Planner 5D vs Chief Architect

Planner 5D8.5Visit Chief Architect8.2Visit

Higher score Planner 5D #5 in Interior Design Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Planner 5D

vs

Chief Architect #8 in Interior Design Software 8.2/10 From $1,995/yr ✓ 0 of 3 features Try Chief Architect

• Planner 5D fits best

  Cross-platform design with AI and CAD export

• Chief Architect fits best

  Professional construction drawings and estimating

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Side by side

Feature	Planner 5D 8.5/10 Visit ↗	Chief Architect 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.5	8.2
Ranking	#5 in Interior Design Software	#8 in Interior Design Software
Best for	Cross-platform design with AI and CAD export	Professional construction drawings and estimating
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS
Support	Email, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Planner 5D 0/3 · Chief Architect 0/3
Floor plan tools	Not published	Not published
Commercial use	Not published	Not published
BIM support	Not published	Not published
Specs
3D rendering	Not published	Not published
Supported platforms	Not published	Not published
Furniture catalog	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	2D/3D floor plans with furniture and decor catalog Professional adds 4K renders, panoramas and CAD export Web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android availability	Creates coordinated 2D plans and 3D models as you draw walls, windows, and doors Supports multi-floor plans, tracing imported floor plans, and construction drawings Includes materials lists, schedules, and cost-estimating tools
Cons	Free plan provides access to only 50% of the furniture catalog CAD export and custom 3D uploads require Professional Support channels are limited to email and documentation	Annual Premier costs $1,995, with a monthly option at $229 per month Desktop deployment only, for Windows and macOS The trial disables saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours
Our verdict	Planner 5D is a home-design application for homeowners, renovators and design professionals. It supports drawing and editing floor plans in 2D and 3D, furnishing rooms from a catalog, and creating visual presentations. Users can work on… Read the review →	Chief Architect is desktop design software for residential and light-commercial projects, aimed at home builders, remodelers, architects, and interior designers. Drawing walls, windows, and doors generates a 3D model while the software… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Planner 5D — where it wins

  • 2D/3D floor plans with furniture and decor catalog
  • Professional adds 4K renders, panoramas and CAD export
  • Web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android availability

  Where it doesn't

  • Free plan provides access to only 50% of the furniture catalog
  • CAD export and custom 3D uploads require Professional
  • Support channels are limited to email and documentation

• Chief Architect — where it wins

  • Creates coordinated 2D plans and 3D models as you draw walls, windows, and doors
  • Supports multi-floor plans, tracing imported floor plans, and construction drawings
  • Includes materials lists, schedules, and cost-estimating tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Annual Premier costs $1,995, with a monthly option at $229 per month
  • Desktop deployment only, for Windows and macOS
  • The trial disables saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours

• Planner 5D8.5/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A cross-platform planner combining floor plans, renders, AI visuals and CAD export.

  Visit Planner 5DFull verdict →
• Chief Architect8.2/10 · From $1,995/yr

  Technical home-design software for construction drawings, estimating, and 3D visualization.

  Try Chief ArchitectFull verdict →