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Software · head to head

Autodesk Construction Cloud vs Chief Architect

Autodesk Construction Cloud logo

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Software

Unified platform for construction project delivery

From
$85/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Software

Professional home design and construction software

From
$695/perpetual
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Autodesk Construction Cloud autodesk Construction Cloud has been rebranded as Autodesk Forma and the ACC product names have changed, so existing documentation and training refer to superseded names; Chief Architect chief Architect Premier is $229 per month or $1,995 per year, with the monthly option costing 27% more than annual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: Autodesk Construction Cloud covers Document management, Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Autodesk Construction Cloud and Chief Architect actually diverge.

Attributes where Autodesk Construction Cloud and Chief Architect differ
AttributeAutodesk Construction CloudChief Architect
Starting price$85/month$695/perpetual
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWindows, Mac
Founded19821991

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

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 Autodesk Construction Cloud

  • Document management
  • Model coordination
  • Project management
  • Cost management
  • Field execution
  • AutoCAD
  • Navisworks
  • Civil 3D

Only in Chief Architect

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

Both cover

  • Revit

What people use each for

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

Autodesk Construction Cloud

  • Managing construction documents, RFIs and submittals across a project teamnot Chief Architect
  • Preconstruction bid management, takeoff and estimatingnot Chief Architect
  • Model coordination and clash detection between design disciplinesnot Chief Architect

Chief Architect

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

Where each one falls short

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

Autodesk Construction Cloud

  • Autodesk Construction Cloud has been rebranded as Autodesk Forma and the ACC product names have changed, so existing documentation and training refer to superseded names
  • All three bundles (Model Management, Preconstruction and Construction Operations) are sold by Get a Quote with no published price
  • Capability is split across separate bundles, so a firm needing preconstruction and construction operations buys two bundles
  • Pricing is described as user, project and account-based rather than a single published per-seat rate
  • The money-back guarantee is limited to 30 days
  • Expert support hours are 24 hours a day Monday to Friday, so weekends are not covered

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

Autodesk Construction Cloud

$85/month
  • Autodesk Docs$85/month
    • Document management
    • Model coordination
    • Design collaboration
  • Autodesk Build$175/month
    • Project management
    • Quality control
    • Cost management
  • Full PlatformFree
    • Complete ACC access
    • All products
    • Enterprise features

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 Autodesk Construction Cloud if

  • You need document management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want model coordination.
Autodesk Construction Cloud 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 Autodesk Construction Cloud or Chief Architect better?
Neither clearly leads. Autodesk Construction Cloud starts at $85/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, Autodesk Construction Cloud or Chief Architect?
Autodesk Construction Cloud starts at $85/month and Chief Architect at $695/perpetual.
Does Autodesk Construction Cloud or Chief Architect run on more platforms?
Autodesk Construction Cloud runs on Web, Ios, Android. Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac.
What is Autodesk Construction Cloud best used for?
Autodesk Construction Cloud is most often used for managing construction documents, rfis and submittals across a project team, preconstruction bid management, takeoff and estimating, model coordination and clash detection between design disciplines. Of those, managing construction documents, rfis and submittals across a project team and preconstruction bid management, takeoff and estimating are not what Chief Architect is typically brought in for.
What can Autodesk Construction Cloud do that Chief Architect cannot?
Autodesk Construction Cloud covers Document management, Model coordination, Project management, Cost management. Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. Both handle Revit.
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