Software · head to head
Chief Architect vs ConstructConnect
Chief Architect
Software
Professional home design and construction software
- From
- $695/perpetual
- Rated
- -
ConstructConnect
Software
Construction bidding and project leads platform
- From
- $99/month
- 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; ConstructConnect project Intelligence is priced per market at $129 per month for Starter and from $199 per month for Professional, so covering more geographic markets multiplies the cost
- They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, ConstructConnect covers Project leads.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Chief Architect and ConstructConnect actually diverge.
| Attribute | Chief Architect | ConstructConnect |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $695/perpetual | $99/month |
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 1991 | 1985 |
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 ConstructConnect
- Project leads
- Digital plan rooms
- Bid management
- Takeoff tools
- Network building
- QuickBooks
- Sage
- Procore
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 ConstructConnect
- Automatic generation of framing, roofs and material lists from a building modelnot ConstructConnect
- Kitchen and bath design with manufacturer cabinet catalogsnot ConstructConnect
ConstructConnect
- Finding construction project leads and bid opportunities in chosen marketsnot Chief Architect
- Performing digital quantity takeoff for bid preparationnot Chief Architect
- Subcontractors tracking which general contractors are bidding which projectsnot 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
ConstructConnect
- Project Intelligence is priced per market at $129 per month for Starter and from $199 per month for Professional, so covering more geographic markets multiplies the cost
- Premium Project Intelligence pricing is custom and requires contacting sales
- Takeoff is billed per seat per year at $1,200 for Starter and $2,200 for Professional and is priced separately from Project Intelligence
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
ConstructConnect
$99/month- Essential$99/month
- Project leads
- Plan viewing
- Basic search
- Professional$199/month
- Advanced search
- Takeoff tools
- Bid management
- EnterpriseFree
- Team access
- API integration
- Custom reports
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 ConstructConnect if
- You need project leads.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want digital plan rooms.
Questions people ask
- Is Chief Architect or ConstructConnect better?
- Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual and ConstructConnect at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or ConstructConnect?
- Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual and ConstructConnect at $99/month.
- Does Chief Architect or ConstructConnect run on more platforms?
- Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. ConstructConnect runs on 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 ConstructConnect is typically brought in for.
- What can Chief Architect do that ConstructConnect cannot?
- Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. ConstructConnect covers Project leads, Digital plan rooms, Bid management, Takeoff tools.