Landscape design software encompasses a wide range of options that cater to everyone from the casual hobbyist to the tech-savvy enterprise. With its diverse and expansive offerings, there is something for every level of expertise and interest in this field.
Whether you’re a homeowner embarking on a new DIY project, a contractor running a small operation, or the owner of a large landscaping firm specializing in custom pools, finding the best landscape design software is crucial. It should cater to your specific requirements, seamlessly integrate with your existing tech stack, and be within your budget.
Here we will explore a range of options, encompassing both free landscape design software and the professional tools necessary to impress clients and increase productivity.
9 Best Landscape Design Software
Finding the best landscape design software starts with defining a few key factors — your target use case, goals, experience, and what kind of infrastructure you’re working with.
With that in mind, here are nine landscape design software solutions that are worth exploring. Each of these options is specifically tailored to meet different sets of requirements.
1. Cedreo
Best for: Landscape designers, architects, contractors, home builders, remodelers.
Overview: Cedreo is a cutting-edge 3D platform for home and landscape design. It empowers landscape professionals, builders, interior designers, and architects to effortlessly create comprehensive design proposals in under two hours. With its intuitive interface, users can craft stunning designs without the steep learning curve associated with traditional BIM or CAD solutions commonly used in the industry.
While not designed explicitly for landscape professionals, Cedreo offers a number of features that cater to the needs of this group — think exterior 3D renderings and 2D drafting tools that can be used to design patios, decks, pools, and the perfect garden.
Cedreo empowers landscape professionals to seamlessly collaborate with clients and colleagues while effectively promoting their business through personalized visual presentations. Whether online or in-person, Cedreo offers a versatile platform for showcasing their expertise and captivating their audience.
Key features:
- Generate 2D and 3D floor plans (or exterior layouts), blueprints, and photorealistic renderings of backyards, patios, decks, and more
- Draw property boundaries, lawns, driveways, and borders, and Cedreo’s area calculator will automatically update your design to reflect changes as you make them.
- Access Cedreo’s product catalog of 7,000+ materials, plants, coverings, hardscapes, and outdoor decor
- Customize outdoor lighting, sun orientation, and even add cars and characters to further personalize client presentations
- Draw and print to scale, get area calculations, and save your favorite templates for reuse
- Collaborate with clients & teammates — share files directly from the app or via email, text, or social
Pricing:
There are four plans available to users; the first is a free plan that gives 1 user 1 project to work on, with 5 renderings. The free version also has limited furniture and materials for the use to work with.
The first paid plan is called “Personal” and is $119 per project. This gives 1 user access to 1 project, with 20 renderings and unlimited use of furniture and materials. It also allows users to download blueprints and watermarked renderings.
The “Pro” plan is $99.17 per month, billed annually. This allows 1 user access to an unlimited amount of projects with 40 renderings per month.
Finally, the “Enterprise” plan comes in at $124.17 per month billed annually. An unlimited amount of users can access an unlimited amount of projects and has all of the features that Cedreo has to offer. Click here to get started.
2. VizTerra
Best for: Landscape designers, pool designers
Overview: VizTerra is an innovative landscape design platform that empowers users to effortlessly create stunning 3D presentations, detailed blueprints, and precise instructions that contractors can seamlessly implement on the job.
We found that while customer reviews were generally positive, there were some recurring “cons” you should know about before you commit. For one, because it’s an on-premise solution, the software requires a lot of RAM. Some customers complained about poor support, outdated graphics, and a “clunky” user experience.
It’s also worth noting that while VizTerra is designed for landscape professionals, it doesn’t replace traditional CAD tools — it complements them, offering a user-friendly platform that helps designers customize plans, collaborate with clients, and sell their services.
Key features:
- Toggle between 2D and 3D design modes
- Design from GIS surveyed terrain data, AutoCAD files, and site maps
- Wood deck design tool
- Instant dimensions
- 3D object library with thousands of customizable plants, furniture, materials, and outdoor decor
- Import site maps
Pricing:
Plans start at $97 per month. While there’s no free version available, VizTerra does offer a free trial.
You can also opt for one of Structure Studio’s higher plans, like “Pool Studio” for $147, and “VIP3D for $197, both include all of VizTerra’s features.
3. iScape
Best for: Landscapers, contractors, homeowners (with different plans available for different user groups).
Overview: iScape is an iPhone app that aims to help homeowners and professionals design on the go, collaborate with clients, and win more deals. It also promises to help designers avoid the issues that cause delays, waste resources, and eat into profit margins.
iScape’s visualization and planning features help landscape designers show clients what the final project will look like, before it begins. It’s a powerful sales tool that allows users to generate AR presentations, detailed proposals, and even manage incoming leads. That said, the app is available only on iOS devices and you can’t export your designs to share on other devices.
Furthermore, even the most devoted Apple enthusiasts may perceive this application as rather rudimentary to function independently. In essence, it is most suitable for design professionals seeking a mobile solution to complement their current technology arsenal and elevate interactions with clients and prospects.
