Software · head to head
BuildingConnected vs ArchiCAD
BuildingConnected
Software
Preconstruction and bid management platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only BuildingConnected has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: BuildingConnected the Internet Archive's capture of BuildingConnected's homepage on 16 December 2019 named three distinct network tools, BC Pro, TradeTapp, and Bid Board Pro, each sold via demo request or free trial with no price figure published; the product is now owned by Autodesk.; ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
- They diverge on capability: BuildingConnected covers Bid management, ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which BuildingConnected and ArchiCAD actually diverge.
| Attribute | BuildingConnected | ArchiCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $177/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Windows, macOS |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (1982).
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 BuildingConnected
- Bid management
- Subcontractor network
- Prequalification
- Bid leveling
- Analytics
- Autodesk Build
- Autodesk Docs
- Procore
Only in ArchiCAD
- BIM modeling
- Design tools
- Documentation
- Rendering
- Energy analysis
- IFC support
- Teamwork collaboration
- Library parts
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
BuildingConnected
- Bid solicitationnot ArchiCAD
- Subcontractor prequalificationnot ArchiCAD
- Bid analysisnot ArchiCAD
- Vendor managementnot ArchiCAD
ArchiCAD
- Architectural design with BIM capabilitiesnot BuildingConnected
- Real-time team collaboration via BIMcloudnot BuildingConnected
- Automated documentation generation from design changesnot BuildingConnected
- Mixed Windows and macOS team environmentsnot BuildingConnected
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
BuildingConnected
- The Internet Archive's capture of BuildingConnected's homepage on 16 December 2019 named three distinct network tools, BC Pro, TradeTapp, and Bid Board Pro, each sold via demo request or free trial with no price figure published; the product is now owned by Autodesk.
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
Pricing, plan by plan
BuildingConnected
Free- Pro (Subcontractors)Free
- Bid opportunities
- ITB responses
- Company profile
- Pro (GCs)Free
- Bid management
- Subcontractor network
- Bid leveling
ArchiCAD
$177/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.
Which should you pick?
Choose BuildingConnected if
- You need bid management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want subcontractor network.
Choose ArchiCAD if
- You need bim modeling.
- You work on Windows, macOS.
- You also want design tools.
Questions people ask
- Is BuildingConnected or ArchiCAD better?
- Neither clearly leads. BuildingConnected starts at Free and ArchiCAD at $177/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, BuildingConnected or ArchiCAD?
- BuildingConnected has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for BuildingConnected and $177/month for ArchiCAD.
- Does BuildingConnected or ArchiCAD run on more platforms?
- BuildingConnected runs on Web, Ios, Android. ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS.
- Can I use BuildingConnected for free?
- Yes. BuildingConnected has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month.
- What is BuildingConnected best used for?
- BuildingConnected is most often used for bid solicitation, subcontractor prequalification, bid analysis, vendor management. Of those, bid solicitation and subcontractor prequalification are not what ArchiCAD is typically brought in for.
- What can BuildingConnected do that ArchiCAD cannot?
- BuildingConnected covers Bid management, Subcontractor network, Prequalification, Bid leveling. ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering.