285 Archicad Reviews
Archicad is a powerful tool that supports architects from the conceptual design phase all the way through to project execution. It allows us to work not only in 2D but also simultaneously in 3D, helping us visualize every detail of a project in real time.
This integrated approach enables architects to better understand spatial relationships, detect potential issues early, and produce more accurate, coordinated drawings. Archicad also significantly reduces the likelihood of mistakes, streamlining the design process and enhancing overall efficiency.
In short, Archicad is a comprehensive solution—and a valuable companion—for any architect aiming for precision, creativity, and efficiency in their work. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Compared to Revit and SketchUp, Archicad’s 3D object library remains relatively limited. Although there have been improvements in recent years, the available library still feels basic and insufficient for many design needs.
As a result, architects often have to spend extra time searching for suitable objects from external sources—and even then, it can be challenging to find high-quality, compatible models that meet specific project requirements. This can slow down the design process and reduce efficiency, especially when working on complex or detailed projects. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
ArchiCAD is -or at least aims to be- an all inclusive program for architects. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Nearly Non-existent development for the past many versions. Ridiculously expensive monthly subscription method. Lots of bugs, unfinished features and useless addtitions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
There are certainly many aspects that make Archicad a unique software, as far as I'm concerned the two fundamental aspects are the speed of management of extremely complex models, and above all the versatility, on this aspect I don't think there are comparable software on the market.
Archicad allows great creativity in three-dimensional modeling, often allowing the achievement of the same result in a myriad of ways, becoming a real kind of Swiss army knife in the hands of an architect.
Anorther important aspect is the stability of software, is really difficult to make Archicad crash, and honestly I've never lose the work I've done(and I use it from 1999, from my first year at university) Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
In reality there is no less useful part of ArchiCAD. There are some aspects that should definitely be improved, some tools should be revised to meet the needs of architects, and while it is true that ArchiCAD allows you to create the same thing in different ways, eliminating the need of certain workarounds would greatly streamline the work, a trivial example is the creation of a sloping slab, or a ramp, which certainly can be created but not directly.
Another aspect is the management of curved elements that has never been treated adequately, finally what seems to me to be the biggest problem (and which is the reason for my vote on how much I would recommend ArchiCAD), is that in recent years all the development of the software has not followed a harmonious direction, of the many functions added or renewed, some incomplete or disorganic with the rest of the software, others in which development began (and seemed really promising) but then stopped before the functionality was usable, I list some below:
- disorganic behavior of the tools, some tool permit to construct or edit in section view other not(one example is morph vs shell)
-disorganicity between the different types of representation, section and elevation are far more qualitative than 3D documents, in some cases doesn't seems the output from the same software.
-The new MEP modeler, that as some good point but still lack on usability in relation with the old solution(example ad inline fixture in the route)
-Param-O, added in AC24, and then seems abandoned
-Ecodesigner, an incredible value, that could be considered a gamechanger, that was never completely integrated into AC workflow, and also this seems quite abandoned
-Redshift, good render engine, but never updated from the inizial addition(at now I couldn't use, because I've an AMD GPU, even if it's supported by at least 2 years)
and so on Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Archicad's diverse toolset have enabled my team & me every day, to deliver many projects. It is our "Swiss Army Knife" to tackle any project type in creative ways. New team members find it easy to learn & use productively in little time. The ability to create deeply customized templates to suit our workflows & local standerds makes Archicad easy to impliment on any project. Archicad's support systems makes it easy to integrate with external consultants & clients. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
In using Archicad daily for 24+ years, it has not always been easy to afford Archicad, mostly due to exchange rates. The new subscription pricing options are making it even more difficult to afford for many practices, large / small alike. This does not mean that Archicad is not worh it though. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Archicad is a well-rounded software that allows architects to develop their creativity in the project. The fluidity and ease of working both in the model and in the drawing allows you to focus on the design. You can develop professional presentations without going to other software, saving time and money. From a drawing to a render, through BIM modeling and MEP modeling, Archicad has everything an architect needs to do his job without problems. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I don't like that, despite having so much potential, their marketing campaigns are not as aggressive. The label of being a software for architects makes engineers underestimate it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Ease of learning, Visual work environment with numerous icons, Properties and formulas, Auto-merging of construction materials, Shell Tool, Interactive calendar, BIMX, Better management of large-scale projects, Visual mapping of IFC, Flexible IFC translation interface for the AEC industry, Available on different Mac and Windows platforms Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The improvement of modeling tools is not frequent, the development of an option generally takes two years to be finalized, essential options that only exist in the subscription version like "Param-o". Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Archicad can be used quite well out-of the box. And getting into the basic workflow is quite easy and rewarding.
