Archicad
Pricing. There's a free plan to get you started. Paid plans start at $2,414 a year. See full pricing · Updated October 3, 2026
Archicad is Graphisoft's BIM authoring application for architects that models the building and produces coordinated drawings on Windows and macOS, with Open BIM exchange through IFC, BCF, and IDS.
Architecture teams use Archicad when the model and the drawing set have to stay in one file. Walls, slabs, roofs, stairs, and curtain walls are parametric building elements, and a change in the model updates the drawings. Studio is the architectural seat. Collaborate adds MEP modeling and a Graphisoft-hosted BIMcloud.
The US plans page prices a one-year subscription paid up front, plus tax, per seat. Studio is US$2,414, shown as US$201 a month only because that year is paid at once. Collaborate is US$2,840, shown as US$237 a month on the same upfront basis. Graphisoft says new commercial licenses are subscriptions, and that perpetual licenses are phased out after 2026.
A 30-day trial covers one Studio seat, including Archicad, local BIMcloud Basic, and BIMx. Students and teachers can apply for a free educational license that renews yearly while they remain eligible, and it is for non-commercial learning. Commercial use needs a cloud license or a CodeMeter software or hardware key.
Archicad 28 runs on Windows 11 and on 64-bit Windows 10 from build 1809, and on macOS 15, 14, and 13. The minimum RAM is 8 GB. Windows and Mac project files are compatible, including Teamwork. BIMx, the included viewer, also has iOS, Android, and browser apps.
Specifications
Pricing
Platforms
Used for
Used by
Tasks
Pros and cons
Pros
- US one-year prices are published for Studio and Collaborate
- Native Windows and Mac files, including Teamwork
- 30-day Studio trial and a free educational license
- Open BIM exchange named as IFC, BCF, and IDS
Cons
- The printed monthly figures assume the year is paid up front
- MEP modeling is on Collaborate, not Studio
- New commercial licenses are subscriptions, with perpetual sales ending after 2026
- A separate BIMcloud SaaS dollar price is not on the current US plans page
Key features
Architectural BIM: Parametric walls, slabs, roofs, stairs, railings, and curtain walls, with live drawings
Archicad Studio: Architecture modeling, local BIMcloud Basic, BIMx Pro, AI Assistant, and floating licenses inside the team
Archicad Collaborate: Adds MEP modeling, hosted BIMcloud, and an Autodesk Forma connection
Open BIM: IFC, BCF, and IDS, as named on the US plans page
Energy and schedules: Built-in energy analysis and LCA tools, plus automated schedules
Visualization: Built-in rendering, plus connections named for Enscape, Twinmotion, and D5
30-day Studio trial: One seat, full Studio tools, including BIMcloud Basic and BIMx
Educational license: Free for students and teachers, renewed yearly, not for commercial work
Pricing
30-day Studio trial
30-day trial
Free
One seat. Includes Archicad Studio, BIMcloud Basic, and BIMx. Confirm on graphisoft.com.
Educational license (free)
per year
Free
Free for eligible students and educators. Renewable yearly while eligible. Not for commercial work.
Archicad Studio (1 year, US)
per year (12 mo)
$2,414.00
US$2,414 plus tax per seat, paid upfront. Shown as US$201 per month only with that upfront payment. Confirm at checkout.
Archicad Collaborate (1 year, US)
per year (12 mo)
$2,840.00
US$2,840 plus tax per seat, paid upfront. Shown as US$237 per month only with that upfront payment. Includes hosted BIMcloud. Confirm at checkout.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Archicad cost in the US?
On the Graphisoft US plans page, Archicad Studio is US$2,414 plus tax per seat for a one-year subscription paid up front. Archicad Collaborate is US$2,840 plus tax per seat on the same term. The page shows those as US$201 and US$237 a month, and that monthly figure is the upfront year divided by 12, not a separate month-to-month checkout price. Monthly and multi-year terms are mentioned, but those dollar amounts are not printed on the page.
What is the difference between Archicad Studio and Collaborate?
Studio is architectural modeling and documentation, with local BIMcloud Basic for office teamwork and floating licenses inside the team. Collaborate adds MEP modeling and documentation, a Graphisoft-hosted BIMcloud, and an Archicad to Autodesk Forma connection. Both include BIMx Pro, the AI Assistant, and Open BIM exchange. A standalone BIMcloud SaaS price is not listed next to these two seats.
Does Archicad have a free trial or a student license?
Yes to both. The commercial trial is 30 days, one seat, and it includes Archicad Studio, BIMcloud Basic, and BIMx. Students and educators can apply for a free educational license that includes the current Archicad, BIMx, and BIMcloud Basic, and it can be renewed each year while they qualify. That educational license is for learning and teaching, not commercial projects.
Does Archicad run on Mac and Windows?
Yes. Archicad 28 supports Windows 11 and 64-bit Windows 10 build 1809 or later, and macOS 15 Sequoia, macOS 14 Sonoma, and macOS 13 Ventura. macOS 12.6.7 Monterey can be installed but is not supported. The minimum is 8 GB of RAM. Graphisoft says the Windows and Mac versions share file formats and Teamwork, so a mixed office can work on the same project.
Does Archicad open IFC and Revit files?
The US plans page names IFC, BCF, and IDS as the Open BIM exchange. It does not say Archicad opens a Revit RVT file as a native format. Collaborate includes an Archicad to Autodesk Forma connection described as exchange in native formats. Teams that need a Revit model usually pass IFC, or use that Forma link, rather than dropping an RVT into Archicad.
Is Archicad still sold as a perpetual license?
Graphisoft's US plans page says all new commercial licenses are subscriptions, and that perpetual licenses are phased out after 2026. The prices printed today are one-year subscriptions. A commercial seat also needs a cloud license, a CodeMeter software key, or a CodeMeter hardware key.
Who is Archicad for?
Graphisoft aims it at architects, designers, engineers, and other AEC roles who model a building and issue drawings from that model. Studio fits an individual or a local team. Collaborate fits offices that need MEP tools and a hosted teamwork server. Students and teachers use the free educational license instead of a commercial seat.
Tutorials and learning
Sources
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