Softwr

Construction · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Trimble

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Trimble logo

Trimble

Construction

Construction and building information platform

From
$500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; Trimble listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £30 to £50 per user per month for Viewpoint Field View, Trimble's construction field management product, submitted directly by Trimble UK Limited
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Trimble covers Project management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Trimble actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Trimble differ
AttributeArchiCADTrimble
Starting price$177/month$500/month
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19821978

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 Trimble

  • Project management
  • BIM collaboration
  • Document management
  • Field coordination
  • Analytics
  • Revit
  • AutoCAD
  • Procore

What people use each for

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

ArchiCAD

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

Trimble

  • BIM collaborationnot ArchiCAD
  • Project coordinationnot ArchiCAD
  • Document managementnot ArchiCAD
  • Field operationsnot 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

Trimble

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £30 to £50 per user per month for Viewpoint Field View, Trimble's construction field management product, submitted directly by Trimble UK Limited

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

Trimble

$500/month
  • Connect$500/month
    • Project management
    • Collaboration
    • Document control
  • EnterpriseFree
    • BIM integration
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom workflows

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

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

Choose Trimble if

  • You need project management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want bim collaboration.
Trimble review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Trimble better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Trimble at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Trimble?
ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Trimble at $500/month.
Does ArchiCAD or Trimble run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Trimble runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Trimble is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Trimble cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Trimble covers Project management, BIM collaboration, Document management, Field coordination.

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
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