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Construction · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Houdini

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Houdini logo

Houdini

CAD

Procedural 3D animation and VFX

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Houdini 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; Houdini houdini Indie at $299 per year requires annual gross revenue under $100K USD
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Houdini covers Procedural modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Houdini actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Houdini differ
AttributeArchiCADHoudini
Starting price$177/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, MacOS, Linux
CategoryConstructionCAD
Founded19821987

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Houdini

  • Procedural modeling
  • VFX
  • Simulations
  • Particle systems
  • Pyro FX
  • Ocean tools
  • Rigging
  • Maya

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

Houdini

  • Procedural 3D modelling and environment generationnot ArchiCAD
  • Visual effects simulation for pyro, fluids, cloth and rigid bodiesnot ArchiCAD
  • Building reusable procedural assets for a studio pipelinenot 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

Houdini

  • Houdini Indie at $299 per year requires annual gross revenue under $100K USD
  • Houdini Indie cannot be used in the same pipeline as commercial versions of Houdini
  • Houdini Indie and Apprentice save to their own .hipnc file format, which commercial Houdini pipelines do not share
  • The free Apprentice edition is non commercial, caps render resolution at 1920x1080 and watermarks output images
  • Houdini Indie ships with only 2 render tokens
  • Full DOP level simulation node access requires Houdini FX at $4,495 per workstation; Core at $1,995 exposes only SOP level pre built simulation assets
  • Extra render tokens cost $195

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

Houdini

Free
  • ApprenticeFree
    • Learning version
    • Non-commercial
  • Indie$269/month
    • Revenue limit $100K
  • Core$1995/month
    • Full commercial
  • FX$4495/month
    • Full + simulations

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose Houdini if

  • You need procedural modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want vfx.
Houdini review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Houdini better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Houdini at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Houdini?
Houdini has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $177/month for ArchiCAD and Free for Houdini.
Does ArchiCAD or Houdini run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Houdini runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Can I use Houdini for free?
Yes. Houdini 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 Houdini is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Houdini cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Energy analysis. Houdini covers Procedural modeling, VFX, Simulations, Particle systems. Both handle Rendering, Windows support, MacOS 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
Houdini: How much does SideFX Houdini cost?

SideFX Houdini pricing is not published on their website. Specific prices for commercial, educational, and non-commercial licenses must be obtained by adding items to your cart or contacting SideFX sales directly.

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
Houdini: What license types does Houdini offer?

Houdini offers Commercial licenses (Houdini Indie for under $100K USD annual revenue, Houdini Core, Houdini FX, Houdini Engine), Non-Commercial licenses (Houdini Apprentice free, Houdini Education for Students and Schools), Rental options, and Annual Upgrade Plans. Volume-based discounts are available for Houdini Engine.

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
Houdini: Is Houdini available for free?

Yes. Houdini Apprentice is available free for non-commercial use. Houdini Education licenses are also available for students and schools at no cost.

Source
Houdini: Are volume discounts available for Houdini?

Yes. Volume-based discounts are available for Houdini Engine licenses. Rental and Annual Upgrade Plan pricing have been adjusted as of Houdini 21.

Source
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