Choosing the right exterior design software can change how you approach your projects. For professionals like architects, builders, remodelers, and designers, having the right tools is critical to streamline workflows, visualize ideas, and impress clients.
So whether you’re designing a modern landscape design, updating a classic home’s exterior elements, or crafting stunning outdoor play spaces, the best exterior design software helps you to bring your design ideas to life while saving you time and money you can invest back into your business.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top exterior design software options for 2025 to help you choose the right one for your projects.
How to Choose the Best Exterior Home Design Software
There are so many design software options to choose from, but not all will deliver equally accessible, easy-to-use, and effective features and functionalities.
Here are some important features to look for in a modern program.
Simple Interface
The best software should be easy to navigate, even for first-time users. So look for drag-and-drop functionality, pre-built templates, and a clean, intuitive interface to streamline your workflow and save time on every project.
The best interface lets you do in just a few minutes what it would take hours to do with other programs.
Extensive Library of Materials and Various Customization Options
A comprehensive design library lets you bring any design vision to life – whether it’s a beach house or a suburban town home. You need features like realistic textures for walls and roofs to customizable features like doors and windows. The ability to adapt designs to meet specific client preferences is a must-have.
So look for a program with a large selection of various materials as well as the ability to customize them to the house you’re working on.
Advanced Rendering Capabilities
Photorealistic rendering helps you present polished designs that impress clients and land you more jobs. Tools with 3D rendering capabilities make it easy for you to showcase every angle of your project, including lighting, landscaping, and exterior finishes.
When your client sees their space in a 3D picture they can decide faster on design options.
IMPORTANT! – Some 3D architectural design tools can produce nice images with realistic textures and complex renderings. Just be sure to double-check how easy the tool is to use. Some rendering programs require extensive experience working with 3D models or a similar program.
Terrain Modeling and Landscaping Tools
For projects on uneven lots or with extensive outdoor features, a terrain modeling tool is essential. You need a program with the ability to add slopes and elevation changes.
Also, for creating professional exterior designs, look for a tool with a huge library of landscaping features like plants, pathways, and outdoor elements.
Accurate Plans for Construction
Accurate site plans, elevations, and construction drawings are important for the building phase. So choose a program that includes built-in tools for printing plans to scale, adding dimensions and markups to blueprints, and creating professional site plan documents.
Collaboration and Presentation Features
Sharing designs with clients and teams should be easy. That’s why more pros go with a cloud-based program with features like real-time collaboration, 3D images, and easy file export options to streamline communication with your team and clients.
Cost and Scalability
Whether you’re an individual designer or part of a team, the right program should fit your budget and grow with your company. Compare pricing tiers and consider whether free trials or flexible subscription options are available.
Support and Resources
Accessible customer support, tutorials, and training resources can make a huge difference in reducing the learning curve. Before deciding on a program, check their reviews to see how easy it is to contact a real human from their support team. That ensures your projects don’t get delayed.
Those are the top features to look for in an exterior design tool. So which program has the best combination of those features?
We think you’ll like the first choice in our next section. It’s one that more housing professionals are switching to.ssible.
7 Best Home Exterior Design Software
Beginning your search for good exterior home design software? Here are some options.
1. Cedreo
Cedreo is one of the easiest to use, yet powerful design software available. It has professional-grade tools while still being easy to use for complete beginners. Thousands of home builders or general contractors are switching to Cedreo for the planning and design phase of their jobs. Unlike other software, you can create complex house designs, complete with 3D models, in as little as two hours!
Whether you want to complete professional blueprints, functional 2D layouts, 3D floor plans, or beautiful photorealistic renderings of your exterior design, Cedreo has the perfect combination of features.
Real user review: “This software takes a lot of the guess work out of the actual rendering and creation of the basics. The prebuilt textures, furnishings, and landscaping are a huge time saver.” – Maria
Key features:
- Free version: Cedreo has a free version, so you can test out the program and experience its user-friendly design before you commit to a plan.
