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Chief Architect vs PlanGrid

Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Software

Professional home design and construction software

From
$695/perpetual
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlanGrid logo

PlanGrid

Software

Construction productivity software for the field

From
$39/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; PlanGrid autodesk states PlanGrid is no longer available for purchase by net-new customers, with new buyers directed to Forma Build
  • They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, PlanGrid covers Blueprint management.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Chief Architect and PlanGrid differ
AttributeChief ArchitectPlanGrid
Starting price$695/perpetual$39/month
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsWindows, MacWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19911982

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 PlanGrid

  • Blueprint management
  • Issue tracking
  • Photo documentation
  • Punch lists
  • RFI management
  • Autodesk BIM 360
  • Procore
  • Box

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

PlanGrid

  • Giving field crews real-time access to construction plans, issues and photosnot Chief Architect
  • Capturing site forms and photos from a tablet on a job sitenot Chief Architect
  • Managing organization licences for a construction document appnot 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

PlanGrid

  • Autodesk states PlanGrid is no longer available for purchase by net-new customers, with new buyers directed to Forma Build
  • PlanGrid access is now sold only through Forma Build, so pricing is set by the Forma Build subscription rather than PlanGrid itself
  • Mobile users must access PlanGrid projects through the Autodesk Forma mobile app rather than a standalone PlanGrid app
  • The PlanGrid desktop app requires Windows 10 or higher
  • The Admin Console for managing users and licences is a separate site restricted to designated organization admins

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

PlanGrid

$39/month
  • Build$39/month
    • Sheet management
    • Issue tracking
    • RFIs
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom integrations
    • Priority support

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 PlanGrid if

  • You need blueprint management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want issue tracking.
PlanGrid review

Questions people ask

Is Chief Architect or PlanGrid better?
Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual and PlanGrid at $39/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or PlanGrid?
Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual and PlanGrid at $39/month.
Does Chief Architect or PlanGrid run on more platforms?
Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. PlanGrid 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 PlanGrid is typically brought in for.
What can Chief Architect do that PlanGrid cannot?
Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, Issue tracking, Photo documentation, Punch lists.
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