The Top 12 Best Landscape Design App Free Tools for 2026

Planning a backyard makeover or a garden refresh can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to visualize the final result. Fortunately, a powerful landscape design app free of charge can turn your abstract ideas into concrete plans, eliminating guesswork and costly mistakes. These digital tools allow you to experiment with layouts, select plants, and arrange hardscaping elements like patios and walkways, all from your computer or smartphone. They provide a clear, visual blueprint before you ever break ground.

This guide brings you a curated list of the top 12 free apps that empower homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and even aspiring professionals to design with confidence. Forget sifting through countless options with hidden fees. We'll dive straight into the usability, limitations of the free tiers, and ideal use cases for each tool.

You will find a detailed breakdown for every app, complete with screenshots and direct links to get you started immediately. Our goal is to help you find the perfect software for your specific project, whether you're planning a small flower bed or a complete outdoor overhaul. Find the right tool and start bringing your dream yard to life today.

1. iScape

iScape stands out as a leading mobile-first, free landscape design app that uses augmented reality (AR) to help you visualize changes directly onto a photo of your own yard. Ideal for DIY homeowners, its intuitive interface lets you quickly layer plants, pavers, and other elements over an existing image, providing an instant "before-and-after" mockup. Its landscaping-focused workflow makes it faster for simple projects than more complex, all-purpose design software.

While the app is available for both iOS and Android, the AR features are optimized for iOS devices. The free version provides a solid taste of its capabilities with a limited library of objects, perfect for testing a few ideas, like visualizing a new flower bed or seeing how a stone path would look. For a more expansive plant database and professional tools, you'll need the Pro subscription.

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Key Information:

• Best For: Homeowners and DIY enthusiasts who want a fast, visual way to plan a project using a photo of their actual space.
• Platform: iOS (recommended) and Android.
• Free Plan Limitations: The free tier offers a basic set of tools and a limited library of plants and hardscape items. Advanced features and the full catalog require a subscription.
• Website: iscapeit.com

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2. Planner 5D

Planner 5D is a versatile interior and exterior design tool that shines as a free landscape design app thanks to its powerful 2D and 3D drag-and-drop editor. It’s an all-in-one platform that works seamlessly in a web browser and on mobile devices. Unlike photo-based apps, Planner 5D lets you build a detailed model of your property from scratch, making it ideal for comprehensive projects that involve both hardscaping and planting.

The free version gives you access to its core design tools and a large catalog of objects, including pools, patios, and various plants. While more specialized landscaping elements and high-definition renders require a premium subscription, the free tier is more than enough to create detailed layouts and visualize your ideas in 3D. The robust tools also help in communicating ideas to professionals, a concept central to services that connect homeowners with outdoor experts.

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Key Information:

• Best For: DIY planners who want to create detailed 2D floor plans and 3D models of their entire yard, not just overlay elements on a photo.
• Platform: Web browser, iOS, and Android.
• Free Plan Limitations: The free version locks some items in the object catalog and requires a paid plan for high-resolution 3D renders.
• Website: planner5d.com

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3. Home Outside 3D

Home Outside 3D offers a unique approach as a free landscape design app by focusing specifically on U.S.-based gardening needs. Its standout feature is a plant library organized by USDA hardiness zones (currently covering zones 5-9), ensuring users select plants that will thrive in their climate. The app is particularly friendly for beginners, offering pre-designed garden templates and themed collections, such as "drought-tolerant" or "privacy," which removes much of the guesswork.

The app leverages augmented reality (AR) to let you place 3D models of trees, shrubs, and perennials directly into your space. While the initial download is free, accessing the full range of templates and plant collections requires in-app purchases or a subscription. Its primary limitation is its geographical focus, making it an excellent tool for those within its supported U.S. zones but less useful for international gardeners.

