The Best Software for Architects: What’s Your Tech Stack?

Sam Poole Last updated on: January 2, 2025

Your architectural practice demands a unique set of business tools to help you create and bring your designs to life. Finding the best software for architects is one way to ensure that your designs have the impact you desire and that your projects run smoothly.

From your initial concept sketches to your final design models, plans, elevations, and perspective drawings, having the best technology by your side can significantly simplify the process. These tools give you the time and freedom to focus on the creative side of the design process, ensuring you deliver the best possible spaces for your clients.

While some architects still enjoy the feel of a drawing board and pen on paper during the design process, these days, most designers rely on advanced design, modeling, rendering, and editing software to get the job done.

With the wide range of technology available to architects today, it’s helpful to know which tools are essential and which stand above the rest. This guide sets the great architecture software apart from the good and provides you with the information you need to ensure you have the tools you need to succeed.

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What software does an architecture firm need?

The software architects use spans a broad spectrum of features and functionality. There’s the software needed to create and present designs, but architects also need software to help them manage building projects and run their businesses.

So, what software is essential for every architectural business, and which are the best tools to invest in for optimal output and results? Let’s explore some of the core software types every architect should implement and highlight some of the leading options in each category.

Customer relationship management (CRM) system

A great customer relationship management (CRM) system is at the foundation of every successful business, architecture firms included. The reason we list this type of software first is because it’s the most important. Your CRM is the nucleus of your entire tech stack, serving as a central hub to store and organize all your data and connect all your other applications.

Due to its importance, finding a solid, reliable, and robust CRM solution is a must. Once you have a great CRM for architects, you can build the rest of your architecture software tech stack around it. 

Our top three CRM picks for architects are:

• Nutshell: An industry-leading all-in-one CRM system, Nutshell’s pricing starts at $19 per month per user for its Foundation plan. This plan provides architectural firms with fast, free implementation, world-class live customer support, email and calendar sync, email tracking, reporting and analytics tools, unlimited storage, email marketing tools, and much more. Nutshell offers four more powerful plans, as well as marketing and engagement suite add-ons, giving architects a robust set of contact and lead management, email marketing and lead generation, and communication tools.
• HubSpot: At $20 per month per user, HubSpot’s Sales Hub Starter plan gives architectural businesses two pipelines, access to email templates, simple task automation, email tracking, and up to 10 reporting dashboards. HubSpot offers marketing, operations, service, content, and commerce hub integration options, as well as several add-ons for users who want to increase the limits HubSpot imposes on its reporting, workflow, customization, and communication features.
• Close: Close CRM’s Startup tier is one of the more expensive entry-level plans in the industry, with a price tag of $59 per month per user. Users opting for this plan can look forward to a range of contact management tools, built-in calling capabilities, texting tools, the ability to sync and send emails, and basic pipeline reporting. Marketing and lead generation tools are available but at an additional cost.

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Computer-aided design (CAD) software

CAD software is to architects what a stethoscope is to a general practitioner. It’s the workhorse of your day-to-day, helping your ideas take shape through tools that create two- and three-dimensional drawings.

From your initial sketches to your detailed architectural representation drawings, these are the best CAD software tools for architects:

• AutoCAD: The AutoCAD platform became the industry standard in architectural design software in the early 1990s and is still widely used for its powerful and detailed 2D and 3D design capabilities. Architects and architectural designers can purchase an AutoCAD subscription online for $250 per month per user or on discounted 1- and 3-year plans billed annually.
• DraftSight: Architects looking for a robust draughting tool with advanced annotation tools and a specific focus on 2D design might prefer DraftSight. Designers can sign up and download DraftSight through three different plans, starting at $299 per user per year.
• Rhino 3D: Rhino 3D was created to serve designers in several technical industries, making it a versatile tool with additional features not found in tools made only for architects. Commercial clients can purchase a digital download of Rhino 8 license for $995 per user, which may need to be upgraded at a cost as the software evolves.

Building information modeling (BIM) software

Architects use building information modeling (BIM) software in conjunction with their CAD software, giving them a more comprehensive overview of any building project, from design to construction and beyond.

Bringing BIM software into the mix simplifies building project management, covering every stage of the process, including materials, costs, scheduling, and collaboration. This software delivers next-level data and digital visualization organization, making it an essential tool for architects heavily involved in building and construction projects.

