Softwr

Construction · head to head

Chief Architect vs Rhino 3D

Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Construction

Professional home design and construction software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rhino 3D logo

Rhino 3D

CAD

3D computer graphics and CAD application

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Chief Architect no free tier after trial; Rhino 3D windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Chief Architect and Rhino 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where Chief Architect and Rhino 3D differ
AttributeChief ArchitectRhino 3D
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWindows, MacWindows, Mac, iOS
CategoryConstructionCAD
Founded19911980

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Revit
  • SketchUp
  • CAD
  • Google Drive

Only in Rhino 3D

  • NURBS modeling
  • Surface modeling
  • 3D visualization
  • Grasshopper
  • Grasshopper
  • KeyShot
  • V-Ray
  • CAM software

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • 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 Rhino 3D
  • Kitchen and bathroom designnot Rhino 3D
  • Interior design and remodelingnot Rhino 3D
  • Professional building designnot Rhino 3D

Rhino 3D

  • NURBS-based 3D modelling for product design and engineeringnot Chief Architect
  • Precision engineering and prototyping (aerospace, automotive, jewellery)not Chief Architect
  • Generative design with Grasshopper visual programmingnot Chief Architect
  • Mesh editing and point cloud processingnot 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

Rhino 3D

  • Windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • Performance depends on hardware capabilities; complex projects require better equipment
  • Pre-release/Work-in-Progress builds may contain bugs and are not production ready

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

Rhino 3D

Free
  • EvaluationFree
    • 90-day trial
    • All features included
    • No credit card required
  • Student License$195/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Commercial License$995/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Student Upgrade$95/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Requires prior license key
    • Support included

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 Rhino 3D if

  • You need nurbs modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, iOS.
  • You also want surface modeling.
Rhino 3D review

Questions people ask

Is Chief Architect or Rhino 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at Free and Rhino 3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or Rhino 3D?
Chief Architect starts at Free and Rhino 3D at Free.
Does Chief Architect or Rhino 3D run on more platforms?
Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. Rhino 3D runs on Windows, Mac, iOS.
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 Rhino 3D is typically brought in for.
What can Chief Architect do that Rhino 3D cannot?
Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling, Surface modeling, 3D visualization, Grasshopper. Both handle Rendering, 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
Rhino 3D: How much does Rhino 3D cost?

Student licenses cost EUR 195, commercial licenses cost EUR 995. Both are perpetual one-time purchases. Upgrades from prior versions cost EUR 95 for students and EUR 595 for commercial users.

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
Rhino 3D: Is there a free trial?

Yes, a 90-day evaluation license is available free with no credit card required. Full features are included and commercial use is allowed.

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
Rhino 3D: Can Rhino 3D licenses be shared across multiple users?

Commercial versions support floating licenses that can be shared. Student licenses are limited to single-user perpetual licenses. All licenses include support and service releases.

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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