founded19822007

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Kahua

  • Project management
  • Document control
  • Collaboration
  • Issue tracking
  • Reporting
  • Microsoft 365
  • Slack
  • Box

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

Kahua

  • Acting as the system of record for a capital construction program across the asset lifecyclenot ArchiCAD
  • Public agencies and program managers tracking portfolios of projectsnot ArchiCAD
  • General contractors standardising project delivery and cost control across active projectsnot ArchiCAD
  • Specialty contractors managing crews, work orders and project financialsnot 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

Kahua

  • Pricing is by quote only, with no rate or minimum published; the vendor states pricing is based on organization type, program or construction scale, selected package, deployment environment and implementation requirements
  • Packages are split by organization type into Owners and Program Managers, General Contractors and Specialty Contractors rather than by feature tier

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchiCAD

$177/month

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.

Kahua

$400/month
  • Professional$400/month
    • Project management
    • Document control
    • Collaboration
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom workflows
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose Kahua if

  • You need project management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want document control.
Kahua review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Kahua better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Kahua at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Kahua?
ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Kahua at $400/month.
Does ArchiCAD or Kahua run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Kahua 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 Kahua is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Kahua cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Kahua covers Project management, Document control, Collaboration, Issue tracking.
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