.st0{fill:#FFFFFF;}

7 Best Free Landscape Design Software Tools to Use in 2022 

 April 24, 2022

By  admin

In 2022, it is projected that over 70% of global GDP will be generated digitally. As the digital economy continues to grow, so does its demand for design resources like software and tools. There are many different types of landscape design software on the market today with a vast range in cost and functionality. If you want your project to stand out from the rest, one thing you might want to consider is investing in these free landscape design tools which can help make your creative vision come alive even if budget isn’t always unlimited!

The “sketchup landscape design software free” is a tool that allows users to create 3D designs and 2D drawings. The software is widely used in the construction industry, architecture, engineering, and manufacturing industries.

7 Best Free Landscape Design Software Tools to Use in 2022

There are affiliate links in this post. We may get a commission if you click and purchase, at no extra cost to you. For additional information, please visit our disclosure policy.

Consider the ideal garden, complete with grass, ornamentals, flowers, and ponds. You create a beautiful pathway and a landscape border, as well as a fountain and a dog house.

IT’S AWESOME!

It’s impossible to imagine a more beautiful garden than yours. 

But it’s all on your head…

How are you going to make it happen? Is it more reachable? Is there a concrete strategy in place to make that dream garden a reality?

This is where free landscape design software comes into play…

Contents

Reviews of the 7 Best Free Landscape Software in 2022

It’s time to stop dreaming about how you want your garden to appear and start creating it.

What’s the first step? Make use of the appropriate software. The one that BEST suits your needs and provides you with the full set of tools necessary to achieve EXACTLY what you want.

This kind of software makes it simple to turn all of your mental visions into real designs. As a result, when it comes to executing the task, you’ll have a more clear model to follow.

Furthermore, you will not be required to pay landscape designers or firms (WHICH CAN BE PRETTY EXPENSIVE).

We picked seven of the greatest landscape software programs available. They’re all completely free (at least for a month). 

But they’re all wonderful in their own right. Take a look at what we’ve got to say about them:

1. DreamPlan Home Design by NCH Software

DreamPlan would be our first option if we were to choose only one design tool… BY A LONG WAY!

You won’t find any other program for creating your house that is as thorough as this one while still being free. 

It will be a PIECE OF CAKE to bring all of your ideas to reality!

Why?

Let’s begin with the ability to produce 2D or 3D renderings. So, whether you’re creating an outside landscape or an inside setting, this program allows you to accomplish both at the same time.

Second, you have access to a wide range of resources. Trees, gardens, pools, topography, backyards, and ALL KINDS OF EXTRAS are included.

If that wasn’t enough, you may also use your own renderings, pictures, textures, and other materials to create personalized designs.

Not to mention that this is ULTRA-FAST software. So, although the appearance may seem to be a little antiquated, it comes with a speed increase (perfect if you have an old computer but still want to design your own stuff).

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: It runs on both Windows and Mac OS with no performance or feature differences. Its compatibility is out of this world, the user experience is top-notch, and the features are unrivaled. 

What We Enjoyed

  • Various view modes and dimensions are available.
  • There are a plethora of goodies to appreciate.
  • It aids in the design of both outdoor and interior spaces. 
  • Despite its large number of functions, it is simple to use.

What We Didn’t Care For

  • The free version has a lot of restrictions (but it’s still worthwhile). 

Kerkythea is number two.

With a name like that, you may imagine this program isn’t really a high-end landscape design tool. 

It’s also the most free of the free software utilities (while still being one of the most complete). 

Kerkythea gives you the entire package for a variety of reasons. 

For starters, all of the assets (materials, lighting, textures, and so on) are EXACTLY LIKE THE REAL THING. For the price, the render quality is as good as it gets.

Two, you may stage your designs to get a better sense of how they will look in real life. Even though the design will be totally in 3D and on your computer, this function will allow you to make it seem virtually genuine.

