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Construction · head to head

Chief Architect vs Navisworks

Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Construction

Professional home design and construction software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Navisworks logo

Navisworks

Construction

Project review software for construction professionals

From
$145/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Navisworks sold in two named editions, Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage, each licensed for install on up to 3 computers per subscription (Internet Archive capture, 7 January 2023)
  • They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Navisworks covers Clash detection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Chief Architect and Navisworks differ
AttributeChief ArchitectNavisworks
Starting priceFree$145/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, MacWindows
Founded19911982

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
  • SketchUp
  • CAD
  • Google Drive

Only in Navisworks

  • Clash detection
  • 4D scheduling
  • Model aggregation
  • Quantification
  • Visualization
  • AutoCAD
  • BIM 360
  • 3ds Max

Both cover

  • Revit
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Chief Architect

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

Navisworks

  • Clash detectionnot Chief Architect
  • Construction sequencingnot Chief Architect
  • Project coordinationnot Chief Architect
  • Cost analysisnot 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

Navisworks

  • Sold in two named editions, Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage, each licensed for install on up to 3 computers per subscription (Internet Archive capture, 7 January 2023)

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

Navisworks

$145/month
  • Navisworks Manage$145/month
    • Clash detection
    • 4D simulation
    • Model aggregation
  • Navisworks Simulate$100/month
    • 4D simulation
    • Model aggregation
    • Rendering

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 Navisworks if

  • You need clash detection.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want 4d scheduling.
Navisworks review

Questions people ask

Is Chief Architect or Navisworks better?
Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at Free and Navisworks at $145/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or Navisworks?
Chief Architect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Chief Architect and $145/month for Navisworks.
Does Chief Architect or Navisworks run on more platforms?
Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. Navisworks runs on Windows.
Can I use Chief Architect for free?
Yes. Chief Architect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Navisworks starts at $145/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 Navisworks is typically brought in for.
What can Chief Architect do that Navisworks cannot?
Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. Navisworks covers Clash detection, 4D scheduling, Model aggregation, Quantification. Both handle Revit, Windows support.

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
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
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
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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