Archicad Linux support

[maxawake]

Dear Archicad developers and community,

I am writing to express a growing concern within the architectural and design community regarding the lack of native Archicad support for Linux. As professionals who rely heavily on robust and efficient tools, the absence of Linux compatibility in Archicad's offerings is increasingly becoming a significant limitation. Let me elaborate with a few points:

The Rising Tide of Linux Adoption

Linux has seen a notable increase in desktop market share, reaching 4.45% globally as of July 2024, up from 3.12% the previous year . This growth is not just in numbers but also in the diversity of its user base, which now includes a substantial portion of developers and professionals seeking stable and secure operating systems. (https://www.zdnet.com/article/5-factors-steadily-fueling-linuxs-desktop-rise/)

Enhanced Privacy and Stability

One of the primary reasons for this shift is Linux's superior approach to user privacy and system stability. Unlike other operating systems, Linux does not engage in intrusive data collection practices, offering users greater control over their information. Moreover, its open-source nature allows for continuous community-driven improvements, resulting in a more secure and reliable environment.

Advancements in Development Tools

The development landscape on Linux has matured significantly. With Microsoft's .NET now fully supported on Linux distributions like Ubuntu 24.04, developers can build and run applications seamlessly across platforms. This cross-platform compatibility reduces the barriers for software like Archicad to operate efficiently on Linux systems.

Challenges with Windows 11

Conversely, Windows 11 has introduced several challenges that are prompting users to seek alternatives:

• Privacy Concerns: Features like the Recall AI tool, which captures screenshots of user activity, have raised significant privacy issues .

• Hardware Limitations: Strict hardware requirements have rendered many functional PCs incompatible with Windows 11, leading to increased electronic waste and unnecessary financial burdens on users .

Linux Powers the Architecture of the Internet and Industry Tools

• Linux is already dominant in infrastructure: Most servers, cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), and render farms rely on Linux. Architects and visualizers who work with networked rendering (e.g., Blender, V-Ray, Houdini) often use Linux-based environments.

• All of the top 500 supercomputers run Linux (https://www.stackscale.com/blog/most-powerful-supercomputers-linux/)

• Why should the desktop environment be the outlier? Offering Archicad on Linux would allow better integration with these workflows.

Cross-Platform Engine Use Is Already Industry Standard

• Many modern creative tools (Unreal Engine, Blender, Unity, Godot, etc.) are cross-platform and run on Linux.

• By not offering Linux support, Archicad is an outlier compared to software like:

  • Blender: Fully open-source, Linux-native

  • Autodesk Maya / Houdini: Have Linux support in VFX pipelines

  • DaVinci Resolve: Professional video editing, Linux-native

• Professionals in architecture, VFX, and design increasingly use Linux as a unified OS to run all their tools efficiently.

macOS Support Already Shows UNIX Compatibility

• Archicad already runs on macOS, which is a UNIX-certified OS.

• This means a large portion of the underlying codebase is already POSIX-compliant or portable to Linux.

• Supporting macOS but not Linux ignores a large, growing, and more open UNIX-based platform.

WINE and Virtualization Are Not Professional Solutions

• Many Linux users attempt to run Archicad through WINE or Windows VMs, but this leads to:

  • Reduced performance (especially GPU acceleration)

  • Incompatibility with licensing systems

  • Unreliable behavior on updates

• Native support is the only sustainable, production-grade solution.

Security and Offline Functionality

• Linux systems are highly secure, particularly valuable in firms handling sensitive client data or operating in air-gapped environments.

• Linux offers easier offline installation and dependency control without forced updates or telemetry.

Education and Emerging Talent

• Linux is becoming more popular in universities and architecture schools, especially in Europe and Asia.

• Many students use tools like Rhino, Blender, and QCAD on Linux and look for employment with firms using modern, open tech stacks.

• Not supporting Linux may alienate a new generation of architects.
  
  

Additionally:

Which components of Archicad currently depend on Windows- or macOS-only frameworks?

• Is it UI rendering (e.g., relying on proprietary Windows/macOS GUI toolkits)?

• Licensing infrastructure?

• Graphics APIs such as DirectX instead of cross-platform ones like OpenGL or Vulkan?

• Third-party dependencies or middleware that lack Linux support?

Understanding this would help the user and developer community appreciate the complexity involved and, importantly, assess how we might collaboratively help.

Is there any way the community could contribute to this effort?

• If a Linux version is not currently feasible internally, could Graphisoft consider open-sourcing select non-core components, or facilitating a community-driven feasibility study or prototype?

• Could Graphisoft publish a technical roadmap or host a discussion with interested professionals and developers?

Given that Linux is an open ecosystem, and many architectural firms are filled with skilled IT and CAD professionals, there is potential for volunteer contributions or joint initiatives, especially if the hurdles are clearly defined.

