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CAD · head to head

Arnold vs Autodesk Revit

Arnold logo

Arnold

CAD

Advanced Monte Carlo ray tracing renderer

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Autodesk Revit logo

Autodesk Revit

Construction

BIM software for architects and engineers

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Arnold the Internet Archive's capture of Autodesk's Arnold overview page on 30 December 2022 stated a subscription can be installed on up to 3 computers or devices, though only the named user may run it on one machine at a time, and includes access to the 3 previous major versions.; Autodesk Revit exact subscription rates not shown on product page; pricing template contains placeholder {{PRICE}} variable
  • They diverge on capability: Arnold covers Ray tracing, Autodesk Revit covers BIM modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arnold and Autodesk Revit actually diverge.

Attributes where Arnold and Autodesk Revit differ
AttributeArnoldAutodesk Revit
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows
CategoryCADConstruction
Founded19981982

Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Arnold

  • Ray tracing
  • GPU rendering
  • Production shading
  • OSL
  • Denoising
  • Maya
  • 3ds Max
  • Cinema 4D

Only in Autodesk Revit

  • BIM modeling
  • Parametric components
  • Collaboration
  • Documentation
  • Rendering
  • Structural analysis
  • MEP design
  • Cloud worksharing

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Arnold

  • Film productionnot Autodesk Revit
  • Animationnot Autodesk Revit
  • VFXnot Autodesk Revit

Autodesk Revit

  • Building designnot Arnold
  • Construction documentationnot Arnold
  • BIM coordinationnot Arnold

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Arnold

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Autodesk's Arnold overview page on 30 December 2022 stated a subscription can be installed on up to 3 computers or devices, though only the named user may run it on one machine at a time, and includes access to the 3 previous major versions.

Autodesk Revit

  • Exact subscription rates not shown on product page; pricing template contains placeholder {{PRICE}} variable
  • Multiple pricing options (monthly, annual, 3-year term) available but actual costs require navigation to separate pricing flow

Pricing, plan by plan

Arnold

$29/month
  • Arnold$360/month
    • Standalone renderer

Autodesk Revit

$29/month
  • Revit$2545/month
    • Full BIM capabilities
    • Collaboration tools
  • AEC Collection$2975/month
    • Revit + AutoCAD + Civil 3D + more

Which should you pick?

Choose Arnold if

  • You need ray tracing.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want gpu rendering.
Arnold review

Choose Autodesk Revit if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want parametric components.
Autodesk Revit review

Questions people ask

Is Arnold or Autodesk Revit better?
Neither clearly leads. Arnold starts at $29/month and Autodesk Revit at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arnold or Autodesk Revit?
Arnold starts at $29/month and Autodesk Revit at $29/month.
Does Arnold or Autodesk Revit run on more platforms?
Arnold runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Autodesk Revit runs on Windows.
What is Arnold best used for?
Arnold is most often used for film production, animation, vfx. Of those, film production and animation are not what Autodesk Revit is typically brought in for.
What can Arnold do that Autodesk Revit cannot?
Arnold covers Ray tracing, GPU rendering, Production shading, OSL. Autodesk Revit covers BIM modeling, Parametric components, Collaboration, Documentation. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Arnold: How much does Autodesk Arnold cost?

Autodesk Arnold pricing is not published on the vendor website. Arnold is available through Autodesk subscription plans or standalone licensing. Customers should contact Autodesk directly for pricing quotes.

Source
Autodesk Revit: How much does Autodesk Revit cost per month?

Autodesk Revit is available on a monthly subscription, with a 15-day return policy for trial conversions. Specific rates are not published on the product page.

Source
Arnold: Is Arnold free for educational use?

Yes, Autodesk provides free educational licenses for Arnold to students and educators. Educational access allows learning of professional rendering capabilities at no cost.

Source
Autodesk Revit: What discount does Autodesk offer for annual Revit subscriptions?

Revit annual subscriptions save 33% compared to monthly pricing. Specific price points are not displayed on the homepage.

Source
Arnold: What does Arnold render?

Autodesk Arnold is an industry-standard photorealistic rendering engine used for visual effects, animation, and design visualization. It supports GPU and CPU rendering with advanced features for film, television, and product design.

Source
Autodesk Revit: Can I install Revit on multiple computers?

Revit subscriptions allow installation on up to 3 computers, but only one named user can sign in at a time. Multi-seat team pricing is not detailed on the site.

Source
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