ArcSite: Floor Plans and CAD Reviews

by Ken2236

ArcSite is way too expensive for what it does and the interface feels more like an App that was developed as hobby. Just to give you a comparison: ArcSite costs at least 15$/month, which is more expensive than the subscription for Microsoft Office or Photoshop.

I get that this has nowhere near the user base of Microsoft or Adobe and the developer needs to earn something, but seriously man, then don’t act like your are Microsoft or Adobe with an overpriced Subscription model. Charge 15 or 20$ for people to buy ArcSite (like the majority of small developers do), but a 15$ monthly subscription for something so basic and simple is ridiculous.

by Cheezewize

This is my favorite design app but it’s not the one I use because it’s too expensive. I do mostly volunteer based projects so I don’t get paid must if at all and I can’t afford to pay the monthly fee. I don’t understand the pricing model. Seems like it could have a one time price like other apps. I would pay $100 for this one time but I can’t pay $15 a month for the the next 10 years or so. I just don’t understand the pricing, that’s why I gave it two stars. It’s easily a five star app if I could afford to use it.

by ILoveMinecraft!

So I looked at all the other reviews and I thought that this would be a good app. I got ArcSite and I was a bit disappointed. ArcSite costs quite a bit of money to use. I understand that you need money to improve ArcSite and for personal uses, but it is very expensive even for the lowest plan. I am giving you three stars because ArcSite is pretty good, but some of us can’t get it because of the cost.
Maybe you could make a graph of profits per price. The less the price the more people buy it. The higher the price the less people buy it but people will charge more. I’d say that with apps and games, a good price is the most affordable price. Affordable but profitable. If it costs too much you get bad reviews, plus it won’t become as popular because some people can’t get it. The lower the price the more people will get ArcSite and cause it to become popular. It will also get you good reviews, too.
I think that the best price would be free but with in-app purchases. This way people have a CHOICE to get features. It gets you money, good reviews, popularity, and more. This is probably the most beneficial way of improving your apps and games. I’m not saying I don’t like ArcSite , I’m saying I think it could be improved.

by Mikezots

If this is your only CAD program and you can complete full drawing sets with it, you can justify the price, I suppose.

However if you have a real CAD program that does 3D, automatic schedules, parametric objects, linked databases and a lot more this won’t be your only app. This will be what you might use for field measurements, setting up initial base plans, etc. when out of the office. That means using this app but a few times per month, exporting data to your CAD program and moving forward in your main CAD system.

The bottom line? ArcSite’s subscription fees approach the cost of a full CAD program, yet have a much reduced feature set - never mind that it’s easier to prepare plans on a large screen workstation than an iPad. Professionals still need a full-featured CAD system, so for most professional designers this app will be an but an add on for the foreseeable future, and a very pricey one at that.

It’s a real shame there’s no “field” option at a more reasonable price for those who use this as a field tool instead of their only CAD system. It could cost less and be simpler, with just drawing, annotations and export tools. No takeoffs or even symbols needed since those would be done on the main system from integrated databases.

by Montana Builder

I am a builder / designer and have been using Chief Architect for about 20 years. I was just looking for an app that would allow me to get out off the office. And be able to set and do a little pre design work. Then go to my cad software and draw the plans. The estimating and reports are of no value to me.
It’s too bad you dont allow a more affordable way for part time drafting. I would really only use something like this a few times a year. So the price is over the top in my opinion.
So I ended up getting Morpholio Trace at a fraction of the cost.
I wish I could have a way to do dimensions but that’s not worth what your asking. You are getting close to real cad prices. But offering a stripped down version.

by PCHomepage

Might be okay for floor plans and architectural work but has no settings for more general CAD drawing of small parts. For example, the grid is locked at 36” which makes it impossible to draw something that is only 5” long. Also, all dimensions are fractional with no decimals in sight other than for arcs. Just a few little tweaks to these things would make it more universally useful. Then there’s the subscription model which, for a hobbyist like me, precludes using it beyond the demo mode. Really needs a purchase option too.

by Tyyyygvdtg

I have been working with a lot of different programs and I found that this paticular app is extremely user friendly and intuitive.
One thing I will add is once I signed up and started my 30 day trial I recieved a call and an opportunity to speak directly with the this app team to make sure I fully understood how to use this tool. The customer service was surprising. Make no mistake this is a very powerful tool for a reasonable price.

