Software · head to head
STACK Construction Technologies vs Chief Architect
STACK Construction Technologies
Software
Takeoff and estimating software for preconstruction
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Chief Architect
Software
Professional home design and construction software
- From
- $695/perpetual
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only STACK Construction Technologies has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: STACK Construction Technologies takeoff and Estimate is priced per user at $249 per user per month, so cost scales linearly with estimators; 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: STACK Construction Technologies covers Digital takeoff, Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which STACK Construction Technologies and Chief Architect actually diverge.
| Attribute | STACK Construction Technologies | Chief Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $695/perpetual |
| Pricing model | freemium | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Windows, Mac |
| Founded | 2011 | 1991 |
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 STACK Construction Technologies
- Digital takeoff
- Estimating
- Bid management
- Proposal generation
- Plan storage
- QuickBooks
- Sage
- 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.
STACK Construction Technologies
- Performing quantity, labor and material takeoff from digital construction plansnot Chief Architect
- Producing bid estimates and proposals for subcontractors and general contractorsnot Chief Architect
- Field plan markup, punch lists and daily reports on active job sitesnot Chief Architect
Chief Architect
- Producing construction documents, elevations and 3D renderings for residential architecturenot STACK Construction Technologies
- Automatic generation of framing, roofs and material lists from a building modelnot STACK Construction Technologies
- Kitchen and bath design with manufacturer cabinet catalogsnot STACK Construction Technologies
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
STACK Construction Technologies
- Takeoff and Estimate is priced per user at $249 per user per month, so cost scales linearly with estimators
- The full platform combining takeoff, estimating and field management starts at $298 per user per month
- Field and project management is sold as a separate Build and Operate product starting at $49 per user per month rather than bundled with takeoff
- The Build and Operate product offers only a two-week free trial, with the free version limited to Takeoff and Estimate
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
STACK Construction Technologies
Free- FreeFree
- Basic takeoff
- Estimating
- Unlimited projects
- Pro$1999/year
- Advanced takeoff
- Assemblies
- Templates
- EnterpriseFree
- Team collaboration
- Custom integrations
- Advanced reporting
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 STACK Construction Technologies if
- You need digital takeoff.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want estimating.
Choose Chief Architect if
- You need 2d and 3d design.
- You work on Windows, Mac.
- You also want floor plan creation.
Questions people ask
- Is STACK Construction Technologies or Chief Architect better?
- Neither clearly leads. STACK Construction Technologies starts at Free and Chief Architect at $695/perpetual, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, STACK Construction Technologies or Chief Architect?
- STACK Construction Technologies has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for STACK Construction Technologies and $695/perpetual for Chief Architect.
- Does STACK Construction Technologies or Chief Architect run on more platforms?
- STACK Construction Technologies runs on Web, Ios, Android. Chief Architect runs on Windows, Mac.
- Can I use STACK Construction Technologies for free?
- Yes. STACK Construction Technologies has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Chief Architect starts at $695/perpetual.
- What is STACK Construction Technologies best used for?
- STACK Construction Technologies is most often used for performing quantity, labor and material takeoff from digital construction plans, producing bid estimates and proposals for subcontractors and general contractors, field plan markup, punch lists and daily reports on active job sites. Of those, performing quantity, labor and material takeoff from digital construction plans and producing bid estimates and proposals for subcontractors and general contractors are not what Chief Architect is typically brought in for.
- What can STACK Construction Technologies do that Chief Architect cannot?
- STACK Construction Technologies covers Digital takeoff, Estimating, Bid management, Proposal generation. Chief Architect covers 2D and 3D design, Floor plan creation, Construction documentation, Material lists.