3D Viewer by Chief Architect vs Build Studio
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Build Studio
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Build Studio is a project management app designed for construction and interior design teams. It helps users manage projects, track progress, share updates, organize documents, and collaborate efficiently in one place.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Build Studio at fortnightly against 3D Viewer by Chief Architect's every 4 months. Build Studio also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
3D Viewer by Chief Architect ships an update every 4 months, Build Studio fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 3D Viewer by Chief Architect | Build Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (527 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 31.1% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 527 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 152 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chief Architect | Stephen Farmer |
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
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- Saved walkthroughs
- 2D plans and 3D model viewing
- Ability to isolate and view single floors
Build Studio
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
3D Viewer by Chief Architect
No in-app purchases
Build Studio
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is 3D Viewer by Chief Architect free?
Is Build Studio free?
Do 3D Viewer by Chief Architect or Build Studio have ads?
Which is updated more often, 3D Viewer by Chief Architect or Build Studio?
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