Three, the program comes with some of the greatest documentation available. Few software products include such thorough documentation in their instructions (the guides will help you get started, understand editing functions, upload your own materials, and much more). 

Four, you’ll get access to a forum with lessons and real-world guidance from landscapers and hobbyists. 

You’ll receive the whole product for free! As a result, it’s our second-best option.

PLUS: Everything from the textures to the lighting, shadows, and more may be customized. It’s the closest thing to free software you’ll find.  

What We Enjoyed

  • It comes with a comprehensive list of features.
  • Its materials and guidance are unrivaled.
  • To learn from, there is a forum and a community. 
  • Everything is rendered in high detail.

What We Didn’t Care For

  • It takes some time to grasp.

3. PRO HOME LANDSCAPE

Don’t want to spend time planning your new outdoor space?

Then download a free landscape design tool such as PRO Landscape Home.

It’s easy to use, compatible with any device, and packed with so many features that you’ll never grow tired of it.

Simply snap a picture of your scenery to get the most out of it. Then, with THOUSANDS of objects to choose from, you may begin creating your fantasy garden on top. 

The program allows you to develop proposals (which is ideal for landscape designers). It also allows you to render anything in 3D if necessary.

There are still a lot of lightning design tools, a lot of beautifying elements, and a lot more. It makes it a lot simpler to visualize your most ambitious ideas.

There’s still much to appreciate, such as the option to share designs through social media, the community (if you pay for the app), a plant search engine (with full info about each), excellent rendering effects, and more. 

It’s accessible on Google Play, Apple App Store, and Amazon Apps (so there’s no reason not to give it a try!)

TO MAKE IT EVEN BETTER: Use the Find a Professional function if your design seems excellent but you still think a professional might assist. Look through the listings to locate a landscaper that is ready to turn your landscape idea into a reality (or give you GREAT advice). 

What We Enjoyed

  • As required, works in 2D or 3D.
  • It may be used on almost any device.
  • There are several objects and materials to utilize.
  • Allows you to exchange designs, pitch ideas, and locate customers. 

What We Didn’t Care For

  • Many design aspects are missing. 

4. iScape

Another landscape design software that is only available on iOS devices.

iScape will make designing landscapes a lot more enjoyable, realistic, and simple. 

Begin by capturing a photograph. Fill up the blanks with the objects or plants you choose. Then send it to your friends, family, or project collaborators. You may also brainstorm and plan new designs ON DEMAND if you want to.

This software is fantastic whether you’re a homeowner or a landscaper. As a homeowner, you may generate proposals to discover how much the remodel would cost. In addition, as a designer, you might appear in a customer network to generate leads.

To say the least, the visuals are stunning.

The textures allow you to replicate any surface, the things number in the thousands and may be placed anywhere in your environment, and the tools have several built-in capabilities, allowing for MAXIMUM CUSTOMIZATION.

THERE IS SO MUCH TO ENJOY!

TO MAKE IT BETTER, YOU CAN ADD ITEMS TO YOUR INVENTORY AND ORDER THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE APP, SAVING YOU TIME AND EFFORT WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING STUFF. 

What We Enjoyed

  • Everything seems to be nearly genuine.
  • Allows you to share and get comments on your designs.
  • You may make purchases straight from the app.
  • Using it is a piece of cake. 

What We Didn’t Care For

  • Only works on iPhones and iPads.

5. Using SketchUp

AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL TOOL FOR THOSE WHO REQUIRE EVERYTHING.

SketchUP may be described in this way. And we’re still not appreciating how incredible it is.

You’ll see it’s unlike any other tool on the list as soon as you start using it. The drawing-by-hand function is AMAZING, making it simple to construct models and experience unlimited 3D representations.

SketchUP and the community have built a plethora of add-ons and extensions for the program, making it very useful.

It may be used on a variety of devices, and you can share your work with the public, interact with your team, and exhibit your work to customers ON DEMAND.

