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ArchiCAD vs STACK Construction Technologies

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Software

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
STACK Construction Technologies logo

STACK Construction Technologies

Software

Takeoff and estimating software for preconstruction

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only STACK Construction Technologies 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; STACK Construction Technologies takeoff and Estimate is priced per user at $249 per user per month, so cost scales linearly with estimators
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, STACK Construction Technologies covers Digital takeoff.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and STACK Construction Technologies actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and STACK Construction Technologies differ
AttributeArchiCADSTACK Construction Technologies
Starting price$177/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19822011

Identical on both: 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 STACK Construction Technologies

  • Digital takeoff
  • Estimating
  • Bid management
  • Proposal generation
  • Plan storage
  • QuickBooks
  • Sage
  • Procore

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

STACK Construction Technologies

  • Performing quantity, labor and material takeoff from digital construction plansnot ArchiCAD
  • Producing bid estimates and proposals for subcontractors and general contractorsnot ArchiCAD
  • Field plan markup, punch lists and daily reports on active job sitesnot 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

STACK Construction Technologies

  • Takeoff and Estimate is priced per user at $249 per user per month, so cost scales linearly with estimators
  • The full platform combining takeoff, estimating and field management starts at $298 per user per month
  • Field and project management is sold as a separate Build and Operate product starting at $49 per user per month rather than bundled with takeoff
  • The Build and Operate product offers only a two-week free trial, with the free version limited to Takeoff and Estimate

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchiCAD

$177/month

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.

STACK Construction Technologies

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic takeoff
    • Estimating
    • Unlimited projects
  • Pro$1999/year
    • Advanced takeoff
    • Assemblies
    • Templates
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Team collaboration
    • Custom integrations
    • Advanced 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 STACK Construction Technologies if

  • You need digital takeoff.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want estimating.
STACK Construction Technologies review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or STACK Construction Technologies better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and STACK Construction Technologies at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or STACK Construction Technologies?
STACK Construction Technologies has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $177/month for ArchiCAD and Free for STACK Construction Technologies.
Does ArchiCAD or STACK Construction Technologies run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. STACK Construction Technologies runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use STACK Construction Technologies for free?
Yes. STACK Construction Technologies 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 STACK Construction Technologies is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that STACK Construction Technologies cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. STACK Construction Technologies covers Digital takeoff, Estimating, Bid management, Proposal generation.
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