Comparison

3D Viewer by Chief Architect vs PayHelm

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

3D Viewer by Chief Architect

Explore 3D architectural models in virtual reality. Navigate through home designs with intuitive controls, experiencing them before construction. Ideal for professionals to share immersive project previews with clients.

Highlights
  • Virtual reality navigation
  • Walk and fly through designs
  • Exterior, room, and floor plan views
  • Sojourn 3D navigation tools
  • Gyro camera for free form viewing
  • Background camera control
Read full description

3D Viewer – A virtual reality viewer for 3D models exported from Chief Architect software. Visualize and navigate home projects before they are built using the Sojourn 3D virtual reality navigation tools. Walk or Fly through designs and experience exterior, room, cross section, and floor plan views. To view models with 3D Viewer, export the original model with saved cameras from Chief Architect software to the cloud (provided by Chief Architect) and open the model using 3D Viewer. A great service if you are a professional builder/designer and want to share a virtual model with your clients. Sojourn 3D virtual reality navigation: -thumbsticks to move (fly) and rotate -gyro camera for free form viewing -background camera on / off -walk thru allowing you to physically walk -dynamic camera height while in fly mode -manual camera height adjustment

About

PayHelm

Features
Read full description

AI Agent automates your ads, inventory, and email. AI Report Builder answers any business question instantly. 50+ integrations unify all your data into powerful reports — trusted by 10,000+ businesses. https://www.payhelm.com/privacy/

Screenshots

3D Viewer by Chief Architect4 screens
PayHelm4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PayHelm at every 9 days against 3D Viewer by Chief Architect's every 4 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3D Viewer by Chief Architect ships an update every 4 months, PayHelm every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
3D Viewer by Chief Architect versus PayHelm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3D Viewer by Chief ArchitectPayHelm
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (527 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews31.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings527 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size152 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChief ArchitectSukow Ventures, Inc

Bugs and requests

3D Viewer by Chief Architect

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Cannot open zipped files
  • Difficult to import models from Dropbox/OneDrive
  • VR mode spins around uncontrollably

Requested features

8 requests
  • Support for OneDrive
  • AR in full scale
  • Ability to make handwritten/design notes on the model
  • Markup and add text comments
  • Floor plan view that mimics desktop, control layers, see notes
Show 3 more
  • Saved walkthroughs
  • 2D plans and 3D model viewing
  • Ability to isolate and view single floors

PayHelm

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

3D Viewer by Chief Architect

No in-app purchases

None

PayHelm

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 3D Viewer by Chief Architect free?
3D Viewer by Chief Architect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PayHelm free?
PayHelm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do 3D Viewer by Chief Architect or PayHelm have ads?
Neither 3D Viewer by Chief Architect nor PayHelm shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 3D Viewer by Chief Architect or PayHelm?
3D Viewer by Chief Architect ships an update every 4 months, and PayHelm every 9 days. Most recently, 3D Viewer by Chief Architect was updated on November 2, 2026 and PayHelm on October 31, 2026.

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