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Key Information:

• Best For: U.S. homeowners (in zones 5-9) and gardening beginners who want curated, climate-appropriate plant suggestions and easy-to-use templates.
• Platform: iOS and Android.
• Free Plan Limitations: The free version provides basic tools and a sample of plants. Full access to specialized garden collections, templates, and the complete plant library requires in-app purchases.
• Website: homeoutside.com/promotion/

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4. PRO Landscape Home

PRO Landscape Home is the consumer-focused version of a professional-grade tool, offering a powerful yet straightforward free landscape design app experience. It operates on a simple premise: take a photo of your yard and start designing. You can easily add objects from a starter library that includes plants, mulch, and hardscapes. Its core strength lies in creating quick, realistic mockups that are perfect for visualizing a project or sharing ideas with a contractor.

While the interface can feel dated compared to newer apps, its functionality is direct and effective. The free version provides enough objects to plan a small-scale project. For more variety, a one-time purchase unlocks a massive library of thousands of plants and hardscape items tailored to your climate zone. This makes it a scalable tool, starting free and allowing for a single upgrade rather than a recurring subscription.

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Key Information:

• Best For: DIY homeowners who want a no-frills, photo-based design tool for creating quick visual mockups.
• Platform: iOS and Android.
• Free Plan Limitations: The free app includes a starter library of objects. Access to the full, extensive plant and hardscape library requires a one-time in-app purchase.
• Website: apps.apple.com/us/app/pro-landscape-home/id895982338

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5. Home Design 3D Outdoor & Garden

Home Design 3D Outdoor & Garden is a dedicated free landscape design app that simplifies the process of planning gardens and patios. It utilizes an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that works in both 2D and 3D, allowing users to quickly assemble visual mockups. Its strength lies in its user-friendliness, making it a great starting point for beginners who want to visualize a new pool, fence, or multi-level garden without a steep learning curve.

While the app offers a fantastic "try before you buy" mode, a key limitation of the free version is that it generally prevents you from saving or exporting your projects without making an in-app purchase. The object library is geared toward general consumers but contains more than enough elements for a typical homeowner's project. The Gold version also unlocks an augmented reality (AR) feature on compatible iOS devices for an immersive planning experience.

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Key Information:

• Best For: Casual users and beginners who need a simple, straightforward tool for quick patio, garden, and outdoor structure mockups.
• Platform: iOS and Android.
• Free Plan Limitations: The free version acts as a trial; saving and exporting projects typically requires an in-app purchase to unlock the full functionality.
• Website: apps.apple.com

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6. SketchUp Free (SketchUp for Web)

SketchUp Free is a powerful, browser-based 3D modeling tool that brings professional-grade design capabilities to personal projects. Unlike apps focused solely on plants, SketchUp excels at creating detailed architectural and hardscape elements from scratch. This makes it the go-to free landscape design app for users who want to model custom decks, pergolas, and complex terrain with precision. Its strength lies in its flexibility as a true 3D modeler.

The platform integrates with Trimble's 3D Warehouse, a massive library of free, user-generated models of everything from tree species to outdoor furniture. While it has a steeper learning curve than simple drag-and-drop apps, the vast ecosystem of community tutorials makes it accessible for dedicated DIYers. The free version provides robust modeling tools and 10 GB of cloud storage, perfect for non-commercial home projects.

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Key Information:

• Best For: DIYers and design-savvy homeowners who need to model custom hardscapes and site layouts with high precision.
• Platform: Web-based (works on any modern browser).
• Free Plan Limitations: The free version is for personal use only, has limited import/export options, and lacks the advanced tools found in the paid Pro version.
• Website: help.sketchup.com/en/admin/sketchup-free

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7. RoomSketcher

While primarily known as an interior design tool, RoomSketcher doubles as a highly capable free landscape design app for creating detailed 2D site plans and 3D visualizations. Its strength lies in its easy-to-use drafting toolset that allows you to accurately draw property lines, patios, and garden layouts. You can then furnish these outdoor spaces with a library of objects like pools, pergolas, and hedges. The platform is excellent for planning the structural elements of your yard.

