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Software · head to head

Navisworks vs ArchiCAD

Navisworks logo

Navisworks

Software

Project review software for construction professionals

From
$145/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Software

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Navisworks sold in two named editions, Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage, each licensed for install on up to 3 computers per subscription (Internet Archive capture, 7 January 2023); ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
  • They diverge on capability: Navisworks covers Clash detection, ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Navisworks and ArchiCAD actually diverge.

Attributes where Navisworks and ArchiCAD differ
AttributeNavisworksArchiCAD
Starting price$145/month$177/month
PlatformsWindowsWindows, macOS

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Navisworks

  • Clash detection
  • 4D scheduling
  • Model aggregation
  • Quantification
  • Visualization
  • Revit
  • AutoCAD
  • BIM 360

Only in ArchiCAD

  • BIM modeling
  • Design tools
  • Documentation
  • Rendering
  • Energy analysis
  • IFC support
  • Teamwork collaboration
  • Library parts

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Navisworks

  • Clash detectionnot ArchiCAD
  • Construction sequencingnot ArchiCAD
  • Project coordinationnot ArchiCAD
  • Cost analysisnot ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD

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

Where each one falls short

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

Navisworks

  • Sold in two named editions, Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage, each licensed for install on up to 3 computers per subscription (Internet Archive capture, 7 January 2023)

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

Navisworks

$145/month
  • Navisworks Manage$145/month
    • Clash detection
    • 4D simulation
    • Model aggregation
  • Navisworks Simulate$100/month
    • 4D simulation
    • Model aggregation
    • Rendering

ArchiCAD

$177/month

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Navisworks if

  • You need clash detection.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want 4d scheduling.
Navisworks review

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Questions people ask

Is Navisworks or ArchiCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. Navisworks starts at $145/month and ArchiCAD at $177/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Navisworks or ArchiCAD?
Navisworks starts at $145/month and ArchiCAD at $177/month.
Does Navisworks or ArchiCAD run on more platforms?
Navisworks runs on Windows. ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS.
What is Navisworks best used for?
Navisworks is most often used for clash detection, construction sequencing, project coordination, cost analysis. Of those, clash detection and construction sequencing are not what ArchiCAD is typically brought in for.
What can Navisworks do that ArchiCAD cannot?
Navisworks covers Clash detection, 4D scheduling, Model aggregation, Quantification. ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Both handle Windows support.
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