Softwr

Construction · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Rhino 3D

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rhino 3D logo

Rhino 3D

CAD

3D computer graphics and CAD application

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Rhino 3D 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; Rhino 3D windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Rhino 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Rhino 3D differ
AttributeArchiCADRhino 3D
Starting price$177/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, Mac, iOS
CategoryConstructionCAD
Founded19821980

Identical on both: 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
  • Energy analysis
  • IFC support
  • Teamwork collaboration
  • Library parts
  • Lumion

Only in Rhino 3D

  • NURBS modeling
  • Surface modeling
  • 3D visualization
  • Grasshopper
  • Grasshopper
  • KeyShot
  • V-Ray
  • CAM software

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • License management
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

  • Architectural design with BIM capabilitiesnot Rhino 3D
  • Real-time team collaboration via BIMcloudnot Rhino 3D
  • Automated documentation generation from design changesnot Rhino 3D
  • Mixed Windows and macOS team environmentsnot Rhino 3D

Rhino 3D

  • NURBS-based 3D modelling for product design and engineeringnot ArchiCAD
  • Precision engineering and prototyping (aerospace, automotive, jewellery)not ArchiCAD
  • Generative design with Grasshopper visual programmingnot ArchiCAD
  • Mesh editing and point cloud processingnot 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

Rhino 3D

  • Windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • Performance depends on hardware capabilities; complex projects require better equipment
  • Pre-release/Work-in-Progress builds may contain bugs and are not production ready

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

Rhino 3D

Free
  • EvaluationFree
    • 90-day trial
    • All features included
    • No credit card required
  • Student License$195/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Commercial License$995/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Student Upgrade$95/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Requires prior license key
    • Support included

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose Rhino 3D if

  • You need nurbs modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, iOS.
  • You also want surface modeling.
Rhino 3D review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Rhino 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Rhino 3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Rhino 3D?
Rhino 3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $177/month for ArchiCAD and Free for Rhino 3D.
Does ArchiCAD or Rhino 3D run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Rhino 3D runs on Windows, Mac, iOS.
Can I use Rhino 3D for free?
Yes. Rhino 3D 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 Rhino 3D is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Rhino 3D cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Energy analysis. Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling, Surface modeling, 3D visualization, Grasshopper. Both handle Rendering, License management, Windows support.

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
Rhino 3D: How much does Rhino 3D cost?

Student licenses cost EUR 195, commercial licenses cost EUR 995. Both are perpetual one-time purchases. Upgrades from prior versions cost EUR 95 for students and EUR 595 for commercial users.

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
Rhino 3D: Is there a free trial?

Yes, a 90-day evaluation license is available free with no credit card required. Full features are included and commercial use is allowed.

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
Rhino 3D: Can Rhino 3D licenses be shared across multiple users?

Commercial versions support floating licenses that can be shared. Student licenses are limited to single-user perpetual licenses. All licenses include support and service releases.

Source
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