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Construction · head to head

Chief Architect vs CoConstruct

Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Construction

Professional home design and construction software

From
Free
Rated
-
CoConstruct logo

CoConstruct

Construction

Project management for custom home builders and remodelers

From
$99/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Chief Architect has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Chief Architect no free tier after trial; CoConstruct coConstruct does not publish pricing information on their website
  • They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, CoConstruct covers Project scheduling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Chief Architect and CoConstruct actually diverge.

Attributes where Chief Architect and CoConstruct differ
AttributeChief ArchitectCoConstruct
Starting priceFree$99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, MacWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19912005

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction).

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 CoConstruct

  • Project scheduling
  • Estimating
  • Client communication
  • Selections management
  • Financial tracking
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero
  • Zapier

What people use each for

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

Chief Architect

  • Home design and architectural planningnot CoConstruct
  • Kitchen and bathroom designnot CoConstruct
  • Interior design and remodelingnot CoConstruct
  • Professional building designnot CoConstruct

CoConstruct

  • Custom home building and remodeling project management for existing CoConstruct accountsnot Chief Architect
  • Migrating an existing CoConstruct project history onto Buildertrendnot Chief Architect

Where each one falls short

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

Chief Architect

  • No free tier after trial
  • Monthly subscription at $229/month is significantly higher than annual equivalent ($166.25/month)
  • Trial download available but duration and features not specified
  • No mention of team or multi-user plans

CoConstruct

  • CoConstruct does not publish pricing information on their website
  • Pricing inquiry requires scheduling a demo or contacting sales at 1-800-213-3392
  • Website focuses on features and migration to Buildertrend platform rather than pricing
  • No pricing tiers or cost breakdowns visible on public pages

Pricing, plan by plan

Chief Architect

Free
  • Monthly Subscription$229/month
    • Software upgrades
    • Premium catalog downloads
    • Priority technical support
  • Annual Subscription$1995/year
    • 27% savings vs monthly
    • All monthly benefits included
  • Legacy License Upgrade$995/year
    • 50% discount first year
    • Then $1,995/year
    • For existing Chief Architect users

CoConstruct

$99/month
  • Essential$99/month
    • Project management
    • Scheduling
    • Client portal
  • Advanced$399/month
    • Everything in Essential
    • Estimating
    • Selections
  • Complete$699/month
    • Everything in Advanced
    • Lead management
    • Proposals

Which should you pick?

Choose Chief Architect if

  • You need 2d and 3d design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac.
  • You also want floor plan creation.

Choose CoConstruct if

  • You need project scheduling.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want estimating.

Questions people ask

Is Chief Architect or CoConstruct better?
Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at Free and CoConstruct at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or CoConstruct?
Chief Architect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Chief Architect and $99/month for CoConstruct.
Does Chief Architect or CoConstruct run on more platforms?
Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. CoConstruct runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Chief Architect for free?
Yes. Chief Architect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. CoConstruct starts at $99/month.
What is Chief Architect best used for?
Chief Architect is most often used for home design and architectural planning, kitchen and bathroom design, interior design and remodeling, professional building design. Of those, home design and architectural planning and kitchen and bathroom design are not what CoConstruct is typically brought in for.
What can Chief Architect do that CoConstruct cannot?
Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. CoConstruct covers Project scheduling, Estimating, Client communication, Selections management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Chief Architect: How much does Chief Architect cost?

Chief Architect costs $229/month on a monthly subscription, or $1,995/year ($166.25/month equivalent) for annual billing, representing a 27% discount.

Source
CoConstruct: How much does CoConstruct cost?

CoConstruct does not publish pricing on their website. Interested customers must schedule a demo or contact their sales team at 1-800-213-3392 to receive pricing information.

Source
Chief Architect: Is there a free trial available?

Yes, a free trial download is available for prospective customers to evaluate Chief Architect before purchase.

Source
CoConstruct: What is CoConstruct's pricing model?

CoConstruct's pricing model and pricing tiers are not disclosed on their public website. Pricing details are provided during the demo booking process or through direct contact with sales.

Source
Chief Architect: Is there a discount for existing Chief Architect license holders?

Yes, legacy license holders can upgrade to an annual subscription for $995 the first year (50% discount), then $1,995/year thereafter.

Source
CoConstruct: Does CoConstruct offer pricing information before contacting sales?

No, CoConstruct does not provide pricing details, calculators, or tiered pricing information on their website. All pricing information is available only after scheduling a demo or speaking directly with their sales representatives.

Source
Chief Architect: What is included in the subscription?

Chief Architect subscription includes software upgrades, premium catalog downloads for design assets, and priority technical support.

Source
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