Archicad vs ideCAD

Archicad8.5Visit ideCAD7.0Visit

Higher score Archicad #2 in Building Information Modeling Software 8.5/10 From $201/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Archicad

vs

ideCAD #6 in Building Information Modeling Software 7.0/10 From $39/mo · 30-day trial ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit ideCAD

• Archicad fits best

  Architecture teams prioritizing openBIM teamwork

• ideCAD fits best

  Budget-minded teams needing architecture and structural BIM

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Side by side

Feature	Archicad 8.5/10 Visit ↗	ideCAD 7.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.5	7.0
Ranking	#2 in Building Information Modeling Software	#6 in Building Information Modeling Software
Best for	Architecture teams prioritizing openBIM teamwork	Budget-minded teams needing architecture and structural BIM
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$201/user/mo	Not published
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Free trial length	30 days	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows
Support	Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs	Phone, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Archicad 1/3 · ideCAD 2/3
OpenBIM support	Not published	✓ (best)
Cloud collaboration	✓ (best)	—
Model version history	Not published	✓ (best)
Specs
Model authoring	Not published	Multidiscipline
Platforms	Not published	Windows 10/11; mobile viewing of exported PDFs
Supported file formats	Not published	IFC, DWG, DXF, DWF, OBJ, PDF, 3DS, Tekla DMP, SAP2000, CSICOL, XLS
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	Combines architectural modeling with structural analysis, design, and detailing Exchanges models through IFC and supports DWG/DXF and other formats Includes automated drawings, reports, visualization, and recoverable backups
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	Windows desktop software; no cloud collaboration Monthly pricing applies to ideCAD Architectural, while other editions differ Permanent-use license costs $2,735 upfront
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 →	ideCAD brings architectural BIM modeling and documentation together with structural modeling, analysis, design, and detailing in a Windows desktop product. It is aimed at architects and structural engineers who want coordinated work in a… 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

• ideCAD — where it wins

  • Combines architectural modeling with structural analysis, design, and detailing
  • Exchanges models through IFC and supports DWG/DXF and other formats
  • Includes automated drawings, reports, visualization, and recoverable backups

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows desktop software; no cloud collaboration
  • Monthly pricing applies to ideCAD Architectural, while other editions differ
  • Permanent-use license costs $2,735 upfront

• Archicad8.5/10 · From $201/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial

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

  Visit ArchicadFull verdict →
• ideCAD7.0/10 · From $39/mo · 30-day trial

  A broad architecture-and-structure BIM tool with a $39 monthly entry plan.

  Visit ideCADFull verdict →