Home / Professions / Architecture & urban planning
Best AI for architecture & urban planning
Architects and urban planners spend a lot of time on regulations, documentation and visualisations. AI speeds up design iterations, energy analyses, planning checks and render production, so more time is left for creative and strategic work.
Professional tool with the strongest GDPR profile
StruckGDPR: Strong
StruckGDPR: Strong- Provider based in the Netherlands
- Data in the EU according to the provider
- Publishes certification/GDPR safeguards
General model: the default choice
ClaudeGDPR: Strong
ClaudeGDPR: Strong- Editorial score 9.0 of 10
- Elo 1506
!
Watch out in this field
Drawings and zoning plan analyses form the basis for permits and liability; AI output is supportive and requires review by a qualified architect. Project data and designs are often commercially sensitive, check whether cloud services export data or use it for training.
All 31 options
Professional tools with the strongest published GDPR safeguards first, then general assistants by suitability.
31options, 19 field-specific
19free to try
7professional tools from NL or EU
6GDPR strong or good
Strong · 2Limited · 7Unknown · 10
#SolutionQualityQuality from blind duels on LMArena: users choose between two anonymous answers. A difference of about 20 points is noticeable, a few points is noise. How we measurePriceGDPROur summary of what the provider itself publishes about your data. For a professional tool: whether the data is held in the EU, whether there is a certification or GDPR guarantee, and whether the provider is based in the Netherlands or the EU. For a general model: EU hosting, no training on your data and self-hosting. From Strong to Unknown; Caution only applies to a model with a documented problem. How we measure
1Struck professional toolStruck.build B.V. (Amsterdam, NL) · Netherlands · free to tryDutch AI assistant for building regulations that analyses zoning plans, conservation area guidelines and building codes for any address. Provides answers in 30 seconds with source references and can export 3D building envelopes to CAD/BIM.own modelStarter €75/month (1 user)Strong2
PlanFinder professional toolPlanFinder (Nijmegen, NL) · Netherlands · free to tryDutch plugin for Revit, Rhino and Grasshopper that generates and fits out multiple apartment floor plans in seconds, based on an outer contour and a room programme.own modelPro €16/month (billed annually…Strong3
Veras professional toolChaos Software GmbH, Karlsruhe (DE) · EUAI visualisation tool that generates photorealistic renders directly from Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Archicad and Vectorworks. Transforms 3D models, 2D drawings and sketches into professional visuals in seconds.on 
Starter €190.80/year (500 credits…Limited4
Finch3D professional toolFinch3D (Malmö, Sweden, EU) · EUSwedish AI platform for generative floor plan design that generates and evaluates thousands of layout variants in seconds based on design rules, daylight requirements and CO₂. Integrates with Rhino, Revit and Grasshopper.own modelon request (enterpriseLimited5
SWAPP professional toolBuildOS Ltd. / SWAPP.AI (Israel, international customers incl. EU) · free to tryAI assistant for architecture firms that automates up to 80% of construction documentation. Works directly in Revit and ArchiCAD and generates dimensions, tags, views, sheets and QA reports based on in-house standards.own modelOn request (based on firm size…Limited6
Architechtures professional toolSmartScapes Studio S.L. (Málaga, Spain, EU) · EU · free to trySpanish platform for generative residential design: you set parameters and get a live building design in 2D and 3D, with a BIM model and cost estimate.own modelPro €41/month (€492/year, annual billing on…Limited7
Rayon professional toolRayon SARL (Paris, France, EU) · EU · free to tryFrench browser-based CAD tool for interior and architectural floor plans, with an AI panel for tracing, axonometrics and generating building blocks.own modelFree planLimited8AAArchicad AI Visualizer professional toolGraphisoft SE, Budapest (HU) · EUCreates concept images, textures, individual objects and high-resolution images from sketches and models in Archicad using a prompt.on Included with Archicad 30 Studio…Limited9SASpacely AI professional toolSPACELY AI COMPANY LIMITED, Bangkok (TH) · free to tryAI rendering platform for interiors: turns a photo, sketch or 3D model into a realistic render and can automatically furnish or empty a space.own modelFree $0 (40 credits)Limited10
Autodesk Forma professional toolAutodesk (US, EU servers available via enterprise) · free to tryCloud platform for early-stage architecture and urban feasibility analysis (formerly Spacemaker). Analyses sun, wind, noise and CO₂ in real time and automatically generates alternative site layouts based on user parameters.own modelStandalone $185/month or $1,445/yearUnknown11
Maket professional toolMaket AI (US, cloud) · free to tryAI floor plan generator that creates editable layouts for residential design from text or sketch input. Exports to DXF and PDF; suited to architects, contractors and property owners.own modelFree (30 one-off credits, 1 v…Unknown12
