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Home Designer

homedesignersoftware.com

From $41.25/mo Free trial WindowsmacOSiOSAndroid
Visit homedesignersoftware.com
Spec score 8.9 #2 of 15 in Landscape Design Software

What it is

Home Designer is desktop software for DIY home design, remodeling, kitchen and bath projects, and cost estimation. It runs on Windows and macOS and provides 2D floor plans alongside 3D views, cross-sections, elevations, and real-time ray-trace rendering. Automatic design tools generate roofs, floors, foundations, ceilings, and framing as users work. Users can create scaled construction documents and site plans, produce materials lists, assign prices for estimates, and dimension plans manually or automatically. The software also supports customizable smart cabinets, automatic door and window framing, and materials takeoffs. Virtual tour walkthroughs can be recorded, and interactive 3D Viewer models can be exported to Chief Architect’s cloud for mobile sharing. Core, bonus, and manufacturer library items are available; bonus and manufacturer catalogs are free downloads. Home Designer is compatible with Chief Architect software for project sharing. A trial is available, but trial users cannot save, print, export, or record walkthroughs, and Library Browser functions are restricted. The monthly plan is $79 a month; annual subscription is $495 a year.

Spec sheet

What it does
Home Designer is desktop software for DIY home design, remodeling, interior, kitchen and bath, deck, landscaping, 2D plans and 3D visualization.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Purpose
Home Designer is DIY software for home design, remodeling, kitchen and bath design, and cost estimation.Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Trial
A free trial is offered, but trial users cannot save, print, export, or record walkthroughs, and Library Browser functions are restricted.Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Support
Free online support resources are available 24/7, including a knowledge base, webinars, training materials, and the HomeTalk forum.Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Headquarters
LinkedIn lists the headquarters at 6500 N Mineral Drive, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Founded
1992Read 28 Sep 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Maker
Home Designer is published by Chief Architect, Inc., a privately held software company headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; its software began in 1992.Read 7 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
3D design
It provides realistic 3D views, cross-sections, elevations, and real-time ray-trace rendering.Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
3D model formats
Depending on edition and version, it imports OBJ, 3DS, SKP, DAE, STL, DWG and DXF symbols.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
3D rendering
The program provides real-time ray-traced rendering plus artistic rendering modes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Activation frequency
Internet is required for installation, activation, deactivation, catalogs and videos, with license authentication required at least every 14 days.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
API and SDK
The public product pages and documentation describe file import/export and viewer sharing but do not provide a public API or SDK.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Authentication and telemetry
The EULA says licensing technology and automatic error reporting send installation, system and security information to Chief Architect servers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cloud.chiefarchitect.com
Automatic building tools
Walls, roofs, floors, foundations, ceilings and framing update automatically as the design changes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Building tools
Automatic tools generate roofs, floors, foundations, ceilings, and framing as users design.Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Cabinet design
Cabinets snap together, conform to walls and support customizable doors, drawers, counters, woods, paints and stains.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Company founding
LinkedIn states that Chief Architect Software was founded in 1992.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company size
LinkedIn lists Chief Architect Software as privately held with 51–200 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Documentation and support
Documentation includes a reference manual, illustrated user guide, installation guide, update notes, knowledge-base articles, videos, webinars, phone and online support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Doors and windows
Placed doors and windows automatically frame wall openings and provide customizable styles and shapes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
DWG/DXF integration
The software imports DWG/DXF drawings and exports current views or all floors as line-based DWG/DXF files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Integration
Home Designer is compatible with Chief Architect software, allowing homeowners and professional designers to share projects.Read 7 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Interior design
The software supports 2D floor plans, 3D visualization, materials takeoffs, customizable smart cabinets, and automatic door and window framing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Internet and system requirements
The current system requirements specify Windows 10 or 11 64-bit or macOS Sequoia or Tahoe, 16 GB RAM, 5 GB disk space, and internet access; license authentication requires internet access every 14 days.Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Libraries
Core, bonus and manufacturer catalogs are downloadable, with current-version catalogs included at no extra charge.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Licence
The EULA grants an individual, non-transferable proprietary licence and prohibits reverse engineering, redistribution and disabling authentication.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cloud.chiefarchitect.com
Limit: learning curve
TechRadar says new users can feel intimidated by the feature-rich interface, although tutorials help them become productive.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techradar.com
Limit: mobile viewer performance
App Store reviewers report out-of-memory errors, slow rendering, awkward floor navigation and requests for layer controls and saved walkthroughs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: price
TechRadar describes the higher legacy tiers as expensive, citing $249 for Architectural and $595 for Pro.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techradar.com
Limit: viewer file sharing
A Google Play review says the viewer cannot open SketchUp files and requires Chief Architect/Home Designer exports or Collada files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Materials takeoff
Design items are included in materials lists for quantity and cost estimation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Plans and estimates
Users can create scaled construction documents and site plans, generate materials lists, assign prices for estimates, and dimension plans automatically or manually.Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Praise: feature depth
Coohom reports that reviewers value architectural accuracy, floor planning, framing logic, roof generation and real measurements.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coohom.com
Product consolidation
Chief Architect consolidated Suite, Architectural and Professional into one Home Designer product beginning with version 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Rating on Apple App Store
3.7 out of 5 from 526 ratings for the companion 3D Viewer appRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Capterra
4.2 out of 5 from 9 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on GetApp
4.2 out of 5 from 9 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Google Play
3.5 out of 5 from 386 reviews for the companion 3D Viewer appRead 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Self-hosting
Home Designer is installed desktop software and the official materials provide no self-hosted server edition.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
System requirements
Current Windows minimums are Windows 10/11 64-bit, 16 GB RAM, 4 GB graphics memory, DirectX 12, 5 GB storage and internet; Mac minimums require an M1-or-newer processor, 16 GB RAM, 5 GB storage and internet.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Terrain and site plans
Site tools model lot boundaries, setbacks, terrain and the location of buildings or additions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Trial restrictions
The trial blocks saving, printing, exporting, walkthrough recording and some library-browser functions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Walkthroughs and sharing
Users can record virtual tour walkthrough videos and export interactive 3D Viewer models to the Chief Architect cloud for sharing on mobile devices.Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Walkthroughs and viewer export
Users can record walkthrough videos and export interactive models to Chief Architect's cloud for mobile viewing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com

