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Need to design a garden, deck or some other outdoor feature? Check out these 5 free and 7 paid landscape design software options.
I’ve had the good fortune of having nice landscaping and gardens much of my life. As most kids do, I took it for granted. My parents were avid gardeners and so our yards always looked great.
After years living in apartments, we moved into a larger home with a good-sized yard. The real bonus is it was spectacularly landscaped by previous owners to our benefit. All we need to do is maintain it.
However, if faced with landscaping a yard, I’d seriously consider premium software to help organize my thoughts and put together a blueprint. I think software is only really necessary for a larger landscaping project with multiple gardens.
The problem with software is it takes a while to learn it and make it work for you.
But, once you get going with it, relax and have some fun, it can be a very powerful design tool, whether for interior design or outside your home for landscape and/or garden design.
I’m a software nut. I love it. I enjoy learning it and using it. Hence we’ve published and updated this terrific design software lists and articles.
While I’m all about free, I think if you’re going to invest time into creating landscape designs with software, you’re better off buying the premium software. While there are some awesome free interior design software options, not so much with garden and landscape design unfortunately.
Benefits of using software to design gardens and landscaping
Using software, even rudimentary software, helps you establish a concrete plan for your gardens and landscaping. It can also help you to think through what you want. It’s not easy visualizing landscaping all at once, but when sketched out, not only will you have a better chance of remembering every detail (because it’s right there for you), but you’ll also have a detailed plan from which to create your outdoor masterpiece.
=> FYI: if you’re looking for deck design specific software, click here (although many of the options below include deck design modules as well).
Table of Contents
A. Free Options
Unfortunately the following free options are awesome, but if you’re on a budget and just want to get a taste of using landscaping software, give some of the following a try. If you like software for designing your yard, then you’ll definitely want to check out the premium versions below. They aren’t terrible expensive and may just help you put together the perfect yard.
Also, I don’t recommend any one particular option below. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive list of your options. It’s pretty easy and fast to kick the tires so you can figure out which one to use.
1. Home Outside (Freemium app)
The Home Outside software is available as an app on iOS and Google Play. It’s free to download and to use, but you must pay to download your plans. Some people criticize it because you need to pay at some point, but I think it wouldn’t be as good as it is if you didn’t have to pay. The plus side is you can see if you can use it to get the right plan for you. If you don’t, at least you’re not out of pocket unlike other design software that forces you to buy up front.
Screenshots:
? TIP: Click here for free 3D interior design software!
2. Gardena (Free)
Gardena is a website that sells all types of landscaping products for water management (hoses, sprinklers, etc.), lawn care (lawnmowers), tree and shrub cae (hedge trimmers, shears, etc.) and other garden care tools.
Their free online software (available at their website; it’s not an app) is a way to get you interested in their products. I like this arrangement because they can afford to invest in decent free landscaping software. In other words, they aren’t looking to profit from the software itself; instead the software is a way to attract people to their site and promote various products. It’s a win/win between Gardena and us consumers looking for free design tools.
Below is a series of screenshots we took using the software. You’ll see it’s fairly intuitive and offers some good options.
Screenshots:
3. Marshalls Garden Visualiser (Free)
While free, you must download this software to your computer. Click here to try it.
Screenshots:
4. Shoot Garden Planner (Free)
Click here to try this software.
Screenshots/Video:
Watch the Shoot Garden Planner Tutorial Video
5. Better Homes & Gardens Garden Design Tool
Click here to try this free online garden design tool.
Screenshots:
B. Paid Options
If you’re looking for higher quality software, I hate to break it to you, but you need to buy it. The cost range is pretty high. Punch and HGTV software is on the lower end of the cost-range. Home Designer is mid-range and then Sketchup Pro is expensive.
That said, in relation to how much landscaping costs, the software is pretty insignificant. I think it’s worth investing in quality software so you get a quality design and plan before investing thousands in the actual work.
Below are 7 popular landscape and garden design software options.
1. Smart Draw (Freemium)
Smart Draw is pretty cool design software for garden and landscape planning. https://xgioaw.weebly.com/blog/adobe-premiere-old-film-effect.
Screenshots/Video:
Watch the SmartDraw Interior Design Software Video
2. Idea Spectrum (Paid)
Screenshots/Video:
Watch the Idea Spectrum Realtime Landscaping Demo Video
3. Structure Studios (Paid)
Structure Studios has 3 lines of outdoor software. They are VIP 3D, VizTerra and Pool Studio.
Screenshots/Video:
Watch the Structure Studios Demo Video
4. Chief Architect’s Home Designer Software (Paid)
Chief Architect’s Home Designer Software includes landscape design modules, but be sure you buy the right package.
Screenshots/Video:
Watch the Chief Architect Software Video
5. Landscape Deck & Patio by Punch! (Paid)
Punch! software is a very popular design software company.
Screenshots/Video:
Punch Design Software Video Demo
6. HGTV Ultimate Home Design (Paid)
Here are some screenshots illustrating what you can design landscape-wise with HGTV’s landscape design software:
Screenshots/Video:
HGTV Home Design Software Video Demo
7. SketchUp (Free and Paid)
Sketchup is the ultimate design program, whether for the outside or the inside. It’s what many of the pros use. However, if you’re looking the animated video finished result, Sketchup on its own won’t do that. You need to upload your Sketchup designs to an animation software such as Lumion.
However, Sketchup Pro isn’t cheap. It’s $695. For personal use, a bit steep. For professionals, a basic cost of doing business. Check out the video… this is amazing software.
I doubt for DIY work, $695 is necessary. You may want to see if a lower cost option such as Punch or Home Designer will do the job for you since they cost far less than Sketchup Pro.
Screenshots/Video:
Sketchup Pro Software Video Demo
Home Stratosphere is an award-winning home and garden online publication that’s a result of our talented researchers and writers who work directly with hundreds of professional interior designers, furniture designers, landscape designers and architects from around the world to create helpful, informative, entertaining and inspiring articles and design galleries.
Who hasn’t watched an episode of a house flipping or home renovation TV show and immediately wanted to find a contractor to help reimagine their indoor and outdoor living spaces?
For any landscape project, plans are a must. Pen and pencil can only get you so far -- landscape design software is specifically developed to help homeowners take their ideas and turn them into reality.
Automation demo download for windows 10. Landscape design software is helpful for two reasons: It streamlines the process of drafting and collaborating on designs and facilitates the accurate representation of outdoor spaces.
Best free landscape design software in 2018
Regardless of whether you are a DIY homeowner who wants to renovate their backyard, or a professional landscape architect, designer or contractor, landscape design solutions help you predict costs, digitize plans and integrate with other free CAD software and BIM software.
The majority of the well-known landscape design systems out there — for example, VizTerra, or Idea Spectrum’s entire spectrum (heh) of solutions — come with hefty price tags. For those who don’t work in a landscape agency or who are casually dabbling in landscape projects, those high prices outweigh any benefits that individual software can provide. Thankfully, some free programs do exist. And best of all, many of those free programs come either in mobile application form or are browser-based, which is convenient when it comes to printing out or electronically sharing landscape design plans.
Additionally, free landscape design tools offer similar — though much more limited — functionality as professional landscape design software. An outstanding feature that crops up in both free and paid versions is access to a library or database of materials, hardscapes and plants. In addition, a few of the free landscape design solutions featured in the list below even provide access to materials producers and/or networks of landscapers and contractors.
TIP: Looking for more gardening and landscape guides? Learn how to make a DIY greenhouse with the best free greenhouse plans in 2019.
Most of the free landscape design tools outlined below are geared toward the homeowner or for those who will use the software in a non-commercial capacity.
These products alone have well over 270 validated user reviews on G2 Crowd as of July 25, 2018, and only represent a small portion of the 40-plus landscape design software offerings listed on our platform. Whenever possible, the products are ranked by user satisfaction score.
For each product we provide:
For products with G2 Crowd verified user reviews, we have included:
The list we’ve outlined here includes any landscape design solution with an available free offering. It should be noted that this does not include products that are only free on a temporary basis, such as limited trial versions for new users. They may only support one user or one project, but they’re truly free offerings. Scaling, however, will often require full investments.
Product reviews and G2 Crowd star ratings were updated as of July 25, 2018
1. SketchUp Free
Product Name: SketchUp
G2 Crowd Star Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars Total Number of Reviews: 267 Overview
SketchUp provides architects, designers, builders and engineers the tools to draft, model and render their ideas into reality. SketchUp Free is the free, web-based version of SketchUp Pro. With SketchUp Free, users can draw in 3D on any web browser. Additionally, the solution enables the sharing and collaboration of SketchUp free files with CAD project management tool Trimble Connect, a project management and collaboration solution tailored for the construction industry. Landscape designers can leverage SketchUp Free to turn their initial models into a dimension- and context-full design files.
