--- description: Learn more about Chief Architect. We provide Australian business users the most detailed information on pricing, benefits, and disadvantages of software that will make your choice easier. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/getapp/og_logo-94fd2a03a6c7a0e54fc0c9e21a1c0ce9.png title: Chief Architect Reviews, Cost & Features | GetApp Australia 2026 --- Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [3D Architecture Software](/directory/1483/3d-architecture/software) > [Chief Architect](/software/2059753/chief-architect) # Chief Architect Canonical: https://www.getapp.com.au/software/2059753/chief-architect Page: 1 / 4\ Next: [Next page](https://www.getapp.com.au/software/2059753/chief-architect?page=2) > Chief Architect is a complete architectural design solution that helps remodeling professionals and interior designers create and share home design plans, 3D models, and renderings via a unified portal. The platform enables users to create floor plans, building elevations and perspectives, dormers, window details, and more. > > Verdict: Rated **4.4/5** by 68 users. Top-rated for **Likelihood to recommend**. ----- ## Quick Stats & Ratings | Metric | Rating | Detail | | **Overall** | **4.4/5** | 68 Reviews | | Ease of Use | 4.0/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Customer Support | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Value for Money | 4.1/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Features | 4.2/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Recommendation percentage | 70% | (7/10 Likelihood to recommend) | ## About the vendor - **Company**: Chief Architect - **Founded**: 1992 ## Commercial Context - **Starting Price**: USD 3,295.00 - **Pricing model**: Flat Rate (Free Trial) - **Pricing Details**: Product includes 1 year of SSA and there is a rent or buy option. - **Target Audience**: Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50, 51–200 - **Deployment & Platforms**: Mac (Desktop), Windows (Desktop), Android (Mobile), iPhone (Mobile), iPad (Mobile) - **Supported Languages**: English - **Available Countries**: United States ## Features - 2D Drawing - 3D Imaging - 3D Modeling - BIM Modeling - Component Library - Drafting - Landscape Design - Presentation Tools - Rendering ## Support Options - Chat ## Category - [3D Architecture Software](https://www.getapp.com.au/directory/1483/3d-architecture/software) ## Related Categories - [3D Architecture Software](https://www.getapp.com.au/directory/1483/3d-architecture/software) - [Architectural CAD Software](https://www.getapp.com.au/directory/1431/architectural-cad/software) - [House Design Software](https://www.getapp.com.au/directory/529/architecture/software) - [Floor Plan Software](https://www.getapp.com.au/directory/3861/floor-plan/software) ## Alternatives 1. [RoomSketcher](https://www.getapp.com.au/software/2049888/roomsketcher) — 4.4/5 (174 reviews) 2. [AutoCAD](https://www.getapp.com.au/software/112399/autocad) — 4.7/5 (3205 reviews) 3. [Houzz Pro](https://www.getapp.com.au/software/133539/houzz-pro) — 4.3/5 (1085 reviews) 4. [SketchUp](https://www.getapp.com.au/software/125039/sketchup) — 4.5/5 (1046 reviews) 5. [Revit](https://www.getapp.com.au/software/120355/revit) — 4.6/5 (479 reviews) ## Reviews ### "Using for Interior Design/Architecture" — 5.0/5 > **Amber** | *7 September 2018* | Design | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: The 3D option\! After putting together your space, you can view a frame in 3D and see how your space would look down to the finishes\! > > **Cons**: Small selection of free catalogs. Not a huge variety of items to choose from right away, have to either pay or deal with the basic selections in the catalogs. > > My favorite program to use in school compared to Sketchup and AutoCAD. ----- ### "Over engineered, poor technical service." — 4.0/5 > **Suzi** | *13 February 2021* | Design | Recommendation rating: 0.0/10 > > **Pros**: The graphics are good, better than hand drawing. > > **Cons**: I am a kitchen \& bath designer and have used Chief Architect for 11 years. The initial cost is high and the yearly “technical support” is up to $525. I am pretty much self taught because the training classes are ridiculously expensive. I have taken advantage of the free courses they offer but otherwise have figured things out by trial and error. In 11 years I have contacted technical support 18 times (less than twice a year). Sometimes they would answer my questions but mostly referred me to their online tools, one of which is other users answering questions - how \[SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN\]. Yesterday I contacted them to get an answer on what I assumed would be an easy question (I searched the online tools but got nothing). I needed a knee wall that started at 42” high and tapered to 34” high. Their response was that it was beyond technical supports capabilities, but, I could pay $125/hour for someone to help. Really??? Needless to say I responded with my displeasure. The $525/year does get me updates, but that is virtually it. For what I need, the Interiors program is over engineered. In my old program, when I needed a vaulted ceiling, I entered the height