The premade tools are created in a way that reflects the general architect's thinking which is nice and makes it possible to create some nice and visually pleasing documentations.
It is also based on the openBIM workflows which is nice, especially the options to tweak the IFC models for export and import to exchange data with the other disciplines.
It is amazing for small to mid-size projects.
The teamwork workflow is easy to comprehend and to use even for larger teams. And since the BIMcloud Saas had its update, you can even invite external designers to collaborate on your project without much of the licensing hurdle.
The GS forums are nicely maintained when you are looking for answers to the community or someone from GS would get to your question quite rapidly.
Also, now the API is getting opened up and more and more external developers can get into the game to create useful plug-ins. This is still in its early stages but there are already some awesome tools to get even more out of this software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Since Archicad was not a BIM solution tool out of the get go, it shows...
When you get into the deep end with extensive BIM and data management needs the software can be rather cumbersome and you must be very creative and able to think outside the box for getting the desired outcome data management-vise.
Also, since the software can only use a limited amount of computer resources, no matter how good your machine is, it makes certain actions rather slow. Especially when you wish to query your model for data within Archicad.
Probably due to the same issue the software gets finicky and a bit hard to handle for large scale projects.
If you need some custom tools, to create them the learning curve is rather steep. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Easy to use and intuitive interface, ready-to-use templates and library objects that allow to create comlex and rich models from the first minutes of usage. At the same time it allows complete freedom for ease of implementation of your own processes and adjust to your workflow, like building your own template, setting keyboard shortcuts etc. Extremely convenient drawing system, possibility to make attractive drawings and renderings right inside of Archicad workspace, that allows to ditch other software solutions for 3d and 2d, so Archicad becomes the most frequently used program I have. Also, there is a helpful customer support from local resellers, Learnin portal and Community portal to ask questions and share experinece. One of the most important features - is unparalleled security of your work, as Archicad saves each step of your work at the background so I never lost any progress during my more than a decade long experience working in Archicad Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The only major downside I can think of - there is less library parts and product families available from manufacturers, though there are quite a few options to create your own library parts from scratch and via converting from popular CAD and 3d formats, including Rhino IFC and Revit, so it is still allows to integrate it into other workflows. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Archicad is one of the leading BIM authoring tools on the market that can meet the needs of many offices. It has a long tradition of understanding the needs of architects in this new Digital Information Era. This tool is highly intuitive and has excellent interoperability with many other software solutions needed in today’s line of work. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Like many tools, Archicad has its drawbacks.
At the time of writing, I would highlight two aspects that currently reduce the overall impression:
1. Transition to a only subscription model and the removal of the SSA/Forward approach.
While it is not the only software to adopt this approach, I believe that Graphisoft had an excellent strategy towards clients with the perpetual license model in combination with the SSA/Forward model of payment as a way for upgrading the software version.
2. Neglecting improvements in exporting to dwg format.
Despite the trend of moving away from 2D as a means of information delivery and focusing exclusively on 3D, we must be realistic that the construction sector does not keep pace with technological innovations in this regard. Therefore, it is still necessary to invest in improving the 2D system for presenting and better-converting information from 3D to 2D realm. Currently, the most suitable model for such conversion is dwg/dxf, as it is most commonly used in execution. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Great modeling abilities with a fantastic tool for demonstration
Pretty easy to grasp and they are adding some support but will have to see.
Feature rich however could and instintive.
We use the product daily
The product is faily easy to impliment. Still the licensing is weak and constantly changing. Lifetime subscriptions with yearly updates are no longer recognized. A weak investment. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Poor support as little to non. Lack of realization that they are teh bottom rung of users in the U.S. and to arrigant to try and capture the US market. Little to no support.
Product is to use - however no community in the U.S . Annot find needed Engineers
The community in the U.S. is non existant.
Customer support is weak. They need to purchase 3rd p[arty vendors to control complexity of products and for simple tools that are available in other competors. This product shoud be 2 in market in the U.S. but they bow to Adesk.
Difficult to integrate as Others that are using Revit will not waste time to work with Archicad as they dont have to.
Already using Bentley since 1988 and frustrated as Adesk was killing our ability to compete. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
