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Software · head to head

Prospect vs ArchiCAD

Prospect logo

Prospect

Software

VR for architectural visualization

From
$225/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: Prospect no longer available as a standalone product; has been discontinued and replaced by other solutions; ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
  • They diverge on capability: Prospect covers BIM visualization, ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Prospect and ArchiCAD actually diverge.

Attributes where Prospect and ArchiCAD differ
AttributeProspectArchiCAD
Starting price$225/month$177/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsVR Headsets (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Meta Quest)Windows, macOS
Founded20141982

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Prospect

  • BIM visualization
  • Real-scale viewing
  • Collaboration
  • Annotations
  • Revit
  • SketchUp
  • Rhino
  • Navisworks

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.

Prospect

  • VR Gamingnot ArchiCAD
  • AR Marketingnot ArchiCAD
  • Virtual Trainingnot ArchiCAD
  • 3D Visualizationnot ArchiCAD
  • Immersive Experiencesnot ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD

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

Where each one falls short

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

Prospect

  • No longer available as a standalone product; has been discontinued and replaced by other solutions
  • Acquisition by The Wild in 2021 resulted in product discontinuation and transition to Workshop XR
  • No ongoing development, bug fixes, or feature updates since acquisition

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

Prospect

$225/month
  • Team$350/month
    • Multiuser VR collaboration
    • Design review tools
    • Voice communication

ArchiCAD

$177/month

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Prospect if

  • You need bim visualization.
  • You work on VR Headsets (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Meta Quest).
  • You also want real-scale viewing.
Prospect review

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Questions people ask

Is Prospect or ArchiCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. Prospect starts at $225/month and ArchiCAD at $177/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Prospect or ArchiCAD?
Prospect starts at $225/month and ArchiCAD at $177/month.
Does Prospect or ArchiCAD run on more platforms?
Prospect runs on VR Headsets (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Meta Quest). ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS.
What is Prospect best used for?
Prospect is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what ArchiCAD is typically brought in for.
What can Prospect do that ArchiCAD cannot?
Prospect covers BIM visualization, Real-scale viewing, Collaboration, Annotations. ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Prospect: What is Prospect by IrisVR?

Prospect was an immersive VR application that converted 3D design files from Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, and Navisworks into virtual reality walkthroughs with one click. It enabled AEC teams to conduct design reviews, collaborate in VR, and present projects to clients immersively.

Source
Prospect: Is Prospect still available?

No. Prospect by IrisVR was acquired by The Wild in February 2021 and has been discontinued. Autodesk Workshop XR is now the recommended successor for AEC teams migrating from Prospect.

Source
Prospect: How was Prospect priced?

Prospect's Team plan cost approximately $350 per workstation per month when billed annually. Earlier pricing information from 2020 showed starting prices around $225. Custom enterprise pricing was available.

Source
Prospect: What VR headsets did Prospect support?

Prospect was compatible with major VR headsets including Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and later Meta Quest. Support depended on the runtime and connection method available.

Source
Prospect: What was Prospect's biggest advantage?

Prospect's one-click conversion from native design files (Revit, Rhino, SketchUp) into immersive VR experiences was its primary value proposition, enabling non-VR specialists to easily create compelling design reviews and client presentations.

Source
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