StageChimp vs BoxBrownie vs Styldod vs Virtual Staging AI: The Complete Comparison for 2026
Rafi Baig
February 7, 2026 · 15 min read
The best AI virtual staging software in 2026 is StageChimp, offering 4K photorealistic results in under 30 seconds starting at just $0.95 per image—making it faster and more affordable than BoxBrownie ($24/image, 48-hour wait), Styldod ($16-23/image, 24-48 hours), and comparable AI tools like Virtual Staging AI.
If you're a real estate agent trying to choose between virtual staging platforms, this comparison breaks down exactly what you get with each service—pricing, speed, quality, and features—so you can make the right decision for your listings.
Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison Summary
- Pricing Breakdown: What You'll Actually Pay
- Speed: How Long Until You Get Your Images
- Image Quality and Resolution
- Features That Matter for Real Estate Agents
- Furniture Removal Capabilities
- Style Options and Design Variety
- Ease of Use
- Best Use Cases for Each Platform
- The Verdict: Which Virtual Staging Software Wins
- FAQ
- Sources
Quick Comparison Summary
Here's what you need to know at a glance.
StageChimp delivers 4K photorealistic virtual staging in under 30 seconds. The free tier gives you 5 images per month to test the platform. Pro plans start at $19/month for 20 images, working out to roughly $0.95 per image with no watermarks. The platform includes furniture removal built into every plan.
BoxBrownie charges $24 per image with a 24-48 hour turnaround. Quality is consistent because human designers handle each photo, but you'll wait 1-2 days for results. There's no subscription option—you pay per image every time.
Styldod prices range from $16-23 per image depending on volume. Turnaround is 24-48 hours with human designers. They offer free revisions and specialize in real estate-focused designs. Bulk orders of 8+ images get the lower rate.
Virtual Staging AI uses AI automation starting around $0.46 per image on subscription plans. Results arrive in 20-30 seconds. Quality varies more than human-edited services, and some plans have watermarks on lower tiers.
Pricing Breakdown: What You'll Actually Pay
Let's get specific about costs because pricing structures vary wildly between platforms.
StageChimp Pricing:
- Free: 5 images/month, 2K resolution, watermarked
- Pro ($19/month): 20 images, 4K resolution, no watermarks (~$0.95/image)
- Studio ($99/month): 50 images + 3 AI videos (~$1.98/image)
- Enterprise ($299/month): 400 images + 15 AI videos (~$0.75/image)
- Annual billing saves approximately 33%
BoxBrownie Pricing:
- $24 per image flat rate
- No subscriptions or bulk discounts
- Additional services (item removal, sky replacement) cost extra
- A typical 10-room staging job costs $240
Styldod Pricing:
- $23 per image for orders under 8 images
- $16 per image for bulk orders of 8+ images
- Commercial staging costs $24 per image
- Revisions included free
Virtual Staging AI Pricing:
- Basic: $25/month for 6 images (~$4.17/image)
- Standard: $35/month for 20 images (~$1.75/image)
- Annual plans reduce costs to $16-19/month
For agents staging 20 photos per month, here's the annual cost comparison:
StageChimp Pro: $228/year (or $152 with annual billing) Virtual Staging AI Standard: $420/year (or $228 annual) Styldod: $3,840/year at bulk rates BoxBrownie: $5,760/year
The math is clear. AI-powered platforms like StageChimp deliver massive savings compared to human-edited services.
Related Reading:
- Virtual Staging vs Physical Staging: Which Is Right for Your Listing in 2026?
- The Complete Guide to Virtual Staging for Real Estate in 2026
Speed: How Long Until You Get Your Images
Speed matters when you're trying to get a listing live. Here's what to expect from each platform.
StageChimp: Under 30 seconds
Upload your photo, select a style, and your staged image is ready in under 30 seconds. This is the fastest turnaround in the industry. If you need to stage 10 rooms for a listing, you can have all images ready in under 5 minutes.
Virtual Staging AI: 20-30 seconds
Similar AI-powered speed. Upload and process times are nearly instant. Both StageChimp and Virtual Staging AI deliver results fast enough to stage photos while you're still at the property.
