ActCAD BIM
Building design and building information modeling (BIM) software
CAD libraries
CAD viewers
Civil engineering design software
General-purpose CAD software
Sketching software
CAD software
Airplane design software
Boat designing software
Interior decorating software
Interior designs software
Interior rendering software
Mechanical design software
Mechanical engineering software
Pipeline mapping software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if ActCAD BIM and its alternatives fit your requirements.
$249 one-time perpetual license
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
Small
Medium
Large
-
What is ActCAD BIM
ActCAD BIM is a DWG/DXF-focused CAD application positioned for building design workflows that require 2D drafting and 3D modeling with BIM-oriented features. It targets architects, engineers, and drafting teams that need compatibility with common CAD file formats and a familiar command-based drafting environment. The product emphasizes DWG interoperability, support for common CAD standards, and tooling intended to bridge traditional CAD drafting with BIM-style modeling and documentation.
DWG-centric drafting workflow
ActCAD BIM centers on DWG/DXF creation and editing, which helps teams that exchange drawings with external parties using those formats. It supports a command-line style workflow and common drafting conventions that reduce friction for users coming from general-purpose CAD tools. This makes it practical for 2D production drafting and detailing where DWG is the primary deliverable.
Broad CAD file interoperability
The product is designed to work with widely used CAD exchange formats (notably DWG/DXF), supporting typical collaboration patterns across consultants and contractors. This can reduce rework when importing legacy drawings and vendor-provided CAD backgrounds. It also functions as a viewer/editor for CAD files in workflows where full authoring tools are not required for every user.
General-purpose 2D and 3D tools
ActCAD BIM includes both 2D drafting and 3D modeling capabilities, enabling concept-to-detail work in a single environment for smaller teams. It can be used across multiple disciplines that rely on CAD geometry (architectural layouts, basic mechanical layouts, and civil-style drafting). This flexibility is useful when a project does not justify separate specialized tools for each discipline.
BIM depth may be limited
Despite BIM positioning, BIM maturity can be a constraint compared with platforms built around parametric building objects, model-based documentation, and advanced coordination workflows. Teams needing robust model-based change management, extensive object libraries, and discipline-specific BIM automation may find gaps. This can lead to reliance on external tools or additional processes for coordination and deliverables.
Ecosystem and integrations vary
Availability and breadth of third-party integrations, add-ons, and connected cloud collaboration features can be more limited than in larger, ecosystem-driven CAD/BIM platforms. This may affect workflows that depend on standardized connectors to common project management, coordination, and analysis tools. Organizations should validate required integrations (and supported versions) before standardizing.
Discipline-specific tooling constraints
For specialized use cases listed in broad categories (e.g., advanced mechanical design, civil design, or detailed MEP/pipeline design), the feature set may not match dedicated engineering suites. Users may encounter limitations in domain-specific object intelligence, analysis, and automated documentation. In practice, this can restrict the product to drafting/modeling tasks rather than full engineering design workflows.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| ACTCAD 2026 Standard | $249 (Key-based perpetual); $299 (Network Floating); $324 (Live Cloud); $349 (USB Dongle) | One-time perpetual license for 2D drafting & 3D model viewing; includes one year free upgrades; optional annual live support add-on ($149). |
| ACTCAD 2026 Premium (includes BIM support) | $399 (Key-based perpetual); $449 (Network Floating); $474 (Live Cloud); $499 (USB Dongle) | One-time perpetual license; supports 2D drafting, advanced 3D modeling, photo‑realistic rendering and BIM file formats (.RVT, .RVA, .IFC); includes one year free upgrades; optional annual live support add-on ($199). |
| ACTCAD 2026 Map Drafter | $399 (Key-based perpetual); $449 (Network Floating); $474 (Live Cloud); $499 (USB Dongle) | One-time perpetual license targeted at GIS/cartography; includes one year free upgrades; optional annual live support add-on ($199). |
