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Best Free Alternatives to ArchiCAD 29
Stop paying $201/mo (Studio) / $237/mo (Collaborate). Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: BIM / Architectural DesignVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
BlenderBIM
FREETop Professional Free Alternative
Why we like it
100% free; native IFC-first workflow (no data loss); the late 2025 update features a refined UI that makes it more accessible to non-Blender experts; perfect for Linux/Mac/Windows users.
Keep in mind
The 'logic' of the software is radically different from ArchiCAD; documentation automation still requires more manual setup.
FreeCAD 1.0
FREEBest for Parametric Precision
Why we like it
The milestone v1.0 release (late 2024/2025) officially fixed the 'topological naming' issues; includes a newly unified BIM workbench; 100% free and self-hostable.
Keep in mind
UI is more 'engineering-focused' than ArchiCAD's artist-friendly workspace; lacks the native AI features found in ArchiCAD 29.
Rayon
FREEBest for Quick Browser-Based 2D
Why we like it
100% browser-based (no installs); collaborative 'Google Docs style' for architectural drawings; incredibly fast for floor plans and 2D documentation.
Keep in mind
Lacks the 3D BIM depth of ArchiCAD; primarily focused on 2D layouts and interior design.
EliteCAD
Best Non-Subscription Alternative
Why we like it
Swiss-made precision BIM; still offers a perpetual license purchase in 2026; highly intuitive 'one-model' philosophy; strong focus on residential construction.
Keep in mind
Less popular outside of Europe; smaller community for third-party object libraries (GDL).
Snaptrude
FREEBest Cloud-Native BIM
Why we like it
Fully collaborative web-based BIM; features AI-powered design suggestions and automated cost analysis; one-click export to ArchiCAD or Revit.
Keep in mind
Subscription-only; not suitable for offline work or high-security projects requiring local data storage.
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