Best Software for Architecture

The best architecture software is invaluable for the digital design of buildings and models. Design software replaced pencil and paper for architectural drawings in the mid-1990s and since then there has been an explosion of programs enabling professionals to create and plan projects faster and with fewer errors. Not only does software make for faster designs and changes, but it automates measurements and dimensions, reducing the manual mistakes that slow down delivery.

For each general category there is always a range of software options, which can be overwhelming when first deciding what works best for your practice. The recommendations below cover the general categories every architectural firm should consider, with honest assessments of the pros and cons of each. Many of the software options have tiered pricing for different sized companies, so they should be affordable whether you are a practice of one or two people just starting out or a larger office with a bigger budget.

A 3D modelling software is an essential tool if you are working in the architecture sector. It can be used by architects, interior designers, students and civil engineers to create models or structural designs, and it is a particularly effective way to give clients a better visualisation of projects through photorealistic rendering with different materials and textures. CAD software also allows you to edit, revise and re-do models quickly and easily to match evolving requirements.

For teams looking to improve collaboration, cloud-based software allows everyone to access and contribute to the same model regardless of location. For architecture firms managing multiple concurrent projects, this kind of shared visibility connects directly to the broader operational discipline covered in our article on how hybrid and remote teams stay connected with Quantim.

Before making a final choice you need to ask yourself the right questions. What kind of software do you need: a rendering tool, a drafting tool or a full BIM platform? Do you need it to run on Mac or Windows? These operating system requirements should narrow the field significantly before you evaluate features. You should also consider whether the primary purpose is helping your design team collaborate, or providing better visualisation for clients, as the two priorities point toward different tools. The following sections cover the main software categories and the leading options in each.

Revit is by far the most commonly used BIM software in the architectural industry. This is why it is recommended for firms of all sizes. Adopted from day one of practice, it allows you to streamline the design process, minimise the learning curve of using various programs, and easily coordinate with consultants. Revit LT is a lighter version of the full software and has almost all of the features you will need if you are a small firm or work on small projects. It is good enough for firms in the one-to-eight-person range and is well suited to residential or small commercial projects where only one architect works on the project at a time.

The main difference between the two versions is that the full Revit allows multiple people to collaborate on one model simultaneously. This is beneficial for larger, more complex projects and larger teams, but the price is a significant consideration for smaller firms. There is a large user base that offers tips, plugins, model elements and other resources, making it the go-to drafting and BIM modelling recommendation. The main downsides are that it does not run natively on Apple computers, and files can grow very large — sometimes hundreds of megabytes for relatively small projects and gigabytes for complex models, which can slow performance.

Pricing: $6,550 paid every three years / $2,425 paid annually / $305 paid monthly.

The only true competitor for Revit, ArchiCAD is another BIM software specifically designed for architects. It has a friendlier interface and is somewhat more flexible in design, and it runs natively on Mac operating systems, which is a significant practical advantage for Apple-based practices. However, it is not as commonly used throughout the industry and almost no consultants use it, making coordination with engineers and other professionals harder. For this reason, Revit remains the recommendation for firms that place a high value on file sharing and collaboration with the wider industry.

Pricing: ArchiCAD Solo Version: $240/month or $1,800/year. ArchiCAD Full Version: $280/month or $2,250/year.

SketchUp is widely used by professionals as both 3D architecture software and a BIM program. Its stand-out feature is its vast marketplace of extensions, many of which add BIM-like capabilities to the platform. It is particularly well suited to quick iterations, massing studies and concept explorations in schematic design. However, when developing a design in more detail it becomes clunky and unrefined, and its shortcomings are most apparent when trying to draft 2D drawings and details, where it does not offer enough control of line weights and types to produce well-developed detail drawings.

Pricing: Packages from free to $1,199/year.

At this stage in the profession, a Building Information Modelling (BIM) 3D program is recommended for all practices. This is why 2D drafting programs such as AutoCAD have not been included. If you are starting a firm or considering adopting new drafting software, a BIM program is the correct starting point.

One of the benefits of BIM software is that most platforms can export 3D views quickly and many have built-in rendering options. Revit's native rendering is somewhat clunky but can produce results that look professional, particularly after post-processing in Photoshop. The more significant development in the rendering space is the emergence of plugins that provide live updates, allowing designers to see real-time rendered views while working in the model rather than generating renders solely for final presentations.

Enscape is a rendering plugin for SketchUp, ArchiCAD and Revit (note that Revit LT does not support plugins, so the full version is required). Getting live views of the rendered environment while working on the model changes the design process significantly. It has a low learning curve, integrates seamlessly into typical workflows and comes with a library of objects and textures that produce presentation-quality renderings with minimal post-processing. It is the recommended option for in-house rendering for most architectural practices.

Pricing: 14-day free trial. Floating licence: $58.25/month. Fixed-seat licence: $39.08/month.

Lumion is another rendering option gaining widespread adoption in architectural offices. Like Enscape, it supports live rendering updates while working in the model. It appears to be a more mature rendering engine with more features including animations and a larger object library. However, it is more than twice the price of Enscape, making it a more significant investment that may be outside the budget of smaller practices. For firms with the budget and a need for animation capability, it is worth evaluating alongside Enscape.

Pricing: Lumion: €1,499. Lumion PRO: €2,999.