Plan7Architect Compared to Other House Planning Software

Plan7Architect Pro 5 for $179.99 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 meets German building standards 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.

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Price: $159.99
2D View:
3D View:
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 (WoFlV, DIN 277, etc.):
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)
2D View:
3D View:
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 (WoFlV, DIN 277, etc.): Manual (via layers & tools)
Unlimited Floors & Buildings:
Automatische Dachkonstruktion: (muss manuell gezeichnet werden)
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 $349/year (Pro version)
2D View:
3D View:
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 (WoFlV, DIN 277, etc.): 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: Free / €33.33/month (Professional)
2D View:
3D View:
Automatic Dimension Calculation:
Furniture Library: Basic catalog
Templates: Limited
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 (WoFlV, DIN 277, etc.):
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 / From $10 (subscription)
2D View:
3D View:
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 (WoFlV, DIN 277, etc.):
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)
2D View:
3D View:
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 (WoFlV, DIN 277, etc.): 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 of House Planning Software

Plan7Architect Pro 5

Plan7Architect Pro 5 offers advanced features such as building permit support, layer management, and realistic 3D visualizations. It is particularly suited for builders and architects who want to plan detailed construction projects. With its comprehensive 3D object import and the ability to perform terrain modeling, Plan7Architect stands out from other programs.

Advantages

The only software with building permit support and compliance with German and European building standards: Includes specialized features for creating official documents and cross-sections for building applications.
Professional layer management: Provides a clear structure for drawings, ideal for extensive construction, renovation, or remodeling projects.
Realistic 3D visualizations: Extensive lighting and shadow calculations ensure a photorealistic impression.
Comprehensive planning tools: Terrain modeling, electrical planning, wood construction, plan variations, and flexible 3D object import.
Data export for professionals: Supports common formats (DWG, DXF), enabling collaboration with architects, engineers, or craftsmen.
Extensive tutorials and support: Beginner-friendly assistance and quick support for questions.

Disadvantages

Windows-compatible only: Mac users require an alternative solution or a virtual Windows environment.
Price of $159.99: Higher than most freeware programs, but with significantly more features and relevance for building applications.

AutoCAD

Advantages

Industry standard: A globally established CAD program used by many architects, engineers, and designers.
Extremely comprehensive: Allows very precise work, offering various tools for 2D and 3D constructions.
Large community and support: Numerous training resources, tutorials, and forums.

Disadvantages

No dedicated module for building permit plans: Customization and prior knowledge are required to meet official standards.
High costs: Especially for private users, the subscription or license model can be very expensive.
Steep learning curve: Significant training effort required, especially for beginners.

RoomSketcher

Advantages

Easy to use: 2D and 3D floor plans, as well as interior designs, can be created quickly.
Free basic version: Suitable for users who need only a rough sketch or a simple furnishing idea.
Fast results: Ideal for smaller projects or interior design planning.

Disadvantages

No building permit support: Not suitable for professional plans and official requirements.
Limited depth functions: Lacks important features such as layer management, electrical planning, or terrain modeling.
Advanced features require payment: More comprehensive capabilities only available in the premium subscription.

SketchUp

Advantages

Powerful 3D modeling: Flexible and precise design of objects, including architectural structures.
Large plugin community: Additional tools (e.g., for wood construction, renderings) can be installed.
Good visualization options: With the right plugins, appealing 3D models can be created.

Disadvantages

No dedicated building permit support: Officially compliant documentation is difficult without external workarounds or plugins.
Annual costs: The Pro version starts at around €349 per year, which may be too expensive for occasional users.
High learning curve: Despite intuitive basic functions, complex projects require significant prior knowledge.

Planner 5D

Advantages

Very accessible for beginners: User-friendly interface, easy entry into interior planning.
Quick sketches: Ideal for trying out initial furnishing concepts or layout ideas.
Basic version is free: Simple projects can be realized at no cost.

Disadvantages

No building permit support: Not designed for professional construction documents or legally required planning.
Limited features: No layer management, no detailed electrical or terrain modeling.
Focus on decoration: Primarily intended for creative interior design rather than solid technical planning.

Sweet Home 3D

Advantages

Free open-source solution: Easy entry without purchase costs, especially for hobby planners.
User-friendly interface: Quick placement of furniture and creation of simple floor plans.
Good for small projects: Suitable for drafting initial ideas and basic layouts.

Disadvantages

No building permit support: Lacks professional features and presets for official requirements.
Limited 3D quality: Visualizations appear less realistic, as lighting and shadow calculations are basic.
Few expansion options: Unlike major CAD programs or SketchUp, there are no extensive plugins available.