--- title: Chief Architect Premier Reviews meta_title: 'Chief Architect Premier Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 18 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Chief Architect Premier works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.6 review_count: 18 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-07-12' parent_category: name: 3D Design url: https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-design --- # Chief Architect Premier Reviews **Vendor:** Chief Architect Software **Category:** [3D Modeling Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-modeling) **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 18 ## About Chief Architect Premier Chief Architect Premier is professional drafting, design, and building modeling software for residential and light commercial design. Chief Architect software brings home design projects to life. Automated building tools for home design, interior design, and kitchen & bath design make it easy to create construction drawings, elevations, CAD details, and 3D models. Chief Architect, Inc. was founded in 1992. Our offices are located in Coeur d 'Alene, Idaho. ## Chief Architect Premier Reviews ### 1. Great Way to Learn Residential Architecture **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Regina W. | Inside Sales Representative, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 11, 2021 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** 1. Perpetual license. I own my software/designs. So many companies are going to subscription-based software, and I couldn't justify spending thousands of dollars only to lose my work if I didn't renew my subscription. I would prefer to own it and pay to update it as necessary; Especially since I'm only doing residential design to build my own homes. 2. Designing in CA is fun! It's a rewarding creative outlet. I spend time every day working on my designs. I can make them as minimal or as elaborate as my heart desires. 3. The software has, directly and indirectly, expanded my understanding of construction principles and vocabulary. If I don't understand a word or option in the program, I simply research it. I've learned so much since I started using the program! 4. It's a pretty robust software program and it can do A LOT! Here is what I believe are Chief Architect's best features: Automatically build roofing and framing layers; Print real, usable architectural drawings which may be used by general contractors; Watermark, so the user may copywrite their work; Incredible library of materials; Allows the user to update their plan in both 2D and 3D; Home may be uploaded to their website and viewed by those the user gives permission. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** Could be more user-friendly by designing it so common adjustments are relatively simple. For example: Allowing users to change wall heights at the wall level Make it easier to raise/lower floors Create attic space as a useable room based on truss style Make it easier to raise or lower the terrain for walk-outs I like that I can upload my home to their website but I wish the allowable file size wasn't so small. I found it to be very disappointing when I wanted to share a large home design (6000sq feet, including garage) with friends to get their feedback. That said, I still feel Chief Architect Premier was worth the money and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a comprehensive design program. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** - Chief Architect Premier allows me to have control of our build. The designs, materials lists, and planning tools will give me the tools I need to effectively communicate and oversee our project. - I'm learning a lot about residentail design and construction while working in the program. - It challenges and relaxes me. It's truly one of my favorite things! ### 2. Amaizing Software for Professionals **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Human Resources | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 12, 2021 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** Chief Architect Premier consists several features, like you can easity build up a sketch and see you drawing in 3D. it helps you add built in designs and tools to your project. There are different architect styles available to choose from. Software suggests you about different features available. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** I feel difficulty when adding personal drawings and sketches as one can do in SketchUp. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** > Residential plans > built-in designs and features provided by Chief Architect Premier fulfill my needs > online library resources are beneficial when I need more items to be added to my project ### 3. Perfect for residential, quick turnaround projects **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** tim s. | D, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 10, 2021 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** Quick 3d images, reasonably quality images. Cloud sharing of model. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** CAD clunky. Sometimes reluctant to rely on technical side of things (though may be down to training?) **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** It makes Concept design quick to turn around. Also quick for new users to learn. ### 4. Made professional and personal design simple! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Adam L. | Design Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 23, 2020 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** The most powerful tool to me was that I could make changes on the 2D floor plan and immediately see the changes in the 3D rendering. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** There is not a lot of forum participation for troubleshooting issue or things I am unsure how to do. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am only a Civil Engineer, but I have used chief architect to help clients visualize what the changes to their project may look like. ### 5. Great Architectural Drawing Program **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kyler Z. | Drafting, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 23, 2020 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** I like the endless customization available; it seems there are options for everything. It is certainly designed primarily for 2D drawing, but the 3D rendering works quite well. The Layout Designer is very powerful and easy to use. I feel like this is one of the larges benefits of Chief Architect; the ability to create professional print drawings from the actual draft. There are many options for this such as scaling, title bars, etc... Overall, I would certainly recommend Chief Architect Premier. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** There's a steep learning curve to be proficient; I would recommend the Chief Architect training classes. It doesn't work very well for 3D modeling; for that I would certainly recommend dedicated 3D software such as something AutoCAD offers. Also, a timeline would be very nice to be able to edit earlier changes. I've been spoiled with Fusion 360's timeline, which shows project history, and every action is editable. This is perhaps more of a benefit with 3D modeling over architectural.. Another small complaint is the high cost of the support subscription. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** Start with the great training videos on their website; these are very helpful! Consider attending Chief Architect training after 50+/- hours of use, but I would recommend first getting familiar with the basic layout and menus. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** Chief Architect has been a very good fit for our applications and needs. We primarily use it for drafting poultry barn plans and layouts, along with work rooms and shower houses. The 3D rendering is nice for customers to visualize the finished design, although it takes more experience and training to get proficient in that area. ### 6. Our office won't be successful without chief architect. