Construction & Architecture · head to head
CMiC vs ArchiCAD
CMiC
Construction & Architecture
Cloud-based construction management software
- From
- $300/month
- Rated
- -
ArchiCAD
Construction & Architecture
BIM software for architects
- From
- $177/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: CMiC pricing is by quote only, with the site's Pricing link leading to a Get a Quote form and no rate, tier or minimum published; ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
- They diverge on capability: CMiC covers Project management, ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CMiC and ArchiCAD actually diverge.
Identical on both: 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 CMiC
- Project management
- Accounting
- Document management
- Job costing
- Field operations
- QuickBooks
- Sage
- Microsoft 365
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.
CMiC
- Running construction accounting and financials as an ERP for a contractornot ArchiCAD
- Managing project documents, workflow and approvals alongside the general ledgernot ArchiCAD
- Analytics and reporting across a construction firm's projectsnot ArchiCAD
ArchiCAD
- Architectural design with BIM capabilitiesnot CMiC
- Real-time team collaboration via BIMcloudnot CMiC
- Automated documentation generation from design changesnot CMiC
- Mixed Windows and macOS team environmentsnot CMiC
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
CMiC
- Pricing is by quote only, with the site's Pricing link leading to a Get a Quote form and no rate, tier or minimum published
- Functionality is split into separately named products including Construction Financials, Project Management, Workflow, Analytics, NEXUS and CONSTRUCT
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
CMiC
$300/month- Core$300/month
- Project management
- Accounting
- Document management
- EnterpriseFree
- Mobile field app
- Advanced analytics
- API access
ArchiCAD
$177/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.
Which should you pick?
Choose CMiC if
- You need project management.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want accounting.
Choose ArchiCAD if
- You need bim modeling.
- You work on Windows, macOS.
- You also want design tools.
Questions people ask
- Is CMiC or ArchiCAD better?
- Neither clearly leads. CMiC starts at $300/month and ArchiCAD at $177/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CMiC or ArchiCAD?
- CMiC starts at $300/month and ArchiCAD at $177/month.
- Does CMiC or ArchiCAD run on more platforms?
- CMiC runs on Web, Ios, Android. ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS.
- What is CMiC best used for?
- CMiC is most often used for running construction accounting and financials as an erp for a contractor, managing project documents, workflow and approvals alongside the general ledger, analytics and reporting across a construction firm's projects. Of those, running construction accounting and financials as an erp for a contractor and managing project documents, workflow and approvals alongside the general ledger are not what ArchiCAD is typically brought in for.
- What can CMiC do that ArchiCAD cannot?
- CMiC covers Project management, Accounting, Document management, Job costing. ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering.