Plan7Architect Pro 5 for $109.99 USD offers an outstanding price-performance ratio and impresses both private builders and professional architects with advanced features such as building permit support, layer management, and realistic 3D visualizations. At Plan7Architect, we are absolutely confident in our product and do not shy away from comparisons with the competition, as we firmly believe that Plan7Architect Pro 5 is the best product on the market. The software complies with international building standards (US, UK, Australian, Canadian, European) without the need for complex pre-configurations, making it ideal for construction projects of any size. Other programs are either too complicated for private users or very expensive, yet they often quickly reach their limits when professional planning documents or more complex projects are required.
Note: All prices in this table are listed in USD.
- Price: $109.99
- Automatic Dimension Calculation:
- Furniture Library: Extensive
- Templates:
- Building Permit Support: Simplified creation
- Collaboration with Architects: (Export to DWG/DXF)
- Layer Management: (Detailed management)
- Different Plan Variants: (Flexible variants)
- Terrain Modeling: (Including contour lines)
- Timber Construction / Wooden Structures: (Special tools)
- International Building Standards (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand & all European countries): (Presets/Regulations)
- Guide Lines & Virtual Walls:
- Calculation of Living/Usable Space :
- Unlimited Floors & Buildings:
- Automatic Roof Construction:
- Creation of Custom Beam Structures:
- Automatic Foundation Creation:
- Creating Custom Windows & Doors:
- Complete Electrical, Heating & Plumbing Planning:
- Sections for Building Permit:
- Plan Assembly:
- Price: From approx. $250 /month (subscription)
- Automatic Dimension Calculation: (Configuration required)
- Furniture Library: Limited (external libraries)
- Templates: Manually adjustable
- Building Permit Support: Possible, but no presets
- Collaboration with Architects: (Industry standard)
- Layer Management: (Comprehensive)
- Different Plan Variants: (Manually adjustable)
- Terrain Modeling: (3D functions, but complex)
- Timber Construction / Wooden Structures: (Manually or via specialized plugins)
- International Building Standards (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand & all European countries): Partially (Manually configurable)
- Guide Lines & Virtual Walls: Construction lines
- Calculation of Living/Usable Space : Manual (via layers & tools)
- Unlimited Floors & Buildings:
- Automatic Roof Construction: (must be drawn manually)
- Creation of Custom Beam Structures: (manual or plugins)
- Automatic Foundation Creation: Must be created manually
- Creating Custom Windows & Doors: (manual drawing or libraries)
- Complete Electrical, Heating & Plumbing Planning: (with add-ons/plugins)
- Sections for Building Permit:
- Plan Assembly: (Manual creation)
- Price: From $399/year (Pro version)
- Automatic Dimension Calculation: (via additional tools/plugins)
- Furniture Library: Expandable via plugin
- Templates: via plugin
- Building Permit Support:
- Collaboration with Architects: Partially via plugin
- Layer Management:
- Different Plan Variants:
- Terrain Modeling:
- Timber Construction / Wooden Structures: (via plugins)
- International Building Standards (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand & all European countries):
- Guide Lines & Virtual Walls: (Lines, manual construction)
- Calculation of Living/Usable Space : Manual (possibly via plugin)
- Unlimited Floors & Buildings:
- Automatic Roof Construction: (Plugins required)
- Creation of Custom Beam Structures: (with plugins)
- Automatic Foundation Creation:
- Creating Custom Windows & Doors: (completely manual)
- Complete Electrical, Heating & Plumbing Planning: (primarily 3D, plugins required)
- Sections for Building Permit: (Cumbersome, mostly plugins)
- Plan Assembly: (Cumbersome, mostly plugins)
- Price: From $99.99/month (subscription)
- Automatic Dimension Calculation:
- Furniture Library:
- Templates:
- Building Permit Support:
- Collaboration with Architects:
- Layer Management:
- Different Plan Variants:
- Terrain Modeling:
- Timber Construction / Wooden Structures:
- International Building Standards (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand & all European countries):
- Guide Lines & Virtual Walls:
- Calculation of Living/Usable Space :
- Unlimited Floors & Buildings:
- Automatic Roof Construction:
- Creation of Custom Beam Structures:
- Automatic Foundation Creation:
- Creating Custom Windows & Doors:
- Complete Electrical, Heating & Plumbing Planning:
- Sections for Building Permit:
- Plan Assembly:
- Price: Free (Open-Source)
- Automatic Dimension Calculation: Limited
- Furniture Library:
- Templates:
- Building Permit Support:
- Collaboration with Architects:
- Layer Management:
- Different Plan Variants: Limited
- Terrain Modeling: Limited
- Timber Construction / Wooden Structures:
- International Building Standards (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand & all European countries):
- Guide Lines & Virtual Walls:
- Calculation of Living/Usable Space : Limited (manual)
- Unlimited Floors & Buildings: Limited (high effort)
- Automatic Roof Construction:
- Creation of Custom Beam Structures:
- Automatic Foundation Creation:
- Creating Custom Windows & Doors: Limited (only standard shapes)
- Complete Electrical, Heating & Plumbing Planning:
- Sections for Building Permit:
- Plan Assembly:
Advantages and Disadvantages
Plan7Architect Pro
Plan7Architect Pro is a professional house planning and architectural design system built specifically for complete residential building projects — from the first floor plan idea to detailed construction drawings and permit-ready plans.
Unlike general-purpose CAD software or basic home design tools, Plan7Architect works with real architectural building elements and an object-based planning system, while still allowing maximum flexibility and full customization.
Price:
$109.99 one-time purchase (lifetime license, no subscription)
Advantages
Built specifically for house & permit planning
Plan7Architect is designed from the ground up for residential architecture, not for general drafting or 3D modeling. Floor plans, sections, elevations, and layouts follow a permit-oriented workflow.
Full object-based building system
All architectural elements are real objects with logic and relationships — including walls, wall layers, roofs, dormers, floors, slabs, stairs, foundations, openings, beams, and structural components. Nothing is drawn line by line.
Maximum flexibility – no fixed limitations
Every building element can be:
-
fully customized
-
recreated from scratch
-
saved to the catalog
-
reused across projects
This applies to walls, wall structures, roofs, roof layers, windows, doors, beams, foundations, and more.
Automatic 2D ↔ 3D synchronization
Any change instantly updates:
-
floor plans
-
sections
-
elevations
-
3D views
No duplicate work, no manual rebuilding.
Permit-oriented workflow
Sections, elevations, plan layouts, and drawing assemblies are created in a structured way suitable for building permit submissions.
Comprehensive planning depth
Includes terrain modeling, timber construction tools, electrical/heating/plumbing planning, multiple plan variants, and support for multi-building projects.
Professional collaboration
DWG/DXF export enables smooth cooperation with architects, engineers, and contractors.
One-time purchase – lifetime use
No subscription, no time pressure, no forced upgrades. Plan at your own pace.
Accessible for non-CAD users
Designed to be intuitive, with extensive tutorials and practical workflows — no CAD background required.
Disadvantages
Windows-only software
Mac users need a virtual Windows environment.
Not a hobby or decoration tool
Its depth may be unnecessary for extremely simple sketches or purely decorative layouts.
AutoCAD (LT / General CAD Software)
AutoCAD is a powerful and well-established general-purpose CAD system used across many industries for technical drafting.
Typical Price:
Approx. $540 per year (AutoCAD LT subscription)
Advantages
-
Industry standard in professional environments
-
Extremely precise 2D drafting
-
Large ecosystem, documentation, and professional support
Disadvantages
Not built for house planning workflows
AutoCAD is not specialized for residential planning or permits.
Line-based drawing
Walls, doors, windows, roofs, and foundations must be drawn manually line by line or assembled from blocks.
No architectural building logic
No automatic wall behavior, openings, sections, or relationships between elements.
Steep learning curve
Requires significant CAD knowledge, especially for private users.
Subscription-based
Ongoing yearly costs, even for occasional use.
SketchUp Pro
SketchUp Pro is a general-purpose 3D modeling tool commonly used for visualization, conceptual design, and object modeling.
Typical Price:
Approx. $399 per year (subscription)
Advantages
-
Flexible free-form 3D modeling
-
Large plugin ecosystem
-
Strong visualization potential with add-ons
Disadvantages
Not architecture-aware
SketchUp does not understand what a wall, door, window, or foundation is.
Manual house plan creation
Floor plans are drawn line by line in 2D and modeled manually in 3D.
Heavy reliance on plugins
Dimensions, sections, reports, and construction drawings usually require multiple extensions.
Cumbersome for permits
Creating permit-ready drawings is complex and time-consuming.
Subscription model
Ongoing yearly costs.
Generic “Home Designer” Subscription Software (Entry-Level Versions)
Many low-cost home design programs (often around $99.99 per month) are simplified, stripped-down versions of professional architecture software.
They are designed for quick visual results — not for full architectural planning.
Advantages
-
Easy to start
-
Quick visual layouts
-
Low entry price for very short-term use
Disadvantages
Feature-limited
Missing many tools available in full architectural systems.
Reduced planning depth
Limited control over structures, layers, sections, and technical details.
Not permit-focused
Often unsuitable for serious construction or official planning.
Subscription pressure
Projects must be completed quickly to avoid additional monthly costs.
Not scalable
Reach their limits quickly for real house projects.
Sweet Home 3D
Sweet Home 3D is a free, open-source interior design and basic floor planning tool aimed primarily at hobby users.
Price:
Free
Advantages
-
Free and easy to access
-
Simple furniture placement
-
Suitable for basic interior layouts
Disadvantages
Not designed for architectural planning
No permit workflows, no construction logic.
Limited architectural features
Walls, roofs, and structures are basic and lack professional control.
Low planning depth
No advanced sections, layers, or technical drawings.
Limited scalability
Not suitable for serious house planning or construction projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan7Architect Pro 5 is ideally suited for private homeowners and property owners who want to build or renovate their house or property and also wish to share their plans with an architect.
At the same time, Plan7Architect Pro 5 is also widely used by professionals.
Construction companies, craftsmen, planning offices, and real estate agents rely on the software for 3D visualization, detailed project planning, and high-quality presentations.
Many architects also use the Pro version to design, present, and produce accurate construction drawings for their clients.
With the program, you can independently implement all the essential elements required for a building permit application. The interface has been specifically designed for laypersons, so no prior knowledge is necessary.
It is also perfect for planning renovations, extensions, garages, carports, and more.
Just as well, it is ideal for 3D visualization for companies, planning offices, craftsmen, or real estate agents who want to present their properties in a better light.
Plan7Architect can be adjusted to comply with the building regulations of any country. It is easily configurable to meet U.S., Canadian, Australian, UK, New Zealand, and European building standards, as well as those of other regions.
The interface of Plan7Architect is built intuitively, and the most important functions are generally just one click away. As a layman, you can familiarize yourself with the software in approximately 1-2 hours and begin planning moderately complex projects.
Furthermore, as an owner of Plan7Architect, you are supported by the following features:
- Help Functions
The program includes several help features designed to simplify your experience:- Manual & Getting Started Guide
- Context-Sensitive Hints & Tips within the program
- Input Assistance & Tips in the toolbar
- Video Tutorials
Our YouTube channel offers numerous video tutorials with step-by-step instructions for our program. New videos are published regularly. - Support Ticket System
You have the option to create a support ticket at any time via our central support ticket system. The access link is provided automatically after you purchase the software. - Customer Forum
In our customer forum, moderators and fellow users have already answered hundreds of questions, providing valuable assistance. As a customer, you gain access to the forum where you can ask questions or share suggestions for software improvements.
System Requirements:
Operating System:
Microsoft® Windows 10® (64-bit) or higher
CPU:
Intel Core i5 or higher, AMD Ryzen 5 or higher
Hard Drive:
10 GB free disk space
RAM:
8 GB RAM or higher
Graphics Card:
- Optimal: Nvidia GTX 1050ti or higher
- For normal operation: All common graphics card models
Monitor & Mouse:
Full HD (e.g., 1920 x 1080 pixels) or 4K, along with a keyboard and a mouse with a scroll wheel.
After completing your order, you will receive a personal download link for the purchased software via email. Additionally, every customer receives an account on our website where your license key and the download link to the latest version of our program are stored. The download link is valid for exactly 1 year from the date of purchase, and you can download the software as often as you like during that period.
The license has no time limitations, so you can use the software indefinitely after purchase. Only the free updates and download access are limited to 1 year, but these can be extended upon request.
With Plan7Architect, you can easily import existing floor plans and third-party objects. You can even scan hand-drawn floor plans and trace over them.
Of course, completed projects can also be forwarded to architects for further editing. The file formats are compatible with professional architectural software.
Every license you purchase is valid for three devices. This means you can activate it a maximum of three times and work on three computers simultaneously.
As a customer, you receive your own account on our website. In this account, your personal download link to the latest version of our software is available for one year. With every new update, we will inform you via newsletter, so that you can log in to your account and download the newest version free of charge.
With the purchase of a Plan7Architect license, no additional or recurring costs apply. The price is one-time, and the license can be used indefinitely.
We don’t want to force any of our customers into a subscription they might forget to cancel and then get frustrated about the ongoing costs. Most of our customers buy the software once for a renovation, remodel, or home addition and never need it again — so there’s no reason to lock them into a subscription.
We believe in fair and transparent pricing: you pay once, and you own the software for life.
Plan7Architect is currently a Windows-based application, and there is no native Mac or web-based version available at this time.
However, many Mac users successfully run the software on their devices using virtualization tools. The most popular option is Parallels Desktop, which allows you to install Windows on your Mac and use Plan7Architect seamlessly — just like on a Windows PC.
But you don’t have to pay for Parallels. Free alternatives like UTM, VMware Fusion (Free for Personal Use), VirtualBox, or compatibility layers like Wine/WineBottler can also be used to run Plan7Architect on macOS.
Important: If you’re using a Mac with an M1, M2, M3, or M4 (Apple Silicon) chip, Parallels and UTM are the most compatible options. We personally run Plan7Architect on the latest MacBooks with M4 chip — and it works smoothly.
Yes, Plan7Architect is fully compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11.
No, you don’t require a new license. We have step-by-step instructions in our customer area that show you how to deactivate a license on one PC and then reactivate it on a new PC. This way, you can take your software license with you wherever you go.
Since we offer a 14-day right of withdrawal for all our customers, we do not provide a free trial version. You can cancel your software purchase without giving any reasons and receive a full refund. Simply send us a short email to process your cancellation.
Further Questions & Answers
You can find additional questions and answers in our FAQ section.