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Rahul S. | IT , Information Technology and Services, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 15, 2018 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** I would say Chief Architect is expensive over other similar products but it justifies the price tag. For starters it has Excellent Raytracing, Option to Exchange Floors, the room labelling capabilities are best in class. Every IT guy who works with Architect Firms would agree that Polyline Tools are necessity, here we have them. Then, there is the feature that lets user put Walls on different layers which help in satisfying the customer. Being an IT guy what I love more is that it has option to import GPS text files and DWG. Then there is annotation sets available. When I was a student I liked playing around with Chief Architects older versions. They were good. But now with the Premier, the possibilities of architecture have gone to another level. I was fortunate enough to get a job in a firm as IT head where Architects work. Then their Support Assurance program is best value. All in all this is the best Architecture suite. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** Not much. But I would say the Premier clubbed with Support Assurance is expensive for a small firm. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** If budget is not a constraint the best architectural tool one can put money in is Chief Architect Premier. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** Well I work with architects. They require 3d Modelling and rendering to be without flaw so that their clients can be satisfied. This Chief Architect does best. We even have use the Chief Interiors so that whole package that we build is perfect for enticing a person to work with us. ### 7. LOVE CHIEF **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 18, 2019 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** I love how Chief Architect is like SketchUp and AutoCad had a really awesome baby. Being able to space plan a space to perfection and then click to make sure it looks good too is such a wonderful sales tool. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** Sometimes it's difficult to design unusual attributes but that doesn't mean something can't be figured out. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** There's a free month trial, give it a shot. You'll love it **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** When trying to sell someone a design proposal for house remodels being able to show them a 3D view is priceless ### 8. Chief Architect **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Natasha R. | Group Fitness Instructor, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 20, 2018 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** I love the fact that Chief Architect Premier is very user friendly. It is a great drafting tool for the person just starting out in the drafting world. The simplicity makes it quick to learn how the software works. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** Chief makes it difficult to own this program. The program is very expensive especially for the common folk. The trial version is also difficult as it doesn't let you save your work. As in other free trials you have more capabilities. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** Use the trial verison and see if it is truely what you are looking for first before spending the money. It is defiently worth the money in my opinion. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** We use it to open up various plans sent to us for estimating purposes. We have also done a little bit of sketching and drafting inside the program. ### 9. Exceptional program for creating detailed building plans & creating previs pieces **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Marketing and Advertising | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 18, 2018 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** I love that you can do something simple just to get an idea of what it would look like, or you can get really in-depth and define actual materials, do the correct math for things like wall thickness (including the types of drywall and insulation you want to use) and you can even get detailed enough to use it as a tool to map out your budget for your building project. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** I think the textures/materials menu is a little clunkier than it needs to be, and I would love to have a sort of 'dumbed down' interface option for if you just want to show someone a little less advanced in the software how to rough out a room so they wouldn't have to see so many buttons at first. It would be nice if it was a little cheaper but the price tag makes sense. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** This is definitely the best architectural software I've used and it's got a ton of cool features that will save you a lot of time. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** I've actually used Chief Architect Premier for a variety of purposes over time (like building a model of a house we were buying to figure out interior decorating and some remodel stuff) but most recently, I used it to concept buildings and interiors for the video game that my company is building. It's a dynamic piece of software that is really only limited by your imagination. ### 10. Amazing program **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 28, 2018 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** I love how easy it is to go from 2d to 3D. Clients love the rendering aspect to visualize their soon to be new space. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** I dislike the card features. It is still easier to do architectural details in autocad than it is to do them in chief. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** It is great for almost everything needed for design, just not for details if you have to draw them yourself. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** Time and money is the key for business. I am able to save time with how quick and easy it is to create plans. ### 11. I Love Chief Architect **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Robert H. | Designer, Construction, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 24, 2018 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** The ease and ability to create realistic 3D images for customers is exceptional. They have incredible support, great training both live and online videos, and have a huge loyal following of users. They release updates every year with lots of new features. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** Raytrace renderings take time to generate but that is probably more a matter of my computer being old. They should give new users an outline explaining what order to draw things (walls, roof, doors, windows, cabinets, etc.) I had to figured it out on my own. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** There is a bit of a learning curve to the software because it can do so much, but be patient and watch their training videos and you will be happy with it. Learn what each button does. There are still things I am learning about it even after 18 years of using it. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** Easily communicates in 3D what we are proposing to create whether it be an addition to a house, a remodel, or a brand new house. Customers love the renderings. The carpenters and other subcontractors love the accuracy and clarity of the plans. ### 12. Best Program for Custom Cabinetry and Home Design **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Chelsey P. | Kitchen & Bath Designer, Design, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 11, 2018 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** I love how custom Chief Architect is compared to programs like 20/20. I do a lot of interior home design with custom cabinetry so it's important to have a program so customizable. I also love the catalogs that allow you to use specific vendors for cabinets, countertops, etc. Chief also allows CAD which I find very useful as a kitchen and bath designer. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** I wish there were more catalog downloads. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** This is a great program to use if you design with custom cabinetry throughout homes. It's also great for kitchen and bath design! I know a lot of builders use this program but I do not have experience as one. I'm not sure I'd recommend this for residential design as the libraries have your basic furniture, although you are able to implement any fabrics or finishes from online. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** Chief allows us to have architectural drawings as well as realistic 3D renderings. ### 13. Designer Friendly Software **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Beth P. | Owner, Architecture & Planning, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 30, 2017 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** Chief Architect is designer friendly. I feel like a designer when I use this program instead of a computer programmer. The most recent updates make many of the technical aspects of designing a home even easier. I spend less time working on the computer which means I can complete each home more quickly. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** Sometime in a multiple story home the ceilings heights are off for some reason but I have found ways to fix them. I recently had roof planes that just would not show up. I had to build them manually. This has only happened once though. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** It’s the best design software out there! **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** Chief Architect is the fastest home drawing software that I have used. Less time on the computer means more time with family and the opportunity to add extra Homes into my schedule. ### 14. Chief Architect is a handy and powerful software **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Timothy S. | Professional Residential Designer, Architecture & Planning, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 06, 2017 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** Chief Architect is a capable and powerful software to present residential and light commercial projects. I have used it since 2002, and have found it to be quite intuitive and wonderful to help share ideas with my clients. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** I do think that Chief Architect's RayTracing abilities are lacking a bit. It can make photorealistic renderings, but takes a very long time for me. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** I highly recommend Chief Architect. It's a powerful software, and it has a strong and helpful community online that will help you thru struggles you may have--including my own YouTube channel. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** I can quickly share remodeling, addition, and new construction design ideas with my clients and then completely and accurately share that info with the contractor to obtain a permit and build the project. ### 15. Easy to Learn **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jennifer B. | Junior Interior Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 30, 2018 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** This program is easier to learn than some other software of the same type. It is more user friendly and I love how interior finishes can be changed so easily. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** The landscaping tools are a bit difficult to use when trying to do complicated terrain. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** Cheif Architect allows us to show clients renderings of our design ideas in 3D so that they can better visualize their new spaces. ### 16. Chief Architect is my go to architectural design program **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ronald S. | Volunteer, Construction, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 02, 2017 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** I have AutoCAD and Revit also, but while they are both excellent programs in their own right, I prefer Chief Architect. Why? Because my field is mostly residential and some light commercial. So Chief Architect serves my focus much better. In addition, it is an all in one program,. In other words it can do the floor plans, elevations, cross sections, framing plans, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC plans, details, in fact everything I need to do for a complete set of AFC's, or Approved For Construction. And to top it all off, I can do material takeoffs too! A great all around program. And I can run it on my MacBook Pro, or on Windows, my choice! **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** There is nothing I dislike about this program. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** If you do residential or light commercial this software is perfect for you. And the price is right. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am a Design Build firm, so this program solves my needs for design, and because it does everything, I don't need extra software to fill needs. ### 17. Awesome program par with competition **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Machinery | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 18, 2018 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** Many features like it's competitors. 3d navigation and presentation tools are awesome. Overall a very powerful tool in the design industry. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** Not a program for nubies. Need some experience using it. **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** Not currently using the software. Used it in the past to develop building drawings. ### 18. Great Program for the price **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 12, 2017 **What do you like best about Chief Architect Premier?** Everything is right at your fingertips and very easy to use if you have used other design programs in the past. **What do you dislike about Chief Architect Premier?** Sometimes all the toolbar shortcut keys disappear, so they need to be reset, just takes 4 easy clicks to do so. **Recommendations to others considering Chief Architect Premier:** For the price it is a great product **What problems is Chief Architect Premier solving and how is that benefiting you?** Being able to do our architectural renderings and plans in house saves us money. ## Chief Architect Premier Discussions - [What does Chief Architect Premier do?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-does-chief-architect-premier-do) - [What is new in chief architect X13?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-new-in-chief-architect-x13) - [What does SSA mean in chief architect?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-does-ssa-mean-in-chief-architect) - [What is the latest version of Chief Architect Premier?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-latest-version-of-chief-architect-premier) - [View Chief Architect Premier pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/chief-architect-software-chief-architect-premier/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-07-14+01%3A20%3A19+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=c846044a-2679-4a64-b484-d10125f5e1e9&secure%5Btoken%5D=f88eee9bd475c8f3710b542de6fc681eee6d8a13dbe8022b1f52cce801bc5a14&format=llm_user) ## Chief Architect Premier Features **Design** - Sculpting - Topology - Drawing - Brush Variety - Effects **Library** - Objects - Materials **Move** - Animate - Render - Views **Rendering** - Textures - Shading - Lighting - Exterior Rendering - Aerial Rendering - Atmospheric rendering **Store & Manage** - Pipeline - Controls - Template library **Integrations** - BIM Integration - 3D Rendering Integration **Generative AI** - AI Text-to-Image - AI Text-to-3D **Generative AI** - AI Text-to-3D ## Top Chief Architect Premier Alternatives - [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (309 reviews) - [3ds Max Design](https://www.g2.com/products/3ds-max-design/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (279 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (1,299 reviews)