Software · head to head
Chief Architect vs Bluebeam Revu
Chief Architect
Software
Professional home design and construction software
- From
- $695/perpetual
- Rated
- -
Bluebeam Revu
Software
PDF markup and collaboration for construction
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
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; Bluebeam Revu takeoff functionality availability by tier not clearly documented
- They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Bluebeam Revu covers PDF markup.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Chief Architect and Bluebeam Revu actually diverge.
| Attribute | Chief Architect | Bluebeam Revu |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $695/perpetual | On request |
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac | Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1991 | 2002 |
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
- Rendering
- Revit
- SketchUp
- CAD
Only in Bluebeam Revu
- PDF markup
- Document creation
- Measurement tools
- Cloud collaboration
- Takeoffs
- Procore
- PlanGrid
- Box
Both cover
- 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 Bluebeam Revu
- Automatic generation of framing, roofs and material lists from a building modelnot Bluebeam Revu
- Kitchen and bath design with manufacturer cabinet catalogsnot Bluebeam Revu
Bluebeam Revu
- PDF markup and collaboration on construction documentsnot Chief Architect
- Measurement and takeoff for bid preparationnot Chief Architect
- Real-time collaboration via Studio Sessionsnot Chief Architect
- Construction document managementnot 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
Bluebeam Revu
- Takeoff functionality availability by tier not clearly documented
- Advanced measurement and automation features restricted to higher tier plans
- Pricing information not published on product pages; requires separate inquiry
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
Bluebeam Revu
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Bluebeam Revu review.
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.
Choose Bluebeam Revu if
- You need pdf markup.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want document creation.
Questions people ask
- Is Chief Architect or Bluebeam Revu better?
- Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual and Bluebeam Revu at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or Bluebeam Revu?
- Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual and Bluebeam Revu at On request.
- Does Chief Architect or Bluebeam Revu run on more platforms?
- Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. Bluebeam Revu runs on Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android.
- 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 Bluebeam Revu is typically brought in for.
- What can Chief Architect do that Bluebeam Revu cannot?
- Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. Bluebeam Revu covers PDF markup, Document creation, Measurement tools, Cloud collaboration. Both handle Windows support.