Quick Overview
- 1#1: SketchUp - Powerful 3D modeling software for creating detailed interior designs, floor plans, and photorealistic renderings with extensive extensions.
- 2#2: Chief Architect - Comprehensive home design software tailored for interior designers with automatic framing, 3D rendering, and material lists.
- 3#3: Autodesk Revit - BIM software for collaborative interior design projects featuring parametric components and real-time coordination.
- 4#4: AutoCAD - Industry-standard CAD tool for precise 2D drafting and 3D modeling of interior layouts and elevations.
- 5#5: ArchiCAD - BIM authoring software with intelligent objects for efficient interior space planning and visualization.
- 6#6: Vectorworks - Versatile CAD/BIM platform for interior designers offering hybrid 2D/3D workflows and rendering capabilities.
- 7#7: RoomSketcher - User-friendly app for generating professional floor plans, 360-degree panoramas, and 3D walkthroughs.
- 8#8: Homestyler - Cloud-based 3D interior design tool with drag-and-drop furniture placement and AR preview features.
- 9#9: Floorplanner - Online editor for quick 2D floor plans and interactive 3D models with a vast library of furnishings.
- 10#10: Planner 5D - Intuitive 3D home and room planner with AI-assisted design suggestions and extensive catalog.
Tools were chosen based on robust feature sets—including 3D modeling, rendering, and collaboration capabilities—paired with intuitive interfaces and practical value to suit diverse designer skill levels and project scopes.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines key interior designer software tools, such as SketchUp, Chief Architect, Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and ArchiCAD, highlighting their distinct features and practical applications. Readers will discover which tool suits their project goals, whether for 3D rendering, drafting, or collaborative design processes.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SketchUp Powerful 3D modeling software for creating detailed interior designs, floor plans, and photorealistic renderings with extensive extensions. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Chief Architect Comprehensive home design software tailored for interior designers with automatic framing, 3D rendering, and material lists. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 3 | Autodesk Revit BIM software for collaborative interior design projects featuring parametric components and real-time coordination. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 4 | AutoCAD Industry-standard CAD tool for precise 2D drafting and 3D modeling of interior layouts and elevations. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 5 | ArchiCAD BIM authoring software with intelligent objects for efficient interior space planning and visualization. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | Vectorworks Versatile CAD/BIM platform for interior designers offering hybrid 2D/3D workflows and rendering capabilities. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | RoomSketcher User-friendly app for generating professional floor plans, 360-degree panoramas, and 3D walkthroughs. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Homestyler Cloud-based 3D interior design tool with drag-and-drop furniture placement and AR preview features. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 9 | Floorplanner Online editor for quick 2D floor plans and interactive 3D models with a vast library of furnishings. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Planner 5D Intuitive 3D home and room planner with AI-assisted design suggestions and extensive catalog. | general_ai | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
Powerful 3D modeling software for creating detailed interior designs, floor plans, and photorealistic renderings with extensive extensions.
Comprehensive home design software tailored for interior designers with automatic framing, 3D rendering, and material lists.
BIM software for collaborative interior design projects featuring parametric components and real-time coordination.
Industry-standard CAD tool for precise 2D drafting and 3D modeling of interior layouts and elevations.
BIM authoring software with intelligent objects for efficient interior space planning and visualization.
Versatile CAD/BIM platform for interior designers offering hybrid 2D/3D workflows and rendering capabilities.
User-friendly app for generating professional floor plans, 360-degree panoramas, and 3D walkthroughs.
Cloud-based 3D interior design tool with drag-and-drop furniture placement and AR preview features.
Online editor for quick 2D floor plans and interactive 3D models with a vast library of furnishings.
Intuitive 3D home and room planner with AI-assisted design suggestions and extensive catalog.
SketchUp
specializedPowerful 3D modeling software for creating detailed interior designs, floor plans, and photorealistic renderings with extensive extensions.
Push/Pull tool for effortless 2D-to-3D extrusion
SketchUp is a powerful 3D modeling software renowned for its intuitive interface, making it ideal for interior designers to create detailed 3D models of rooms, furniture, and entire spaces. Users can quickly sketch 2D plans and extrude them into 3D using the signature Push/Pull tool, facilitating rapid space planning and visualization. It integrates seamlessly with a vast 3D Warehouse library of pre-made models and supports extensions for rendering, material application, and photorealistic outputs.
Pros
- Intuitive Push/Pull modeling for quick 3D creation
- Massive 3D Warehouse library of furniture and decor models
- Extensive extension ecosystem for rendering and interiors-specific tools
Cons
- Subscription-based pricing can add up for individuals
- Built-in rendering is basic; advanced requires paid extensions
- Performance may lag with very complex models
Best For
Interior designers seeking an intuitive, extensible 3D modeling tool for rapid space planning and client presentations.
Pricing
Free web version; Pro at $349/year; Studio bundle (with advanced rendering) at $699/year.
Chief Architect
specializedComprehensive home design software tailored for interior designers with automatic framing, 3D rendering, and material lists.
Integrated BIM tools that automatically generate framing, electrical, and plumbing layouts alongside interior designs
Chief Architect is a powerful 3D design software primarily used for residential architecture, offering tools to create detailed floor plans, elevations, and photorealistic 3D models. For interior designers, it provides extensive libraries of furniture, cabinets, materials, and finishes, enabling precise interior layouts, lighting simulations, and virtual walkthroughs. It combines BIM capabilities with intuitive drag-and-drop design, making it suitable for comprehensive remodels that integrate structural and aesthetic elements.
Pros
- Vast customizable libraries of interior objects, materials, and fixtures for realistic designs
- High-quality ray-traced rendering and 360° virtual tours for client presentations
- Automatic generation of construction documents, schedules, and material lists
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to architecture-focused interface and complexity
- High upfront cost with expensive add-ons and maintenance fees
- Overkill for simple interior projects without structural needs
Best For
Professional interior designers handling full-home remodels who require seamless integration of architectural plans and detailed interior modeling.
Pricing
Perpetual license for Premier X14 at $3,295; annual maintenance ~$595; lower tiers like Home Designer Pro start at $595 one-time.
Autodesk Revit
enterpriseBIM software for collaborative interior design projects featuring parametric components and real-time coordination.
Parametric BIM modeling that links geometry, data, and documentation for real-time updates across the entire project
Autodesk Revit is a powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) software widely used for creating detailed 3D models of buildings and interiors, including space planning, furnishings, materials, and lighting. It enables interior designers to produce parametric models that update automatically across views, schedules, and documentation. Revit supports collaboration through cloud-based tools and integrates seamlessly with other Autodesk products for rendering and analysis.
Pros
- Comprehensive BIM tools for parametric modeling and automated documentation
- Excellent multi-disciplinary collaboration and cloud integration
- Robust library of customizable families for interior elements
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training
- High subscription cost and resource-intensive performance
- Overkill for small-scale residential interior projects
Best For
Professional interior designers on large commercial or institutional projects needing BIM compliance and team coordination.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $2,885/year for single-user Revit license; included in AEC Collection for $3,575/year.
AutoCAD
enterpriseIndustry-standard CAD tool for precise 2D drafting and 3D modeling of interior layouts and elevations.
The integrated Architecture toolset with automated space and component tools optimized for interior layouts
AutoCAD, developed by Autodesk, is a professional-grade CAD software renowned for precise 2D drafting and advanced 3D modeling, widely used across architecture and design fields. For interior designers, it offers powerful tools for creating detailed floor plans, elevations, furniture layouts, and photorealistic renderings through its Architecture toolset. Its extensibility via plugins, blocks, and dynamic blocks supports complex interior design workflows, though it's more general-purpose than specialized interior tools.
Pros
- Unparalleled precision in 2D/3D drafting with parametric tools
- Architecture toolset tailored for space planning, walls, and doors/windows
- Vast library of blocks and seamless integration with Autodesk ecosystem
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training time
- High subscription cost may not justify for solo or small-scale designers
- Resource-heavy, demanding powerful hardware for smooth performance
Best For
Experienced interior designers or firms handling complex, technical projects needing high-precision CAD integration.
Pricing
Subscription: $1,975/year or $235/month (includes specialized toolsets like Architecture).
ArchiCAD
enterpriseBIM authoring software with intelligent objects for efficient interior space planning and visualization.
Morph tool for intuitive creation of complex, free-form interior shapes and custom elements beyond standard parametric objects
ArchiCAD is a powerful BIM (Building Information Modeling) software developed by Graphisoft, primarily for architects but highly capable for interior designers in creating detailed 3D models, space planning, and material specifications. It excels in parametric object modeling, photorealistic rendering, and generating construction documentation tailored to interior projects. While versatile, its architecture-centric focus makes it ideal for integrated building-interior workflows rather than standalone small-scale designs.
Pros
- Robust 3D modeling and BIM tools for precise interior layouts and furnishings
- Extensive object library with customizable interior elements and finishes
- High-quality rendering and interactive BIMx presentations for client approvals
Cons
- Steep learning curve, especially for non-architects new to BIM
- High subscription costs compared to specialized interior tools
- Resource-intensive performance on complex models without powerful hardware
Best For
Interior designers working on large-scale commercial or residential projects that require BIM integration with architectural teams.
Pricing
Annual subscriptions starting at ~$2,700 for Solo license, up to $5,000+ for Collaborate packages with cloud features.
Vectorworks
enterpriseVersatile CAD/BIM platform for interior designers offering hybrid 2D/3D workflows and rendering capabilities.
Seamless hybrid 2D/3D workflow with parametric objects that adapt intelligently to design changes
Vectorworks is a powerful BIM/CAD software suite tailored for design professionals, including interior designers, offering robust 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and rendering tools. It features extensive libraries of parametric furniture, fixtures, and materials, enabling detailed interior layouts, space planning, and photorealistic visualizations through integrated Renderworks. The platform supports collaborative workflows via Vectorworks Cloud Services and excels in producing construction documents alongside presentation-ready renders.
Pros
- Comprehensive parametric libraries for furniture and interiors
- Integrated Renderworks for high-quality 3D visualizations
- Strong BIM tools for coordination and documentation
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- High subscription costs
- Occasional performance issues with complex files
Best For
Professional interior designers and firms requiring advanced BIM, 3D modeling, and rendering in a cross-platform environment.
Pricing
Subscription-only: Fundamentals $153/month, Architect $231/month (annual billing discounts available; no perpetual licenses).
RoomSketcher
specializedUser-friendly app for generating professional floor plans, 360-degree panoramas, and 3D walkthroughs.
360° interactive walkthroughs that provide immersive client presentations directly from floor plans
RoomSketcher is a cloud-based floor plan and interior design software that allows users to create detailed 2D floor plans, furnish them in 3D, and generate photo-realistic renders and 360° walkthroughs. It offers a vast library of furniture, fixtures, and materials tailored for interior designers to visualize and present concepts efficiently. The tool supports both mobile and desktop use, making it ideal for on-site measurements and quick design iterations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for fast design creation
- Extensive library of customizable furniture and materials
- High-quality 3D renders and interactive 360° walkthroughs
Cons
- Limited advanced CAD tools for complex projects
- Free plan severely restricted; full features require premium subscription
- Performance can lag with large, detailed projects
Best For
Freelance interior designers and real estate professionals needing quick, professional visualizations without a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Free limited plan; Pro starts at $49/month (billed annually at $495); Business plans from $99/user/month for teams.
Homestyler
specializedCloud-based 3D interior design tool with drag-and-drop furniture placement and AR preview features.
Its massive catalog of over 1 million real-brand 3D models for authentic interior furnishing.
Homestyler is a web-based interior design software that allows users to create 2D floor plans and visualize them in photorealistic 3D renders. It features a vast library of over 1 million 3D models from real brands, enabling drag-and-drop furnishing and decoration of virtual spaces. The tool supports real-time rendering, 360-degree panoramas, and VR walkthroughs, making it suitable for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
Pros
- Extensive library of branded 3D furniture and decor models
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with real-time 3D previews
- Generous free tier with high-quality rendering capabilities
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options for complex architectural elements
- Free version includes watermarks on exports and limited storage
- Requires stable internet connection as it's fully browser-based
Best For
DIY homeowners and beginner interior designers seeking an accessible, free tool for quick room visualizations.
Pricing
Free plan available; Pro subscription starts at $4.90/month for watermark-free exports and more storage.
Floorplanner
specializedOnline editor for quick 2D floor plans and interactive 3D models with a vast library of furnishings.
Extensive 260,000+ item catalog from premium brands for realistic interior furnishing
Floorplanner is a web-based platform for creating 2D floor plans and interactive 3D interior designs, allowing users to draw layouts, furnish rooms with thousands of objects, and generate photorealistic renders. It supports interior designers in visualizing spaces quickly without needing desktop software installations. Key capabilities include drag-and-drop tools, 360° panoramas, and VR exports, making it suitable for both professionals and hobbyists.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for rapid plan creation
- Vast library of over 260,000 furniture and decor items from 200+ brands
- High-quality 3D renders, 360° views, and VR compatibility
Cons
- Advanced export options and unlimited projects require paid plans
- Free version includes watermarks and render limits
- Less robust for complex architectural detailing compared to pro CAD tools
Best For
Freelance interior designers and small firms needing quick, accessible 2D/3D planning without a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Free basic plan with limits; PRO at $5/user/month ($59/year); Expert at $9/user/month ($115/year); pay-per-render credits available.
Planner 5D
general_aiIntuitive 3D home and room planner with AI-assisted design suggestions and extensive catalog.
Real-time 2D floor plan to interactive 3D walkthrough conversion
Planner 5D is a user-friendly online and mobile app for creating 2D floor plans and 3D interior designs, allowing users to furnish and decorate virtual spaces with ease. It features a vast catalog of over 7,000 furniture items, textures, and decor options, supporting real-time 2D-to-3D visualization and rendering. Ideal for quick ideation, it caters to hobbyists and beginners but offers premium tools for more advanced customization.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface suitable for beginners
- Extensive library of furniture and decor items
- Seamless 2D/3D switching with realistic renders
Cons
- Free version limited by watermarks and catalog access
- Rendering quality not professional-grade
- Advanced customization lags behind pro tools like SketchUp
Best For
DIY homeowners and novice designers planning personal spaces without needing expert skills.
Pricing
Free plan with basics; Premium from $9.99/month ($59.99/year); Gold plan $14.99/month ($89.99/year); in-app purchases for items.
Conclusion
SketchUp emerges as the top choice, leveraging its powerful 3D modeling, detailed rendering, and extensive extensions to meet diverse interior design needs. Chief Architect and Autodesk Revit follow closely, each offering distinct strengths—comprehensive home design tools and collaborative BIM workflows, respectively—making them standout alternatives. Together, these tools highlight the breadth of options available, ensuring every designer finds a fit tailored to their priorities.
Start your creative journey with SketchUp to explore its robust features and bring your interior designs to life.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
