Softwr

Construction · head to head

Chief Architect vs Openspace

Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Construction

Professional home design and construction software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Openspace logo

Openspace

Construction

AI-powered construction photo documentation

From
$2500/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; Openspace requires specialized 360-degree camera hardware for optimal documentation workflow
  • They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Openspace covers 360 photo capture.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Chief Architect and Openspace differ
AttributeChief ArchitectOpenspace
Starting priceFree$2500/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, MaciOS, Android, Web
Founded19912017

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 Openspace

  • 360 photo capture
  • BIM compare
  • Progress tracking
  • AI analysis
  • Measurement tools
  • Procore
  • Autodesk BIM 360
  • PlanGrid

Both cover

  • Revit

What people use each for

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

Chief Architect

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

Openspace

  • Site documentationnot Chief Architect
  • Progress trackingnot Chief Architect
  • Quality controlnot Chief Architect
  • Dispute resolutionnot 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

Openspace

  • Requires specialized 360-degree camera hardware for optimal documentation workflow
  • Custom pricing model makes it difficult to evaluate costs upfront without contacting sales
  • Field solution is newly launched and may lack mature features compared to established competitors

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

Openspace

$2500/month
  • Capture$2500/month
    • 360 photo capture
    • Automatic stitching
    • BIM integration
  • EnterpriseFree
    • All Capture features
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom integrations

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 Openspace if

  • You need 360 photo capture.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want bim compare.
Openspace review

Questions people ask

Is Chief Architect or Openspace better?
Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at Free and Openspace at $2500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or Openspace?
Chief Architect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Chief Architect and $2500/month for Openspace.
Does Chief Architect or Openspace run on more platforms?
Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. Openspace runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Chief Architect for free?
Yes. Chief Architect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Openspace starts at $2500/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 Openspace is typically brought in for.
What can Chief Architect do that Openspace cannot?
Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. Openspace covers 360 photo capture, BIM compare, Progress tracking, AI analysis. Both handle Revit.

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
Openspace: How quickly does OpenSpace document construction sites?

OpenSpace documents 25,000 sq. ft. in 10 minutes using 360-degree cameras. Photos are automatically pinned to floor plans, timestamped, and ready to view in 15 minutes.

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
Openspace: Does OpenSpace integrate with existing project management tools?

Yes. OpenSpace Field integrates with Procore and Autodesk Construction Cloud, allowing teams to create punch lists and observations in real-time without disrupting existing workflows.

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
Openspace: What camera equipment does OpenSpace require?

OpenSpace uses 360-degree cameras for site documentation. The platform automatically processes and maps captured images without requiring specialized technical skills from on-site staff.

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
Openspace: What AI features does OpenSpace provide for construction teams?

OpenSpace includes Spatial AI for automatic issue location tagging, AI Voice Notes for hands-free data capture, and an AI-powered media library for efficient image retrieval to accelerate project workflows.

Source
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