Architectural practice
without the compromise.
Synaps as an alternative to Graphisoft Archicad
At a glance
Fit alongside Archicad
Archicad is a capable mid-market BIM platform, which means documentation rides on top of the whole model and Teamwork stack. Synaps takes drafting, libraries, and weekly sheet issue off that critical path, while Archicad keeps BIM authoring and IFC.
- Synaps for documentation, libraries, and weekly sheet issue
- Archicad for full BIM authoring and Teamwork coordination
- Common pattern: Archicad as archive, Synaps as drafting front-end
Side by side
Synaps vs ArchiCAD
Feature-by-feature comparison of Synaps and Graphisoft Archicad.
| Feature | Synaps | ArchiCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Primary surface | 2D drafting + sheet index | BIM authoring + 2D documentation |
| Sheet sets | First-class, drag-reorder | Layout Book + Master Layouts |
| Linked views | Live across plan, section, detail | Native, model-coupled |
| Office libraries | Publish / edit / view roles | Library Manager + BIMcloud |
| Multi-user | Real-time editing + history | Teamwork + BIMcloud |
| IFC / OPEN BIM | Import/export, not the centre of gravity | Core strength |
| PDF issue | Tuned for issued sets | Publisher tool |
| Pricing model | Per editor, monthly | Per seat, annual + BIMcloud subscription |
Honest tradeoffs
When to switch from ArchiCAD, and when not to
Switch to Synaps when
- Teamwork governance is harder than the documentation work
- Layouts drift from the model every time scope shifts
- Library roles live in tribal knowledge, not in the tool
- You want documentation off the critical path of the BIM model
Stay on ArchiCAD when
- OPEN BIM and IFC compliance is contractually required
- Multi-disciplinary federated workflows are central
- Your firm has deep Archicad templates and a working BIM manager
Migration path
Pilot Synaps next to ArchiCAD
A two-week pilot on a live job. If documentation does not get faster, stop, even if the comparison reads in our favour.
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Week 1
Export one Archicad library slice and one sheet set. Set up the project in Synaps.
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Week 2
Run internal review in Synaps. Archicad stays the federated archive.
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Week 3–4
Issue one PDF set from Synaps. Decide which phase lives where.
ArchiCAD questions we hear
Does Synaps work with IFC?
Yes, import and export. IFC is not the centre of gravity in Synaps, but it round-trips with Archicad and other OPEN BIM tools.
Can we run Archicad and Synaps in parallel?
Yes, that is the standard mixed stack. Archicad stays the BIM archive; Synaps becomes the drafting and sheet-issue front-end.
How does Synaps compare to Teamwork + BIMcloud?
Synaps is multi-user real-time with history out of the box, without BIMcloud as a separate license. Teamwork stays a strength for full BIM coordination.
Is Synaps cheaper than Archicad?
Per editor, yes, and without the BIMcloud subscription tier. Pilots usually start with two editors and a studio lead.
More comparisons