Softwr

Software · head to head

ProEst vs Chief Architect

ProEst logo

ProEst

Software

Cloud-based construction estimating software

From
$200/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: ProEst proest.com/pricing/ redirects to construction.autodesk.com/pricing/proest, confirming ProEst is now sold exclusively as part of Autodesk Construction Cloud rather than as a standalone product.; 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: ProEst covers Digital takeoff, Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where ProEst and Chief Architect differ
AttributeProEstChief Architect
Starting price$200/month$695/perpetual
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWebWindows, Mac
Founded19961991

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 ProEst

  • Digital takeoff
  • Cost databases
  • Bid management
  • Proposal generation
  • Reporting
  • Sage 300
  • QuickBooks
  • Procore

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.

ProEst

  • Project estimatingnot Chief Architect
  • Bid managementnot Chief Architect
  • Cost analysisnot Chief Architect
  • Proposal creationnot Chief Architect

Chief Architect

  • Producing construction documents, elevations and 3D renderings for residential architecturenot ProEst
  • Automatic generation of framing, roofs and material lists from a building modelnot ProEst
  • Kitchen and bath design with manufacturer cabinet catalogsnot ProEst

Where each one falls short

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

ProEst

  • proest.com/pricing/ redirects to construction.autodesk.com/pricing/proest, confirming ProEst is now sold exclusively as part of Autodesk Construction Cloud rather than as a standalone product.

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

ProEst

$200/month
  • ProEst Estimating$200/month
    • Digital takeoff
    • Pre-built assemblies
    • Bid management
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced integrations
    • Custom assemblies
    • Multi-company

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 ProEst if

  • You need digital takeoff.
  • You also want cost databases.
ProEst 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 ProEst or Chief Architect better?
Neither clearly leads. ProEst starts at $200/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, ProEst or Chief Architect?
ProEst starts at $200/month and Chief Architect at $695/perpetual.
Does ProEst or Chief Architect run on more platforms?
ProEst runs on Web. Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac.
What is ProEst best used for?
ProEst is most often used for project estimating, bid management, cost analysis, proposal creation. Of those, project estimating and bid management are not what Chief Architect is typically brought in for.
What can ProEst do that Chief Architect cannot?
ProEst covers Digital takeoff, Cost databases, Bid management, Proposal generation. Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on ProEst

More on Chief Architect

Keep looking

Other head to heads