Architects on the hunt for exceptional BIM software should definitely consider these outstanding options:

• Revit: Built by the team that created AutoCAD, Revit gives you the ability to create and render drawings, generate project documents, import a host of file formats, collaborate on projects via the cloud, and customize the tool to your needs through APIs. Users can sign up for Revit for as little as $242.50 per month per user on a 3-year contract.
• ArchiCAD: Designers in need of an architect-specific BIM may prefer ArchiCAD for its advanced capabilities, such as simulating building performance and creating precise and highly detailed construction documentation based on drawings and models provided. An ArchiCAD subscription will cost you at least $200 per month per user.
• Vectorworks: One of the most user-friendly BIMs, Vectorworks packs a punch with enhanced modeling and rending tools and the means to build a custom project workflow that aligns with your needs. For just $127.50 per user per month, architectural firms have all the design and management tools they need to execute building projects from concept to completion.

Rendering software for architects

While line drawing and 3D modeling are integral parts of the design process, seeing those drawings and models fully rendered can bring your ideas to reality. This includes adding color, lighting, natural light, shadow, textures, and scaler elements, such as furniture, trees and plants, people, vehicles, and more.

With realistic 3D visualizations, you and your client can get a feel for the space before it’s built, allowing for better decision-making and planning. Rendering is also a great way to pinpoint any design issues before you present your drawings to your client.

There are plenty of rendering tools available to architects and designers, but we believe the following options produce the best results and offer better value for money:

• Twinmotion: Bringing architectural designs to life in real-time 3D, including detailed panoramas and 360-degree virtual reality visualizations, is what Twinmotion is known for. Twinmotion is available to individuals, small businesses, students, and educational institutions at no charge. Paid plans start at $445 per user per year.
• Enscape: This popular rendering tool integrates seamlessly with Revit and ArchiCAD, allowing architectural designers to design, render, and manage projects without having to switch between software. Pricing for Enscape starts at $46.90 per month per user when billed annually and includes free upgrades and support.
• Lumion: Another design rendering favorite is Lumion, offering architects live updates, various visual styles, and additional tools for including animation and assets. Lumion’s least expensive plan starts at $62.42 per month per user when billed yearly but allows users to implement the software on multiple computers.

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Architecture accounting software

As with every business, your architectural practice will need a reputable accounting tool to help you manage your finances. The right accounting software should make facilitating and tracking financial transactions easy and should ideally link to your back for automated reconciliation.

Another benefit of employing good accounting software is that it can be used to evaluate historical revenue, predict future revenue, and set business revenue goals for pre-defined periods. 

With the right financial management system in place, your architectural firm will have what it needs to draw reports, statements, and more, helping you meet your business and finance compliance requirements.

Some of the top accounting software options available to architects include:

• QuickBooks: Potentially the most popular accounting and financial management software out there, QuickBooks gives businesses the tools needed to track expenses, monitor cash flow, and manage transactions. Users can also draw detailed reports from QuickBooks, helping those in leadership forecast revenue and make better business decisions. Plans start at $35 per month per user and come with free access to the QuickBooks mobile app, its support team, and app integration options.
• Xero: Architects looking for an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand accounting application ideal for small businesses can rely on Xero to manage their finances more efficiently. Keeping track of inventory, paying bills, accepting payments, executing payroll, conducting bank reconciliations, and tracking projects are simplified with Xero in your architect software tech stack. Get started with the Xero essentials for just $20 per user per month.
• FreshBooks: FreshBooks is the quintessential QuickBooks/Xero alternative and a favorite of many small businesses and solopreneurs. Architectural firms with more specific needs can opt for a custom plan, but the starter FreshBooks tier will cost you $19 per month per user, offering the basics, like unlimited invoices to up to 5 clients, unlimited expense tracking, unlimited estimate sending, and reporting.

Document management tools for architects

For architects, business-related documents amount to more than just contracts, agreements, and policies. Drawings and visualizations make up a large portion of the documentation architects need to organize and store, which is why a robust document management and sharing tool is vital.

Your architectural business needs a document storage and sharing platform that can easily handle large document transfers and allow for seamless collaboration where necessary.

