If you're looking for a design tool in 2026, you've probably come across both Planner 5D and arkiTrace. They serve different needs — here's an honest breakdown to help you decide.
Quick Summary
Planner 5D is a consumer-friendly home design app focused on drag-and-drop floor plans and room visualization. It's great for homeowners and hobbyists who want to plan a room layout.
arkiTrace is the sales team you don't have to hire. Arki knows your materials, your prices, your rules. Forward a client inquiry, Arki drafts the full proposal (renders, pricing, specs, branded PDF), delivered to your inbox for approval. You review and send. Arki never emails your client without you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Planner 5D | arkiTrace |
|---|---|---|
| Floor plan editor | Drag-and-drop | Upload sketch/DXF + AI |
| 3D visualization | Real-time 3D | Photorealistic AI renders (30s) |
| Render quality | Good for planning | Photorealistic |
| AI sales team | No | Yes (Arki drafts proposals for your approval) |
| Dimension extraction | Manual | AI-automated |
| Cut lists | No | Production-ready with edge banding |
| Material specs | Basic catalog | Custom library with real pricing |
| DXF import | No | Yes — with auto quantity takeoff |
| Cost estimates | No | Yes — from material library |
| Client proposals | No | PDF, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Marketing copy | No | Listing descriptions, pitches |
| Batch variations | No | Up to 6 material variants |
| Team collaboration | Limited | Shared libraries, roles, branding |
| Languages | Multiple | English + Greek |
| Export | Images, 360° tours | PDF, Excel, PowerPoint, images |
Pricing
| Plan | Planner 5D | arkiTrace |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Limited renders | — |
| Entry | $6.99/mo | — |
| Mid | $15.99/mo | Pro €1,199/mo |
| High | — | Scale €2,499/mo |
| Custom | — | Enterprise (CRM bridges) |
Planner 5D is significantly cheaper — but it's a different category of tool. It's a room planner, not a professional design workflow.
When to Choose Planner 5D
- You're a homeowner planning a renovation
- You want to experiment with furniture placement
- You need simple floor plans, not professional proposals
- Budget is your primary concern
- You don't need production documents (cut lists, specs, cost estimates)
When to Choose arkiTrace
- You're a trade business (kitchens, contractors, architects, flooring, signage) working with clients
- You need to turn client inquiries into complete visual proposals in minutes, with human approval
- You produce client proposals, material specs, and cost estimates
- You want one AI teammate to replace your entire stack (renderer, specs, takeoff, export)
- You work with DXF files and need automated quantity takeoff
- You need production cut lists for kitchens or millwork
- Your team needs shared material libraries with real pricing
- You want AI-drafted proposals landing in your inbox for approval, not drag-and-drop room planning
The Bottom Line
Planner 5D and arkiTrace solve different problems.
If you want to plan a room layout for yourself, Planner 5D is a solid, affordable choice.
If you need to turn client inquiries into complete visual proposals — with renders, pricing, specs, and branded PDFs — arkiTrace is built for that workflow. You stay in control: every proposal lands in your inbox for review before anything reaches your client. It's a professional tool priced for businesses that bill clients, and the ROI is clear when a single won project covers months of the subscription.
See It in Action
Want to see how arkiTrace drafts a full proposal from a client inquiry in about 3 minutes — delivered to your inbox for approval? Book a strategy call and we'll walk through your actual workflow.