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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    ARCHICAD

    Score8.6 out of 10
    N/AARCHICAD is a 3D architectural design application and BIM from Graphisoft, a Nemetschek Group company headquartered in Budapest.

    $240

    per month

    MicroStation

    Score6 out of 10
    Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
    Bentley Systems offers the MicroStation application and product family as a 3D and 2D modeling and computer-aided design (CAD) solution for engineers and designers.

    $250

    Per User Per Month

    Pricing
    ARCHICADMicroStation
    Editions & Modules
    Archicad Solo Version
    $240
    per month
    Archicad Full Version
    $280
    per month
    Microstation
    $250.00
    Per User Per Month
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    ARCHICADMicroStation
    Free Trial
    YesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoYes
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    ARCHICADMicroStation
    Considered Both Products
    Graphisoft
    Chose ARCHICAD
    The feature set in ARCHICAD and integration with various other products is growing year on year and, from conversations with their support, you can see that this is set to continue. It feels genuinely like a product the developers believe in, and they seem to spend the …
    Incentivized
    Chose ARCHICAD
    Essentially ArchiCAD has proved better by any metric, despite my original skepticism.
    Incentivized
    Bentley Systems
    Chose MicroStation
    MicroStation is best suited for large infrastructure projects, example: road design projects. Designing 2D and 3D can be done in other software too, but the context of real-life examples is an added advantage of MicroStation.
    Incentivized
    Chose MicroStation
    It seems to be getting good investment with features, and information exchange is working between us and others still.
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    100%
    Would buy again
    7 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    6 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Happy with the feature set
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    7 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    5 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    ARCHICADMicroStation
    Computer-Aided Design Software
    Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of ARCHICAD and MicroStation
    Feature
    ARCHICAD
    7.1
    1 Ratings
    0% below category average
    MicroStation
    -
    Ratings
    3D Modeling9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    2D Drafting7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Rendering and Visualization5.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Parametric Design8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Collaboration and Sharing6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Compatibility with other software and formats7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Assembly Design7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Simulation and Analysis8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Documentation and Annotation7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Customization and Extensions7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    ARCHICADMicroStation
    Small Businesses
    Onshape
    Score9.9 out of 10
    Civil 3D
    Score9.5 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Onshape
    Score9.9 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Enterprises
    PTC Creo
    Score5.5 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    ARCHICADMicroStation
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.0
    (9 ratings)
    7.2
    (8 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    2.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    10.0
    (2 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    ARCHICADMicroStation
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Graphisoft
    ARCHICAD, is well suited in presenting all desired projects in building and construction works more so where the client has just an idea but lacks the actual picture in mind. When doing all commercial buildings where proper records and evidence is record is needed, ARCHICAD should be considered. Projects which involve complex and large volumes of labor require well-presented drawings or representation done with ARCHICAD for proper and easy execution. ARCHICAD is less appropriate for small jobs like shades which are not complex and need less attention.
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    MicroStation is THE program to use for roadway and corridor modeling. Most departments of transportation and municipalities in my region require that the models be delivered in the dgn format, so it is MicroStation or bust. It is an absolute pain to use some of the add-in features though. Things that are easy in other programs like making smart tables that update with the latest information usually necessitate the use of Axiom or similar outside programs/add-ins. I design storm sewer systems, and it takes us 6 months to train up new hires on this software, because it is NOT intuitive. You need to know which buttons to press, since it is not designed to be easily command-based like AutoCAD Civil 3D.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Graphisoft
    • User interface is super cool. It helps you customize any new theme on your architectural objects.
    • Minimalistic approach in the toolkit helps in quick editing.
    • Render realistic images.
    • Collaboration with other team members is an awesome feature.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    • Plethora of design alternatives to choose from right from design to completed models
    • Detailed approach towards parametric, mesh and surface modelling
    • Well integrated modelling workflows
    • Intelligent parametric components with 2D and 3D designs
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Graphisoft
    • ArchiCAD lacks a few feature sets, including an automatic Keynote database extraction system, an expandable Phasing/Options manager, and an easy way to transfer standard details into a project.
    • The Revision/Change Manager, as well as the new Stair and Railing tools, while impressively flexible, are too complex to set up and customize.
    • It is an underdog product. Revit has a market share because it spends more money on marketing, and less on product development.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    • Some of the more complex models have had a few issues exporting.
    • We've struggled with external consultants using the custom Autocad engineering tools, and it plays nicely with MicroStation.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Graphisoft
    No answers on this topic
    Bentley Systems
    MicroStation is very hard to use for our newest employees. It is not intuitive, and you need to know where to find the buttons to perform the commands you would like to perform instead of typing in the commands like other similar modeling programs. Also, it has no good traffic turning add-ins. We continue to run ALL our turning in Autoturn, since this is not a usable feature with MicroStation.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Graphisoft
    We have rapid responses from their support team, and they often go the extra mile to pinpoint the root cause of an issue and assist the team in resolving it. They are honest when a problem is down to user error, or a glitch on the version we are on.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    We haven't had to use it for many years, so not able to comment.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Graphisoft
    On the first hand, ARCHICHAD offers more versatility in modeling complex geometric shapes and forms. ARCHICHAD also offers greater flexibility for customization and the development of add-ons and extensions. This allows users to tailor the software to their specific needs and workflows, enhancing productivity and efficiency. While both ARCHICHAD and Revit offer rendering capabilities, ARCHICHAD's built-in rendering engine, CineRender, is better for its ease of use and high-quality output.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    The only general purpose CAD program that you can compare MicroStation with would be AutoCAD. MicroStation, in my opinion, is a superior product in every way but one. That one issue is that there are just more people who have and know how to use AutoCAD than there are ones who know MicroStation. This makes AutoCAD easier to get up and running for most firms.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Graphisoft
    • This product allows us to draft on a Mac OS.
    • The tool we use to make our product (Architectural Plans).
    • Helps 3D model and render images for clients.
    Read full review
    Bentley Systems
    • MicroStation usage is primarily necessitated by our major client who also uses the program.
    • Without using MicroStation there would be many times where we would not be able to provide our clients with what they need.
    • Therefore, MicroStation has had an incredibly positive impact on the business I work for as its usage has continued to secure contracts.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    MicroStation Screenshots

    Screenshot of Take advantage of built-in support for 100+ common formats and data types for 2D and 3D raster and vector geometry and associated BIM information, including trusted RealDWGScreenshot of Supporting hundreds of coordinate systems and dozens of geospatial data types, users can reliably integrate existing data quickly and confidently.Screenshot of Produce better documentation, faster, with fully integrated 2D and 3D workflows, creating a single integrated model that allows you to view drawings and other model information directly immersed within the 3D modelScreenshot of You can ensure your design intent while speeding modeling with extremely powerful and flexible constraints and a range of solid, mesh, surface, and topological modeling toolsScreenshot of MicroStation's native support for an unmatched range of file formats and data types means you can leverage any data you have to speed drafting and modeling and decision-makingScreenshot of Turn your models into polished professional presentations to win stakeholder buy-in and speed approvals on your design projects.