of one wall and the height of the other and voila, done. In CA it’s a complicated, multi (10+) step process. Likewise, rotating the direction of a wood floor should be as simple as 2 clicks, but no, another multi step process. > > Poor. When I search the online tools for an answer to a question, I rarely get what I need. What I call something and what they call it are two entirely different things. They have a computer language that only computer minded people understand. It’s not intuitive or user friendly. Complete frustration doesn’t begin to describe it. I’m sure there are better, easier ways to do certain tasks but I’m not paying enormous rates to find out. My advice - don’t waste your money, time or efforts\! ----- ### "The Good, Bad and Ugly" — 3.0/5 > **mark** | *31 October 2020* | Architecture & Planning | Recommendation rating: 0.0/10 > > **Pros**: Having used this program since version 10 and I would say that if you are looking to do presentation drawings this is a good program. > > **Cons**: If you are a production architect like me don't buy this program. It is terrible in creating details and its x-ref and layout procedures are absolutely terrible. You will spend more time trying to put a printable drawing together than you did putting together the entire drawing. > > I liked the software up until it's latest version (x12). Unfortueantly the program is not backward compatible so drawings created in x12 can not be opened in earlier versions. People developing the software should be people that actually produce drawings for a living not some software geek that has no clue or concept about what it takes to do a full set of drawings. I would not recommend this software to any Architect that is doing working drawings. I would tell them to stick with AutoCAD. ----- ### "Best instant 3D Residential Software I've ever used\!" — 5.0/5 > **Todd** | *28 May 2019* | Architecture & Planning | Recommendation rating: 9.0/10 > > **Pros**: The fact you can instantaneously see what you've drawn in 3D and that you can import models into the drawings as you need. Also it's constantly being updated with new useful features and better output results. KUDOS for the programmers. It's not flawless, but it is impressive for what the program can do. It has definitely made my work easier \& faster. Also makes my services more marketable. > > **Cons**: There are simple commands in AutoCAD that are not in Chief Architect that I wish could be there, like hatch, fillet, extend, trim, stretch, rotate, hatch, etc., so it's not the greatest to use when I do have to draft in 2D at times. You can do most of these but the way you have to get there is more time consuming. The result I get when I do a section through a building results in me having to create a DWG then editing it to remove extra lines I can see to get the final image I need. However, the time to do this is offset by not having to get the base drawing of the cross section done from scratch and I can see instantly if there is a problem with roof/ceiling heights, floors or any other issues. The training classes are too expensive for me and the SSA hurts my wallet but is worth having it. > > I have been using Chief Architect since 2015. Before that I used AutoCAD for over 20 years. I've also used REVIT and Sketchup, but for what I do, which is Residential Design and Remodels, this program proved to be the most versatile. There is somewhat of a learning curve the first 6 months, but impressive when it comes to showing clients who have a difficult time envisioning 3D from 2D drawings. The customer support is really A+. They usually can figure out any problem I'm having or will consider a "work around" option that may still get me the desired effect. ----- ### "Chief Architect it my CHIEF go to design software\!" — 5.0/5 > **Tony** | *11 May 2021* | Construction | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: Like any 3D CAD software there is a learning curve. If you've used other 3D software like CAD of 2020 Design software, this will be much more intuitive to you. Sure the controls are a bit different but the idea is the same. Draw walls, will in with cabinets or objects and render photo realistic drawings, or close. :) I love that these isn't a lighting issue like with other software. Chief Architect lights the room automatically and it looks great the first time. This is invaluable in a clients home to very quickly show what a project will look like. > > **Cons**: There's very little to complain about with this software. I use another software to price cabinets so the ability to load a catalog "with pricing" would be great. But I use a spread sheet for that anyway so it's not a hinderance. > > Our experience has been great. We've been able to implement this quickly and train multiple users. We wouldn't do business without it. ----- Page: 1 / 4\ Next: [Next page](https://www.getapp.com.au/software/2059753/chief-architect?page=2) ## Links - [View on GetApp](https://www.getapp.com.au/software/2059753/chief-architect) ## This page is available in the following languages | Locale | URL | | en | | | en-AE | | | en-AU | | | en-CA | | | en-GB | | | en-IE | | | en-NZ | | | en-SG | | | en-ZA | | ----- ## Structured Data