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Construction & Architecture · head to head

STACK Construction Technologies vs ArchiCAD

STACK Construction Technologies logo

STACK Construction Technologies

Construction & Architecture

Takeoff and estimating software for preconstruction

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction & Architecture

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only STACK Construction Technologies has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: STACK Construction Technologies takeoff and Estimate is priced per user at $249 per user per month, so cost scales linearly with estimators; ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
  • They diverge on capability: STACK Construction Technologies covers Digital takeoff, ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which STACK Construction Technologies and ArchiCAD actually diverge.

Attributes where STACK Construction Technologies and ArchiCAD differ
AttributeSTACK Construction TechnologiesArchiCAD
Starting priceFree$177/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWindows, macOS
Founded20111982

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction & Architecture).

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 STACK Construction Technologies

  • Digital takeoff
  • Estimating
  • Bid management
  • Proposal generation
  • Plan storage
  • QuickBooks
  • Sage
  • Procore

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.

STACK Construction Technologies

  • Performing quantity, labor and material takeoff from digital construction plansnot ArchiCAD
  • Producing bid estimates and proposals for subcontractors and general contractorsnot ArchiCAD
  • Field plan markup, punch lists and daily reports on active job sitesnot ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD

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

Where each one falls short

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

STACK Construction Technologies

  • Takeoff and Estimate is priced per user at $249 per user per month, so cost scales linearly with estimators
  • The full platform combining takeoff, estimating and field management starts at $298 per user per month
  • Field and project management is sold as a separate Build and Operate product starting at $49 per user per month rather than bundled with takeoff
  • The Build and Operate product offers only a two-week free trial, with the free version limited to Takeoff and Estimate

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

STACK Construction Technologies

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic takeoff
    • Estimating
    • Unlimited projects
  • Pro$1999/year
    • Advanced takeoff
    • Assemblies
    • Templates
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Team collaboration
    • Custom integrations
    • Advanced reporting

ArchiCAD

$177/month

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.

Which should you pick?

Choose STACK Construction Technologies if

  • You need digital takeoff.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want estimating.
STACK Construction Technologies review

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Questions people ask

Is STACK Construction Technologies or ArchiCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. STACK Construction Technologies starts at Free and ArchiCAD at $177/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, STACK Construction Technologies or ArchiCAD?
STACK Construction Technologies has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for STACK Construction Technologies and $177/month for ArchiCAD.
Does STACK Construction Technologies or ArchiCAD run on more platforms?
STACK Construction Technologies runs on Web, Ios, Android. ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS.
Can I use STACK Construction Technologies for free?
Yes. STACK Construction Technologies has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month.
What is STACK Construction Technologies best used for?
STACK Construction Technologies is most often used for performing quantity, labor and material takeoff from digital construction plans, producing bid estimates and proposals for subcontractors and general contractors, field plan markup, punch lists and daily reports on active job sites. Of those, performing quantity, labor and material takeoff from digital construction plans and producing bid estimates and proposals for subcontractors and general contractors are not what ArchiCAD is typically brought in for.
What can STACK Construction Technologies do that ArchiCAD cannot?
STACK Construction Technologies covers Digital takeoff, Estimating, Bid management, Proposal generation. ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering.
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