In this article, we are going to list the best free landscape design software tool available online. All these landscape design software has been nominated the best by the users.
Who hasn’t watched an episode of a home flipping or home renovation TV show and wanted to immediately find a contractor to help reimagine their living spaces indoors and outdoors?
Quick list:
- Sketch Free
- Gardena’s My Garden
- Plan-A-Garden
- ISCAPE App
- DreamPlan Home Design
- Showoff.com
According to anestwithayard.com, plans are a must for any landscape project. Pen and pencil can only get you so far. The landscape design software is designed specifically to help homeowners take their ideas and make them a fact.
Landscape design software is valuable for two reasons: it streamlines the design process and collaborates on projects and encourages realistic outdoor area representation.
Whether you’re a Novice homeowner who wants to renovate their garden, or a skilled landscape architect, planner, or contractor, landscape design tools will help you forecast prices, digitize designs, and align with other online CAD software and BIM apps.
The best of the well-known landscape design solutions out there — VizTerra, for starters, or the entire spectrum of Idea Range. And best of all, many of those free programs either come in a mobile application type or are browser-based, which is handy when it comes to printing out or uploading landscape design plans online.
Free landscape design apps often provide identical-though much more restricted-functionality as professional software for landscape design. Exposure to a catalogue or collection of books, hardscapes and plants is an excellent function that crops up in both free and paid editions. Additionally, some of the free landscape design solutions featured in the list below even give access to landscapers and contractors ‘ materials producers and/or networks.
For each product we provide:
- an overview
- Highlighted features
- Free and paid options details
We have included:
- G2 Crowd star rating reviews for products with G2 Crowd
- verified user reviews highlighting what users like and dislike
- user recommendations for these considering the product
The list that we have outlined here includes any landscape design solution with a free offer available. It should be remembered that this does not cover items that are only momentarily safe, for example, restricted preview options for new users. We can only support one individual or one initiative, but they are services that are truly free. However, scaling often demands full investment.
Sketchup
SketchUp provides the tools to plan, develop, and make their designs a reality for artists, designers, builders, and engineers. SketchUp Free is SketchUp Pro’s free, web-based Version. Users can draw 3D on any web browser with SketchUp Free. The software also allows free SketchUp files to be exchanged and partnered with CAD project management platform Trimble Connect, project management, and collaboration application geared to the construction industry. Landscape designers can leverage SketchUp Free to turn their initial models into a design file full of dimensions and context.
Free option:
- SketchUp free is a modelling tool based Web-browser version.
- SketchUp is also free for schools, but can only be downloaded via the G Suite for Education platform, and its files can only be stored on Google Drive.
Paid option
SketchUp Pro is the tool’s software version; it is more efficient, more customizable, and more shareable. The non-expiring license costs $695, but you can try a free version.
Features
- 3D Modeling
- Trimble Connect
- Rendering
- Support for most Web browsers and operating systems
Pro Landscape, Free Landscape Design Software
PRO Landscape design program offers architects with digital modelling, Modelling, 3D visualization, and client application design tools to satisfy landscape design project specifications. PRO Landscape Home is PRO Landscape’s “light,” non-commercial edition for homeowners. PRO Landscape Home is a mobile application that can be used on both devices running IOS, Android, and Amazon. Although the PRO Landscape Companion App is a free application, it is only free for those who have already downloaded the advanced program for designing landscapes.
Free version
PRO Landscape Home is the free, “lite” PRO Landscape version. For both iOS and Android, the Companion App is free to download. Nonetheless, for those who have already downloaded PRO Landscape, it is only optional.
Paid version
PRO Landscape: $1,496 Custom-quoted education pricing is eligible for PRO Landscape
Features
- Creation of photographic imaging and CAD designs
- the object image library
- Plant database lookup function “Find a Professional”
Kerkythea
Kerkythea is a free, open-source modelling software that allows users to create architectural models and drawings through a complete staging framework. It was developed as a potent SketchUp plug-in. Kerkythea can be used by architecture practitioners as well as educational institutions, as consumers do not need to spend any money on licensing applications.
Free option
- Free to download
Paid option
- N/A
Features
- Provides a special framework for making Global lighting
- rendering engine
- Provides a catalogue of products, plants, photographs of the ecosystem
Showoff.com, Free Landscape Design Software
Showoff.com is a combination of an MLS real estate marketplace and a blog that has design tips and layouts on it. The website provides an online service called the Visualizer that helps you design your dream house and garden and then provides tips and consultation for the Showoff.com community. The Visualizer is a free application of software which can be mounted on Windows operating systems.
Free option
- Free via this download link.
Paid option
- N/A
Features
- Database of elements, photos, setups, and materials
- Community forum
Lands design
Lands Design is free software that releases a new beta version every 90 days, with feedback and update features and error fixing. Lands Development is a plugin for 3D modelling technology Rhino to develop landscaping. With Lands Design, landscape designers can build accurate 3D images, virtual tours to better represent their clients ‘ final environment, and draw on a large plant, treetop, and urban furniture collections.
