Software · head to head
BuildingConnected vs Chief Architect
BuildingConnected
Software
Preconstruction and bid management platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Chief Architect
Software
Professional home design and construction software
- From
- $695/perpetual
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only BuildingConnected has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: BuildingConnected the Internet Archive's capture of BuildingConnected's homepage on 16 December 2019 named three distinct network tools, BC Pro, TradeTapp, and Bid Board Pro, each sold via demo request or free trial with no price figure published; the product is now owned by Autodesk.; 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: BuildingConnected covers Bid management, Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which BuildingConnected and Chief Architect actually diverge.
| Attribute | BuildingConnected | Chief Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $695/perpetual |
| Pricing model | freemium | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Windows, Mac |
| Founded | 1982 | 1991 |
Identical on both: 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 BuildingConnected
- Bid management
- Subcontractor network
- Prequalification
- Bid leveling
- Analytics
- Autodesk Build
- Autodesk Docs
- Procore
Only in Chief Architect
- 2D and 3D design
- Floor plan creation
- Construction documentation
- Material lists
- Rendering
- Revit
- SketchUp
- CAD
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
BuildingConnected
- Bid solicitationnot Chief Architect
- Subcontractor prequalificationnot Chief Architect
- Bid analysisnot Chief Architect
- Vendor managementnot Chief Architect
Chief Architect
- Producing construction documents, elevations and 3D renderings for residential architecturenot BuildingConnected
- Automatic generation of framing, roofs and material lists from a building modelnot BuildingConnected
- Kitchen and bath design with manufacturer cabinet catalogsnot BuildingConnected
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
BuildingConnected
- The Internet Archive's capture of BuildingConnected's homepage on 16 December 2019 named three distinct network tools, BC Pro, TradeTapp, and Bid Board Pro, each sold via demo request or free trial with no price figure published; the product is now owned by Autodesk.
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
BuildingConnected
Free- Pro (Subcontractors)Free
- Bid opportunities
- ITB responses
- Company profile
- Pro (GCs)Free
- Bid management
- Subcontractor network
- Bid leveling
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 BuildingConnected if
- You need bid management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want subcontractor network.
Choose Chief Architect if
- You need 2d and 3d design.
- You work on Windows, Mac.
- You also want floor plan creation.
Questions people ask
- Is BuildingConnected or Chief Architect better?
- Neither clearly leads. BuildingConnected starts at Free and Chief Architect at $695/perpetual, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, BuildingConnected or Chief Architect?
- BuildingConnected has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for BuildingConnected and $695/perpetual for Chief Architect.
- Does BuildingConnected or Chief Architect run on more platforms?
- BuildingConnected runs on Web, Ios, Android. Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac.
- Can I use BuildingConnected for free?
- Yes. BuildingConnected has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual.
- What is BuildingConnected best used for?
- BuildingConnected is most often used for bid solicitation, subcontractor prequalification, bid analysis, vendor management. Of those, bid solicitation and subcontractor prequalification are not what Chief Architect is typically brought in for.
- What can BuildingConnected do that Chief Architect cannot?
- BuildingConnected covers Bid management, Subcontractor network, Prequalification, Bid leveling. Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists.