Quick Overview
- 1#1: Chief Architect - Professional 3D design software tailored for interior designers with advanced rendering, material takeoffs, and client presentation tools.
- 2#2: SketchUp - Versatile 3D modeling platform used by interior decorators for space planning, furniture layout, and photorealistic visualizations.
- 3#3: Homestyler - Free online interior design tool with AI-powered redesign, vast product libraries, and 4K rendering for quick room mockups.
- 4#4: RoomSketcher - App-based software for creating professional floor plans, 3D walkthroughs, and marketing visuals for interior projects.
- 5#5: Floorplanner - User-friendly online editor for 2D floor plans and interactive 3D home designs with drag-and-drop furniture placement.
- 6#6: Planner 5D - AI-assisted interior design app offering 2D/3D planning, customizable catalogs, and VR previews for decorators.
- 7#7: Cedreo - Cloud-based 3D home design software for professionals to generate photorealistic interiors in minutes.
- 8#8: Live Home 3D - Cross-platform home and interior design tool with terrain editing, roofing, and high-quality 3D renders.
- 9#9: Roomstyler - Free 3D room designer with real-world furniture brands and community-shared designs for inspiration.
- 10#10: Sweet Home 3D - Open-source application for intuitive interior design with 2D plan views and 3D previews using imported 3D models.
Tools were chosen based on depth of features (including rendering and planning capabilities), usability, overall quality, and value, ensuring they meet the demands of both seasoned designers and emerging professionals.
Comparison Table
This comparison table features top interior decorator software like Chief Architect, SketchUp, Homestyler, RoomSketcher, Floorplanner, and more, aiming to assist users in identifying the best fit for their projects. Readers will learn about key functionalities, usability, and ideal use cases for each tool, enabling informed decisions for their design needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Architect Professional 3D design software tailored for interior designers with advanced rendering, material takeoffs, and client presentation tools. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 2 | SketchUp Versatile 3D modeling platform used by interior decorators for space planning, furniture layout, and photorealistic visualizations. | creative_suite | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Homestyler Free online interior design tool with AI-powered redesign, vast product libraries, and 4K rendering for quick room mockups. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | RoomSketcher App-based software for creating professional floor plans, 3D walkthroughs, and marketing visuals for interior projects. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Floorplanner User-friendly online editor for 2D floor plans and interactive 3D home designs with drag-and-drop furniture placement. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Planner 5D AI-assisted interior design app offering 2D/3D planning, customizable catalogs, and VR previews for decorators. | general_ai | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 7 | Cedreo Cloud-based 3D home design software for professionals to generate photorealistic interiors in minutes. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Live Home 3D Cross-platform home and interior design tool with terrain editing, roofing, and high-quality 3D renders. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | Roomstyler Free 3D room designer with real-world furniture brands and community-shared designs for inspiration. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 10 | Sweet Home 3D Open-source application for intuitive interior design with 2D plan views and 3D previews using imported 3D models. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.5/10 |
Professional 3D design software tailored for interior designers with advanced rendering, material takeoffs, and client presentation tools.
Versatile 3D modeling platform used by interior decorators for space planning, furniture layout, and photorealistic visualizations.
Free online interior design tool with AI-powered redesign, vast product libraries, and 4K rendering for quick room mockups.
App-based software for creating professional floor plans, 3D walkthroughs, and marketing visuals for interior projects.
User-friendly online editor for 2D floor plans and interactive 3D home designs with drag-and-drop furniture placement.
AI-assisted interior design app offering 2D/3D planning, customizable catalogs, and VR previews for decorators.
Cloud-based 3D home design software for professionals to generate photorealistic interiors in minutes.
Cross-platform home and interior design tool with terrain editing, roofing, and high-quality 3D renders.
Free 3D room designer with real-world furniture brands and community-shared designs for inspiration.
Open-source application for intuitive interior design with 2D plan views and 3D previews using imported 3D models.
Chief Architect
enterpriseProfessional 3D design software tailored for interior designers with advanced rendering, material takeoffs, and client presentation tools.
Integrated BIM workflow with automatic 3D model generation from 2D plans, enabling seamless interior design refinements
Chief Architect is a powerful 3D architectural design software renowned for creating detailed residential floor plans, elevations, and interior layouts. It excels in interior decoration by offering an extensive library of customizable furniture, fixtures, materials, and finishes for photorealistic renderings and virtual walkthroughs. Ideal for professionals needing precise, scale-accurate visualizations that integrate seamlessly with structural design.
Pros
- Vast library of over 850 manufacturers' products for realistic interiors
- Photorealistic ray-traced rendering and 3D walkthroughs
- Precise CAD tools for accurate measurements and custom cabinetry
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training
- High upfront cost not ideal for casual users
- Overkill for simple interior styling without structural needs
Best For
Professional interior decorators handling complex residential projects who require high-fidelity 3D visualizations integrated with architectural plans.
Pricing
Perpetual license for Premier X14 at $3,295; annual maintenance $895; subscription options from $199/month.