Key features:
- 2D & 3D AR design & presentation tools
- Object library with access to thousands of hardscapes, plants, and outdoor decor
- Proposal tools
- Ability to upload images from your camera and start designing
- Pro Designer network
- Sharing and collaborating options
Pricing: Free plan available to homeowners and hobbyists with limited access to features and the in-app object library. Pro plans are $29.99 per month and offer access to all features, and Enterprise pricing is available upon request and comes with multiple licenses, premium support, customizations, and integrations.
4. Idea Spectrum Realtime Landscaping Plus
Best for: Landscape designers, architects, remodelers, pool/hardscape designers.
Overview: Idea Spectrum Realtime Landscaping Plus is an on-premise professional landscape software solution that integrates with existing CAD tools and enables users to quickly generate designs with no prior design experience.
To ensure optimal performance of Idea Spectrum, which is hosted locally, it is important to have sufficient RAM and computing power on your system. Users have mentioned that running the program on devices with low battery can result in slower processing time. Therefore, it is advisable to have an outlet nearby during landscaping sessions. By taking these precautions, you can enhance the efficiency of the software and enjoy a seamless experience.
As it stands, the 2023 release is available only for Windows 10 or 11, with no version currently available for Mac. They also do not advise using any virtual machines or parallels to run the software
Idea Spectrum Realtime Landscaping provides an extensive range of features that design professionals will find valuable. However, it falls short in terms of flexibility, regular updates, and support that you would find in a cloud platform.
Key features:
- Access to the in-app library with 5,700+ plants and thousands of realistic materials and elements, such as mulch, brick, concrete, stone, and lighting
- Design driveways, patios, fences, and paths
- Add houses with in-app “House Wizard”
- Easy cost estimation tool with integrated project materials lists
- Share designs via email, upload to your site/socials, download, or print
- Next-generation graphics, “UltraRes” plant models, and 3D people and animals
Pricing:
Plus: $149 for the full product, with upgrades available for $79.
The Pro version is $279, and the Architect version is $599 (all products were released in 2023, and there are consistent upgrades available on the website).
A free trial is available to download on the website for each plan.
5. Garden Planner
Best for: Homeowners, DIY-ers, amateur designers.
Overview: Garden Planner is an easy-to-use, affordable landscape design platform that allows users to create simple designs using a drag-and-drop editor and built-in object library. The Vegetable Patch Builder is one of its standout features, allowing users to plan vegetable gardens using a simple grid layout.
Although Garden Planner is not cloud-based, all updates are provided free of charge to users who purchase the full version of the software. There is no obligation to subscribe monthly or make in-app purchases to access “premium” features. This ensures a cost-effective and hassle-free experience for users.
However, it’s important to consider that the quality of a product or service often aligns with its price point. If you are seeking a straightforward tool to assist in the planning of a backyard vegetable patch or community garden, Garden Planner proves to be a reliable choice. Homeowners can greatly benefit from this tool as it facilitates effective communication of their vision to professional landscapers, ensuring that desired outcomes are achieved.
But, it’s also worth noting that it probably won’t meet the needs of a professional landscape designer. All planning is in 2D, there’s no photorealistic rendering functionality, and it can’t automatically calculate dimensions or elevations. The graphics also feel outdated — so Garden Planner probably isn’t a great option for anyone who needs to put together client presentations.
Key features:
- Flexible drag-and-drop editor
- 2D garden planning, with the option to add notes and generate a list of plants
- In-app library with 1,200+ plants and object symbols
- Drawing and design tools
- “Vegetable Patch” Builder
Pricing: $38 for full version. All future upgrades are free, and users have the option to download a demo before they commit. Garden Planner also offers educational licenses with support for up to 500 computers.
6. PRO Landscape
Best for: Landscape design, and construction and renovation projects
Overview: PRO Landscape is an advanced landscape design software that empowers users to create and share stunning designs seamlessly across devices and locations. The app effortlessly captures images of the actual site, allowing you to enhance it with a variety of plants, pathways, and pavements. Impress your clients by presenting multiple options tailored to their preferences.
It is worth noting that while PRO Landscape is a “pro solution,” it’s not an all-in-one tool for landscapers, architects, or anyone else dealing in exterior design.
The official website positions it as more of a sales tool, designed to help users win deals with compelling imagery and detailed proposals.
It does come with CAD tools that enable users to create scaled drawings, import CAD files, surveys, and Google Earth images, and draw from your own set of measurements. However, it’s not a replacement for the heavy-duty tools design pros use to manage client accounts and projects, collaborate across department lines, and generate data-driven plans.
Unfortunately, this platform lacks substantial reviews, which hinders obtaining a comprehensive understanding of its usefulness for professional landscape designers or how real users integrate it into their work. Nonetheless, PRO Landscape boasts remarkable features such as plant growth simulations, 3D renderings, and proposal generation. So it is undoubtedly worth taking it for a spin.
Key features:
- Photo imaging tools — 3D renderings, “movies,” lighting design, free image service
- CAD tools such as automatic render modes, one-click plant legends, and customizable symbols and patterns
- Access to in-app image library containing 18,000+ plants, climates, hardscapes, and outdoor furniture and decor
- Proposal generation and management tools
- Companion app for iOS and Android
Pricing:
PRO Landscape is $1,495, and is only available on Windows. It can be installed on 2 computers and also gives access to the Companion tablet app on one 1 tablet. There is a demo that can be requested on the website to test out the software before fully committing.
