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Software · head to head

Autodesk Revit vs Chief Architect

Autodesk Revit logo

Autodesk Revit

Software

BIM software for architects and engineers

From
$29/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 Revit autodesk Revit single-user commercial subscription is $2,910 USD per year ($365/month), with a 3-year term totaling $8,730, per Autodesk's own checkout pricing data embedded in the site (archived subscribe page, 2023).; 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 Revit covers BIM modeling, Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Autodesk Revit and Chief Architect differ
AttributeAutodesk RevitChief Architect
Starting price$29/month$695/perpetual
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWindowsWindows, 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 Revit

  • BIM modeling
  • Parametric components
  • Collaboration
  • Documentation
  • Structural analysis
  • MEP design
  • Cloud worksharing
  • AutoCAD

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.

Autodesk Revit

  • Building designnot Chief Architect
  • Construction documentationnot Chief Architect
  • BIM coordinationnot Chief Architect

Chief Architect

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

Where each one falls short

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

Autodesk Revit

  • Autodesk Revit single-user commercial subscription is $2,910 USD per year ($365/month), with a 3-year term totaling $8,730, per Autodesk's own checkout pricing data embedded in the site (archived subscribe page, 2023).

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 Revit

$29/month
  • Revit$2545/month
    • Full BIM capabilities
    • Collaboration tools
  • AEC Collection$2975/month
    • Revit + AutoCAD + Civil 3D + more

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 Revit if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want parametric components.
Autodesk Revit 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 Revit or Chief Architect better?
Neither clearly leads. Autodesk Revit starts at $29/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 Revit or Chief Architect?
Autodesk Revit starts at $29/month and Chief Architect at $695/perpetual.
Does Autodesk Revit or Chief Architect run on more platforms?
Autodesk Revit runs on Windows. Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac.
What is Autodesk Revit best used for?
Autodesk Revit is most often used for building design, construction documentation, bim coordination. Of those, building design and construction documentation are not what Chief Architect is typically brought in for.
What can Autodesk Revit do that Chief Architect cannot?
Autodesk Revit covers BIM modeling, Parametric components, Collaboration, Documentation. Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. Both handle Rendering, Windows support.
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