# 3D Viewer by Chief Architect vs Build Studio

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | 3D Viewer by Chief Architect | Build Studio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.7 (527 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3d-viewer-by-chief-architect/id1083656847/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **527** | — |
| Positive reviews | 31.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 152 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chief Architect](https://appshunter.io/developer/520677645) | [Stephen Farmer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1885439231) |

## What reviewers say

### 3D Viewer by Chief Architect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3d-viewer-by-chief-architect/id1083656847)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great bonus item for clients
- 🚀 Works fine once
- ⭐ Low key elite
- 👍 Very functional
- 👍 Works well to keep clients up to date

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Cannot view plan on iPad
- 🐛 Keeps crashing
- 🐛 Cannot view link
- 🐛 Images on iPad don't match desktop
- 🐛 Worst app ever

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Build Studio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/build-studio/id6760635211)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 3D Viewer by Chief Architect free?

3D Viewer by Chief Architect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Build Studio free?

Build Studio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do 3D Viewer by Chief Architect or Build Studio have ads?

Neither 3D Viewer by Chief Architect nor Build Studio shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, 3D Viewer by Chief Architect or Build Studio?

3D Viewer by Chief Architect ships an update every 4 months, and Build Studio fortnightly. Most recently, 3D Viewer by Chief Architect was updated on October 21, 2026 and Build Studio on October 13, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*