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Software · head to head

Chief Architect vs Autodesk Revit

Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Software

Professional home design and construction software

From
$695/perpetual
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Autodesk Revit logo

Autodesk Revit

Software

BIM software for architects and engineers

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Chief Architect chief Architect Premier is $229 per month or $1,995 per year, with the monthly option costing 27% more than annual; 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).
  • They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Autodesk Revit covers BIM modeling.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Chief Architect and Autodesk Revit differ
AttributeChief ArchitectAutodesk Revit
Starting price$695/perpetual$29/month
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsWindows, MacWindows
Founded19911982

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 Chief Architect

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

Only in Autodesk Revit

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

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

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

Autodesk Revit

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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).

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Autodesk Revit

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Chief Architect if

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

Choose Autodesk Revit if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want parametric components.
Autodesk Revit review

Questions people ask

Is Chief Architect or Autodesk Revit better?
Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual and Autodesk Revit at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or Autodesk Revit?
Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual and Autodesk Revit at $29/month.
Does Chief Architect or Autodesk Revit run on more platforms?
Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. Autodesk Revit runs on Windows.
What is Chief Architect best used for?
Chief Architect is most often used for producing construction documents, elevations and 3d renderings for residential architecture, automatic generation of framing, roofs and material lists from a building model, kitchen and bath design with manufacturer cabinet catalogs. Of those, producing construction documents, elevations and 3d renderings for residential architecture and automatic generation of framing, roofs and material lists from a building model are not what Autodesk Revit is typically brought in for.
What can Chief Architect do that Autodesk Revit cannot?
Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. Autodesk Revit covers BIM modeling, Parametric components, Collaboration, Documentation. Both handle Rendering, Windows support.
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