Ask five architects which CAD program they use and you may get five answers. The choice shapes how an office draws, how it collaborates and, in the end, what kind of PDFs it sends out. This is an overview of the CAD and BIM programs architects use most, what each is known for, and what it means for the drawings everyone else receives as PDF. We work with several of them in our own studio in Vilnius.
The main programs at a glance
| Program | Type | Platforms | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AutoCAD | 2D drafting and 3D CAD | Windows, Mac | The DWG format most of the industry exchanges |
| Revit | BIM | Windows | Large multi-discipline building models |
| ArchiCAD | BIM | Windows, Mac | Architect-focused BIM, strong in Europe |
| Vectorworks Architect | 2D, 3D and BIM | Windows, Mac | Design and presentation quality, landscape and interiors |
| Allplan | BIM | Windows | Architecture and structural detailing, widely used in German-speaking countries |
| SketchUp with LayOut | 3D modelling, LayOut for drawings | Windows, Mac | Fast concept modelling, small projects |
| Rhino | 3D freeform modelling | Windows, Mac | Complex geometry, facades, parametric design with Grasshopper |
| BricsCAD | DWG-based CAD and BIM | Windows, Mac, Linux | A DWG alternative to AutoCAD |
2D CAD or BIM?
2D CAD draws lines that mean something because you say so. BIM builds a model of the building and generates the drawings from it, so a wall moved in plan also moves in every section and schedule. Small offices doing renovations and details often stay productive in 2D. Larger new-build projects with several consultants tend to need BIM, and public clients increasingly require it.
How to choose
- Who you exchange files with. If your consultants and clients work in DWG or IFC, your program must read and write them well.
- Your platform. Revit and Allplan run on Windows only; if your office uses Macs, ArchiCAD or Vectorworks fit better.
- Project size and type. Housing, schools and offices reward BIM; interiors and small extensions may not.
- Local practice. Some markets lean heavily on one program; hiring and collaboration are easier when you match it.
- Licensing. Most major programs are sold as subscriptions; check what happens to your files and seats if you stop paying. For costs, see how much AutoCAD costs and AutoCAD LT vs full AutoCAD.
What every CAD program has in common: the PDF
Whatever an office models in, most of the people around the project, contractors, clients, engineers and approvers, receive the drawings as PDFs. Each program exports PDFs a little differently: some keep layers, some split heavy hatches into thousands of objects, some embed large images. That is why the same building can produce a light PDF from one program and a slow one from another. See our export guide for review-ready PDFs.
On the receiving end, a PDF tool that handles all of them matters more than the CAD program itself. Ncored, the PDF editor we built in our architecture studio, opens PDFs exported from AutoCAD, Revit, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks and others, stays smooth on sets of 50 MB and more, and lets you mark up, measure to scale and compare revisions without the original CAD file, on Windows and Mac.
Frequently asked questions
What CAD software do most architects use?
AutoCAD and Revit are the most widespread overall; ArchiCAD and Vectorworks are common in architect-led offices, especially in Europe and on Mac.
Is Revit available on Mac?
No. Revit runs on Windows; Mac users run it through Windows or choose ArchiCAD or Vectorworks.
Do I need CAD software to view drawings?
No. Drawings are usually shared as PDFs, which any PDF viewer opens; a tool built for drawings adds measurement and markup at scale.
Related: what an xref is in AutoCAD, converting PDF to DWG in AutoCAD, Ncored for ArchiCAD users, Ncored for Revit users.
Further reading: AutoCAD vs SolidWorks, free DWG viewers.