MyArchitectAI professional toolMyArchitectAI (US, cloud) · free to tryCloud rendering tool that turns 3D Revit scenes and SketchUp models into photorealistic renders in under 10 seconds. Also supports interior and architectural visualisation via text or photo input.own modelStarter $29/month (unlimited render…Unknown13
TestFit professional toolTestFit (US, cloud)AI site-planning tool that automates feasibility studies for building projects. Generates ~3,000 design variants in 3 seconds and evaluates them on FAR, parking requirements and cost-benefit ratio. Integrates with Revit and SketchUp.own modelParking Solver $2,100/yearUnknown14
ArchiLabs professional toolArchiLabs (US, cloud)BIM automation platform that converts 2D DXF drawings into 3D models, offers Python workflows for design automation and provides AI-assisted project handoff for production builders and modular housing.own modelon request (demo requiredUnknown15
Snaptrude professional toolSnaptrude Inc. (US, available worldwide) · free to tryBrowser-based BIM platform for architects that turns project descriptions into 3D massings and full BIM models. Supports export to Revit and Rhino, real-time team collaboration and AI-generated renders.own modelFree: free (3 projects)Unknown16
Hypar professional toolHypar Inc. (US) · free to tryParametric design and collaboration platform for AEC professionals. Its text-to-BIM feature turns free text into spatial models via GPT, based on prebuilt parametric functions.own modelPersonal: free (max. 3 projects…Unknown17GGendo professional toolGendo Technology Ltd, London (GB) · free to tryA shared AI canvas where teams create photorealistic interior and architecture renders, variants and video from sketches, SketchUp exports or text.own modelFree £0Unknown18SASketchUp AI professional toolTrimble Inc., Westminster (US)AI features in SketchUp. AI Render (formerly SketchUp Diffusion) combines your active model view with a prompt or style into a conceptual or photorealistic image, steered with reference images and inpainting.own modelCredits included in Go (100/month…Unknown19CCoohom professional toolCOOHOM INC., Newark (US) · free to tryOnline 3D interior design tool with AI layouts for floor plans. You upload a floor plan and convert it into a 3D project with renders.own modelBasic freeUnknown20Claude generalAnthropicFamily of language models from Anthropic that excels at long documents, careful reasoning, coding and reliable, safe output.1506Elo$20 / monthStrong21Gemini generalGoogleGoogle DeepMind's natively multimodal model family, deeply integrated into Workspace, with a very large context window.1527Elo€4.99 / monthStrong22
ChatGPT generalOpenAIOpenAI's versatile, agentic flagship with a very large context window and a broad ecosystem of integrations.1485Elo$8 / monthStrong23
Copilot generalMicrosoftMicrosoft's AI layer that combines GPT and Claude models with your own organisational data and the Microsoft 365 apps.1485Elofrom €10 / monthCaution24
Le Chat (Mistral) generalMistral AIFrench/European AI lab with open-weight and commercial models and the Le Chat assistant, with EU data residency as its core proposition.1426Elo$14.99 / monthStrong25
Qwen generalAlibaba Cloud · free to tryChinese model family from Alibaba Cloud with a free chat app, a large open-weight catalogue and the proprietary flagship Qwen3.8-Max with 1 million tokens of context.1484Eloon requestCaution26
GLM (Z.ai) generalZ.ai (Zhipu AI) · free to tryChinese AI lab (Zhipu, international Z.ai) with the open-weight GLM family under MIT licence, particularly strong at programming and agent tasks at low prices.1483Elo$18 / monthCaution27
Kimi generalMoonshot AI · free to tryChinese AI lab (Moonshot AI) with the open-weight Kimi K2 family and an assistant that focuses strongly on agents, deep research and long documents.1487Elo$19 / monthCaution28
Grok generalxAIThe model from xAI, integrated into X, distinguished by real-time access to live X posts and web data.1471Elo$10 / monthCaution29
DeepSeek generalDeepSeek · free to tryOpen-weight (MIT) Chinese language model with a 1M context window and a built-in reasoning mode, at very low API costs.1475Eloon requestCaution30
Perplexity generalPerplexity AI · free to tryUS AI search engine that delivers answers with source citations via its own Sonar models and external frontier models, with separate Enterprise agreements on data use.–Elo$20 / monthUnknown31
Llama generalMeta · free to tryMeta's natively multimodal, open-weight Mixture-of-Experts family (Scout and Maverick), free to download and self-host.–Eloon requestCaution