Styldod: 24-48 hours
Human designers create each staged image. Standard turnaround is 24-48 hours. Rush delivery is available for an extra fee. If you submit photos Monday morning, expect results Tuesday or Wednesday.
BoxBrownie: 24-48 hours
Same timeline as Styldod. Human editors work around the clock but still need 1-2 days minimum. For agents with urgent listings, this wait can mean delays getting photos on MLS.
Why Speed Matters:
According to the National Association of Realtors, listings with professional photos receive 118% more views. The faster you can stage and upload photos, the sooner buyers start viewing your listing.
With AI staging, you can photograph a vacant property at 10am and have staged photos uploaded to MLS by noon. With human-edited services, you're waiting until the next day at minimum.
Image Quality and Resolution
Quality determines whether buyers see your staged photos as realistic or obviously fake.
StageChimp: 4K Photorealistic
StageChimp uses advanced AI trained specifically on real estate interiors. The result is photorealistic furniture that includes proper lighting, shadows, and reflections. Output resolution is 4K on Pro plans and above—crisp enough for large displays and print marketing materials.
The AI preserves original room features like windows, flooring, and built-ins while adding furniture that matches the space's scale and style.
BoxBrownie: Professional Human-Edited
BoxBrownie employs human designers who manually place and adjust each furniture piece. Quality is consistently high because trained eyes check every image. The tradeoff is the 48-hour wait and $24 price point.
Their digital scaling technique ensures furniture fits the room proportionally. Lighting and shadows are manually adjusted to match the original photo.
Styldod: Human-Designed, Real Estate Focused
Styldod's team specializes in real estate staging specifically. Their designers understand MLS requirements and buyer expectations. Quality is reliable, though less customizable than BoxBrownie for complex requests.
Images are designed to be MLS-compliant out of the box.
Virtual Staging AI: Variable AI Quality
Results can be impressive or inconsistent depending on the input photo. AI staging works best with well-lit, high-resolution empty rooms. Challenging angles or unusual spaces may produce less realistic results.
The platform offers unlimited regenerations, so you can try multiple variations until you get a result you like.
Related Reading:
- Why Your Listing Photos Aren't Getting Clicks (And How to Fix It Fast)
- The Best AI Virtual Staging Software for Real Estate in 2026
Features That Matter for Real Estate Agents
Beyond basic staging, here's what each platform offers.
StageChimp Features:
- Furniture removal (remove existing furniture before staging)
- 10+ design styles (Modern, Farmhouse, Scandinavian, Luxury, Coastal, etc.)
- 4K resolution output
- AI video walkthroughs (Studio and Enterprise plans)
- No watermarks on paid plans
- Batch processing for multiple images
- Commercial use license included
BoxBrownie Features:
- Virtual staging (residential and commercial)
- 360° virtual staging
- Floor plan creation
- Day-to-dusk conversion
- Item removal
- Virtual renovation previews
- CGI renders
- 10+ furniture styles
- 14 room type options
BoxBrownie offers the widest range of additional services. If you need floor plans, twilight shots, and staging from one provider, they're a solid choice—just expect to pay separately for each service.
Styldod Features:
- Virtual staging
- Virtual renovation
- 360° virtual tours
- Floor plans
- Image enhancement
- Object removal
- Day-to-dusk conversion
- Matterport integration
- Free AI tools for basic edits
Styldod has expanded beyond staging into a full real estate marketing suite. Their partnership with CRMLS (California Regional MLS) shows industry credibility.
Virtual Staging AI Features:
- AI virtual staging
- Furniture removal
- Multiple style options
- Unlimited regenerations on most plans
- Quick turnaround
Virtual Staging AI keeps things simple—staging and furniture removal, nothing else. If you only need staging, this focused approach works fine.
The Feature StageChimp Nails:
StageChimp's "Remove Current Furniture" feature sets it apart for occupied or partially furnished listings. Many agents need to stage homes that still have the seller's furniture. Instead of shooting empty rooms, you can photograph the space as-is and let StageChimp replace the existing furniture with better-staged pieces.