SketchUp
creative_suiteVersatile 3D modeling platform used by interior decorators for space planning, furniture layout, and photorealistic visualizations.
3D Warehouse – unlimited access to millions of user-generated 3D models tailored for interior design
SketchUp is a powerful 3D modeling software from Trimble, widely used by interior decorators to create detailed 3D models of rooms, furniture, and entire spaces. Its intuitive Push/Pull tool allows for quick extrusion and modification of shapes, making it easy to visualize design concepts. The software integrates with the 3D Warehouse, offering millions of pre-made models, and supports extensions for rendering, materials, and layouts to enhance interior design workflows.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with beginner-friendly tools like Push/Pull
- Massive 3D Warehouse library of free interior models
- Robust extension ecosystem for rendering and advanced features
Cons
- Rendering capabilities require paid extensions like V-Ray
- Subscription model can be costly for casual users
- Performance may lag with very complex models
Best For
Interior decorators and designers seeking an accessible 3D tool for rapid modeling and visualization with extensive asset libraries.
Pricing
Free web version; SketchUp Pro at $299/year; Studio tier at $699/year with advanced rendering.
Homestyler
specializedFree online interior design tool with AI-powered redesign, vast product libraries, and 4K rendering for quick room mockups.
Vast, real-brand furniture library with one-click photorealistic rendering
Homestyler is a web-based interior design platform that allows users to create 2D floor plans and transform them into photorealistic 3D models. It features a massive library of over 1 million furniture, decor, and material items from real brands, enabling drag-and-drop furnishing and virtual walkthroughs. Users can render high-quality images, generate VR tours, and collaborate on projects, making it suitable for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
Pros
- Extensive catalog of real-brand 3D models for authentic designs
- Seamless 2D-to-3D conversion and photorealistic rendering
- Generous free tier with VR walkthroughs and export options
Cons
- Advanced rendering credits and exports limited in free plan
- Performance lags with very large or complex projects
- Steeper learning curve for professional-level customizations
Best For
DIY homeowners and freelance decorators needing an accessible, brand-rich tool for quick visualizations without heavy upfront costs.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Pro subscription at $4.90/month (billed annually) for unlimited renders and advanced features.
RoomSketcher
specializedApp-based software for creating professional floor plans, 3D walkthroughs, and marketing visuals for interior projects.
One-click conversion from 2D floor plans to fully furnished 3D walkthroughs and certified 360° panoramas
RoomSketcher is an intuitive online floor plan and home design software that allows users to create detailed 2D floor plans, 3D models, and interactive walkthroughs with ease. It offers a vast library of furniture, decor items, and materials for realistic interior visualizations, supporting both professionals and DIY users. The platform excels in quick design iterations and high-quality renders, making it suitable for interior decorators pitching ideas to clients.
Pros
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface ideal for quick designs
- Extensive customizable furniture and material library
- High-quality 3D renders and 360° panoramas for client presentations
Cons
- Free version severely limited in features and exports
- Performance can lag with very large or complex projects
- Advanced customization options fall short compared to pro CAD tools
Best For
Interior decorators and designers who need fast, professional 2D/3D visualizations without a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Free limited plan; Pro subscription at $99/year (unlimited projects, HD renders); Business at $199/year (white-labeling, more storage).
Floorplanner
specializedUser-friendly online editor for 2D floor plans and interactive 3D home designs with drag-and-drop furniture placement.
Seamless real-time 2D-to-3D conversion with interactive walkthroughs
Floorplanner is a web-based platform for creating detailed 2D floor plans and interactive 3D interior designs, allowing users to draw rooms, place furniture from a vast library, and generate photorealistic renders. It supports real-time collaboration and exports for client presentations, making it suitable for interior decorators handling residential and commercial projects. The tool excels in quick visualizations without requiring downloads or steep learning curves.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for fast floor plan creation
- Extensive library of over 260,000 3D furniture and decor items
- High-quality 3D renders and 360° panoramas for client sharing
Cons
- Free plan limited to one project and basic exports
- Advanced photorealistic rendering locked behind premium tiers
- Performance can lag with very complex or large-scale designs
Best For
Freelance interior decorators and small design firms needing quick, browser-based tools for client proposals and visualizations.
Pricing
Free plan (1 project); Plus $5/user/mo (5 projects, annual billing); Pro $19/user/mo (unlimited projects, HD exports); Expert $49/user/mo (advanced renders).
Planner 5D
general_aiAI-assisted interior design app offering 2D/3D planning, customizable catalogs, and VR previews for decorators.
AI-powered Room Scan that generates editable 3D models from smartphone photos of real spaces
Planner 5D is a user-friendly interior design software that enables users to create 2D floor plans and instantly convert them into interactive 3D models. It features an extensive catalog of over 7,000 furniture items, decor, and materials for furnishing virtual spaces realistically. Available as a web app, mobile app, and desktop software, it supports quick visualizations for home renovations, office layouts, and custom designs.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface ideal for beginners
- Vast library of customizable furniture and decor items
- Seamless 2D-to-3D conversion with real-time rendering
Cons
- Free version includes watermarks and limited exports
- Premium content requires in-app purchases or subscription
- Performance can lag on complex projects with many elements
Best For
DIY homeowners and amateur interior decorators seeking quick, visual planning tools without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Premium subscription starts at $9.99/month or $59.99/year for unlimited projects, HD renders, and premium catalog access.