Struck professional toolStruck.build B.V. (Amsterdam, NL) · Netherlands · free to tryDutch AI assistant for building regulations that analyses zoning plans, conservation area guidelines and building codes for any address. Provides answers in 30 seconds with source references and can export 3D building envelopes to CAD/BIM.own modelStarter €75/month (1 user)Strong2PlanFinder professional toolPlanFinder (Nijmegen, NL) · Netherlands · free to tryDutch plugin for Revit, Rhino and Grasshopper that generates and fits out multiple apartment floor plans in seconds, based on an outer contour and a room programme.own modelPro €16/month (billed annually…Strong3Veras professional toolChaos Software GmbH, Karlsruhe (DE) · EUAI visualisation tool that generates photorealistic renders directly from Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Archicad and Vectorworks. Transforms 3D models, 2D drawings and sketches into professional visuals in seconds.on Starter €190.80/year (500 credits…Limited4Finch3D professional toolFinch3D (Malmö, Sweden, EU) · EUSwedish AI platform for generative floor plan design that generates and evaluates thousands of layout variants in seconds based on design rules, daylight requirements and CO₂. Integrates with Rhino, Revit and Grasshopper.own modelon request (enterpriseLimited5SWAPP professional toolBuildOS Ltd. / SWAPP.AI (Israel, international customers incl. EU) · free to tryAI assistant for architecture firms that automates up to 80% of construction documentation. Works directly in Revit and ArchiCAD and generates dimensions, tags, views, sheets and QA reports based on in-house standards.own modelOn request (based on firm size…Limited6Architechtures professional toolSmartScapes Studio S.L. (Málaga, Spain, EU) · EU · free to trySpanish platform for generative residential design: you set parameters and get a live building design in 2D and 3D, with a BIM model and cost estimate.own modelPro €41/month (€492/year, annual billing on…Limited7Rayon professional toolRayon SARL (Paris, France, EU) · EU · free to tryFrench browser-based CAD tool for interior and architectural floor plans, with an AI panel for tracing, axonometrics and generating building blocks.own modelFree planLimited8AAArchicad AI Visualizer professional toolGraphisoft SE, Budapest (HU) · EUCreates concept images, textures, individual objects and high-resolution images from sketches and models in Archicad using a prompt.on Included with Archicad 30 Studio…Limited9SASpacely AI professional toolSPACELY AI COMPANY LIMITED, Bangkok (TH) · free to tryAI rendering platform for interiors: turns a photo, sketch or 3D model into a realistic render and can automatically furnish or empty a space.own modelFree $0 (40 credits)Limited10Autodesk Forma professional toolAutodesk (US, EU servers available via enterprise) · free to tryCloud platform for early-stage architecture and urban feasibility analysis (formerly Spacemaker). Analyses sun, wind, noise and CO₂ in real time and automatically generates alternative site layouts based on user parameters.own modelStandalone $185/month or $1,445/yearUnknown11Maket professional toolMaket AI (US, cloud) · free to tryAI floor plan generator that creates editable layouts for residential design from text or sketch input. Exports to DXF and PDF; suited to architects, contractors and property owners.own modelFree (30 one-off credits, 1 v…Unknown12MyArchitectAI professional toolMyArchitectAI (US, cloud) · free to tryCloud rendering tool that turns 3D Revit scenes and SketchUp models into photorealistic renders in under 10 seconds. Also supports interior and architectural visualisation via text or photo input.own modelStarter $29/month (unlimited render…Unknown13TestFit professional toolTestFit (US, cloud)AI site-planning tool that automates feasibility studies for building projects. Generates ~3,000 design variants in 3 seconds and evaluates them on FAR, parking requirements and cost-benefit ratio. Integrates with Revit and SketchUp.own modelParking Solver $2,100/yearUnknown14ArchiLabs professional toolArchiLabs (US, cloud)BIM automation platform that converts 2D DXF drawings into 3D models, offers Python workflows for design automation and provides AI-assisted project handoff for production builders and modular housing.own modelon request (demo requiredUnknown15Snaptrude professional toolSnaptrude Inc. (US, available worldwide) · free to tryBrowser-based BIM platform for architects that turns project descriptions into 3D massings and full BIM models. Supports export to Revit and Rhino, real-time team collaboration and AI-generated renders.own modelFree: free (3 projects)Unknown16Hypar professional toolHypar Inc. (US) · free to tryParametric design and collaboration platform for AEC professionals. Its text-to-BIM feature turns free text into spatial models via GPT, based on prebuilt parametric functions.own modelPersonal: free (max. 3 projects…Unknown17GGendo professional toolGendo Technology Ltd, London (GB) · free to tryA shared AI canvas where teams create photorealistic interior and architecture renders, variants and video from sketches, SketchUp exports or text.own modelFree £0Unknown18SASketchUp AI professional toolTrimble Inc., Westminster (US)AI features in SketchUp. AI Render (formerly SketchUp Diffusion) combines your active model view with a prompt or style into a conceptual or photorealistic image, steered with reference images and inpainting.own modelCredits included in Go (100/month…Unknown19CCoohom professional toolCOOHOM INC., Newark (US) · free to tryOnline 