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Best Free Alternatives to Home Designer Pro
Stop paying $500/yr. Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: Home DesignVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
Sweet Home 3D
Best Truly Free Offline Alternative
Why we like it
100% free; cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux); allows for simultaneous 2D/3D editing; supports importing 3D models in OBJ, DAE, and LWS formats.
Keep in mind
Lacks the automated framing and structural calculation tools found in Home Designer Pro; interface is functional but dated.
Floorplanner
FREEBest for Browser-Based Design
Why we like it
No installation required; features a massive library of 260,000+ 3D models; 'Magic Layout' can furnish entire rooms in one click; free for personal/casual use.
Keep in mind
The free tier limits you to one 'Project Level' (Standard resolution); high-res 8K renders require credits.
Houseplan 1.0
FREEBest Professional 3D Workflow
Why we like it
High-performance real-time rendering engine; specifically built for 3D modeling of houses and apartments; allows publishing designs as standalone .exe files for clients.
Keep in mind
Windows only; newer to the market so community-driven tutorials are fewer than for SketchUp.
Cedreo (Free Tier)
FREEBest for Photorealistic Renders
Why we like it
Extremely fast learning curve; allows you to draw a full house in under 2 hours; the free version includes one active project with full 3D rendering capabilities.
Keep in mind
Proprietary; the free tier is very restrictive on the number of projects; more of a 'Sales/Marketing' tool than a 'Construction/Framing' tool.
Planner 5D
FREEBest for AI Assistance
Why we like it
Uses AI to convert 2D floor plan photos or sketches into 3D models instantly; supports AR/VR walkthroughs; accessible on web, iOS, and Android.
Keep in mind
Many high-quality textures and items are locked behind a premium subscription; exports in the free version are lower resolution.
SmartDraw
FREEBest for Technical Blueprints
Why we like it
Excellent for 2D technical drawings, including electrical and plumbing layers; integrates with AI tools for layout generation; includes 4,500+ templates.
Keep in mind
Lacks the 'immersive' 3D walkthrough experience of Home Designer Pro; primarily a 2D-first CAD tool.
SketchUp Free
FREEBest for Custom Creativity
Why we like it
Unmatched freedom to build custom furniture or architectural details; the 3D Warehouse provides millions of free pre-built components.
Keep in mind
Web version does not support plugins/extensions; lacks the automated roof and wall framing tools of Home Designer Pro.
HomeByMe
FREEBest for Interior Styling
Why we like it
Features a catalog of actual branded furniture (IKEA, etc.); produces high-quality HD images; very user-friendly community-sharing features.
Keep in mind
Can be hardware-intensive in the browser; limited architectural 'structural' tools (like foundation or terrain editing).
FreeCAD (Arch Workbench)
Best for Parametric BIM
Why we like it
The Arch Workbench is a 100% free BIM tool; handles IFC files for professional architectural collaboration; fully parametric modeling.
Keep in mind
Steep learning curve; less 'automated' than Home Designer—you have to manually define many architectural relationships.
Live Home 3D (Free)
FREEBest for Mac/iPad Users
Why we like it
Native app that is highly optimized for Apple Silicon; supports AR walkthroughs; intuitive 2D-to-3D workspace.
Keep in mind
The free version has limited export options and furniture catalogs; requires a Pro license for advanced lighting and terrain tools.
LibreCAD
Best for 2D Drafting
Why we like it
Totally free 2D CAD; perfect for users who just need to draw clear, accurate floor plans without 3D bloat; lightweight enough for old computers.
Keep in mind
No 3D visualization or rendering; no automated architectural objects (walls/doors).
Blender (Archimesh)
Best for Visual Grandeur
Why we like it
Professional-grade rendering (Cycles); Archimesh/Archipack add-ons provide parametric walls and windows; 100% free and extremely powerful.
Keep in mind
The most difficult to learn; requires an 'artist' mindset rather than a 'builder' mindset.
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