What is the best free landscape software

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In the past, landscape design software programs were used mostly by landscaping industry professionals in order to create and design landscaping projects. Today, these software programs are not only for pros but also for individuals, landscaping enthusiasts, and DIYers.

When choosing your landscape design software, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. You'll most likely want to select one that includes a free demo or trial period to make sure it fits your needs.

You'll also want to find one that's compatible with your device because many of these programs are only available to be used on one operating system. If you are ready to take the next step and invest in landscape design software, we have rounded up the best options here.

Why We Chose It: SmartDraw makes working on landscaping design collaborations more accessible and easy to share among peers and clients. With its headquarters in Texas, SmartDraw was established in and has provided design software solutions to individuals and businesses ever since. Yearly, the company garners about three million downloads across all of its apps.

SmartDraw allows its users to build landscaping plans and designs for gardens, patios, decks, and backyards, to name a few. The software can be used for any type of structure, whether a house or a commercial facility. If you are part of a team, multiple personnel can work on the same project by using the SmartDraw folder sharing feature or a different sharing platform like Google Drive or Dropbox. You can use the program via a free trial before buying it. Why We Chose it: VizTerra helps professionals bring their creative ideas to life with the program's 3D visual landscaping designs.

Structure Studios created the VizTerra landscaping design software in , specializing in helping users create 3D landscaping plans. Utilizing VizTerra's landscape design software, you can create personalized plans for your clients or yourself. Thanks to its technology, you can convert 2D designs to 3D in a split second. In addition, you can utilize the video and photo mode to share your project with others.

Plus, the software allows you to design landscaping plans in stages, calculate material costs, and include custom icons, colors, and more. The system is only available for PCs running Windows 8. Why We Chose it: iScape is quickly revolutionizing the landscape design industry with its mobile apps that landscapers can use to create their designs. As of September , over 5 million projects have been designed using its technology.

The app's "envision and plan" tool helps users create projects faster and easily visualize an idea. Meanwhile, the "share" feature gives you the option to easily collaborate on the project with others.

The web-based SketchUp lacks some features that a professional might need, like extensions and the possibility to edit or create materials. All the tools and options are laid out in a way that makes it easy to switch between textures, structures, and plants.

With a paintbrush-style applicator, you can easily add all the different features you want for your yard. The tool will even apply sizing depending on where you drop things like plants and trees so they fit the perspective. Pro Tip: The paintbrush-style applicator is assisted by the software to make straight lines. The sketches look like a drawing, making it super fun to use the app. There is a menu with all the tools needed to draw your garden, but also options to add your house, outdoor furniture, plants and more.

You can easily draw your garden with the integrated plot surfaces feature. There are pre-drawn items to choose from, and each of these items can be enhanced, shrunk, rotated and moved, to the delight of the planner. A very cool feature is the fact that you can add your own sprinkler system, helping you plan out a watering pattern to keep your lawn and plants green and healthy.

You can play around with ponds and pools, leisure items like barbecues, outdoor lighting, and you can even add vehicles, to plan every square inch of space available.

Pro Tip: This online software is a great tool for people who want a quick way to plan their garden but want to avoid downloading programs on their computer or having to browse through thousands of items.

This is simplicity at its finest. We are reader supported. External links may earn us a commission. Table of Contents. DreamPlan Home Design Software. Easy planning for your landscape design with an easy-to-use interface that doesn't take a lot of technical knowledge Pros: Cons: Get the Price!

Great interface for mobile devices that can do all the same things that a desktop software can with more versatility. Pros: Cons: Get the Price! Gardena Garden Planner. The fun and aesthetically pleasing interface of this landscaping software makes the whole process a fun, easy to understand experience. The app also has a walkthrough option, where you can walk around your yard with your phone and edit the space in real time. You can then save the edits, which makes for easy designing and creating references for later.

Whether you use the walkthrough option or the photo option, iScape has design tools that are incredibly easy to use. The app features a drag and drop style that makes it easy to place plants and other materials right on the landscape. This allows users to see what the renovated yard looks like in real time, without having to wait until the project is finished.

You can also easily save your designs to your camera roll or within the app. This allows you to easily share your designs with others involved in your project. Specifically designed for homeowners, PRO Landscape Home makes landscape design easy to understand and easy to do. Pro Landscape Home can be downloaded on any laptop or phone, with the option to download on one or both.

Then they will appear in the web version of the software, making it easier to visualize your renovation directly on your yard. If you only get the web version of the software, you can create CAD designs. CAD stands for computer-aided designs. This means your computer will provide basic models and shapes through the design software. You can then edit them as much as you want to create your perfect landscape design. They can help answer any questions and even come to your home to complete any part of the landscaping project.

The software works great for smaller or simpler projects, but heavier projects might require a more extensive software program. Depending on the project you have in mind, each of the landscaping software mentioned above can provide adequate assistance and inspiration.