With the development of any building you see, it is a complicated process, involving a number of different professionals to get the job done. From engineers to architects to modelers to those constructing the building, the industry of building a structure from start to finish requires many experts in their field. Navigating the needs of all these different industries can be tricky. When a building is required to follow a specific building code, have the correct physics, and be designed to look right, while communicating information between these different groups involved, it is only natural for there to be miscommunications and room for error. 

Today, there are a variety of building design software solutions on the market which enable architects, engineers, designers, and everyone in between, to effectively design structures. Through a variety of useful tools and functions allowing for working through building dimensions and visuals, building design software are an exceptional resource for making building design processes more efficient.

By looking at this list of the 4 best building design software that breaks down the key features and reasons to buy or avoid the software, you will be able to decide which software is the best for you:

Top 4 Best Building Design Software

  1. AutoDesk AutoCAD – Best Building Design Software for Industry Standard
  2. SketchUp – Best Building Design Software for Affordability
  3. Rhino – Best Building Design Software for Accurate Structural Representation
  4. AutoDesk Revit –  Best Building Design Software for Cross-disciplinary Functions

1. AutoDesk AutoCAD – Best Building Design Software for Industry Standard

PRICING: Pricing for AutoCAD is costly at $1,865.00 USD per year but offers a tri-annual payment subscription at a better value of $5,315.00 USD per every three years. All subscriptions come with a 30-day free trial.

AutoDesk AutoCAD is an industry-leading building design software that offers a variety of design capabilities, building tools, and comprehensive functions to the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. AutoCAD has a high-level 2D drawing ability and its library feature holds a number of pre-built models of walls, doors, and other generic objects. This solution is a top choice for many professionals, making its mark on the list of best building design software in its ability to set the bar for industry standard.

KEY FEATURES: 

  • Converts 2D drawings into 3D objects
  • Integration with AutoDesk and other design software
  • Web and mobile app
  • Online cloud storage and libraries

REASONS TO BUY: 

  • Fantastic 3D modeling capabilities
  • Brand reputation

REASONS TO AVOID: 

  • Quite expensive amongst all software

2. SketchUp – Best Building Design Software for Affordability 

PRICING: For commercial use, SketchUp is offered in three different tiers: Go, costing $119.00 USD per year; Pro, at $299.00 USD per year; and Studio, costing $699.00 USD per year. SketchUp is also offered at a discounted rate for higher education, costing $55.00 USD per year for students and faculty, and available for the larger institution at tiered pricing upon request. Most notably, SketchUp is offered for free for primary and secondary schools, through a G Suite or Microsoft education account.

SketchUp is a 3D modeling program intended as a building design software, often used in many industries, including architecture, consulting, engineering, and all design creatives. Beyond the 3D modeling function, any work done on the software has the ability to be converted to 2D drawings and many available features make the process of building design more efficient, like the 3D model library which holds a number of pre-made common models. This popular 3D building design tool makes the list of best building design software because it is highly affordable but does not sacrifice on its features and tools as a result. 

KEY FEATURES: 

  • State-of-the-art 3D modeling and building design software
  • Transfer to 2D drawings
  • BIM tool
  • 3D model library to access common models
  • Free floor plan software

REASONS TO BUY: 

  • Fantastic 3D modeling capabilities and ability to transfer to 2D drawings
  • An intuitive and powerful tool for professionals in a variety of industries
  • One of the more affordable building design software solutions out there
  • Very user-friendly and easy to use
  • Moving data is very easy on this platform
  • Ability to upgrade package

REASONS TO AVOID: 

  • Room for improvement in some user experience features and tool functions
  • Learning curve at the start of using the software
  • Limited features available compared to other software on the market

3. Rhino – Best Building Design Software for Accurate Structural Representation

PRICING: For commercial purposes, a full subscription to Rhino costs $995.00 USD per year. They also offer a discounted price for students or faculty members as part of an institution at $195.00 USD per year. A 90-day free trial is also available for anybody interested.

Rhino is a leading 3D modeling and building design software used within the industries of architecture, engineering, and construction. Due to its dependency on the NURBS (non-uniform rational basis spline) mathematical model, this platform has an acute ability to generate accurate representations of structures, which puts it on the list of best building design software.

KEY FEATURES: 

  • Based on non-uniform rational basis spline (NURBS) mathematical model
  • Has a large database of plugins and tools
  • Designs can be exported to 3D printers 
  • Available for both Windows and Mac
  • Easy to import drawings and models

REASONS TO BUY: 

  • Mathematical accuracy
  • Intuitive and easy to use
  • Easy import tools
  • One of the more affordable building design software

REASONS TO AVOID: 

  • Slight learning curve

4. AutoDesk Revit  – Best Building Design Software for Cross-disciplinary Functions

PRICING: The pricing for AutoDesk Revit is slightly costly at $2,675.00 USD per year. They do, however, offer a bit of a discount if the subscription is purchased for three years, costing the customer $7,625.00 USD for every three years. AutoDesk Revit also offers a 30-day free trial for anyone interested in trying out the platform. 

AutoDesk Revit is a building design software or BIM (Building Information Modeling) designed for professionals working in architecture, engineering, and construction industries. The software enables professionals to design high-quality and energy-efficient buildings through a variety of tools and features that make the process more smooth. Instead of using simple lines to design, the platform lets users build models using walls, roofs, beams, and other generic objects. It allows for professionals across these disciplines to easily work together on a cloud service, accessing whatever model is a work in progress for everybody to work on collaboratively. For this reason, AutoDesk Revit makes the list of best building design software.

KEY FEATURES: 

  • BIM for designing high-quality, energy-efficient buildings
  • Features for architecture, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering, and plumbing
  • Users can build models using walls, roofs, beams, etc. instead of simple lines
  • Seamless work across disciplines using BIM360 and easy collaboration

REASONS TO BUY: 

  • Compatible with AutoDesk tools
  • Cross-disciplinary coworking capabilities
  • Easy to use and intuitive platform
  • Strong brand reputation

REASONS TO AVOID: 

  • Costly platform
  • Slight learning curve
  • Only for Windows

References and Links

  • https://www.g2.com/articles/best-home-design-construction-software
  • https://www.thebalancesmb.com/best-architecture-software-4845945
  • https://www.autodesk.ca/en/products/autocad/overview?term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription
  • https://www.sketchup.com
  • https://www.autodesk.com/products/revit/overview?term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription
  • https://www.rhino3d.com
  • https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews
  • https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews
  • https://www.g2.com/products/revit/reviews