- Easy-to-use tools: Cedreo was engineered to support building professionals with little-to-no 3D design experience. So even if you’re new to 3D programs, Cedreo lets you do more while making your work easier.
- Intuitive site plan creation: Cedreo’s site plan software makes it easy to map out exterior layouts. Whether it’s lot boundaries, driveways, or pathways, you can quickly create a detailed site layout.
Advanced terrain modeling: Designing for sloped lots or uneven terrain? Cedreo’s terrain modeling tools let you adjust for contours and elevation changes, so you know you can make accurate designs that reflect real-world conditions.
Landscaping made easy: Cedreo offers a vast library of landscaping features, including plants, pergolas, water features, and hardscaping materials for creating 3D landscape designs.
Stunning exterior lighting: Highlight architectural features and outdoor areas with Cedreo’s customizable exterior lighting tools. Experiment with different fixtures and placements to achieve the perfect ambiance for any design. Then create a 3D image with realistic lighting effects.
Professional presentation documents: Get the documents you need for permitting and client approval.
Realistic home exterior designs: Cedreo simplifies the process of designing house exteriors. Customize siding, roofing, windows, and doors with a huge variety of materials and textures.
Quick and high-quality renderings: With Cedreo, you can generate photorealistic 3D renderings in 5 minutes. Imagine showing clients a realistic image of the finished result even before you’ve started construction!
Cloud-based technology: Cedreo is an online exterior design tool that runs on any desktop web browser. That means you can use it anywhere you have a laptop and wifi. You don’t have to worry about your computer getting bogged down with a large program. Even when you create a 3D picture, the cloud servers do the heavy lifting so you get renderings faster.
- Unparalleled support: Cedreo is a company known for excellent customer service. Its product support resources are world class. In addition to an extensive knowledge base, all paying customers have access to a dedicated Success Manager they can contact anytime via phone, email, or chat if they have questions or concerns.
Cedreo has a variety of plans and pricing options available to suit every contractor’s needs.
Sign up now to start using the free version of Cedreo.
2. Floorplanner
Floorplanner is a software that focuses on interior design but has additional functionality for exterior house design. The program can be used by homeowners, builders, real estate agents, furniture retailers, and more. This makes it less specialized than some of the options available on this list but allows a wider range of professionals to take advantage of its features.
Real user review: “I like how intuitive it is to use. I also like the interface, it looks great. I like the choice of models in the library (but there should be more!)” – Etienne
Key features:
- Free version: Floorplanner has a free version, but this option only allows you to design a single floor of a home. This makes it less suitable for exterior house plans. Upgrading to higher tiered membership will unlock more features, but the price point is higher than some other options on this list with similar functionalities.
- Functionality: Floorplanner has a wide range of furnishing options, which makes it ideal for real estate and interior design applications. It can also produce renderings in 8K (with the highest subscription tier).
- Good support: While Floorplanner offers great support in the form of videos, blog posts, and weekly webinars, they don’t provide one-on-one training. They have a support team that can be contacted via message.
Floorplanner subscriptions go from $5 per month, all the way up to $599 per month for the Enterprise plan. The low end of the plans are inexpensive, but keep in mind you will need to buy extra credits to open more projects and get higher quality renderings.
3. ProVia Exterior Design Center
ProVia Exterior Design Center is a web-based platform for designing home exteriors. The platform is ideal for aesthetic design and not suitable for layouts or blueprints. It is a great option for those in the early stages of home design who want to select paint colors, door styles, and window types.
Key features:
Free to use: The platform is accessible and free to anyone with a desktop computer.Locate products: Paint colors, roofing, siding, and other coverings found in ProVia can be purchased in the real world, making it easy for your customers to select their paint and more from the comfort of their own homes.
Simple interface: Almost anyone can use ProVia, as it is a web-based application with a drag-and-drop design.
