Top 10 Best Landscape Design Software of 2026

Realtime Landscaping Architect is a powerful 3D landscape design software from Idea Spectrum, enabling users to create detailed, photorealistic outdoor spaces from concept to completion. It offers an extensive library of over 7,000 plants, hardscapes, structures, and materials, with intuitive 2D drafting tools that seamlessly transition to interactive 3D models. Key capabilities include terrain editing, lighting effects, mulch beds, and high-quality rendering for client presentations.

Vectorworks Landmark is a professional BIM/CAD platform specifically designed for landscape architects, offering robust 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and site design capabilities. It includes specialized tools for planting design with a vast database of over 130,000 plant species, terrain modeling, grading, hardscaping, and irrigation systems. The software supports photorealistic rendering and detailed documentation, making it ideal for complex landscape projects from conceptual design to construction.

Land F/X is a specialized CAD plugin for AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Revit, designed specifically for landscape architects and designers. It offers robust tools for planting schedules, irrigation design with hydraulic calculations, hardscape layouts, and site amenities, all integrated with dynamic databases. The software automates documentation, ensuring accurate quantities, legends, and labels that update in real-time as designs change.

SketchUp is a powerful 3D modeling software that excels in creating detailed visualizations of landscapes, including terrain, vegetation, hardscapes, and outdoor structures. Its intuitive push-pull tools enable users to quickly transform 2D sketches into 3D models, while the extensive 3D Warehouse provides thousands of free, pre-made landscape assets like plants, trees, and site furnishings. With extensions such as Sandbox for terrain modeling and integrations for rendering, it supports professional landscape design workflows from concept to presentation.

Chief Architect is a powerful 3D design software renowned for architectural and residential building design, with comprehensive landscape tools for terrain modeling, planting, hardscaping, and site planning. It allows users to create photorealistic landscapes that integrate seamlessly with home designs, including features like plant libraries, mulch areas, and elevation adjustments. While not exclusively a landscape tool, it excels in producing professional-grade outdoor renderings and walkthroughs.

Cedreo is a cloud-based 2D/3D design software primarily for residential home builders, architects, and remodelers, enabling quick creation of floor plans, interiors, exteriors, and landscapes. In landscape design, it provides drag-and-drop tools for terrain modeling, plant libraries, hardscapes, pools, and outdoor furnishings to visualize gardens and yards realistically. It generates photorealistic renders and 360° panoramas for client presentations, streamlining the design-to-proposal process.

Lands Design is a specialized plugin for Rhino and AutoCAD, focused on landscape architecture and BIM modeling for professionals. It provides tools for terrain manipulation, parametric vegetation libraries with thousands of species, procedural object generation, and high-fidelity rendering. The software excels in creating detailed 2D/3D landscapes, urban green spaces, and gardens with seamless CAD integration and IFC export for BIM workflows.

Live Home 3D is a cross-platform 3D design software that excels in creating detailed landscape plans, including terrain modeling, plant placement, and hardscaping elements alongside home exteriors. It features a drag-and-drop interface with a large library of plants, trees, and outdoor objects for realistic visualizations. Users can generate 2D plans, 3D walkthroughs, and high-quality renders, making it suitable for residential landscape projects.

iScape is a mobile-first landscape design app that leverages augmented reality (AR) to allow users to visualize plants, trees, hardscapes, and outdoor features directly overlaid on photos or live camera views of their yards. It features a vast library of over 10,000 real-world plants with accurate sizing and growth projections, along with tools for basic layouts, measurements, and sharing designs. Ideal for quick conceptual designs, it bridges the gap between DIY homeowners and professionals needing client presentations on the go.

Garden Planner from GrowVeg.com is a web-based tool focused on designing vegetable gardens, raised beds, and small edible landscapes with drag-and-drop simplicity. It features an extensive database of over 1,000 plants, including vegetables, herbs, and flowers, allowing users to create custom plans, generate crop rotation schedules, and receive companion planting advice. While it supports basic elements like paths, ponds, and fences, it lacks advanced landscape features such as 3D modeling or hardscaping tools.