RoomSketcher’s unique pricing model offers great flexibility. The free plan allows you to draw your project and take unlimited 3D snapshots, which is perfect for basic planning. For higher-quality outputs like HD 3D photos or interactive 3D walkthroughs, you can either purchase credits on a pay-as-you-go basis for a single project or upgrade to a subscription. This model is ideal for DIYers who only need premium features for one-off projects.

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Key Information:

• Best For: Homeowners and professionals who need precise 2D site plans and want flexible, pay-per-project options for high-quality 3D renders.
• Platform: Web-based (accessible on any computer).
• Free Plan Limitations: The free account includes core drawing tools and basic 3D snapshots. Premium features like Live 3D and high-resolution renders require credits or a subscription.
• Website: roomsketcher.com

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8. Floorplanner

Floorplanner offers a surprisingly capable free landscape design app experience through its web-based platform. It's an excellent choice for projects that involve both indoor and outdoor spaces, like patios and decks. The tool excels at creating precise 2D floor plans and instantly converting them into navigable 3D models, giving you a clear sense of space and flow.

Floorplanner’s free tier allows you to create and save one project at a time with access to its extensive library of objects. While its plant and outdoor furnishing library isn't as specialized as dedicated landscaping tools, it's sufficient for blocking out general areas for garden beds and pathways. A unique feature is its credit-based upgrade system, allowing you to pay for high-resolution renders for a single project without committing to a monthly subscription.

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Key Information:

• Best For: Homeowners planning integrated indoor-outdoor spaces like patios and decks, or those who need a simple 2D/3D tool for basic yard layout.
• Platform: Web-based (works on any computer with a browser).
• Free Plan Limitations: Limited to one active project at a time. High-quality exports and advanced features require purchasing credits.
• Website: floorplanner.com

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9. GARDENA myGarden Planner

GARDENA myGarden Planner is a unique, browser-based free landscape design app that excels at one crucial task: irrigation planning. While it offers basic garden layout tools, its core strength is the integrated Sprinkler System Planner. This feature automatically calculates the optimal placement for sprinklers, generates a piping layout, and creates a complete shopping list of required GARDENA parts. This makes it an invaluable tool for DIYers looking to install a new watering system.

The platform is entirely web-based, requiring no downloads. Its focus on the GARDENA ecosystem means the visual landscaping elements are secondary and less detailed than other design apps. However, for anyone whose primary goal is mapping out a reliable irrigation network, this tool streamlines a complex process into a few simple steps, providing a printable plan and parts list that takes the guesswork out of the project.

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Key Information:

• Best For: DIY homeowners who are specifically planning to install a new GARDENA irrigation or sprinkler system.
• Platform: Web browser.
• Free Plan Limitations: The entire tool is 100% free to use. Its main limitation is that its design and parts recommendations are exclusive to the GARDENA product ecosystem.
• Website: gardena.com/int/c/discover/mygarden-planning-tools/garden-planner

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10. DreamPlan Home Design Software (NCH Software)

DreamPlan offers a robust, traditional desktop software experience for Windows and Mac. As a free landscape design app for non-commercial use, it provides a comprehensive suite of tools often found in paid programs. It allows you to sculpt terrain, switch between 2D, 3D, and blueprint views, and design everything from plant layouts to pools and patios. Its strength lies in being a complete offline solution, perfect for detailed planning without relying on an internet connection.

The interface feels more akin to classic CAD software, which may have a slightly steeper learning curve for beginners but offers greater control. The outdoor object library is extensive, and you can export your final designs as images or even 3D models (OBJ, STL), a rare feature for free software. This makes it an excellent choice for DIYers who prefer a powerful, computer-based tool for their home projects.

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Key Information:

• Best For: Homeowners who prefer a fully-featured desktop application for offline planning and want more traditional design controls.
• Platform: Windows and Mac.
• Free Plan Limitations: The free license is strictly for personal, non-commercial use. For business use, a paid license is required.
• Website: nchsoftware.com/design/landscape.html

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11. Homestyler

While known for interior design, Homestyler offers a robust free landscape design app experience perfect for visualizing patios, decks, and overall exterior layouts. It operates as a powerful web-based and mobile platform, allowing users to switch between 2D floor plans and immersive 3D views. Its strength lies in a vast library of 3D models, including outdoor furniture and pools, making it ideal for planning hardscaping and outdoor living areas.

