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Software · head to head

Chief Architect vs SketchUp

Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Software

Professional home design and construction software

From
$695/perpetual
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SketchUp logo

SketchUp

Software

3D design software for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SketchUp has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; SketchUp studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • They diverge on capability: Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, SketchUp covers 3D modeling.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Chief Architect and SketchUp differ
AttributeChief ArchitectSketchUp
Starting price$695/perpetualFree
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacWeb, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only)
Founded19911978

Identical on both: 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
  • SketchUp
  • CAD
  • Google Drive
  • SSL encryption

Only in SketchUp

  • 3D modeling
  • 2D documentation
  • Animation
  • Extension warehouse
  • 3D Warehouse
  • LayOut
  • V-Ray
  • Enscape

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • Revit
  • Windows support

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

SketchUp

  • 3D architectural design and visualizationnot Chief Architect
  • Product design and prototypingnot Chief Architect
  • Interior design planningnot Chief Architect
  • Real estate visualizationnot 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

SketchUp

  • Studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • Go tier restricted to iPad and web—no desktop application access
  • LayOut (documentation tool) only available in Pro and Studio tiers
  • 1000+ extensions library only available in Pro and Studio; Go has limited extension access

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

SketchUp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SketchUp review.

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 SketchUp if

  • You need 3d modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only).
  • You also want 2d documentation.
SketchUp review

Questions people ask

Is Chief Architect or SketchUp better?
Neither clearly leads. Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual and SketchUp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chief Architect or SketchUp?
SketchUp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $695/perpetual for Chief Architect and Free for SketchUp.
Does Chief Architect or SketchUp run on more platforms?
Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac. SketchUp runs on Web, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only).
Can I use SketchUp for free?
Yes. SketchUp has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual.
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 SketchUp is typically brought in for.
What can Chief Architect do that SketchUp cannot?
Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists. SketchUp covers 3D modeling, 2D documentation, Animation, Extension warehouse. Both handle Rendering, Revit, Windows support.
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