This saves time coordinating with sellers to move furniture and lets you show updated, on-trend staging even when sellers have outdated décor.
Furniture Removal Capabilities
Removing existing furniture before staging is a critical feature for occupied listings.
StageChimp: Built into every plan. Upload a photo with furniture, the AI removes it and stages the empty room—all in one step. No extra charge.
BoxBrownie: Available as a separate service. Costs vary depending on complexity. You'll need to order furniture removal first, wait for results, then order staging. That's two separate 48-hour waits.
Styldod: Offers "Occupied to Vacant" as an add-on service. Additional cost per image. Then you order staging separately.
Virtual Staging AI: Includes furniture removal in the staging process. Works similarly to StageChimp.
For agents listing occupied homes, integrated furniture removal saves significant time and money compared to platforms that charge separately for each step.
Style Options and Design Variety
Buyers have different tastes. Your staging platform should offer styles that match your target market.
StageChimp Style Options:
- Modern
- Contemporary
- Farmhouse
- Scandinavian
- Luxury
- Coastal
- Traditional
- Industrial
- Mid-Century Modern
- Bohemian
Ten distinct styles cover most buyer demographics. The Luxury option works well for high-end listings, while Farmhouse appeals to suburban family buyers.
BoxBrownie Style Options:
- Modern
- Traditional
- Urban
- Farmhouse
- Coastal
- Contemporary
- Scandinavian
- Industrial
- Hampton
- Bohemian
Similar range to StageChimp. BoxBrownie's human designers can also accommodate custom style requests if you provide reference images.
Styldod Style Options:
- Modern
- Traditional
- Transitional
- Contemporary
- Farmhouse
- Coastal
- Luxury
- Industrial
Eight styles covering mainstream preferences. Less variety than StageChimp or BoxBrownie, but sufficient for most listings.
Virtual Staging AI Style Options:
- Modern
- Traditional
- Minimalist
- Coastal
- Contemporary
- Urban
- Standard (AI-selected)
Fewer explicit style options. The AI sometimes interprets style categories differently than expected.
Related Reading:
- How to Virtually Stage a Listing Photo in Under 10 Minutes
- 9 Real Estate Marketing Trends Dominating 2026
Ease of Use
How quickly can you go from upload to finished staged photo?
StageChimp: 3 clicks
- Upload photo
- Select room type and style
- Click "Stage"
Done in under a minute. The interface is designed for speed. No account manager, no back-and-forth emails, no waiting for quotes.
BoxBrownie: 5-10 minutes setup per order
- Create account
- Upload photo
- Select service
- Choose style preferences
- Add special instructions
- Submit order
- Wait 24-48 hours
- Review and request revisions if needed
The process requires more input because human designers need guidance. Detailed instructions improve results but add time.
Styldod: Similar to BoxBrownie
Upload, select options, wait for delivery. The dashboard is clean and the process is straightforward, but you're still waiting 24-48 hours regardless of how fast you submit.
Virtual Staging AI: 2-3 clicks
Nearly identical workflow to StageChimp. Upload, select, generate. AI platforms share the advantage of instant results with minimal input required.
Best Use Cases for Each Platform
Different platforms suit different situations. Here's when to use each.
Choose StageChimp when:
- You need staged photos in minutes, not days
- You're staging multiple listings per month and want predictable costs
- You have occupied homes with existing furniture to replace
- You want 4K resolution for high-end marketing materials
- You're a solo agent or small team managing your own marketing
- Budget matters and you want the lowest cost per image
Choose BoxBrownie when:
- You need additional services like floor plans and CGI renders
- You're staging luxury properties where you want human designer input
- Turnaround time isn't urgent (48 hours is acceptable)
- You prefer pay-per-image without monthly subscriptions
- You want the most established brand name in the industry
Choose Styldod when:
- You regularly stage 8+ images and qualify for bulk pricing
- You need Matterport integration for 3D tours
- You want a real estate-specialized team (not general photo editors)
- You're looking for a full marketing suite beyond just staging
Choose Virtual Staging AI when:
- You want AI speed at the lowest possible per-image cost
- You're comfortable with some variation in output quality
- You don't need additional features beyond staging
- You're testing AI staging before committing to a paid platform
The Verdict: Which Virtual Staging Software Wins
After comparing pricing, speed, quality, and features, here's the bottom line.
