Softwr

Construction & Architecture · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Raken

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction & Architecture

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Raken logo

Raken

Construction & Architecture

Daily reporting and field production tracking

From
$40/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; Raken the Internet Archive's capture of Raken's pricing page on 13 December 2019 confirmed a 15-day free trial after which customers can purchase a paid plan or continue on a free Starter plan indefinitely, with annual billing saving 20% versus monthly; specific dollar figures per tier were not present in the captured page.
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Raken covers Daily reporting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Raken actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Raken differ
AttributeArchiCADRaken
Starting price$177/month$40/month
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19822014

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

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 Raken

  • Daily reporting
  • Photo documentation
  • Time tracking
  • Production tracking
  • Safety toolbox talks
  • Procore
  • Autodesk BIM 360
  • Sage

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

Raken

  • Daily logsnot ArchiCAD
  • Field documentationnot ArchiCAD
  • Progress trackingnot ArchiCAD
  • Time managementnot 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

Raken

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Raken's pricing page on 13 December 2019 confirmed a 15-day free trial after which customers can purchase a paid plan or continue on a free Starter plan indefinitely, with annual billing saving 20% versus monthly; specific dollar figures per tier were not present in the captured page.

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchiCAD

$177/month

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.

Raken

$40/month
  • Lite$40/month
    • Daily reports
    • Photo documentation
    • Time tracking
  • Pro$80/month
    • Everything in Lite
    • Production tracking
    • Toolbox talks
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Custom workflows
    • API access
    • SSO

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose Raken if

  • You need daily reporting.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want photo documentation.

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Raken better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Raken at $40/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Raken?
ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Raken at $40/month.
Does ArchiCAD or Raken run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Raken 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 Raken is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Raken cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Raken covers Daily reporting, Photo documentation, Time tracking, Production tracking.

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