Allow multiple team members to work on and share drawings, contracts, and important documentation, and make client collaboration and eSigning effortless with these standout document management tools:

• PandaDoc: PandaDoc is one of the most renowned document management and sharing platforms, ideal for storing and organizing contracts, project documents, and drawings. It also offers an industry-leading eSigning tool to help you streamline agreement and approval processes securely. Users can get started with PandaDoc for as little as $19 per month per user.
• Docusign: Architects and architectural technologists specifically looking for eSignature and contract management software turn to Docusign for a platform that offers a seamless proposal presentation, negotiation, and agreement signing process. For as little as $10 to $35 per month, your architectural firm can lean on Docusign to enhance agreement management and improve client experiences.
• Dropbox: If you need robust document storage and organization capabilities, Dropbox offers them in droves. Add to that Dropbox’s secure file-sharing and eSignature tools, Dropbox DocSend and Dropbox Sign, and you have all the features you need to manage sensitive documentation and collaborate with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders. Get Dropbox from $9.99 per month per user and add DocSend for as little as$10 per user per month for advanced sharing controls, analytics, and secure eSigning.

Architect business suite software

Another software tool at the heart of any business is business suite software. For architects, business suite software entails more than just sending and receiving emails and creating documents. 

Your architectural firm needs a top-tier spreadsheet tool that allows for advanced formulas and calculations to help you track and manage project budgets and material costs. You’ll also need a way to create and share PDF versions of your drawings for easy sharing. And then there’s the typical administrative stuff, like contracts, terms, project briefs, etc.

Comprehensive business suite software can provide all this and more, and our top choices include:

• Microsoft Office 365: Microsoft’s Office 365 suite offers a cloud-based platform comprising several productivity apps, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, all of which are useful for several business applications. Architectural businesses can subscribe to Microsoft 365 from only $6 per user per month on an annual subscription plan.
• Google Workspace: Designers who prefer to work in the Google-verse can leverage the power of Google Workspace for access to Gmail, Google Drive, Google Meet, Google Calendar, Google Chat, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and so much more. You’ll even have access to one of the world’s leading conversational AI apps, Gemini, all for the low price of $6 per user per month when you commit to a one-year subscription.
• Adobe Acrobat: Another giant in the business suite software space is Adobe Acrobat, which focuses on PDF document creation, management, sharing, and signing. With Adobe Acrobat, you’ll also have access to an AI assistant to increase productivity, and document creation includes text, images, presentation slides, and more. At $12.99 per month for its Standard plan, you’ll also gain access to Adobe Express Premium for four months.

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Image editing software for architects

In addition to your intuitive rendering software, you’ll need a good image editing tool for post-rendering touchups and project photos. As an architect involved in both the design and construction of buildings, you likely take several important photos each day for various reasons.

Having a tool you can use to edit those photos and any other images you create is ideal—and one that integrates with state-of-the-art graphic design software is even better.

Here are our recommendations for the best image-editing software tools for architects:

• Adobe Photoshop: It may not be the most cost-effective software on this list, but the Adobe name garners a great deal of respect and popularity in the design world for its Creative Cloud suite. Photoshop is one of the core tools in the suite, and it is packed with all the image editing features any designer could need. It’s a must-have addition to any architect’s software collection. Sign up for Adobe’s Creative Cloud, which comprises all Adobe applications for $59.99 per month, or choose the Photography plan, which includes Photoshop and Lightroom for just $19.99 per month. 
• Corel PHOTO-PAINT: A powerful image editor and pixel-based ensign tool, Corel PHOTO-PAINT is widely regarded as the best Adobe Photoshop alternative. This software lets you enhance your images with the power of AI. But you’ll need to sign up for CorelDraw’s complete Graphics Suite to gain access to the tool, which is $16.58 per month on the annual plan or $424 once off. 
• Affinity Photo: Affinity Photo is another popular image editing program and one of the best architecture software tools. This award-winning tool offers advanced image manipulation features, making it a professional designer’s dream. You can get Affinity Photo for a one-off payment of $69.99.

Get your architecture tech stack started with Nutshell

Granted, there are several elements to consider when compiling the perfect software tech stack for architects. However, investing in the leading tools with the features you need gives you the opportunity to deliver the best service and experience for your clients. 

These top-of-the-range tools are also primed to support your operation as you scale and grow, so you don’t have to worry about switching software when your business expands—another important factor to bear in mind.

As mentioned, your CRM system should be at the heart of your architectural practice’s tech stack, acting as the foundation upon which all else is built. That means you need a powerful CRM solution that can integrate and communicate with your other essential business tools to help you streamline everything you do into one central hub.

Nutshell is a leader in the CRM market, offering a formidable host of sales, marketing, and engagement features and free award-winning live support to all customers. Put Nutshell to the test—Sign up for a free 14-day trial to discover what Nutshell can do for your architectural business. Or chat with our expert team if you’d like to learn more or discuss your specific business needs.

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