Bentley OpenBuildings Designer vs Graphisoft Archicad
OpenBuildings Designer and Archicad should be compared through the building-design workflow and deliverables the team needs. Inspect model exchange, project collaboration and the specific authoring and connected-service rights before changing applications.
Which option fits the requirement?
OpenBuildings Designer and Archicad should be compared through the building-design workflow and deliverables the team needs. Inspect model exchange, project collaboration and the specific authoring and connected-service rights before changing applications.
Seven differences that change the shortlist
| Buying question | Bentley OpenBuildings Designer | Graphisoft Archicad |
|---|---|---|
| Application context | Bentley building-design application | Graphisoft building-information modelling application |
| Model focus | Building information models and coordinated design | Architectural building models |
| Documentation | Selected building drawings and design information | Model-based drawings and project documentation |
| Collaboration context | Bentley and supported project-information workflows | Selected Graphisoft and supported collaboration arrangements |
| Exchange boundary | Supported model formats and the chosen connected applications | Supported model exchange and downstream tools |
| Evaluation focus | Building disciplines, model exchange and required deliverables | Architectural workflow, coordination and deliverables |
| Cost components | Application licence, connected services, hardware and implementation | Selected application subscription or entitlement, collaboration and hardware |
Four worked buying briefs
These are hypothetical scenarios with explicit assumptions. They do not establish equal capabilities, measured usability or a negotiated price.
| Requirement | Proposed exercise | Accept when |
|---|---|---|
| Project sample | Recreate an authorised small building model and its key properties. | The team can locate the intended geometry and information. |
| Documentation | Produce the required drawings and a sample schedule. | Model and document updates follow the agreed project workflow. |
| Model exchange | Exchange a copied model through the intended supported route. | The receiving team can inspect required geometry and properties. |
| Team handover | Review authoring, coordination and project-information access. | The selected licences and services support the actual participant roles. |
Project sample
Can the team recreate an authorised small building model and its key properties?
Bentley OpenBuildings Designer: With Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, recreate an authorised small building model and its key properties.
Graphisoft Archicad: With Graphisoft Archicad, recreate an authorised small building model and its key properties.
The team can locate the intended geometry and information.
Documentation
Can the team produce the required drawings and a sample schedule?
Bentley OpenBuildings Designer: With Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, produce the required drawings and a sample schedule.
Graphisoft Archicad: With Graphisoft Archicad, produce the required drawings and a sample schedule.
Model and document updates follow the agreed project workflow.
Model exchange
Can the team exchange a copied model through the intended supported route?
Bentley OpenBuildings Designer: With Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, exchange a copied model through the intended supported route.
Graphisoft Archicad: With Graphisoft Archicad, exchange a copied model through the intended supported route.
The receiving team can inspect required geometry and properties.
Team handover
Can the team review authoring, coordination and project-information access?
Bentley OpenBuildings Designer: With Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, review authoring, coordination and project-information access.
Graphisoft Archicad: With Graphisoft Archicad, review authoring, coordination and project-information access.
The selected licences and services support the actual participant roles.
Scope and architecture
OpenBuildings Designer and Archicad should be compared through the building-design workflow and deliverables the team needs. Inspect model exchange, project collaboration and the specific authoring and connected-service rights before changing applications.
Compare building-modelling applications through the project’s actual disciplines, deliverables, collaboration and exchange requirements. Product editions, authoring rights and connected services differ. A supported exchange format does not guarantee that every object, property or downstream edit transfers without review.
Bentley OpenBuildings Designer product information ↗ · Graphisoft Archicad product information ↗
Cost and migration planning
For Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, include application licence, connected services, hardware and implementation. For Graphisoft Archicad, include selected application subscription or entitlement, collaboration and hardware. Use the same workload and resilience assumptions, then confirm current vendor terms for the selected configuration.
Recreate a copied project sample and inspect geometry, properties, drawings, schedules and external references. Agree the model owner and supported exchange route before moving live project information.
Questions before you choose
How should we choose between Bentley OpenBuildings Designer and Graphisoft Archicad?
OpenBuildings Designer and Archicad should be compared through the building-design workflow and deliverables the team needs. Inspect model exchange, project collaboration and the specific authoring and connected-service rights before changing applications.
Which costs belong in the comparison?
For Bentley OpenBuildings Designer, include application licence, connected services, hardware and implementation. For Graphisoft Archicad, include selected application subscription or entitlement, collaboration and hardware. Use the same workload and resilience assumptions, then confirm current vendor terms for the selected configuration.
What should we validate before a production move?
Recreate a copied project sample and inspect geometry, properties, drawings, schedules and external references. Agree the model owner and supported exchange route before moving live project information.
Turn the comparison into your own evaluation
Use the same criteria and priorities for both products, keep unknowns unassessed and record the plan and evidence behind your ratings.
Build a Bentley OpenBuildings Designer vs Graphisoft Archicad scorecard →Keep the assumptions with the figures
Use the date, billing cycle, units and limits with each example. Check current account terms before purchasing. Unverified prices and model costs stay unpriced.
Download the buying examples as JSON ↓Share the comparison
Use these examples when discussing the shortlist with your team.