For developers who wish to take their work even further, the app provides an API that can be used for a variety of purposes (perfect for those who want supreme personalization).

THINK ABOUT IT: The app is only free for the first 30 days. That is why it has risen to this position in the rankings. Having said that, once you use this program, you won’t want to use anything else (WE ARE 100 percent SURE OF THAT).  

What We Enjoyed

  • It has a high-end 3D system that can be fully customized.
  • Allows for community sharing and collaboration.
  • It’s quite configurable thanks to the API. 
  • The items, materials, and user interface are all stunning.

What We Didn’t Care For

  • There is a time restriction on how long you may use it for free. 

Gardena’s myGarden Planner is number six.

What could be better than performing some free landscape design on the internet? Gardena’s myGarden feature makes this feasible.

It’s a full-featured web application. It’s also just in 2D.

While this limits the amount of things you can do, it also makes the app far quicker, simpler, and more compatible than any other.

What exactly do you receive when you use this tool?

Essentially, a 2D method for creating plans for your redesigns, with access to a large plant collection with hundreds of species. You may even print or store your creations for later use if desired.

You can also use the program to take notes, build templates, and even make sprinkler plants. 

We may name it the greatest for basic design since it is very light and can be used by almost anybody. That would not be incorrect.

REMEMBER: The tool sidebar has a plethora of options. It’s as simple as dragging and dropping them into your templates. The remainder of the features may be customized in the same way. 

What We Enjoyed

  • Everything is completely customisable.
  • Maximum detail is possible due to the 2D quality.
  • It’s a browser-based software that’s quick and light.
  • It has a note-taking facility.

What We Didn’t Care For

  • Beginners may find it challenging.

Plan-a-Garden by BHG

Nothing beats BHG’s Plan-a-Garden when it comes to simplicity.

This is another 2D option. Better Homes & Gardens wanted to help their clients design their own stuff without many complications – and IT WORKS.

We’re not kidding when we say it’s the EASIEST to use.

A simple drag-and-drop mechanism makes the whole process as painless as you can imagine. 

You still have access to a wide range of textures, buildings, and plants. Simply choose what you want and copy and paste it onto your plants. Then you may change anything to your liking.

You may also add your own landscape photographs to help you envision things even better.

The app also has a “Find a Local Landscaper” option that allows you to employ specialists on-demand. 

AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH, HERE’S MORE: You won’t have to download anything since it’s freely available via BHG’s website. It may be used on any device with a fast enough browser. 

What We Enjoyed

  • Its compatibility is outstanding.
  • It is easy to use and requires little to no effort.
  • It comes with a plethora of useful goods.
  • Allows you to add your own scenery to the game.

What We Didn’t Care For

  • Some of the textures are locked behind a paywall. 

How to Select the Most Appropriate Landscape Design Software

Choosing software may be difficult. 

There are far too many variables that might make or break your success.

If you’re not sure what to choose or why, check this guide. We’ll cover everything in as little time as possible. 

Materials and Items Installed

Consider what you can do with the program first. 

This covers everything accessible for usage, such as plant, grass, and sky visualizations, as well as floor and wall textures, soils, and much more.

All of these characteristics are often integrated into the product, making it more convenient. 

But how many of these items are we discussing?

There are many of them. Choose tools that provide you with as many objects as possible to employ in your landscape designs.

If there are enough of them that you can’t test them all at once, this is a fantastic piece of software to utilize.

Customization and Specifications

Even if an app has a lot of features, it could not be very configurable.

As a result, you must make every effort to get the most customized experience possible. A tool that allows you to completely personalize anything.

Of course, this includes little aspects that may have an impact on your ideas (like surfaces and textures). 

Choose programs that enable you to upload your own assets if you want even better outcomes. 

NOTE: Ignore this if you simply want basic design and don’t mind restricted modification.

User-Friendliness and Ease of Use

Experts and designers may use landscape design software.

