Home Designer vs SPIRIT
Home Designer
homedesignersoftware.comSPIRIT
softtech.deSide by side
| Figure | Home Designer | SPIRIT |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $41.25/mo | €37.50/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 10 | 8 |
| Spec score · Architectural CAD Software | 8.7 (#3) | 7.3 (#18) |
| Spec score · Architecture Software | 8.7 (#7) | 7.4 (#27) |
| Headquarters | LinkedIn lists the headquarters at 6500 N Mineral Drive, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States. | Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany |
| Purpose | Home Designer is DIY software for home design, remodeling, kitchen and bath design, and cost estimation. | SPIRIT is professional CAD-BIM software for architecture and other planning work, with 2D, 3D, and BIM workflows. |
| Support | Free online support resources are available 24/7, including a knowledge base, webinars, training materials, and the HomeTalk forum. | SOFTTECH says subscriptions include service updates, hotline, and support; its maintenance contract provides email, phone, and TeamViewer support. |
| 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. | The SPIRIT comparison page lists Windows 11 64-bit, an Intel Core i5/i7 or compatible processor from 1.6 GHz, 2.5 GB disk space per installation, and 8–16 GB RAM. |
| Trial | A free trial is offered, but trial users cannot save, print, export, or record walkthroughs, and Library Browser functions are restricted. | The product page says the free trial runs for 14 days after installation, requires no payment information, and provides the full feature set. |
Plans
Home Designer
- Home Designer$79 a month
- Home Designer$495 a year
- Home Designer Pro Rent (legacy)$59 a month
- Home Designer (monthly subscription)$79 a month
- Home Designer subscription (monthly)$79 a month
- Home Designer Suite (legacy)$129, paid once
- Home Designer Architectural (legacy)$249, paid once
- Home Designer (annual subscription)$495 a year
- Home Designer subscription (annual)$495 a year
- Home Designer Pro (legacy)$595, paid once
SPIRIT
- SPIRIT lite (subscription)€37.50 a month
- SPIRIT plan (subscription)€120 a month
- SPIRIT pro (subscription)€185 a month
- SPIRIT plan (single-seat purchase)€2,700, paid once
- SPIRIT plan (floating license purchase)€3,510, paid once
- SPIRIT pro (single-seat purchase)€4,200, paid once
- SPIRIT pro (floating license purchase)€5,460, paid once
- SPIRIT lite (single-seat or floating purchase)Priced on request
In their own words
Home Designer
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.