We understand such a move would be non-trivial, but openness and community engagement would go a long way toward both goodwill and innovation.

Looking forward to your response and hopeful for a positive dialogue.

Best regards,
Maximilian Richter

Operating system used: Windows

[torben_wadlinger]

No, MacOS is based on BSD Unix. Linux /= Unix.

[Harout]

Well articulated, @maxawake !  

Having to abandon perfectly capable hardware in order to upgrade - to an essentially similar operating system - is wasteful.   One would rather direct the funds towards three years' worth of ArchiCAD Studio and a 3D printer.

[Mr_Snarl]

I totally agree. I am a Windows user myself, mostly out of old habits. That said, looking at what’s happening in the world today, security is becoming increasingly important. With Linux, you also have many more alternatives, and it is growing rapidly. As mentioned, most servers and infrastructure already run on Linux.

Even Microsoft supports Linux within Windows through the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

If Archicad is the only reason for not switching to Linux, what happens if Revit starts supporting it?

In these times, when development is moving so fast, it feels unwise not to keep an eye on the future and instead just stick to old habits. It’s better to be among the first to offer new solutions.

Around the time of Archicad 10, I asked whether Graphisoft had considered developing some kind of “game engine” for Archicad.

I remember hearing laughter and getting the short answer: “Nobody wants that.” Today, however, Graphisoft has BIMx, which is one of its biggest selling points for new clients.

If Archicad supported Linux, I would most likely leave Windows and switch to Linux.

[mikas]

I might jump over to Linux if ArchiCAD was available. I don't mind even not having Teams and/or Solibri with it, but I really would need Rhino besides ArchiCAD, and it's not available. TwinMotion/D5/Enscape etc. can be replaced with other renderers. V-Ray is now available for blender for example. And the native cycles engine would probably do fine too.

It's probably not the year of Linux this year either, but we are moving to that (=right) direction if I have read it correctly.

btw. maybe a bit  OffTopic: I have installed a lot of Linux distros recently, because Apple has now abandoned all of its intel hardware. Linux runs great on every one of them - not ArchiCAD for it, not yet, so can't say anything about ArchiCAD suitability for Linux, but the machines seem more agile than with the latest supported MacOSes do. Even a 2013 two core i5 MacBook Air 8GB/2TB surfs the web and plays videos nicely. Maybe ArchiCAD too could benefit the light weight OS regarding app performance in general. Really don't know, just wishing maybe..

[fabioverissimoTUU]

I was hearing the WAN Show in the saturday morning I've remembered this discussion. The ammount of bugs that Windows update has been able to produce is mind-blowing.

This is another reason to switch to a more resilent OS.

https://www.youtube.com/live/o4ub_WOWFoo?si=YYq-yQkj4lHC75Aa&t=2324 

[lab_pt]

Dear ArchiCAD developers and community, dear Maximilian Richter,

I fully support your analysis. The shift toward open-source software and sovereign European solutions is no longer limited to advanced users. Recent restrictions imposed by the United States on European citizens—blocking their access to U.S. platforms and services—have clearly demonstrated that proprietary American solutions pose a strategic risk. The conclusion is unavoidable: open-source and sovereign European solutions are the best path forward. In fact, EU member states are increasingly adopting these technologies, and this trend is now irreversible.

The upcoming EU Chatcontrol 2.0 law will generalize mass surveillance, and proprietary operating systems, platforms, and services will be legally required to implement it. Faced with this threat to their constitutional right to correspondence privacy, many citizens will naturally turn to Linux distributions. Linux supports a wide range of devices—PCs, smartphones, tablets, TVs—and even Apple machines, thanks to projects like Asahi Linux, which is advancing rapidly. As of July 2026, Linux has surpassed macOS in global market share, with a remarkable jump from 5.59% to 7.73% in just one month. This growth reflects a collective awakening to the importance of technological sovereignty.

Today, there are multiplatform and European alternatives for architectural and MEP software. Among them, BricsCAD stands out as the most developed solution. While Blender and FreeCAD show promise, they remain in early stages, particularly in terms of user interface (UI). For designers, UI is a critical factor, which explains why these alternatives are not yet as appealing as ArchiCAD. However, expectations are evolving: students and future professionals are increasingly evaluating perpetual licenses and open-source software, some of which are gradually improving their user experience.

As you’ve pointed out, Mr. Richter, ArchiCAD could be "easily" adapted to Linux. This would present a major opportunity for Graphisoft to remain competitive against American dominance. Customers are and will always be the driving force in the market. While stakeholders often prioritize short-term revenue, it is a long-term vision that will ensure a company’s sustainability. As a European company, Graphisoft has everything to gain by positioning itself as a sovereign and reliable alternative.

Finally, I hope your analysis, along with the community’s constructive feedback, will receive an official response from Graphisoft. Many of us want to see this European company thrive and resist the American monopoly.

Thank you for your attention, and best regards to all!