Softwr

Software · head to head

Chief Architect vs Houzz Pro

Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Software

Professional home design and construction software

From
$695/perpetual
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Houzz Pro logo

Houzz Pro

Software

Business management platform for home builders and remodelers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Houzz Pro has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Houzz Pro the Pro plan includes only 1 seat and additional users cost $60 per user per month
  • They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Houzz Pro covers Project management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Chief Architect and Houzz Pro actually diverge.

Attributes where Chief Architect and Houzz Pro differ
AttributeChief ArchitectHouzz Pro
Starting price$695/perpetualFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19912009

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 Chief Architect

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

Only in Houzz Pro

  • Project management
  • Client communication
  • Portfolio management
  • Lead management
  • Budgeting
  • QuickBooks
  • Square
  • Stripe

Both cover

  • Google Drive
  • SSL encryption
  • Data backup

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 Houzz Pro
  • Automatic generation of framing, roofs and material lists from a building modelnot Houzz Pro
  • Kitchen and bath design with manufacturer cabinet catalogsnot Houzz Pro

Houzz Pro

  • Generating remodeling and design leads from a Houzz professional profilenot Chief Architect
  • Producing estimates, proposals and change orders for residential design and build projectsnot Chief Architect
  • Running client-facing selection boards and 3D floor plans for interior designersnot 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

Houzz Pro

  • The Pro plan includes only 1 seat and additional users cost $60 per user per month
  • Plans are gated by annual project volume, with Pro limited to up to $500,000, Custom covering $500,000 to $5M and Enterprise required above $5M
  • Advertising packages are a separate add-on starting at $499 per month on top of the software subscription
  • No monthly subscription price for any tier is shown on the pricing page
  • Takeoffs, scheduling, selections boards, daily logs, budgets, bid management, change orders and financial reporting are not in the free basic plan

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

Houzz Pro

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Portfolio showcase
    • Lead generation
    • Basic profile
  • Plus$39/month
    • Advanced portfolio
    • Lead management
    • Client communication

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 Houzz Pro if

  • You need project management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want client communication.
Houzz Pro review

Questions people ask

Is Chief Architect or Houzz Pro better?
Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual and Houzz Pro at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or Houzz Pro?
Houzz Pro has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $695/perpetual for Chief Architect and Free for Houzz Pro.
Does Chief Architect or Houzz Pro run on more platforms?
Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. Houzz Pro runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Houzz Pro for free?
Yes. Houzz Pro has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual.
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 Houzz Pro is typically brought in for.
What can Chief Architect do that Houzz Pro cannot?
Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. Houzz Pro covers Project management, Client communication, Portfolio management, Lead management. Both handle Google Drive, SSL encryption, Data backup.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Chief Architect

More on Houzz Pro

Keep looking

Other head to heads