Cedreo
enterpriseCloud-based 3D home design software for professionals to generate photorealistic interiors in minutes.
One-click conversion of 2D floor plans to fully furnished, photorealistic 3D renderings
Cedreo is a cloud-based 3D home design software tailored for professionals like interior decorators, allowing quick creation of 2D floor plans and photorealistic 3D renderings of interior spaces. It features drag-and-drop tools, extensive libraries of furniture, materials, and decor, enabling users to visualize and customize designs without advanced CAD skills. Ideal for client presentations, it automates much of the design process to produce professional results in under two hours.
Pros
- Rapid generation of photorealistic 3D renders from 2D plans
- Vast library of customizable furniture and decor items
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface suitable for beginners
Cons
- Subscription-only model with no perpetual license option
- Limited advanced customization for complex architectural details
- Requires stable internet connection as it's fully cloud-based
Best For
Interior decorators and designers needing fast, professional visualizations for client pitches without deep technical expertise.
Pricing
Starts at $79/user/month (billed annually) for Pro plan; Advanced at $119/user/month; 14-day free trial available.
Live Home 3D
specializedCross-platform home and interior design tool with terrain editing, roofing, and high-quality 3D renders.
Seamless 2D-to-3D conversion with interactive walkthroughs and 360° panoramas
Live Home 3D is a cross-platform interior design software that enables users to create 2D floor plans and convert them into realistic 3D models for interior decoration. It features a large library of furniture, textures, lighting, and decor items, allowing for detailed room visualizations and virtual walkthroughs. The tool supports real-time rendering, AR previews on mobile, and basic landscaping, making it ideal for planning home interiors from scratch or renovations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with real-time 3D previews
- Extensive catalog of customizable furniture and materials
- Cross-platform support including AR/VR on mobile devices
Cons
- Limited advanced tools for professional architects
- Performance lags with very large or complex projects
- Pro features locked behind higher one-time or subscription costs
Best For
DIY homeowners and amateur interior decorators seeking an accessible tool for visualizing and planning room layouts.
Pricing
Freemium model; desktop Standard $49.99 one-time, Pro $99.99 one-time; iOS/Android subscriptions from $4.99/month or $29.99/year.
Roomstyler
specializedFree 3D room designer with real-world furniture brands and community-shared designs for inspiration.
Massive community-driven 3D model library with user contributions
Roomstyler is a browser-based 3D interior design platform that enables users to create realistic room layouts using drag-and-drop tools and a vast library of furniture and decor. It offers high-quality renderings, 360-degree views, and the ability to share designs publicly or privately. The software emphasizes community contributions, allowing users to access and even upload their own 3D models for a collaborative design experience.
Pros
- Extensive free library of community-created 3D models
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with real-time 3D previews
- High-quality rendering and export options at no cost for basics
Cons
- Limited advanced CAD tools for professional use
- Occasional performance lag with complex scenes
- Quality varies in user-uploaded models
Best For
Homeowners and hobbyist designers seeking an accessible, free tool for experimenting with room layouts.
Pricing
Free basic version; PRO subscription at $4.95/month for ad-free experience, premium objects, and advanced exports.
Sweet Home 3D
otherOpen-source application for intuitive interior design with 2D plan views and 3D previews using imported 3D models.
Instantaneous 2D floor plan creation with automatic 3D rendering and virtual walkthroughs
Sweet Home 3D is a free, open-source interior design application that enables users to create detailed 2D floor plans and instantly view them in 3D with furniture, walls, and decorations. It includes a vast library of 3D models for furniture and objects, supports custom imports, and allows exporting designs as images, videos, or printable plans. The software runs offline on Windows, Mac, Linux, or via a web version, making it accessible for quick home redesigns.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no hidden costs
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for beginners
- Real-time 2D-to-3D switching and multi-platform support
Cons
- Basic rendering lacks photorealism of pro tools
- Limited built-in furniture library requires imports for variety
- No advanced tools like parametric modeling or collaboration features
Best For
DIY homeowners and hobbyists seeking a simple, cost-free tool for basic room planning and visualization.
Pricing
Entirely free (open-source); optional paid furniture packs available.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools represent top-tier options for interior decorators, each with unique strengths. Chief Architect emerges as the top choice, boasting advanced 3D design, rendering, and client presentation capabilities. SketchUp excels with its versatile 3D modeling and visualization, while Homestyler stands out for its free AI-driven redesign and quick 4K renders, appealing to different professional needs.
Explore Chief Architect today to unlock its robust features and take your interior design projects to the next level, whether you prioritize precision, versatility, or speed.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison