Archicad 30-Day Trial: BIM for Architects on Mac and PC
Archicad · for Windows and macOS
Developer: Graphisoft (opens in a new tab)
- Windows
- macOS
The download link points to the program’s official source; the file is not hosted on this site. Link address: graphisoft.com
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Archicad is building information modelling (BIM) software from Graphisoft for Windows and macOS. A 30-day free trial is available, and students and teachers of architecture can get a free education licence.
Archicad has been a BIM pioneer for decades and has long been a favourite with architects on the Mac. You design with real building elements, and drawings, sections and schedules come out of the same model.
What Archicad offers
- BIM modelling: Walls, slabs, roofs, stairs and curtain walls as intelligent objects.
- Documentation: Plans, sections, elevations and details linked to the model.
- Visualisation: Built-in rendering for presentations; Graphisoft notes that its Redshift engine does not support some recent NVIDIA cards and recommends CineRender for those.
- Open BIM: IFC support for working with engineers who use other software.
Start the trial
- The Download button opens Graphisoft’s Try Archicad page.
- Register with your details to get the trial.
- Download and install it on Windows or macOS.
The trial is free for 30 days. Archicad is a native Mac app for both Apple silicon and Intel, so no Windows emulation is needed. For the current release, Graphisoft lists Windows 11 and recent macOS versions as supported; check the system requirements page before installing on an older computer.
Education licence
Students and teachers of architecture can get a free Archicad EDU licence with full access, through Graphisoft’s education portal. Commercial projects require a paid licence.
Comparing BIM tools? Revit is Windows-only, while Vectorworks also runs on both Mac and Windows.
Pros
- Native on Mac and Windows
- Generous 30-day trial
- Free EDU licence for architecture students
Cons
- Paid licence needed for professional work
- Older computers may not be supported by the latest release
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Archicad run natively on Apple silicon Macs?
Yes. Graphisoft says Archicad is a native macOS app for both Apple silicon and Intel-based Macs.
Can students get Archicad for free?
Yes. Graphisoft offers a free Archicad EDU licence to people studying or teaching architecture.
ArchicadTrial
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