Planify vs Fohlio: Which FF&E Software Fits Your Studio?

Fohlio comes up constantly when designers search for FF&E and specification software, but most of what it's built for — multi-seat procurement chains, purchase order approvals, dedicated buying teams — is scaled for firms much larger than a one-to-ten person studio. Here's how it actually compares to Planify for the studio sizes that make up most of the market.

What is Fohlio built for?

Fohlio is a specification and procurement platform designed around multi-user purchasing workflows — product libraries, purchase orders, vendor communication, and budget tracking for firms with dedicated buying staff.

It's a capable tool if your studio already runs a procurement department with several people touching the same purchase order at different stages. That depth is also what makes it heavier to set up and priced per seat.

How does Fohlio pricing compare to Planify?

Published Fohlio pricing runs from roughly $99 to $120 per user, per month, with implementation and data-migration fees reported from $2,000 up to $15,000 or more. Planify charges one flat fee — $29/month (€24.99) — per studio, regardless of team size.

For a two- or three-person studio, per-seat pricing on top of setup fees can easily exceed what the studio would otherwise spend on software all year. Planify's flat pricing means adding a second or third team member costs nothing extra.

Fohlio pricing varies by source and negotiated contract; figures above are published third-party estimates as of October 2026, not a quote from Fohlio directly.

Is Fohlio too much tool for a small studio?

Fohlio's approval chains and multi-vendor purchase order system are built for teams where procurement is its own function. A solo designer or a two-to-three person studio usually needs the content of that workflow — not the layers of process around it.

That's the practical gap: the underlying job (tracking products, specs, budgets, and client sign-off) is the same at any studio size, but the amount of software you have to configure to do it isn't.

Can I track FF&E schedules and budgets in Planify?

Yes. Planify's FF&E schedule uses AI to fetch product details directly from a supplier link, keeps a running budget and cost sheet per project, and routes approvals through a client portal that opens with a link — no client login required.

This covers the same core job Fohlio does — specifying products, tracking cost, getting sign-off — without the per-seat pricing or the procurement-chain complexity built for bigger teams. For a deeper look at how the schedule itself works, see our guide to FF&E tracking software for interior designers.

Does switching from spreadsheets or Fohlio require a long setup?

Planify is self-serve. You sign up, complete a short wizard, and can have a real project with an FF&E schedule and a client-ready proposal the same day — with no implementation fee and no data-migration charge.

That matters most when you're switching tools mid-project. Studios moving off spreadsheets or an underused Fohlio seat don't have to budget time or money for an onboarding process before they see any value.

How does this compare to other alternatives designers consider?

Fohlio isn't the only name studios weigh against Planify. If you're also comparing broader project-management platforms, our breakdown of the best Programa alternative for interior designers and our guide to client portal software cover the other two questions studios usually ask next: project management and client approvals. For sourcing products directly into a spec sheet, see how AI product sourcing works in Planify.

"Planify has completely changed how we manage client approvals — it's simple, fast, and our clients love how easy it is to review and approve items." — Hugo Fleming, Design Director, Cranberryhome (UK)

Which tool is better for a growing studio?

If your studio is staying in the one-to-ten person range, flat pricing keeps your software cost predictable as you take on more projects. If you're building toward a dedicated procurement team juggling complex multi-vendor purchase orders, that's the scale Fohlio is actually designed for.

Most independent studios never reach that second scenario — which is why flat, studio-wide pricing tends to make more sense for longer than designers expect.

Ready to see it on a real project? Start a free trial with Planify — no credit card required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Planify and Fohlio? Fohlio is a procurement and specification platform built for larger design firms with dedicated purchasing teams. Planify is a flat-fee project management tool built for solo designers and small studios of one to ten people, covering briefs, mood boards, specs, budgets, and client approvals in one simple workflow.

How does Fohlio pricing compare to Planify? Fohlio is priced per user, with published figures ranging from roughly $99 to $120 per user per month, plus optional one-time implementation and data migration fees that can run from $2,000 to $15,000 or more. Planify charges one flat fee of $29/month (€24.99) per studio, with no per-seat pricing and no setup cost.

Is Fohlio too much for a small interior design studio? Fohlio is built around multi-user procurement workflows, approval chains, and vendor management at a scale that suits firms with dedicated purchasing staff. A one-to-five person studio typically only needs a fraction of that depth, which is where a flat-fee, fast-to-learn tool like Planify fits better.

Can I track FF&E schedules and budgets in Planify? Yes. Planify includes an FF&E schedule with AI-assisted product fetching, a running budget and cost sheet per project, and a client portal where approvals happen through a shareable link with no login required.

Does Planify require onboarding or implementation fees like Fohlio? No. Planify is self-serve: you sign up, complete a short setup wizard, and start a project the same day. There is no implementation fee, no data migration charge, and no minimum contract.

Which tool is better for a growing studio, Planify or Fohlio? For a studio staying in the one-to-ten person range, Planify's flat pricing and fast setup keep costs predictable as you take on more projects. Firms that grow into a dedicated procurement team with complex multi-vendor purchase orders are the ones Fohlio is actually built for.