Softwr

Construction · head to head

Chief Architect vs Houzz Pro

Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Construction

Professional home design and construction software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Houzz Pro logo

Houzz Pro

Construction

Business management platform for home builders and remodelers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Chief Architect no free tier after trial; 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.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

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
PlatformsWindows, MacWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19912009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), free tier (Yes), 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 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

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

  • 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

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

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

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 want to start without paying.
  • 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 Free 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?
Chief Architect starts at Free and Houzz Pro at Free.
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 Chief Architect for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 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.

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
Houzz Pro: How much do additional Houzz Pro users cost?

Additional user seats on the Houzz Pro plan cost $60 per user per month.

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
Houzz Pro: What is the cost of Houzz Pro's advertising package?

Houzz Pro offers an add-on advertising package starting at $499 per month.

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
Houzz Pro: Is there a free trial for Houzz Pro?

Houzz Pro offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required and includes a free basic plan with 3D Floor Planner, Estimates, and Invoicing.

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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