Softwr

Construction · head to head

ArchiCAD vs ProEst

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ProEst logo

ProEst

Construction

Cloud-based construction estimating software

From
$200/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; ProEst proest.com/pricing/ redirects to construction.autodesk.com/pricing/proest, confirming ProEst is now sold exclusively as part of Autodesk Construction Cloud rather than as a standalone product.
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, ProEst covers Digital takeoff.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and ProEst actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and ProEst differ
AttributeArchiCADProEst
Starting price$177/month$200/month
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb
Founded19821996

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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
  • Documentation
  • Rendering
  • Energy analysis
  • IFC support
  • Teamwork collaboration
  • Library parts

Only in ProEst

  • Digital takeoff
  • Cost databases
  • Bid management
  • Proposal generation
  • Reporting
  • Sage 300
  • QuickBooks
  • Procore

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

ProEst

  • Project estimatingnot ArchiCAD
  • Bid managementnot ArchiCAD
  • Cost analysisnot ArchiCAD
  • Proposal creationnot 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

ProEst

  • proest.com/pricing/ redirects to construction.autodesk.com/pricing/proest, confirming ProEst is now sold exclusively as part of Autodesk Construction Cloud rather than as a standalone product.

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

ProEst

$200/month
  • ProEst Estimating$200/month
    • Digital takeoff
    • Pre-built assemblies
    • Bid management
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced integrations
    • Custom assemblies
    • Multi-company

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose ProEst if

  • You need digital takeoff.
  • You also want cost databases.
ProEst review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or ProEst better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and ProEst at $200/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or ProEst?
ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and ProEst at $200/month.
Does ArchiCAD or ProEst run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. ProEst runs on 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 ProEst is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that ProEst cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. ProEst covers Digital takeoff, Cost databases, Bid management, Proposal generation.

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
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
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
Share

Related pages

More on ArchiCAD

More on ProEst

Keep looking

Other head to heads