Compare
MetreMate vs Archicad
Archicad is architectural design software, priced like it. MetreMate does one job, measuring PDF plans in your browser, and it is free to start.
Built for
Measuring PDF plans to price workDesigning buildings in 3D (BIM) for architectsPublished price
Free plan, paid plans on our pricing pageNZ$3,800 + tax a year per seat, paid upfrontPlatform
Any computer with a modern browserDesktop install on Windows 11 or a recent macOSComputer needed
Whatever runs a modern browser16 GB RAM and a 4 GB graphics card recommended for entry-level work (Windows)
Archicad is Graphisoft's BIM software for architects, and for designing buildings it is a serious professional tool. If you are a builder or one of the tradies who needs to measure a PDF plan to price a job, it is the wrong tool and an expensive one: Archicad Studio is listed at NZ$3,800 + tax a year per seat, paid upfront, and it has no dedicated PDF takeoff. MetreMate measures PDF plans in your browser, starts free, and gets you to a first measurement in minutes.
MetreMate vs Archicad at a glance
| MetreMate |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Measuring PDF plans to price work | Designing buildings in 3D (BIM) for architects |
| Published price | Free plan, paid plans on our pricing page | NZ$3,800 + tax a year per seat, paid upfront |
| Platform | Any computer with a modern browser | Desktop install on Windows 11 or a recent macOS |
| Computer needed | Whatever runs a modern browser | 16 GB RAM and a 4 GB graphics card recommended for entry-level work (Windows) |
| PDF takeoff | The core feature: set the scale, then measure lengths, areas, perimeters and counts | No dedicated takeoff. The Measure tool is a temporary on-screen check |
| Learning curve | Minutes to a first measurement | A full BIM design suite to learn |
| Free option | Free plan | Free trial |
Competitor information checked on 8 October 2026 against Archicad's own website. Features and pricing change, so check Archicad's site for the latest.
Archicad is a trademark of Graphisoft SE. MetreMate is not affiliated with Graphisoft SE.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will correct it.
What Archicad is genuinely good at
Archicad is a full BIM design suite: 3D building models, construction documentation, renderings and client presentations in one place. Architects and building designers who model every day get a lot out of it, and if you design buildings it is a strong choice. It just is not made for measuring someone else's PDF plans.
Why MetreMate is the better tool for measuring plans
Measuring a plan should not need a design suite. Archicad is a desktop install for Windows 11 or a recent macOS, and Graphisoft recommends 16 GB of RAM and a graphics card with 4 GB of memory even for entry-level work on Windows. A PDF goes in as a placed drawing, and Graphisoft's own help describes the Measure tool as a temporary, on-screen function for a quick check: to keep a measurement you draw dimensions or labels by hand. MetreMate opens the PDF in any browser, you set the scale once, and your lengths, areas, perimeters and counts stay on the plan as you work. It costs a fraction of an Archicad seat, and you can start free.
Choose Archicad if
Choose Archicad if you design buildings and need BIM modelling, documentation and presentations, and a yearly per-seat subscription is part of running your practice.
Choose MetreMate if
Choose MetreMate if you need to measure PDF plans to price work. You get takeoff in the browser on the computer you already have, without paying for a design suite you will not use, and you can start free.
Compare
MetreMate vs Archicad FAQs
Start measuring plans for free
No install, no scale ruler. Upload a plan and measure in your browser in minutes.
Try MetreMate Today, It's Free!