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Construction · head to head

ArchiCAD vs BricsCAD BIM

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
BricsCAD BIM logo

BricsCAD BIM

Construction

Affordable BIM software with DWG compatibility

From
€1060/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; BricsCAD BIM limited multidisciplinary collaboration features compared to Revit
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, BricsCAD BIM covers AI-assisted BIM.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and BricsCAD BIM actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and BricsCAD BIM differ
AttributeArchiCADBricsCAD BIM
Starting price$177/month€1060/year
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, macOS, Web
Founded19822002

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

Only in BricsCAD BIM

  • AI-assisted BIM
  • DWG compatibility
  • 2D drafting
  • 3D modeling
  • AutoCAD
  • Revit
  • IFC
  • SketchUp

Both cover

  • Documentation
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

BricsCAD BIM

  • Architectural designnot ArchiCAD
  • Construction documentationnot ArchiCAD
  • BIM coordinationnot ArchiCAD
  • CAD draftingnot 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

BricsCAD BIM

  • Limited multidisciplinary collaboration features compared to Revit
  • Smaller ecosystem of third-party add-ons and integrations
  • Not optimized for complex large-scale projects requiring advanced coordination

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

BricsCAD BIM

€1060/year

No published plan breakdown. See the BricsCAD BIM review.

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose BricsCAD BIM if

  • You need ai-assisted bim.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Web.
  • You also want dwg compatibility.
BricsCAD BIM review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or BricsCAD BIM better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and BricsCAD BIM at €1060/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or BricsCAD BIM?
ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and BricsCAD BIM at €1060/year.
Does ArchiCAD or BricsCAD BIM run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. BricsCAD BIM runs on Windows, macOS, Web.
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 BricsCAD BIM is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that BricsCAD BIM cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Rendering, Energy analysis. BricsCAD BIM covers AI-assisted BIM, DWG compatibility, 2D drafting, 3D modeling. Both handle Documentation, 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
BricsCAD BIM: What does BricsCAD BIM cost?

BricsCAD BIM costs 1,060 EUR per year for subscription or approximately 2,616 USD for a perpetual license.

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
BricsCAD BIM: Does BricsCAD BIM support DWG files?

Yes. BricsCAD BIM is fully compatible with industry-standard DWG files, enabling seamless transition from 2D drafting.

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
BricsCAD BIM: Can I use BricsCAD BIM for point cloud processing?

Yes. BricsCAD BIM handles scan-to-BIM workflows and can convert building scans into modeled elements.

Source
BricsCAD BIM: Does BricsCAD offer perpetual licenses?

Yes. BricsCAD is one of the few BIM tools offering both perpetual licenses and subscriptions, providing cost control for firms concerned about recurring fees.

Source
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