Softwr

Construction · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Sage Estimating

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sage Estimating logo

Sage Estimating

Construction

Professional construction cost estimating software

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Sage Estimating covers Cost estimation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Sage Estimating actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Sage Estimating differ
AttributeArchiCADSage Estimating
Starting price$177/month$250/month
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows
Founded19821981

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

  • Cost estimation
  • Digital takeoff
  • Cost databases
  • Bid analysis
  • Reporting
  • Sage 100 Contractor
  • Sage 300 CRE
  • Sage Intacct

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

Sage Estimating

  • Project estimatingnot ArchiCAD
  • Bid preparationnot ArchiCAD
  • Cost trackingnot ArchiCAD
  • Budget analysisnot 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

Sage Estimating

Nothing recorded yet. See the Sage Estimating review.

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

Sage Estimating

$250/month
  • Sage Estimating$250/month
    • Cost databases
    • Digital takeoff
    • Assemblies
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Multi-user
    • Advanced databases
    • Custom reporting

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose Sage Estimating if

  • You need cost estimation.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want digital takeoff.
Sage Estimating review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Sage Estimating better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Sage Estimating at $250/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Sage Estimating?
ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Sage Estimating at $250/month.
Does ArchiCAD or Sage Estimating run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Sage Estimating runs on Windows.
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 Sage Estimating is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Sage Estimating cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Sage Estimating covers Cost estimation, Digital takeoff, Cost databases, Bid analysis. Both handle 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
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
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
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