Softwr

Construction · head to head

Chief Architect vs PlanSwift

Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Construction

Professional home design and construction software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlanSwift logo

PlanSwift

Construction

Digital takeoff and estimating software

From
$1499/year
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; PlanSwift only one published plan tier (Professional at $2,000 annually)
  • They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, PlanSwift covers Digital takeoff.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Chief Architect and PlanSwift differ
AttributeChief ArchitectPlanSwift
Starting priceFree$1499/year
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, MacWindows
Founded19912000

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
  • Revit
  • SketchUp
  • CAD

Only in PlanSwift

  • Digital takeoff
  • Estimating
  • Assemblies
  • Reporting
  • Plan viewing
  • QuickBooks
  • Sage
  • Excel

Both cover

  • Data backup
  • 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 PlanSwift
  • Kitchen and bathroom designnot PlanSwift
  • Interior design and remodelingnot PlanSwift
  • Professional building designnot PlanSwift

PlanSwift

  • Taking off quantities from construction drawings on screennot Chief Architect
  • Producing material and labour estimates from digital plansnot 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

PlanSwift

  • Only one published plan tier (Professional at $2,000 annually)
  • Annual renewal required; no monthly subscription option stated
  • No multi-user or team-based pricing options published

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

PlanSwift

$1499/year
  • PlanSwift Pro$1499/year
    • Digital takeoff
    • Estimating
    • Assemblies
  • PlanSwift Pro+$2099/year
    • Everything in Pro
    • Advanced reports
    • Priority support

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 PlanSwift if

  • You need digital takeoff.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want estimating.
PlanSwift review

Questions people ask

Is Chief Architect or PlanSwift better?
Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at Free and PlanSwift at $1499/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or PlanSwift?
Chief Architect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Chief Architect and $1499/year for PlanSwift.
Does Chief Architect or PlanSwift run on more platforms?
Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. PlanSwift runs on Windows.
Can I use Chief Architect for free?
Yes. Chief Architect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PlanSwift starts at $1499/year.
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 PlanSwift is typically brought in for.
What can Chief Architect do that PlanSwift cannot?
Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. PlanSwift covers Digital takeoff, Estimating, Assemblies, Reporting. Both handle Data backup, 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
PlanSwift: How much does PlanSwift cost?

PlanSwift Professional costs $2,000 USD per year as an annual subscription. The price includes software access, updates, support for 12 months, and 2 hours of training.

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
PlanSwift: Does PlanSwift offer a free trial?

Yes, PlanSwift offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. This allows users to evaluate the software and its Takeoff Boost AI tools before committing to the annual subscription.

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
PlanSwift: What is included in PlanSwift Professional?

PlanSwift Professional includes full software access, 1 year of updates and support, 2 hours of training, and Takeoff Boost, a suite of AI tools that automates measuring, counting, and scaling tasks.

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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