by Nic Cal

Im moving into a new house and I was tasked with measuring out the dimensions of the house and setting up the security system. ArcSite was an essential tool in planning out the layout of the rooms while also giving us a window into how things would be set up once we move in. Thanks for the fantastic app!

by MStovall

After years of drawing via the office drafting table and Mutoh Drafting Machine, this app has given me the freedom to create in the field so I am on the jobsite to direct my crews and still knock out the drawings that keep us working. Having the ability to draw scaled details while meeting with a client at the project or being able to text or email them immediately so decisions are expedited is alone worth the cost. This is an app I literally use daily, and can't imagine being without.

I've read the critical reviews that for the most part whine about the cost. These are either posted by professionals too cheap to invest in quality tools or wannabes that don't really have a need for a CAD app. Here's the deal, if you are an Architect or Design/Builder that actually spends time on your jobsites you would greatly benefit from this app.

Try it yourself and you'll be sold.

by Eastsidz

Here at EASTSIDZ Facilities & Home Maintainance we have tried to use all different types of apps and programs for all of our designs and prints, and had always encountered some sort of roadblock. I was unsure about this app APP and saw it as just another bogus drawing app!! LONG BEHOLD I had the opportunity to speak with Rep and have a good one on one webinar with NOAH LANTZ an he had shown me what the capabilities ArcSite has and it’s ALL THAT A CONTRACTOR NEEDS to run and create a successful print that is clear and precise for all to understand. ArcSite is so user friendly that in mins you can fully understand how to and what to do with it.

this app thank you for a great experience!!

Respectfully,
Eastsidz Facilities & Home Maintainance

by Jc72estimatingqueen

I have been using for awhile now. Have not found anything else that comes close to meeting my needs. With this app I save hours on every estimate I do. Very easy to make accurate and professional looking site plans, while on site. I was reading some of the other reviews about cost, but it is nothing compared to the money saved using this tool. Highly recommended.

Great folks there as well.

by Open 8

I mark up maps while on large sites. What was taking me 1 hour this app allowed me to do in 15 minutes. I literally went from EVERYDAY taking paper and crayola markers, a printer/scanner and 25 file folders to only this app on my IPAD.

Team is quick to help when you have questions and in the 3 months I have been using it there have been a steadying stream of improvements.

by Ginn

I would change a few things, like allowing full fill in objects like trees. Also, when I’m done working on one object and tap another I wouldn’t automatically group them. Otherwise, I love the program because it’s very easy to work with (I’m not an architect so have no formal training. I downloaded this so that I could give my builder an idea of what he should draw up and build.)

by Karencando

I love ArcSite and I recommend it to anyone who is just getting started with 2d drawing. I wish I had more time with it. I would like to purchase ArcSite. but I can’t afford it. I was a student of ITT tech. Graduated in 2004. I wasn’t able to get a job in this area. I love to work with Cad but now I have no work experience and no program to work with. Thank you for the this time with your program. It brought back memories.

by Ellen Munsk

I’ve used every drafting app out there for my business. After a month or so I always quit using them for one reason or another. They either don’t do what I need it to do, or they’re too complicated to figure out in a short time.

But ArcSite is easy to learn and easy to use. At this point, our sales reps, project managers, and job formen are using this app. We even send copies to our customers. We switched everyone to iPhones for that reason.

ArcSite makes our communication for each job crystal clear so we never have to go back to a job, nor do our guys accidentally do extra work.

Since what we do is quite simple, we only use 5% of the potential of ArcSite . But since we can whip up a foot print of a home in five minutes, that’s all we need.

by Islandberg

I used this program to draft an expansion design idea for my supervisors. It’s one thing to say, “hey we really need this expansion.” But it’s something completely different walking into a presentation with a design draft that outlines everything. Visuals make a presentation and this program helped me get my approval! Easy to use, virtually foolproof, and clean/concise. I am definitely recommending this to anyone who wants to design something tangible and let themselves dream a little. From homes to businesses, it all can be done with this program.

by The Real Trevor

I’ve been using this app for a while now for HVAC design. I can map out a whole entire house or design system layouts all from a fresh design or on top of an imported design. I have been using it for almost everything now, from projects around the house, to actually designing a friends entire house. I am not the most technologically inclined and struggle with design programs, but this fits the bill and is easy to navigate. I would highly recommend this.