Support: ProVia provides support and educational resources that go beyond their product. Their videos provide information about paint, siding, and more. While they don’t have a designated support team, you can contact them via email with questions.
Sign up to use ProVia now or download the free app.
4. Sweet Home 3D
Another free option, Sweet Home 3D is a basic 2D and 3D home planning software. Users can draw the home, select from a limited furnishing library, and choose from various appliances. Although basic, it is a good solution for homeowners who are just beginning to design a home or remodeling plan.
Real User Review: “This software has amazing innovative features for such a small price.”
Key features:
Support gallery: Sweet Home 3D’s gallery section provides users with visual guides and examples for how to use its features.
Completely free: Sweet Home 3D is free to download and use, so anyone can download, log on, and start designing.
Simple features and functionalities: While the capabilities of this software are more limited, it is easy to use, even for beginners.
5. HomeByMe
HomeByMe is a software that allows users to create 2D floorplans and 3D visualizations of both interior and exterior home designs. It is an affordable option for homeowners looking for more functionality than what is available with free software. Professionals who want to provide examples to clients can also benefit from some of HomeByMe’s tools.
Key features:
- Free version: HomeByMe has a free version, a hobbyist version, and a professional version.
- Good variety of features: The software provides all the basic features you need to draw a home and generate a 3D rendering to show clients.
- Easy to use: The HomeByMe pro version provides unique design services for creating an accurate floorplan that you can then furnish and decorate on your own.
HomeByMe has a limited version of its software available for only $29 per month. Its unlimited version is available for $65 per month. The affordability of this software makes it an ideal solution for homeowners and hobbyists.
6. Dream Plan
DreamPlan is an exterior home design software that also provides interior design capabilities. It is a good solution for homeowners because it is free for noncommercial use. The software is available for download and can be used to draw landscaping, pools, patios, decks, and home exteriors.
Key features:
Free for noncommercial use: The software was not intended for commercial use, but its features are ideal for homeowners and hobbyists.
Easy to use: Because it was engineered for beginners, the features are intuitive and simple.
Good features: Users can plant trees, gardens, and other landscaping features. They can also reshape outdoor terrain, visualize pools, and design backyard layouts.
7. SketchUp
SketchUp is a popular software for professional designers, architects, and 3D graphic design pros. It has a long list of sophisticated features and as a result, is recommended for those with design and engineering experience.
Real user review: “With a combination of commands and plugins you a do a lot in a very short time and be easily integrated with a number or render software like V-ray and lumion.” – Emil
Key features:
Robust tools and features: SketchUp offers some of the best features for architects and engineers including 3D modeling, report generation, and advanced customization abilities. Some of the features are unnecessary for use by professionals other than engineers and architects and will require some training to use.
Good support: The subscription offers a good variety of support options including video tutorials, blog posts, beginner training videos, and user guides. They also have support available via the SketchUp community.
Multi-stage design: Similar to Cedreo, SketchUp users can create accurate blueprints and 3D renderings, covering multiple stages of a single project.
In 2025, SketchUp commercial plans start at $17.99/month for limited use and $49.99/month for professional access. Keep in mind that to get some 3D rendering and blueprinting functionalities, you will have to purchase add-ons and extensions.
Which Exterior Design Software is Right For You?
Every project is different and will benefit from a different type of design software. Homeowners with no design or construction experience can get by with simple, free, web-based software.
But for builders, remodelers, and designers like you, Cedreo stands out as a top option! Cedreo is the best exterior design software that lets you create accurate blueprints, precise 2D plans, and stunning photorealistic 3D visualizations all in under two hours.
And don’t forget these other useful features for exterior designs:
- Terrain modeling
- Huge list of exterior design elements and models — windows, greenery, roofing, etc.
- Exterior lighting visualizations
- Professional presentation and construction documents
- Site plans
- World class support from real humans!
Sign up to start using the free version of Cedreo today.
