Archicad vs Designcenter for BIM

Archicad9.2Visit Designcenter for BIM8.7Visit

Higher score Archicad #2 in Building Information Modeling Software 9.2/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Archicad

vs

Designcenter for BIM #6 in Building Information Modeling Software 8.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 3 features Contact Siemens

• Archicad fits best

  Architecture teams prioritizing openBIM teamwork

• Designcenter for BIM fits best

  Enterprise teams seeking collaborative building design

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Side by side

Feature	Archicad 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Designcenter for BIM 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.7
Ranking	#2 in Building Information Modeling Software	#6 in Building Information Modeling Software
Best for	Architecture teams prioritizing openBIM teamwork	Enterprise teams seeking collaborative building design
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$201/user/mo	Pricing on request
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop, Cloud
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows
Integrations	7 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Archicad 1/3 · Designcenter for BIM 2/3
OpenBIM support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Cloud collaboration	✓	✓
Model version history	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Model authoring	Not checked yet	Multidiscipline
Platforms	Not checked yet	Windows desktop; cloud/browser options are available for Designcenter X
Supported file formats	Not checked yet	IFC; Revit RVT import; native Designcenter NX format
Our review
Pros	Combines parametric modeling, coordinated drawings, takeoffs, and schedules Supports IFC, BCF, IDS, clash detection, and issue tracking Connects with BIMcloud and visualization tools including Enscape and Twinmotion	Parametric building design includes structures, grids, elevations and roofs Bidirectional IFC exchange supports open BIM workflows Concurrent design, model validation and clash detection across building systems
Cons	Graphisoft-hosted BIMcloud collaboration is part of the higher Collaborate tier Commercial use requires a paid plan after the 30-day trial Native desktop support is limited to Windows and macOS	BIM is an add-on to the Designcenter CAD environment Pricing is quote-based rather than published as a standalone price Desktop support is Windows-only
Our verdict	Archicad brings architectural modeling, construction documentation, visualization, and collaboration into a BIM environment for architects, designers, engineers, and other AEC professionals. Its scope includes parametric modeling,… Read the review →	Designcenter for BIM is a Siemens add-on for creating and documenting building models within the Designcenter CAD environment. It suits architecture, engineering and construction teams that need building design to work alongside other… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Archicad — where it wins

  • Combines parametric modeling, coordinated drawings, takeoffs, and schedules
  • Supports IFC, BCF, IDS, clash detection, and issue tracking
  • Connects with BIMcloud and visualization tools including Enscape and Twinmotion

  Where it doesn't

  • Graphisoft-hosted BIMcloud collaboration is part of the higher Collaborate tier
  • Commercial use requires a paid plan after the 30-day trial
  • Native desktop support is limited to Windows and macOS

• Designcenter for BIM — where it wins

  • Parametric building design includes structures, grids, elevations and roofs
  • Bidirectional IFC exchange supports open BIM workflows
  • Concurrent design, model validation and clash detection across building systems

  Where it doesn't

  • BIM is an add-on to the Designcenter CAD environment
  • Pricing is quote-based rather than published as a standalone price
  • Desktop support is Windows-only

• Archicad9.2/10 · 30-day trial

  A broad architectural BIM workspace with openBIM workflows and tiered BIMcloud collaboration.

  Visit ArchicadFull verdict →
• Designcenter for BIM8.7/10 · Pricing on request

  A Windows-based BIM add-on for coordinated building design, documentation and model validation.

  Contact SiemensFull verdict →