Then there are landscape design tools for novice users and homeowners.

Select the one that best suits your abilities.

However, consider how simple it is to use in general (user-friendliness). Some tools are just too difficult to use since only engineers can comprehend how they work (or someone willing to spend countless hours with it).

Try-It-First or Free-Forever?

We went with open-source software. However, not all of them are completely unrestricted. 

For a few weeks or months, some of them will be available. Others will be available for free, but with reduced functionality. 

The premium ones are obviously more PRACTICAL, FASTER, MORE COMPATIBLE, and EASIER TO USE.

So you may choose whether to utilize always-free software with limited support or try-it-first alternatives that may cost more in the long run but provide you with a lot more to enjoy. 

Landscape Design Software Types 

You’ll notice that not all tools are created equal as you browse.

They may differ a great deal. And it all boils down to the sort of software.

Here are the three kinds you’ll come across: 

CAD (computer-aided design) or 2D (computer-aided design)

CAD software, often known as “Computer-aided Design” software, refers to all of the tools that may be used to generate two-dimensional designs. 

You may compare CAD to hand-drawing on a computer. It focuses mostly on 2D representations.

As a result, this is not only the most common but also the most basic variety.

A CAD program would be great for folks who wish to organize their landscape but don’t need to see the changes in 3D.

Professional landscapers, by the way, utilize 2D CAD software to develop plans and take precise measurements before beginning the arduous task.

3D Animation Software

Do you want to give your yard a facelift but aren’t sure how it will turn out?

Then choose 3D Animation Software. 

This sort of tool allows you to make almost any design that comes to mind. Customize the whole design from your thoughts and bring it to life in 3D.

It’s a great option for individuals who want to get a sense of their area before doing any actual labor. It’s also a great tool for professionals who want to display their clients’ ideas in the most exact way possible.

The realism of 3D Animation Software is unsurpassed (and it also offers the highest customization). 

Software for Augmented Reality

When 2D is too basic and 3D is too much, you may go for AR, which is the simplest and most practical option (augmented reality).

It’s as simple as taking a snapshot of the scene you want to rebuild and customizing it as needed using these tools.

Some are so simple to operate that even a youngster can do it. They also allow you to construct the most exact representations of your thoughts on top of your actual scene since they depend on a camera.

These are, of course, only accessible for smartphones, which might be a concern for landscapers. However, for homes and hobbyists, AR is most likely the best option.

Most Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does it cost to create a landscape?

A consultation charge (for only ideas) might range from $50 to $200, depending on the quality of the service and the size of your property. 

Is it possible to use landscape design software for free indefinitely?

Yes. Some software programs, such as NCH DreamPlan and Kerkythea, are completely free. 

Is it worthwhile to use free landscape software as a professional?

If you can’t afford the more expensive professional tools, employing a free tool is always a good option. It will help you save a lot of cash (but may offer fewer features than you need). 

Conclusion

So, what are you waiting for to start planning your own garden?

You should have no trouble transferring your thoughts to blueprints with the free landscape design software alternatives on our list.

They’re all completely free. They’re all simple to operate. Furthermore, they are all interoperable with a variety of devices, allowing you to utilize them HOWEVER YOU WISH.

You don’t need to spend any more money or time on designers when you can handle it all yourself. Now is the time to get one of these instruments! 

The “free landscape design software for beginners” is a free software that can be used to create beautiful landscapes. These tools are great for anyone who wants to learn how to make their own designs. The 7 best tools are listed below.

Related Tags

  • free landscaping software
  • free online landscape design tool
  • best free landscape design app
  • professional landscape design software
  • free landscape design software upload photo

Emil Schoene


Born and raised in Austin, TX I come from a background of home renovation. By helping my family in my younger years with their construction business, I learned the ropes quickly and as I grew it became my passion that I still do today. Looking to share my knowledge with others. I invite you to leave comments on any post as I know you will have questions that you are not finding anywhere else.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}