The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) Archicad Perpetual Offer is one of the better deals in Indian architecture software. We get this question almost weekly: "I'm an IIA member — what does the offer actually include and is it worth it?"
This is the complete, honest answer.
What the offer actually is
Cosmicstar Technologies is the authorised partner for the IIA Archicad Perpetual Offer in India. The offer gives IIA-member architects:
- A perpetual Archicad licence (you own it; it doesn't expire)
- Significant discount on the standard commercial price
- Optional Subscription Plan (annual) for upgrades and support
- Localisation, library, and training support tailored to IIA members
For details and current pricing, see the IIA Archicad Perpetual Offer 2025 page or contact us for the latest 2026 pricing (which is being finalised at time of writing).
Perpetual vs subscription: what changes
The architecture industry has been pushed toward subscription software for years. Archicad still offers perpetual to IIA members, which gives you:
| | Perpetual | Subscription | |---|---|---| | Upfront cost | Higher | Lower | | Annual cost | Optional (Subscription Plan only) | Mandatory | | Software stops if you stop paying | No | Yes | | Latest version always | Only with active SP | Yes | | 5-year total cost (typical) | Lower | Higher |
For an IIA-member small practice, perpetual is almost always the better long-term choice — especially in India where cash flow is bursty and forced annual renewals can become a problem.
Who qualifies
To use the IIA Archicad Perpetual Offer, you need:
- A valid IIA membership (we'll need your IIA membership number)
- Architectural practice or independent architect (not student licences — those are free anyway via Graphisoft Education)
If your firm has multiple IIA-member architects, each can purchase under the offer. Larger firms with non-IIA-member architects can mix-and-match (some seats on the IIA offer, others on commercial pricing).
What it costs (and what it really costs)
We don't publish exact prices on this page because they update annually. Direct quotes come from us via the contact form — we usually respond within one business day with a formal quote.
But the structure of the cost:
- One-time licence fee (perpetual) — discounted significantly for IIA members
- Optional annual Subscription Plan (SP) — typically 15–20% of licence fee per year, includes version upgrades and priority support
- GST — applicable; can be claimed as ITC by your firm
- Optional training packages — bundled with multi-licence purchases
For a single architect setting up a small practice in 2026, expect a total Year 1 outlay (licence + SP + training + GST) of roughly ₹2–2.5 lakh. Year 2 onwards is just SP renewal (~₹35–50k/year) if you choose to keep upgrading.
The Subscription Plan question
You buy perpetual; do you also pay for the optional Subscription Plan?
Pay for SP if:
- You expect to keep upgrading to new Archicad versions (most architects do — annual releases bring meaningful improvements; see our Archicad 28 features review)
- You want priority support for production-critical issues
- You want certainty on multi-year tooling cost
Skip SP if:
- You're committing to one version for the next 4–6 years and won't need upgrades
- You have very strict cash flow
Most of our clients pay for SP. The annual cost is small compared to the value of staying current.
What you actually get in the box
A purchased Archicad licence includes:
- Archicad Solo or Archicad (full) — depending on which you bought
- Standard Object Library
- Default templates and tutorials
- Authorisation for one machine at a time (with a backup option)
- Access to the GRAPHISOFT user community and documentation
What's not included by default but typically offered as add-ons:
- EcoDesigner for energy and daylight analysis
- MEP Modeler if you do mechanical/electrical/plumbing
- BIMcloud Basic for team collaboration (LAN-based; cheap)
- BIMcloud SaaS if you want cloud-hosted team collaboration
Most residential practices need just the base licence. Add-ons make sense as you scale or take on multi-discipline projects.
How to actually get started after purchase
- Day 0: Receive your licence keys from us via secure delivery.
- Day 0–1: Download Archicad from Graphisoft's portal, install, activate.
- Week 1–2: Familiarisation with the standard library and templates. Watch the official Graphisoft Learn videos.
- Week 2–6: If you don't already know Archicad, enrol in our training programme. For new architects to BIM, this is the difference between "I have a licence" and "my practice is on BIM."
- Week 6+: Start your first pilot project on Archicad — see our 90-day CAD-to-BIM migration plan for a structured approach.
Common questions from IIA members
Can I transfer my licence to a colleague if I retire? Perpetual licences include transfer rights but require formal paperwork through Graphisoft. We can guide you through it.
What if Graphisoft changes the offer terms in future? Your existing perpetual licence is unaffected. Future purchases (or SP renewals) would be at then-current terms.
Does the offer include Archicad Solo or full Archicad? Most IIA members buy full Archicad. We can also offer Archicad Solo (single-user, no team collaboration features) at a lower price for sole practitioners.
Can I claim ITC on the GST? Yes, if your practice is GST-registered. Your CA can capture the ITC on the invoice we issue.
What if I want to evaluate Archicad first? Graphisoft offers a 30-day full-feature trial. We can also run a personalised demo for IIA members who want to see specific workflows. Book a demo.
Where can I see what other Indian practices are doing with Archicad? We run regular webinars and case-study sessions showcasing IIA member practices and their projects. Sign up for the next one.
Why we run this offer
Honest answer: more architects on Archicad = more healthy BIM ecosystem in India. We make money on licences, on Subscription Plans, on training, and on services like office template builds. The discount on perpetual licences for IIA members is part of building that ecosystem — it pays back over years, not on the first sale.
If you're an IIA member considering the leap to BIM, get in touch. We'll talk through your practice, send a tailored quote, and design a rollout plan that fits your team size and project mix.