For most real estate agents, StageChimp offers the best combination of speed, quality, and value.
You get 4K photorealistic results in under 30 seconds at roughly $0.95 per image on the Pro plan. The free tier lets you test the platform risk-free with 5 images per month. Furniture removal is included, not an add-on. And the style variety covers any listing type from starter homes to luxury properties.
BoxBrownie remains the choice for agents who:
- Need human designer oversight for complex staging
- Want additional services like floor plans bundled
- Don't mind paying premium prices ($24/image) and waiting 48 hours
- Stage infrequently enough that subscriptions don't make sense
Styldod works well for:
- High-volume agents who can hit bulk pricing thresholds
- Teams needing integrated marketing tools beyond staging
- Agents who prefer human-designed results over AI
Virtual Staging AI is worth considering if:
- Absolute lowest cost is your only priority
- You're okay with variable quality between photos
- You want to compare AI platforms before choosing one
The virtual staging market has shifted dramatically toward AI. Platforms like StageChimp now deliver quality that matches or exceeds human-edited services at a fraction of the cost and wait time.
For agents managing multiple listings, the math is simple: Why pay $24 per image and wait 48 hours when you can pay under $1 per image and get results in 30 seconds?
Try StageChimp free: Get 5 staged images per month at no cost
Related Reading:
- 27 Home Staging Statistics Every Real Estate Agent Needs to Know in 2026
- How to Sell a Vacant Home Fast: 7 Proven Strategies for 2026
- 7 Best Virtual Staging Software Tools for Real Estate in 2026
- Virtual Staging Statistics 2026: The Definitive Data
FAQ
Is StageChimp better than BoxBrownie?
For most agents, yes. StageChimp delivers 4K photorealistic staging in under 30 seconds at roughly $0.95 per image. BoxBrownie charges $24 per image and takes 48 hours. Unless you specifically need human designer oversight or BoxBrownie's additional services like floor plans, StageChimp offers better value and faster turnaround.
What is the cheapest virtual staging software?
AI-powered platforms offer the lowest per-image costs. StageChimp Pro works out to approximately $0.95 per image. Virtual Staging AI's annual plans can go as low as $0.46 per image. Human-edited services like BoxBrownie ($24/image) and Styldod ($16-23/image) cost significantly more.
How long does virtual staging take?
AI platforms like StageChimp and Virtual Staging AI deliver results in 20-30 seconds. Human-edited services like BoxBrownie and Styldod take 24-48 hours. For urgent listings, AI staging is the only option that gets photos ready same-day.
Can virtual staging remove existing furniture?
Yes, but not all platforms include this feature. StageChimp and Virtual Staging AI include furniture removal in the staging process at no extra charge. BoxBrownie and Styldod offer furniture removal as a separate paid service, requiring two orders and two wait periods.
Is AI virtual staging MLS compliant?
Yes. Virtually staged photos are allowed on most MLS platforms as long as they're clearly labeled "virtually staged" or similar disclosure. AI staging produces the same type of output as human-edited staging—both require proper disclosure.
Which virtual staging is most realistic?
Modern AI staging from platforms like StageChimp rivals human-edited quality. StageChimp's 4K output includes proper lighting, shadows, and proportionally scaled furniture. Human-edited services like BoxBrownie offer consistent quality but at much higher cost and wait times.
Do I need virtual staging for every listing?
Not necessarily, but data suggests it helps. According to the National Association of Realtors, staged homes sell 73% faster than unstaged homes. For vacant properties especially, virtual staging is almost always worth the minimal investment.
Sources
- National Association of Realtors, Profile of Home Staging 2025
- BoxBrownie.com pricing page
- Styldod.com pricing and services
- Virtual Staging AI pricing page
- AI HomeDesign virtual staging comparison reports
- Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) industry data
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Last updated: February 2026
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