Architecture · head to head
Revit vs ArchiCAD
ArchiCAD
Construction & Architecture
BIM software for architects
- From
- $177/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Revit windows-only software with no native macOS support, limiting adoption among Mac-based design teams; ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
- They diverge on capability: Revit covers Parametric design, ArchiCAD covers Design tools.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Revit and ArchiCAD actually diverge.
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), 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 Revit
- Parametric design
- Collaboration
- Analysis
- AutoCAD
- 3ds Max
- Navisworks
- BIM 360
- Construction Cloud
Only in ArchiCAD
- Design tools
- Rendering
- Energy analysis
- IFC support
- Teamwork collaboration
- Library parts
- Lumion
- Twinmotion
Both cover
- BIM modeling
- Documentation
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Revit
- Building designnot ArchiCAD
- Construction documentationnot ArchiCAD
- MEP coordinationnot ArchiCAD
- Structural analysisnot ArchiCAD
- Project collaborationnot ArchiCAD
ArchiCAD
- Architectural design with BIM capabilitiesnot Revit
- Real-time team collaboration via BIMcloudnot Revit
- Automated documentation generation from design changesnot Revit
- Mixed Windows and macOS team environmentsnot Revit
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Revit
- Windows-only software with no native macOS support, limiting adoption among Mac-based design teams
- Heavy computational requirements make it difficult to run on mid-range hardware, creating high infrastructure costs
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
Revit
$380/month- Monthly$380/month
- Full BIM modeling
- 3D visualization
- Collaboration tools
- Annual$2910/year
- Full BIM modeling
- 3D visualization
- Collaboration tools
- Revit LT$70/month
- Basic BIM features
- Reduced capability
ArchiCAD
$177/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Revit if
- You need parametric design.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want collaboration.
Choose ArchiCAD if
- You need design tools.
- You work on Windows, macOS.
- You also want rendering.
Questions people ask
- Is Revit or ArchiCAD better?
- Neither clearly leads. Revit starts at $380/month and ArchiCAD at $177/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Revit or ArchiCAD?
- Revit starts at $380/month and ArchiCAD at $177/month.
- Does Revit or ArchiCAD run on more platforms?
- Revit runs on Windows. ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS.
- What is Revit best used for?
- Revit is most often used for building design, construction documentation, mep coordination, structural analysis. Of those, building design and construction documentation are not what ArchiCAD is typically brought in for.
- What can Revit do that ArchiCAD cannot?
- Revit covers Parametric design, Collaboration, Analysis, AutoCAD. ArchiCAD covers Design tools, Rendering, Energy analysis, IFC support. Both handle BIM modeling, Documentation, Windows support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Revit: What is Revit's pricing model?
Revit 2026 costs $380 per month or $2,910 annually per user. Flex plans start at $300 for 100 tokens (10 days of use over one year). Revit LT costs $70/month for basic BIM features.
Source