Chief Architect
Chief Architect provides professional 3D architectural home design software for residential and light commercial design, featuring automated building tools to create construction drawings, elevations, and 3D renderings.
Planner 5D
Planner 5D is an architectural design tool that allows you to create detailed 2D and 3D floor plans and interior designs using an extensive library of items and AI-powered features.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Chief Architect | Planner 5D |
|---|---|---|
| Website | chiefarchitect.com | planner5d.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $199/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 0 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1992 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Coeur d'Alene, USA | Vilnius, Lithuania |
Overview
Chief Architect
Chief Architect is a professional 3D architectural design platform built specifically for the residential design industry. You can create 2D floor plans and 3D models simultaneously, as the software automatically generates 3D structures like roofs, stairs, and foundations while you draw walls. This integration ensures your construction documents stay synced with your visual designs, reducing manual drafting time significantly.
You can produce high-quality photorealistic renderings and 360-degree panoramas to help clients visualize their projects before construction begins. The software is designed for architects, home builders, and interior designers who need to move quickly from initial concept to final permit-ready construction sets. It handles everything from simple kitchen remodels to complex multi-story residential structures with specialized tools for framing, cabinetry, and electrical planning.
Planner 5D
Planner 5D is a user-friendly design platform that helps you visualize your dream home or office space without needing professional architectural skills. You can start from scratch or use a template to build detailed 2D floor plans, then instantly toggle to a 3D view to explore your creation from every angle. The software provides a massive catalog of furniture, textures, and colors, allowing you to experiment with different interior styles and structural layouts in real-time.
You can use the platform across multiple devices, including web browsers, tablets, and smartphones, ensuring your projects are always accessible. Whether you are planning a simple room refresh or a complete home renovation, the tool helps you communicate your vision to contractors or visualize the final result before spending a dime on materials. It serves homeowners, amateur designers, and real estate professionals who need quick, high-quality visualizations.
Overview
Chief Architect Features
- Automated Building Tools Generate roofs, stairs, and foundations automatically as you draw walls to speed up your design process.
- Smart Cabinetry Create custom kitchen and bath layouts with smart cabinets that snap together and update in real-time.
- 3D Rendering and Visualization Produce photorealistic images and virtual walkthroughs to give your clients a realistic preview of their new home.
- Construction Documents Generate professional permit-ready drawings including elevations, sections, and framing plans directly from your 3D model.
- Materials List and Costing Calculate material quantities and costs automatically to provide accurate estimates and manage project budgets effectively.
- CAD Details Library Access thousands of pre-drawn CAD details and architectural symbols to enhance your technical drawings and specifications.
Planner 5D Features
- 2D/3D Mode Switching. Draft your floor plans in a traditional 2D top-down view and switch to 3D to walk through your virtual space.
- Extensive Item Catalog. Browse thousands of furniture items, appliances, and decor to furnish your rooms with realistic textures and colors.
- AI Plan Recognition. Upload a photo of a printed floor plan and let the AI automatically convert it into an editable digital 3D model.
- Automated Furniture Layout. Use the 'Magic Cube' feature to instantly arrange furniture in a room based on your specific style preferences.
- High-Quality Rendering. Generate photorealistic images of your designs with realistic lighting, shadows, and textures to see exactly how your space will look.
- Cross-Platform Sync. Start your design on your laptop and continue editing on your phone or tablet with seamless cloud synchronization.
Pricing Comparison
Chief Architect Pricing
- Full residential design tools
- Automated roof and framing
- Construction document sets
- Photorealistic 3D rendering
- Extensive 3D library access
- Priority technical support
- Kitchen and bath focus
- Interior elevations and details
- Custom cabinet and furniture tools
- Material and color selection
- 3D visualization and walkthroughs
- Everything for interior designers
Planner 5D Pricing
- 2D/3D editor access
- Limited furniture catalog
- Basic textures
- Community project access
- Sync across devices
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Full 6,000+ item catalog
- Custom item resizing
- High-definition renders
- Academy design courses
- Ad-free experience
Pros & Cons
Chief Architect
Pros
- Extremely fast for residential-specific design tasks
- Automatic 3D generation saves hours of drafting
- Excellent library of manufacturer-specific materials and objects
- Produces high-quality construction documents and blueprints
Cons
- Significant learning curve for advanced customization
- Subscription costs are high for occasional users
- Limited capabilities for complex organic or non-residential shapes
Planner 5D
Pros
- Extremely easy to learn for non-professionals
- Massive library of furniture and decor items
- Seamless switching between 2D and 3D views
- Works smoothly on mobile devices and tablets
Cons
- High-quality renders require additional credits
- Free version has very limited item selection
- Object snapping can be finicky at times