by Rmb46

If you are in a profession or business that can utilize a easy to use, accurate and PROFESSIONAL software tool this app is the answer. Yes it has variety of subscription plans but I feel that fixed cost will generate positive returns for a business.
I am able to easily set up a variety of projects or even accurately design custom fittings to outsource for specialized use in the Electrical contracting industry.
Take the 14 day test for yourself…it may be just what a construction/cad/design.. ETC… business needs. It has multiple uses.

by Mattolejack

There is no other app in this app’s league when it comes to making iPad drawings. FAR more intuitive than a full fledged CAD program on a computer. An unbelievably fast learning curve.

The long full-featured trial period is enough to get you hooked, do some real work, and hopefully broaden ArcSite ’s user base. This is an app that literally every architect and contractor in the country should be using to work up quick field drawings for clients.

It’s a real shame that the developers have to charge so much for the subscriptions. I hope they consider doing some testing of uptake at lower price-points, but that may be hard to do with the subscription model. I personally think ArcSite would have very broad uptake at $5-$10 per month.

by California Contractor

This is exactly how an iPad CAD program should be. Unlike other options, this program is pretty good at figuring out what you’re trying to do without over aggressively auto ‘snapping’ elements together while still doing what you want it to. Sometimes it glitches a little bit with snapping walls at exterior corners, but I’d much rather have that than any of the other programs I’ve seen. This program is pretty full function, and I probably could use it exclusively.

One complaint is price, especially that the ability to make takeoff sheets which comes with the most advanced package is very expensive and requires you to add products online. I get that it’s easier to make money where others are making money, but for a simple spreadsheet it doesn’t seem fair to double the price.

by Manuel1395

ArcSite seems like it is just what I’m looking for when it come to marking up plans, I will not continue to use it however because it is not made for the iPad Pro, it does not take advantage of the bigger screen, doesn’t work with Apple Pencil so it doesn’t know the difference or a finger and the pencil. It would be great if it cold annotate and draw with the pencil only and just pan when you are using your finger on the screen. If ArcSite ever works like that I would gladly pay the money but it’s not worth it in it’s current state.

by Awcress

This is actually a pretty dang good app. Easy to get the hand of in real time. Very accurate and useful, but then there’s that price. I get it, you have to pay bills but dang... almost $30 a month just for a little more than basic controls... you need to cut your bills down or do a go-fund account .. that’s a bit crazy considering other apps are at least half that price and mostly same features.

by ReenaUC

I used ArcSite twice in my free trial. Normally I’m not adverse to paying for an app that I would use often and/or I find value in, but for a casual user like myself I just can’t justify the subscription price. It’s fun to use though and pretty intuitive and it helped in the two projects I wanted it for.

by Dr. Missile

As a home owner ArcSite is great. It's fast and intuitive to use and very well designed for the iPad. I've been remodeling one of the rooms in my house and this app has made the planning process much more accurate and reliable. With only a couple hours using it I could feel myself getting quite proficient, knocking out diagrams in mere seconds.

My one gripe about it is the subscription only plan. I really don't want to have to keep tabs on my various software subscriptions, activating and deactivating them when I need them. So I just don't subscribe to software because frankly I don't need the hassle.

by Ponder72

Great software for quick and accurate Cad drawings. Customer service is quick and responsive. It's like the guy actually cares! This software once fully learned and tapping the creative plane can create anything. I just designed a house. Floor plans, Elevation, section...etc...the engineer was impressed.

by Keys2113

I works smoothly and has an impressive amount of capabilities.
It’s also easy to use. I’m not an architect, and I was able to navigate it easily. I’ve been using it to design a gallery wall in my house, and it’s going to look beautiful thanks to ArcSite!

by CedarOats

Using this app has been a breeze. It is very intuitive and easy to use right from the beginning. I needed this to draft up some plans for a project I am doing in the summer and this app delivered. Highly recommend if you need to make CAD drawings!

by Dubya785113

My job requires me to pull take offs quite often, and I never could understand how to use Isquare foot or dropbox. My friend recommended arc site and it has been very easy to navigate and learn how to use it… Great job!