Comparison
Zoning feasibility vs. site planning — Envelope vs. TestFit
TestFit is a generative site-planning and feasibility engine used across many U.S. markets to lay out buildings, parking, and units. Envelope is NYC-native: it starts from the New York City Zoning Resolution and answers what’s legally buildable as-of-right before anything is laid out.
The short version
TestFit shines at rapid, configurable site layouts and unit yield for a design team. Envelope is built specifically around NYC zoning — resolving the as-of-right envelope, City of Yes programs, air rights, and valuation for a specific lot. They solve different halves of the problem, and many NYC teams use both.
| Capability | Envelope | TestFit |
|---|---|---|
| NYC Zoning Resolution encoded | Generic zoning inputs | |
| As-of-right FAR & buildable SF | ||
| 3D massing model | ||
| Generative site/parking layouts | — | |
| Typical-floor sketch plans & unit mix | ||
| City of Yes programs integrated | — | |
| Air rights & assemblage analysis | — | |
| Income-approach valuation | — | |
| Development pro forma | Cost/yield focused | |
| Single report, no subscription | $149 | — |
Based on publicly available information as of July 2026. Features change — verify current capabilities with each vendor.
Where Envelope wins
- NYC-native: the New York City Zoning Resolution is encoded, so the as-of-right answer reflects actual bulk, yard, and sky-exposure rules — not generic inputs.
- City of Yes, air rights, and assemblage modeling built in.
- Income-approach valuation on top of the massing, not just cost and yield.
- A single lot-specific report for $149 with no subscription — no enterprise onboarding.
Where TestFit is stronger
- Best-in-class generative site planning: buildings, parking, and unit layouts in seconds.
- Works across many U.S. markets, not just New York City.
- Deep design-team workflows for iterating physical layouts and yield.
- Strong for suburban and low-rise site planning where layout drives the deal.
Frequently asked
Is Envelope a TestFit alternative for NYC?
For NYC as-of-right feasibility, yes. TestFit is a cross-market generative site planner; Envelope encodes the NYC Zoning Resolution and answers what’s legally buildable, how it masses, and what it’s worth on a specific lot.
Does Envelope do generative site layouts like TestFit?
Envelope focuses on the zoning envelope and typical-floor sketch plans that follow from NYC bulk rules, rather than open-ended generative site/parking layout. For dense NYC lots, the binding constraint is usually zoning, which is what Envelope is built to resolve.
Can I use both?
Many NYC teams do — Envelope to establish the as-of-right envelope and value, TestFit to iterate physical layouts within it. Envelope’s $149 single report makes it easy to add the NYC-zoning layer.
See what Envelope shows on your lot.
An architect-grade zoning report — as-of-right FAR, 3D massing, typical-floor sketch plans, and an income-approach valuation — starts at $149, no subscription required.