Archicad suits architects who work on a Mac or want a plan sized to their practice, because Graphisoft lists macOS and Windows support and sells Archicad Studio for solo architects and local teams, Collaborate for multidisciplinary cloud teamwork and Max for AI and data driven practices. Revit suits firms working closely with engineers and construction teams, with parametric components, wide file interoperability, Dynamo for automation and Forma analysis built in. Both are full BIM tools, so pick on your platform and your partners.
Switching BIM tools once a team is trained is painful, so this choice deserves care up front. I've read Autodesk's Revit overview page and Graphisoft's Archicad and system requirements pages.
Revit and Archicad compared
| Revit | Archicad | |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Autodesk | Graphisoft |
| Built for | Architects, engineers and construction teams | Architects, designers, engineers and AEC teams |
| Mac support | Not listed on the page I read | macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs |
| Plans | Not listed on the page I read | Studio, Collaborate, Max |
| File exchange | IFC, 3DM, SKP, OBJ and STEP | OpenBIM workflows |
| Automation | Dynamo, API and Autodesk App Store | Not covered on the pages I read |
| Trial | Not covered on the page I read | 30 days with unlimited feature access |
The Mac question settles it for many architects
If your studio runs on Macs, you'll want to start here. Graphisoft's system requirements page lists Archicad on macOS Sequoia, Sonoma and Ventura, on both Apple Silicon and Intel-based Macs, as well as Windows 11 and Windows 10. The Revit overview page I read doesn't list operating systems at all, so check Autodesk's own requirements before you plan a Mac-only office around it. That one check saves a lot of painful rework.
What Revit brings to a project team
Autodesk says Revit helps architects, engineers and construction teams design, coordinate and deliver projects. You place walls, doors and windows as parameter-rich components, and Revit imports, exports and links common BIM and CAD formats including IFC, 3DM, SKP, OBJ and STEP. You can extend it with Dynamo, its API and BIM content from the Autodesk App Store, sync designs into Twinmotion for photorealistic visuals, and run wind and carbon analysis with Forma tools directly in Revit. BIM software for building design is a wider shortlist for practices that haven't settled on either.
Worth a look as well: the SketchUp vs Revit comparison.
What Archicad brings to a practice
Archicad's plans are shaped around how a practice works. Studio is for solo architects and local teams, Collaborate is for multidisciplinary cloud teamwork, and Max is a newer plan for AI and data driven practices. Graphisoft says Archicad helps you produce accurate, high-quality construction documentation and collaborate through OpenBIM workflows, with familiar tools like Walls, Windows and Roofs. There's a 30-day free trial with unlimited feature access, which you'll want to use on a real project rather than a tutorial file, a free option for students and educators for non-commercial learning, and MEP Designer for system designers.
If drawing sets still matter to you, read how AutoCAD compares with Revit.
Questions for your next BIM decision
- Which operating system does your whole team use?
- Which BIM tool do your engineers and contractors use?
- Do you exchange IFC files on most projects?
- Will you script repetitive tasks?
- How many people work on the same model at once?
For the visual side, my piece on 3D rendering trends is worth a read, and if you work with builders, see these AI tools for construction companies.
My advice on Revit or Archicad
If your office runs on Macs, or you're a small practice that wants a plan sized to a solo architect or local team, start with Archicad and use the 30-day trial on a live project. If your engineers, contractors and clients already work in Autodesk tools, Revit will make coordination easier, and its file interoperability helps when they don't, because it isn't limited to Autodesk formats. Ideally run the same real project through both before you commit the whole team to retraining, because switching later is painful.
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Do you make BIM, CAD or architecture software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Does Archicad run on a Mac?
Yes. Graphisoft lists macOS Sequoia, Sonoma and Ventura on Apple Silicon and Intel-based Macs, as well as Windows.
Can Revit work with files from other BIM tools?
Yes. Autodesk says Revit imports, exports and links common BIM and CAD formats, including IFC, 3DM, SKP, OBJ and STEP.
What are the Archicad plans?
Graphisoft lists Archicad Studio for solo architects and local teams, Archicad Collaborate for multidisciplinary cloud teamwork and Archicad Max for AI and data driven practices.
Is there an Archicad free trial?
Yes. Graphisoft offers a 30-day free trial with unlimited feature access, and a free option for students and educators for non-commercial use.
Does Revit include environmental analysis?
Autodesk says you can run wind and carbon analysis with real-world context using Forma tools directly in Revit.
Which suits a small architecture practice?
Graphisoft's Archicad Studio is aimed at solo architects and local teams. Revit suits practices that coordinate closely with engineers and construction teams in Autodesk tools.