The free version is remarkably generous, providing access to core design tools and a large portion of its 3D catalog. Users can create and furnish outdoor spaces, leverage community-shared templates for inspiration, and render standard-quality images of their projects. While its plant library is less specialized than dedicated garden planners, its user-friendly interface makes it a top choice for homeowners planning a complete indoor-outdoor renovation project.

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Key Information:

• Best For: DIYers and designers focusing on patios, pools, decks, and the overall structure of an outdoor living space, often in conjunction with interior home design.
• Platform: Web-based, iOS, and Android.
• Free Plan Limitations: The free tier is very functional for basic design. Advanced rendering options and a wider catalog of professional models require a paid plan.
• Website: homestyler.com

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12. HomeByMe

HomeByMe is primarily an interior design tool, but its capabilities extend into a capable free landscape design app for yards and exteriors. This web-based platform excels at creating a holistic view of your property, allowing you to design your house and then seamlessly transition to planning the garden or patio. Its strength lies in providing a clear, defined free tier that offers a specific number of projects and high-quality renders, perfect for homeowners who need a few polished visuals.

The platform features a large catalog of over 90,000 items, including a decent selection of outdoor furniture, plants, and hardscape materials. While its outdoor library isn't as specialized as dedicated landscape apps, it’s more than enough for planning layouts and visualizing furniture placement. The browser-based interface means there is nothing to download, making it easily accessible for quick planning sessions.

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Key Information:

• Best For: Homeowners planning both interior and exterior renovations who want high-quality 3D renders without an immediate subscription.
• Platform: Web browser.
• Free Plan Limitations: The Starter plan is free forever but limits you to five projects and provides only three realistic Full HD images. More renders require a paid plan.
• Website: home.by.me/en/offers/

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Top 12 Free Landscape Design Apps — Feature Comparison

Choosing Your Tool and an AI-Powered Alternative

Navigating the world of free landscape design apps can feel overwhelming, but there's a powerful tool available for every type of project and skill level. The key to success isn't finding a single "best" app, but identifying the one that aligns with your specific vision and project goals.

Recapping Your Best Options

Let’s distill the choices down to their core strengths to help you make a final decision:

• For quick photo mockups: If you want to see how new plants or pavers will look against a photo of your actual yard, iScape and PRO Landscape Home are your most effective options. They excel at augmented reality and photo-based design.
• For comprehensive 2D/3D planning: When your project includes both home and garden, Planner 5D, RoomSketcher, and HomeByMe offer a great, integrated experience for beginners who want a holistic view.
• For powerful 3D modeling: If you have a complex project with custom structures, SketchUp Free is the champion. While it has a steeper learning curve, its flexibility is unparalleled for those who need total creative control.
• For garden and irrigation planning: When the focus is purely on plant layout and watering, GARDENA myGarden Planner provides a specialized, easy-to-use tool with a unique sprinkler system planner.

The AI Alternative: Instant Inspiration

While these tools offer control, they all require a hands-on approach. You are the architect, placing every element. But what if you're creatively stuck or want to see professional-level possibilities without the manual effort?

This is where AI-powered design tools like OutdoorBrite change the game. Instead of building a design from scratch, you provide a photo of your space. AI then becomes your creative partner, generating multiple, fully-realized design concepts in seconds. It explores different styles, suggests plant combinations, and shows you how materials will look in your actual environment. This approach is less about manual drafting and more about rapid, high-quality ideation, making it the perfect tool for discovering your landscape's potential.

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Ready to skip the learning curve and see what your yard is truly capable of? OutdoorBrite uses powerful AI to transform your simple photo into stunning, professional landscape designs in an instant. Get inspired with dozens of concepts and make confident decisions by visiting OutdoorBrite to try it today.