3D interior design tool with AI layouts for floor plans. You upload a floor plan and convert it into a 3D project with renders.own modelBasic freeUnknown20Claude generalAnthropicFamily of language models from Anthropic that excels at long documents, careful reasoning, coding and reliable, safe output.1506Elo$20 / monthStrong21Gemini generalGoogleGoogle DeepMind's natively multimodal model family, deeply integrated into Workspace, with a very large context window.1527Elo€4.99 / monthStrong22ChatGPT generalOpenAIOpenAI's versatile, agentic flagship with a very large context window and a broad ecosystem of integrations.1485Elo$8 / monthStrong23Copilot generalMicrosoftMicrosoft's AI layer that combines GPT and Claude models with your own organisational data and the Microsoft 365 apps.1485Elofrom €10 / monthCaution24Le Chat (Mistral) generalMistral AIFrench/European AI lab with open-weight and commercial models and the Le Chat assistant, with EU data residency as its core proposition.1426Elo$14.99 / monthStrong25Qwen generalAlibaba Cloud · free to tryChinese model family from Alibaba Cloud with a free chat app, a large open-weight catalogue and the proprietary flagship Qwen3.8-Max with 1 million tokens of context.1484Eloon requestCaution26GLM (Z.ai) generalZ.ai (Zhipu AI) · free to tryChinese AI lab (Zhipu, international Z.ai) with the open-weight GLM family under MIT licence, particularly strong at programming and agent tasks at low prices.1483Elo$18 / monthCaution27Kimi generalMoonshot AI · free to tryChinese AI lab (Moonshot AI) with the open-weight Kimi K2 family and an assistant that focuses strongly on agents, deep research and long documents.1487Elo$19 / monthCaution28Grok generalxAIThe model from xAI, integrated into X, distinguished by real-time access to live X posts and web data.1471Elo$10 / monthCaution29DeepSeek generalDeepSeek · free to tryOpen-weight (MIT) Chinese language model with a 1M context window and a built-in reasoning mode, at very low API costs.1475Eloon requestCaution30Perplexity generalPerplexity AI · free to tryUS AI search engine that delivers answers with source citations via its own Sonar models and external frontier models, with separate Enterprise agreements on data use.–Elo$20 / monthUnknown31Llama generalMeta · free to tryMeta's natively multimodal, open-weight Mixture-of-Experts family (Scout and Maverick), free to download and self-host.–Eloon requestCautionNo options with these filters. Switch off a filter.
Download as CSV
Quality: LMArena · prices: OpenRouter and providers · as of 9 November 2026
Last checked: 9 November 2026 · How we check
How to start in architecture & urban planning
- Try this weekStart free with Struck on non-confidential work. In an hour you'll get a feel for what AI can do for architecture & urban planning.
- Sort the basics (GDPR)Choose the business variant, sign a data processing agreement and turn off training on your data. See the GDPR check per option.
- Go deeper with professional softwareBook a demo with Struck: built for architecture & urban planning, with the strongest published safeguards.
Where AI does the most in this field
The core tasks we track for this profession. Tools in the list above can be compared on these tasks.
- 1Generate designs and iterate quickly (floor plans, massing studies)
- 2Search building codes and zoning plans
- 3Create photorealistic renders and visualisations
- 4Analyse sustainability performance (energy, daylight access)
By task in architecture & urban planning
A separate comparison for each task, with the top pick shown.
Every Friday: what changed in AI for architecture & urban planning
New models, prices, oversight and tools, with sources and what it means for you. One email a week, unsubscribe with one click.
Frequently asked questions
Related professions
What is the best AI for architecture & urban planning?
That depends on your requirements. Field-specific solutions such as Struck are built for architecture & urban planning; general assistants such as Claude are more broadly usable and cheaper to get started with. At the top of this page are our picks.
What is the difference between a 'field-specific tool' and a 'general assistant'?
A general assistant (such as ChatGPT or Claude) is a clever all-rounder you talk to yourself. A field-specific tool is a ready-made product for architecture & urban planning, often built on top of such an assistant, with its own specialist knowledge, integrations and GDPR commitments. The 'Quality' column shows which model a tool runs on.
May I use confidential data?
Drawings and zoning plan analyses form the basis for permits and liability; AI output is supportive and requires review by a qualified architect. Project data and designs are often commercially sensitive, check whether cloud services export data or use it for training.
What does the GDPR profile mean?
Our summary of what the provider publishes about data protection: EU hosting, no training on your data, certifications and provenance. 'Strong' = several safeguards published; 'Unknown' = the provider shares little, so ask them. It is a tool, not legal advice.