House Design Software (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Designing a house on paper only gets you so far. Once you can walk through the rooms in 3D, move a wall and see how the light falls, it's much easier to know what you want before you talk to an architect or builder.

The tools below range from simple browser planners for first-timers to CAD programs that self-builders use for extensions and new builds. They're listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and each description comes from the tool's own website, read this week. If you're still weighing up the bigger decision, my guide on whether to build or buy a house is a useful place to start.

House design tools side by side

I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names the tool, an account or a plan or version of it as free. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start, so check the tool's own page before you sign up.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Coohom	Online 3D home design and floor planner	Quick 3D designs and fast renders	Yes
DreamPlan	Home design software for PC and Mac	Free home use on a PC or Mac	Yes
Envisioneer	3D BIM home design platform	Design, estimating and working drawings together	Trial only
Floorplanner	Online floor planner and 3D room planner	Easy house plans in the browser	Yes
Home Designer	DIY home design software	Roofs, foundations and framing for DIYers	Trial only
HomeByMe	Free 3D home design software	Plans in 2D, decorating in 3D	Yes
Live Home 3D	Multi-platform home design software	Designing on phone, tablet or desktop	Not stated
Plan7Architect	3D CAD house planner	Self-builds, extensions and renovations	Not stated
Planner 5D	AI-powered home design software	Recognising an existing floor plan	Not stated
SketchUp	Professional 3D design software	Buildable 3D models from rough ideas	Trial only

Ten house design tools to try

Coohom

Best for: Homeowners who want to draw or upload a floor plan, design the layout and render a realistic visual in minutes, all in a browser.

DreamPlan

Best for: Home improvers who want to perfect a floor plan and preview house, garden, deck and pool ideas, with a free version for non-commercial use.

Envisioneer

Best for: Residential designers and builders who want one 3D model that produces renderings, working drawings and estimates for the same house.

Floorplanner

Best for: First-timers who want an easy, accessible way to plan a whole house in 2D and 3D without needing professional skills.

Home Designer

Best for: Keen DIYers who want tools for roofs, foundations and framing, built on technology from professional architectural software but made easy to use.

HomeByMe

Best for: Homeowners who like to design rooms in 2D, decorate them in 3D and share high-resolution images of the finished house.

Live Home 3D

Best for: People who switch devices and want to lay out and furnish a house, plan the exterior and adjust the terrain on any of them.

Plan7Architect

Best for: Self-builders planning a new build, an extension or a renovation who want professional floor plans that even beginners can create.

Planner 5D

Best for: Beginners who want to upload an existing floor plan, have it recognised, then furnish it from a large library of items in 3D.

SketchUp

Best for: Architects, builders and confident amateurs who want to turn creative ideas into buildable 3D models with professional-grade tools.

Which tool matches your project

• A first sketch in the browser: Floorplanner.
• An extension or self-build: Plan7Architect.
• Free design at home on a PC: DreamPlan.
• Roofs and framing for a keen DIYer: Home Designer.
• Turning an old floor plan into 3D: Planner 5D.

Check planning rules before you fall for a design

GOV.UK says you'll probably need planning permission if you want to build something new, make a major change to your building, such as an extension, or change its use. It points people to their local planning authority, through the local council, to find out whether a project needs permission.

That matters because house design software will happily let you draw anything. A beautiful 3D model of a two-storey extension is only useful if you're allowed to build it, so speak to the council or a planning consultant early, and design within those limits rather than around them.

Five things to decide before you open any tool

1. Are you designing a whole new house, an extension or a single floor?
2. Do you need drawings a builder can work from, or just ideas?
3. Will you work on a Mac, a Windows PC, a tablet or in a browser?
4. How much detail do you want on roofs, walls and structure?
5. Who else needs to see the design, and in what format?

Browser planners, home CAD and professional modelling

Browser planners are the quickest way in. You draw rooms, drop in doors and windows and flip to 3D in a few clicks, which is perfect for testing layouts and sharing ideas with a partner. They're lighter on structural detail, so treat them as a sketchbook.

Home CAD programs go further, with roof tools, foundations and working drawings that make sense to a builder. Professional modelling software sits at the top: it can produce almost anything, but it takes longer to learn. Many people start in a planner and move up only when the project needs it.

Not sure where to start? Our roundup of house plan software lists the options.

Design habits that save rework later

• Measure what exists first. Accurate walls make every later step easier.
• Plan furniture early. Rooms that look big empty often feel small furnished.
• Check sunlight and views. Window placement changes how a room feels.
• Save versions as you go. You'll want to compare layouts side by side.

Before you commit to a tool, read our roundup of three-dimensional home design software.

Signs your design is ready to share

• Every room has a clear purpose.
• Doors and windows don't clash with furniture.
• You've walked through it in 3D.
• You know which rules apply to the build.

Do you make house design or home planning software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice on house design software

Start with the simplest tool that can show your idea. If you're testing layouts, a free browser planner will do the job in an evening. If you're planning an extension or a self-build, choose software that produces drawings a builder and the council can read, and give yourself time to learn it.

Whatever you pick, don't treat the 3D model as the finished plan. Share it with the people who'll build it, listen to what they say about structure and materials, and adjust. If the roof is part of the job, my guide to types of roof tiles helps you choose what goes on top.

I covered the follow-on problem in Best AI Tools for UX Designers (2026): 9 Compared.

Frequently asked questions

What is house design software?

Software that lets you draw floor plans, walls, roofs and rooms, then view the design in 3D before building.

Is there free house design software?

Several tools on this list name a free version or free account, and others offer a trial, so check the table.

Can beginners use house design software?

Yes. Browser planners are built for beginners, while CAD programs take longer to learn.

Can I use these drawings for planning permission?

Some tools produce detailed drawings, but check with your council or a professional on what an application needs.

Do I still need an architect?

For a big project you'll often still want an architect or designer, but a model of your own makes those conversations quicker.

Can I design a house on a tablet?

Yes, a few tools here run on tablets and phones as well as on desktop computers.