ArchPad review
A free, cloud-based EA workspace with configurable models, impact views, and governance.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ArchPad is an early-access enterprise architecture workspace for architects and organisations that need a structured repository for architecture objects, relationships, diagrams, and imported models. It is positioned for small, mid-market, and enterprise teams, with a free plan and a configurable metamodel. Teams can represent architecture elements and their connections, then use dependency views, portfolio assessments, and governance workflows to work with that repository. Its combination of repository configuration and capability and application portfolio views will be most relevant to teams building or organising an EA practice without starting with a paid plan.
The model and portfolio features are a central part of ArchPad’s scope. Users can configure object types, attributes, relationships, and specialisations, and view dependencies through impact graphs. KPI dashboards, heat maps, and portfolio views offer ways to examine architecture and application portfolios; capability and application assessments include lifecycle and roadmap views. Governance workflows and publish checks address review and publication processes. For teams importing existing material, ArchPad supports Open Exchange model import with preview and validation, as well as draw.io diagram import. These functions make it more than a diagram store, though teams needing a mature, broad EA ecosystem should weigh its early-access status.
Access is cloud-based, with web and API platforms and tenant-scoped REST endpoints. The listed integrations are Open Exchange, draw.io, and the REST API. Tenant roles, contextual comments, and an audit trail support collaboration and traceability, while documentation is the listed support channel. The product page offers account creation and says “Start for free”; ArchPad is described as free, but teams should confirm access and terms with the vendor before planning a rollout. It suits budget-conscious teams comfortable evaluating an early-access cloud workspace; organisations that require other deployment choices or a broader listed integration set should consider alternatives.
ArchPad pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Configure object types, attributes, relationships, and specialisations.
- Explore dependencies and impact through graphs, dashboards, and heat maps.
- Import Open Exchange models and draw.io diagrams; access tenant-scoped REST endpoints.
- Where it doesn't
- Early-access status may not suit teams seeking an established product.
- Cloud-only deployment may not fit organisations requiring other hosting options.
- Documented support is limited to documentation; listed integrations are narrow.
ArchPad fact sheet, pricing and score →
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