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.
Floorplanner
Floorplanner is a web-based architectural design tool that allows you to create 2D and 3D floor plans quickly using an extensive library of furniture and high-quality photorealistic renderings.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Chief Architect | Floorplanner |
|---|---|---|
| Website | chiefarchitect.com | floorplanner.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 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Coeur d'Alene, USA | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
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.
Floorplanner
Floorplanner is a versatile design tool that helps you create professional floor plans and interior designs directly in your web browser. Whether you are a real estate agent looking to enhance listings or a homeowner planning a renovation, you can draw accurate 2D plans in minutes. The platform automatically handles the heavy lifting, allowing you to toggle into a 3D view to visualize your space with realistic lighting and textures.
You can decorate your projects using a massive library of over 150,000 3D items from real-world brands. The software solves the problem of complex CAD interfaces by providing a drag-and-drop system that requires no prior technical training. It scales effectively from individual hobbyists to large enterprise teams in the real estate and retail sectors, offering cloud-based access so you can work on your designs from any device with an internet connection.
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.
Floorplanner Features
- 2D & 3D Drawing. Draw your walls and rooms in 2D and switch instantly to 3D to see your design come to life.
- Extensive Object Library. Access over 150,000 3D furniture items and accessories to decorate your space with real-world products and brands.
- Photorealistic Rendering. Generate high-definition 2D and 3D images of your plans with realistic lighting to impress your clients or partners.
- Magic Layout. Apply pre-configured furniture sets to entire rooms with a single click to speed up your interior design process.
- Cloud Collaboration. Share your interactive floor plans via a simple link so others can view your designs in 3D.
- Space Planning Tools. Measure distances accurately and calculate total square footage automatically as you draw your room boundaries.
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
Floorplanner Pricing
- 1 project per account
- Standard resolution exports
- Full access to 3D library
- Mobile viewer app access
- SD quality renderings
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- No cool-down timer on exports
- Create favorites in library
- Save your own room templates
- 4 credits per month included
- Higher priority rendering
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
Floorplanner
Pros
- Extremely shallow learning curve for beginners
- Massive library of furniture and textures
- Runs entirely in the browser without downloads
- Affordable pricing for occasional individual use
- Fast switching between 2D and 3D modes
Cons
- Credit system can be confusing for new users
- Limited advanced architectural tools for complex structures
- High-resolution renders require additional credits
- Offline editing is not currently supported