Free option
Paid option
Features
Image courtesy of SketchUp
What users like
“I like the fact that SketchUp is free and easily accessible. It makes for an easily shareable resource with a low entry-level skill requirement, and a moderately high skill ceiling that rewards hard work and experimentation with results.”
— SketchUp review by Nathan A. What users dislike
“In the free 2017 version, the warehouse is gone. If you want to keep the access to the warehouse, you have to download the 2015 version. Also, you should consider having your computer geared up for best performances or rendering will lack frequently, especially when using the shadow effects on complex designs.”
-- SketchUp review by Stacy B. Recommendations for others considering the product
“Get the free version, or use a free trial and play around with it. It just takes time and practice to master the program. There are tons of videos and online resources that you can use to learn and help yourself!”
-- SketchUp review by Jacqueline D..
2. PRO Landscape Home
Product Name: PRO Landscape
G2 Crowd Star Rating: 3.3 out of 5 stars Total Number of Reviews: 4 Overview
PRO Landscape design software provides architects with the photo imaging, CAD, 3D rendering, and customer proposal drafting tools that fulfill the requirements for landscape design projects. PRO Landscape Home is the “lite,” non-commercial version of PRO Landscape, designed for homeowners. PRO Landscape Home is a mobile application that can be used on all Apple, Android and Amazon devices. While PRO Landscape Companion App is a free app, it’s only free for those who already purchased the professional landscape design software. PRO Landscape Home, on the other hand, offers almost the same features as the professional version, except the ability to edit hardscapes, create customer proposals and create 3D files.
Free option
Paid option
Features
Image courtesy of PRO Landscape
What users like
“This will speed up my design work and offer [my client and me] all the plants and accessories that are immediately available.”
-- PRO Landscape review by Julie S. What users dislike
“Compared to other harder-working software, it’s too simple.”
-- PRO Landscape review by Muhammad S. Recommendations for others considering the product
“If you need a cheaper option than CAD, it’s a combined program that mixes CAD, PhotoShop, and SketchUp all in one without needing to buy them all. For small projects only.”
-- PRO Landscape review by a user in architecture & planning 3. Kerkythea
Product Name: Solid Iris Kerkythea
G2 Crowd Star Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars Total Number of Reviews: 3 Overview
Kerkythea is a free, open-source rendering software that provides a full staging application for users to render architectural models and illustrations. It was developed as a powerful plug-in for SketchUp. Kerkythea can be used by both architectural professionals and educational institutes, as users do not need to spend any money on software licensing.
Free option
Paid option
Features
Image courtesy of Kerkythea
What users like
“I like the fact that a freeware can actually throw you back great renders and visualizations as good as the ones you can get in $1K+ softwares. I also like its compatibility. Even though it's a bit limited, you can use other free softwares like SketchUp or Blender as a ‘bridge’ to get really nice renders.” -- Kerkythea review by Roger Z.
What users dislike
“Can be slow at times. I have to remember to allow adequate rendering time.” -- Kerkythea review by Kristy G.
Recommendations for others considering the product
“Take a tutorial and play around a lot. Don't be afraid to export a lot of quick test views before doing a large file, high-resolution end view.” -- Kerkythea review by Faith B.
4. Showoff.com the Visualizer
Product Name: The Visualizer
G2 Crowd Star Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars Total Number of Reviews: 1 Overview
Showoff.com is a combination of a real estate MLS marketplace and blog that’s equipped with design tips and layouts. The site offers an online service called the Visualizer that helps you design your dream house and garden, and then offer that design up to the Showoff.com community for tips and consultation. The Visualizer is a free software application that can be installed on Windows operating systems.
Free option
Paid option
Features
Image courtesy of Showoff.com
What users like
“It's very easy to use, and a great tool for clients to be able to ‘visualize’ what the proposed design is.”
-- The Visualizer review by Raluca F. What users dislike
“Some materials don't always look very realistic and can overwhelm clients.”
-- The Visualizer review by Raluca F. 5. Lands Design
Product Name: Lands Design
G2 Crowd Star Rating: N/A
Overview
Lands Design is a free software that releases a new beta version every 90 days, taking in feedback and updating features and fixing errors. Lands Design is a landscaping design plugin for 3D modelling tool Rhino. With Lands Design, landscape designers can create realistic 3D images, virtual tours to better represent the final landscape to their clients, and draw on large libraries of plants, trees, and urban furniture.
Free option
Paid option
Features
Image courtesy of Lands End
What users say
Be the first user to write a Lands Design review!