Plans and prices

Home Designer $79 a month Billed monthly Software upgrades · Free catalog downloads · Technical support Read 22 Sep 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Home Designer $495 a year Billed annually Software upgrades · Free catalog downloads · Technical support Read 22 Sep 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Home Designer Pro Rent (legacy) $59 a month monthly legacy 2025 product Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Home Designer (monthly subscription) $79 a month Billed monthly Includes software upgrades · free catalog downloads · technical support Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Home Designer subscription (monthly) $79 a month monthly software upgrades · free catalog downloads · technical support Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Home Designer Suite (legacy) $129, paid once one-time payment legacy 2025 product Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Home Designer Architectural (legacy) $249, paid once one-time payment legacy 2025 product Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Home Designer (annual subscription) $495 a year Billed annually; $41.25/mo. – save 48% Includes software upgrades · free catalog downloads · technical support Read 7 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Home Designer subscription (annual) $495 a year annually software upgrades · free catalog downloads · technical support Read 15 Oct 2026 · homedesignersoftware.com
Home Designer Pro (legacy) $595, paid once one-time payment legacy 2025 product Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com

Every Home Designer plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Creates 2D plans and realistic 3D views
  • Automatic tools generate building structures
  • Produces materials lists and cost estimates
  • Exports interactive 3D models for mobile sharing
  • Free catalog downloads are included

Limits

  • No free plan
  • Monthly subscription costs $79 a month
  • Trial users cannot save, print, or export
  • License authentication requires internet every 14 days

Who it suits

It suits homeowners and designers planning or remodeling homes on a Windows or macOS desktop. Its plans, estimates, and 2D/3D design tools are relevant to users who need construction documents or materials lists.

Verdict

Home Designer combines home planning, 3D visualization, and estimating tools, with both monthly and annual subscriptions. The trial has significant output restrictions, so consider those limits alongside the system and internet requirements.

Where Specifiction places it

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