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Software · head to head

PlanGrid vs Chief Architect

PlanGrid logo

PlanGrid

Software

Construction productivity software for the field

From
$39/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Chief Architect logo

Chief Architect

Software

Professional home design and construction software

From
$695/perpetual
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PlanGrid autodesk states PlanGrid is no longer available for purchase by net-new customers, with new buyers directed to Forma Build; Chief Architect chief Architect Premier is $229 per month or $1,995 per year, with the monthly option costing 27% more than annual
  • They diverge on capability: PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where PlanGrid and Chief Architect differ
AttributePlanGridChief Architect
Starting price$39/month$695/perpetual
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWindows, Mac
Founded19821991

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 PlanGrid

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

Only in Chief Architect

  • 2D and 3D design
  • Floor plan creation
  • Construction documentation
  • Material lists
  • Rendering
  • Revit
  • SketchUp
  • CAD

What people use each for

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

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

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

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

PlanGrid

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

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

Which should you pick?

Choose PlanGrid if

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

Choose Chief Architect if

  • You need 2d and 3d design.
  • You work on Windows, Mac.
  • You also want floor plan creation.
Chief Architect review

Questions people ask

Is PlanGrid or Chief Architect better?
Neither clearly leads. PlanGrid starts at $39/month and Chief Architect at $695/perpetual, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PlanGrid or Chief Architect?
PlanGrid starts at $39/month and Chief Architect at $695/perpetual.
Does PlanGrid or Chief Architect run on more platforms?
PlanGrid runs on Web, Ios, Android. Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac.
What is PlanGrid best used for?
PlanGrid is most often used for giving field crews real-time access to construction plans, issues and photos, capturing site forms and photos from a tablet on a job site, managing organization licences for a construction document app. Of those, giving field crews real-time access to construction plans, issues and photos and capturing site forms and photos from a tablet on a job site are not what Chief Architect is typically brought in for.
What can PlanGrid do that Chief Architect cannot?
PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, Issue tracking, Photo documentation, Punch lists. Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists.
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