6. Arborgold
Product Name: Arborgold
G2 Crowd Star Rating: N/A Overview
Arborgold is a comprehensive customer management, job scheduling and business management solution for service-based companies. Arborgold recently rolled out a free online landscape design tool that enables the creation of 2D landscape designs to present to clients. Arborgold’s free tool can be used by both professionals and homeowners to create and save designs. For professionals, those designs can be attached to itemized landscape proposals.
Free option
Paid option
Features
What users say
Be the first user to write an Arborgold review!
7. Plan-a-Garden
Product Name: Plan-a-Garden
G2 Crowd Star Rating: N/A
Overview
Plan-a-Garden is Better Homes & Garden’s online design-planning tool, tailored for homeowners and DIY home designers. Plan-a-Garden helps you visualize your remodeling plans before handing off those designs to a professional contractor.
Free option
Dynascape Landscape Design SoftwarePaid option
Features
What users say
Be the first user to write a Plan-a-Garden review!
8. Garden Planner
Product Name:Garden Planner
G2 Crowd Star Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars Overview
Garden Planner is an easy-to-use garden and landscape design tool. It provides users with a drag-and-drop interface that helps you arrange the visual elements of your design. Garden Planner’s designing tool is flexible and supports a 3D virtual tour walkaround.
Free option
Paid option
Features
What users say
Be the first user to write a Garden Planner review!
9. iScape App
Product Name: iScape
G2 Crowd Star Rating: N/A Overview
iScape is a landscape design application that helps homeowners, professionals and product retailers design and collaborate on outdoor living space design. With iScape, you can accurately visualize the end product before embarking on any landscape design projects. iScape is currently only available via iOS app.
Free option
Paid option
Features
Image courtesy of iScape App
What users say
Be the first user to write an iScape review!
10. DreamPlan Home Design
Product Name: DreamPlan Home Design
G2 Crowd Star Rating: N/A
Overview
DreamPlan Home Design is a home and landscape design software that helps homeowners and professionals visualize completed designs prior to redesign. DreamPlan supports designs for home and floor plans, landscape and garden plans and interior room design plans. DreamPlan provides users with an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple for anyone at any skill level to draft designs.
Free option
Paid option
Features
What users say
Be the first user to write a DreamPlan review!
11. Marshalls Garden Visualizer
Product Name: Marshalls Garden Visualizer
G2 Crowd Star Rating: N/A
Overview
Marshalls supplies landscape products to the U.K., specifically paving products and accessories. The site offers an online landscape design tool: Marshalls Garden Visualizer. Garden Visualizer provides users with a free garden planner. That limits the scope of landscape design you may use it for, but it helps you create a 3D rendering that helps you customize any aspect of your garden.
Free option
Free option
Features
Image courtesy of Marshalls
What users say
Be the first to write a Marshalls Garden Visualizer review!
12. Terragen
Product Name: Terragen
G2 Crowd Star Rating: N/A
Overview
Terragen facilitates the building, rendering and animating of realistic, natural environments. Most applications of Terragen are TV and film production, as well as visual effects purposes. And while Terragen is a bit more comprehensive — as it’s a realistic, natural environment rendering solution — than other landscape design softwares, users are empowered to place photorealistic environments into whatever design you’re creating.
Dynascape Design Software Download
Free option
Paid option
Features
What users say
Be the first user to write a Terragen review!
13. Designor BuddyProduct Name: Designor Buddy
G2 Crowd Star Rating: N/A
Overview
Designor Buddy is free, open-source landscape designing software. It is built on top of the OpenOffice Draw program and provides the ability to integrate landscape images into 2D drawings. OpenOffice Draw is one of Apache’s OpenOffice modules, which enables the production of simple diagrams and dynamic 3D illustrations.
Free optionDynascape Design Software Free
Paid option
Features
What users say
Be the first user to write a Designor Buddy review!
Next steps for selecting a best free landscape design software
For both professional landscape designers and homeowners who have a landscape design itch, completely free solutions — not just software that offers free trials or demos — are scarce. However, if you’re willing to go barebones, the aforementioned free landscape design tools are helpful for the beginning stages of your landscape design journey.
Be prepared with what exactly your requirements are, whether you want sharing capabilities and which integrations or third-party software those free tools support. Once you identify those “must-have,” “good-to-have,” and “do-not-need” elements, you’ll be in a very good position to narrow down the available offerings and select the best free landscape design software for your needs.
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* Please note: Reviews may have been edited for spelling and grammar.
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