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Software · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Newforma

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Software

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Newforma logo

Newforma

Software

Project information management system for construction

From
$300/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; Newforma pricing is by quote only, with no rate, tier or minimum published; the site offers only Book a Demo and Get Started
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Newforma covers Document management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Newforma actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Newforma differ
AttributeArchiCADNewforma
Starting price$177/month$300/month
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19822006

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Newforma

  • Document management
  • Project collaboration
  • Transmittals
  • RFI tracking
  • Issue management
  • Autodesk BIM 360
  • Box
  • Dropbox

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

Newforma

  • Managing project email, documents and submittals for architecture and engineering firmsnot ArchiCAD
  • Keeping construction project information on-premises for control and security through Project Centernot ArchiCAD
  • Coordinating issues and RFIs across design and construction teams in Konektnot 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

Newforma

  • Pricing is by quote only, with no rate, tier or minimum published; the site offers only Book a Demo and Get Started
  • The cloud product Konekt and the on-premises product Project Center are separate offerings, so the on-premises option requires a different product rather than a deployment setting

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchiCAD

$177/month

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.

Newforma

$300/month
  • Standard$300/month
    • Document management
    • Project collaboration
    • Transmittals
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced workflows
    • Custom reporting
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose Newforma if

  • You need document management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want project collaboration.

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Newforma better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Newforma at $300/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Newforma?
ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Newforma at $300/month.
Does ArchiCAD or Newforma run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Newforma 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 Newforma is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Newforma cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Newforma covers Document management, Project collaboration, Transmittals, RFI tracking.

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