Paid option
- Not available
Free option
- Only in Beta mode
Features
- Plant species database
- Freeform landscape modelling
- Virtual tour creator
- AutoCAD file supporting tool editing
Arborgold
Arborgold is a comprehensive solution for service-based businesses in customer management, job scheduling, and business management. Recently, Arborgold rolled out a free online landscape design tool that allows customers to create 2D landscape designs to present them. The free tool Arborgold can be used to create and save designs by both professionals and homeowners. Such plans can be added to comprehensive landscape ideas for practitioners.
Free option
- A free account can be requested at sales@arborgold.com.
Paid option
Arborgold’s paying services go beyond simple solutions for landscape design; they are detailed solutions for operation/business management
- Sprout: $59/month
- Entrepreneur: $99/month
- Premium: $149/month
- Ultimate: $179/month
Features
- Job site illustrations
- Library of plants, lighting, and hardscape
- Import of photos and geo-satellite images
- Freehand drawing
Plan a Garden
Plan-a-Garden is the online space planning tool for Better Homes & Garden, targeted to homeowners and interior planners from DIY. This is counted among the best free landscape design software tools. Plan-a-Garden allows you to imagine the dreams for remodelling before turning them over to a skilled contractor.
Free Choice
- Online browser-based application
Paid Alternative
- N / A
Compatibility
- Plant and Hardcover website
Garden Planner
Garden Planner is an easy to use tool for the garden and landscape design. It provides a drag-and-drop interface for users to help arrange the visual elements of your design. The design platform for Garden Planner is versatile and facilitates a simulated walkaround 3D ride.
Free option
- There is a free license for charities, for non-profits and for schools.
Paid option
- One-time fee of $46
Features
- Plant catalogue and entity symbols
- Drag-and-drop GUI
- Enables field notes
- Free future updates
iScape App
iScape is an application designing landscapes that help homeowners, professionals, and product retailers design and collaborate in the design of living spaces. You will imagine the end product specifically with iScape before embarking on any landscape design ventures. Currently, iScape is only available via iOS.
Free option
- Free iOS device, can allow purchases made in-app.
Paid option
- Not applicable
Features
- Easy to use design tools
- Sharing capabilities Image, plant and materials database
- Provides inventory availability via iScape partners
13 Best Free Landscape Design Software Tools in 2021
DreamPlan Home Design is a software for home and landscape design that helps homeowners and professionals visualize completed designs before redesigning. DreamPlan embraces home and floor designs, landscape and garden plans, and interior design plans for the house. DreamPlan provides users with a user-friendly interface, which makes drafting designs easy for anyone at any skill level.
Free version
- Free for all
Paid version
- It is available for $40
Features
- Blueprint view mode 3D and 2D rendering
- Supports both Windows and Mac operating systems
Marshalls
Marshalls provides the UK with landscape goods, especially paving items and accessories. Counted as the best free landscape design software, the site offers an online tool for the design of landscapes: Marshalls Garden Visualizer. Landscape Visualizer offers a downloadable landscape planner for consumers. This limits the scope of the landscape design with which you may be using it, but it allows you to construct a 3D model that will allow you to transform every part of your environment.
Free option
- This link is free to download but only on Firefox or Safari browsers.
Paid option
- N/A
Features
- Easy
- 3D visualization Catalog of paving goods and materials
- The network of licensed installers
Terragen
Terragen allows the design, creation, and animation of true, natural surroundings. Terragen’s most applications are for the production of TV and film, as well as for visual effects. And while Terragen is a touch more robust — since it is a practical, natural environment rendering tool— than other applications for landscape design, users are encouraged to bring photorealistic landscapes into whatever design you make.
Free version
- There is a free licensing option available for educational use, at registrations@planetside.co.uk upon request.
Paid version
- Terragen 4 Creative: $349
- Terragen 4 Professional: $699
Features
- Realistic environment interface
- Realistic lighting uses item creation by the terrain editor
Designer Buddy | Best Free Landscape Design Software
Designer Buddy is a free software building open source landscape. It is built on top of the OpenOffice Draw software, which allows for the incorporation of landscape photographs into 2D drawings. OpenOffice Draw is one of the OpenOffice modules of Apache, which allows simple diagrams and dynamic 3D illustrations to be produced.
Free option
- Free to download
Paid option
- N/A
Features
- The ability to scale
- Layers (similar to Photoshop)
- Library of plants, hardscapes, and materials
Fully free solutions–not just software that offers free trials or demos–are scarce for both professional landscape designers and homeowners who have a landscape design itch. If you are willing to go barebones, however, the aforementioned free landscape design tools are useful for the early stages of your landscape design journey.
Prepare yourself for just what your specifications are, whether you want collaboration features, and which integrations or third-party apps help such free tools. If you recognize the items “must-have,” “easy-to-have,” and “do – not-need,” you will be in a very good position to narrow down the options and choose the best free environment.