Softwr

Construction & Architecture · head to head

ArchiCAD vs Chief Architect

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction & Architecture

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Construction & Architecture

Professional home design and construction software

From
$695/perpetual
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; Chief Architect chief Architect Premier is $229 per month or $1,995 per year, with the monthly option costing 27% more than annual
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and Chief Architect actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and Chief Architect differ
AttributeArchiCADChief Architect
Starting price$177/month$695/perpetual
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, Mac
Founded19821991

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction & Architecture).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ArchiCAD

  • BIM modeling
  • Design tools
  • Documentation
  • Energy analysis
  • IFC support
  • Teamwork collaboration
  • Library parts
  • Lumion

Only in Chief Architect

  • 2D and 3D design
  • Floor plan creation
  • Construction documentation
  • Material lists
  • Revit
  • SketchUp
  • CAD
  • Google Drive

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ArchiCAD

  • Architectural design with BIM capabilitiesnot Chief Architect
  • Real-time team collaboration via BIMcloudnot Chief Architect
  • Automated documentation generation from design changesnot Chief Architect
  • Mixed Windows and macOS team environmentsnot Chief Architect

Chief Architect

  • Producing construction documents, elevations and 3D renderings for residential architecturenot ArchiCAD
  • Automatic generation of framing, roofs and material lists from a building modelnot ArchiCAD
  • Kitchen and bath design with manufacturer cabinet catalogsnot ArchiCAD

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ArchiCAD

  • Available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
  • Subscription-only licensing model with no perpetual licence option
  • Studio tier does not include MEP Designer - requires Collaborate tier at $208/month

Chief Architect

  • Chief Architect Premier is $229 per month or $1,995 per year, with the monthly option costing 27% more than annual
  • Software rentals have been replaced with subscriptions and access to the software ends at the conclusion of the current billing period once cancelled
  • The $995 upgrade price for existing legacy licence holders applies to the first year only, after which standard rates apply

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchiCAD

$177/month

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.

Chief Architect

$695/perpetual
  • Standard$695/perpetual
    • 2D and 3D design
    • Floor plan creation
    • Construction documentation
  • Architectural$1595/perpetual
    • Advanced architectural tools
    • BIM capabilities
    • Rendering

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want design tools.
ArchiCAD review

Choose Chief Architect if

  • You need 2d and 3d design.
  • You work on Windows, Mac.
  • You also want floor plan creation.
Chief Architect review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or Chief Architect better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Chief Architect at $695/perpetual, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or Chief Architect?
ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and Chief Architect at $695/perpetual.
Does ArchiCAD or Chief Architect run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac.
What is ArchiCAD best used for?
ArchiCAD is most often used for architectural design with bim capabilities, real-time team collaboration via bimcloud, automated documentation generation from design changes, mixed windows and macos team environments. Of those, architectural design with bim capabilities and real-time team collaboration via bimcloud are not what Chief Architect is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that Chief Architect cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Energy analysis. Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. Both handle Rendering, Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on ArchiCAD

More on Chief Architect

Keep looking

Other head to heads