7. Total 3D Landscape & Deck Deluxe
Best for: DIY-ers, individual home owners, small businesses (internal use only)
Overview: Total 3D Landscape & Deck Deluxe is an affordable landscape and deck design tool built with simplicity in mind. This application is designed for total beginners — think casual plant hobbyists or first-time DIY-ers.
Total 3D Landscape & Deck Deluxe can be a suitable choice for individual homeowners or small businesses seeking basic functionality for simple projects. Although the interface may appear somewhat outdated, this software eliminates the need to navigate the learning curve associated with CAD tools or more advanced drag-and-drop options, making it user-friendly and accessible.
For professional landscapers, designers, or architects seeking advanced features and superior graphics, it may be advisable to explore alternative solutions. The platform’s nostalgic Windows 95 aesthetic is unlikely to contribute to closing deals. Moreover, it lacks crucial professional functionalities such as 3D renderings, cost estimations, collaboration tools, and quick-start templates.
Still, we could see organizations embrace this as an internal tool (especially if landscape design isn’t a core part of their business) based on its ease of use and low price point.
Key features:
- Plant encyclopedia with 4,600+ varieties, with ability to filter results by 20 different characteristics
- Ability to import your own objects (i.e. your existing backyard furniture or hardscapes) from digital photos
- Scan and trace blueprints
- Smart YardBlock (drag-and-drop tool for mapping decks, lawns, pools, etc.)
- Color-coded design plans (so you can easily ID elements like fences, plants, and furniture)
Pricing: One time payment of $19.99 for the Deluxe version or $29.99 for the Premium version, which comes with more advanced features like custom sun orientation, deck and patio design tools, and the ability to incorporate topographical elements into your plans.
8. Pool Studio
Best for: Designing swimming pools.
Overview: Pool Studio is an all-in-one 3D pool design solution that allows users to draft 2D plans, present concepts in 3D, and generate detailed construction plans.
Unfortunately, Pool Studio is not compatible with Mac OS. Its features primarily revolve around pools and their immediate surroundings, such as patios, decks, and walkways.
For PC users with a focus on designing and constructing pools, including ponds and other water features, Pool Studio could be a suitable option. However, for those operating outside of this specific niche, we would suggest exploring more versatile tools that cater to a wider range of requirements.
This tool comes with some impressive features — it’s just a little too specific for anyone who isn’t a pool designer or koi pond specialist.
Key features:
- Design pools, koi ponds, and water features — as well as decks, patios, and some outdoor hardscapes
- Real-time interactive visualizations, MP4 video renderings
- Import CAD files and SketchUp projects
- Access 3D object library of 2,700+ objects — pool building materials, outdoor furniture and decor, terrain, even fire effects
- Perform automatic calculations, generate spec sheets and construction pages, and instantly create artistic 3D fills
Pricing: Pool Studio plans start at $147 per user/month. 30-day free trial available.
9. Virtual Architect Ultimate Home Design with Landscaping & Decks 10.0
Best for: Landscape professionals, contractors, builders, architects.
Overview: Virtual Architect Ultimate Home Design With Landscaping & Decks is an easy-to-use landscape design platform that allows you to design gardens, decks, paved areas, and structures like gazebos and retaining walls. The app provides a comprehensive plant library and offers guidance on planting times, watering frequency, and pruning schedules. Additionally, it offers an extensive collection of 3D graphics, garden design tools, and a unique feature that allows you to envision how plants will develop over the next 50 years.
Virtual Architect provides a comprehensive range of landscaping features. However, it is an on-premise solution that comes with specific requirements, including 8GB RAM, 10GB of hard disk space, and a Windows-compatible mouse. If you are using an older PC, you may need to consider investing in additional storage capacity to ensure the smooth operation of this program.
Key features:
- Draft in 2D, design in 3D, and generate virtual tours in a single click
- Preview seasonal changes, and visualize plant growth
- Generate decks, gazebos, patios, etc., in minutes
- Database with an extensive plant selection (7,500+), hardscape features, furniture, lighting, and more
- Terrain modeling tools
- Visualization tools like 3D Real View
Pricing: $99.99 to download the full version, and there is an extended download option for $6.95 which gives the user 2 years to download the software, instead of 30 days. There is also an option for a backup CD for $9.95.
Which Landscape Design Software Is Right for You?
Ultimately, the right landscape design software for you is the one that aligns with your target use case, experience, and budget.
Cedreo offers a wealth of features that make it easy for anyone — from DIY-ers to seasoned pros — to generate professional designs within minutes. With the ability to generate exterior renderings, customize the sun orientation, and add objects from an extensive product library, you can create stunning outdoor designs that help you close more deals.
In addition to helping pros create outdoor plans, our software allows home builders, interior designers, and architects to generate floor plans, create compelling 3D presentations, and customize building materials and decor.
Sign up for a free trial to see Cedreo’s full feature set in action!
