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Best 10 Interior Design Software in 2025 (Desktop & Online)

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11 min Read

Compared to the traditional hand-drawn design method, interior design software can help you visualize every aspect of your design in 3D. Also, it can be used directly on a computer, and even design drafts can be modified online. This is undoubtedly an indispensable tool for designers who need to show design models to clients in a timely manner.

When it comes to how to choose software for interior design, there are several professional options available in the market. To help you get started quickly, we have compiled a list of the 12 best software for interior design, including both Windows/Mac software and online tools. Now let’s take a look at some of our top picks for the best interior design software for interior designers.

 

Contents

 

What is interior design software?

Interior design software is a digital tool that replaces traditional hand-drawn methods to visualize, create, and modify interior design projects. It supports 3D rendering of design details, enables online editing of drafts, and works across computers or online platforms—becoming indispensable for designers needing to present models to clients promptly.

 

Factors Needed to Be Considered in Choosing Interior Design Software

To pick up the best interior design software to visualize your design idea, there are a few key factors you can take into consideration to avoid unnecessary waste of time.

 

Ease of use

Professional interior design software should be easy to use for both beginners and experienced users with clear interfaces and instructions.

 

Large library

Software for interior design featuring a large library of 3D objects can help you save a lot of time and effort, as you won’t have to create your objects from scratch.

 

Affordable price

There are many different kinds of plans in the market like free online, monthly subscription, yearly subscription or perpetual llicense. Choosing the one that is in your budget is the best.

 

Full Functionality

The design software supporting professional drafting tools, collaboration and high compability allows you to design your drawing easily.

 

Apart from these, there are some additional factors to consider when choosing the best interior design software. For example, 2D floor planning, 3D rendering, data management, and so on. It is hard to choose the best option, but there are many great options available in the following. Let’s scroll and find one that is right for you.

 

An Overview of the 10 Softwares for Interior Design

Before picking up, let’s check an overview of the 10 best software for interior design in the following. In this section, we will give you a brief comparison of them in various aspects.

Software Recommendation Rating Price Platform
ZWCAD ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One-time purchase: $899~$1699 Windows, Linux
AutoCAD ⭐⭐⭐ $2,095/year; $260/month Windows, macOS
Cedreo ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free version;
Personal version: $59;
Pro and enterprise: $468~$708/year; $59~$69/month		 Windows, macOS
Planner 5D ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free version;
Premium and Professional: $59.99~$399.99/year; $19.99~$49.99/month		 Web, Android, iOS
SketchUp ⭐⭐⭐ $129~$819/year; $19.99~$59.99/month Windows, macOS, Web
Roomeon ⭐⭐⭐ Free Web
ArchiCAD ⭐⭐⭐ Free Archicad EDU license;
Commercial license:
Archicad Studio: $345 + tax/month or $2,414 + tax/year;
Archicad Collaborate: $406 + tax/month or $2,840 + tax/year;
BIMcloud: $99 + tax/month or $567 + tax/year		 Windows, macOS
TurboCAD ⭐⭐⭐⭐ For Windows: $99.99~$1499.99;
For Mac: $99.99~$1299.99		 Web, Windows, macOS
Live Home 3D ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free version;
Lifetime license:
Mac: $49.99~$99.99
iPhone/iPad/Vision/Windows/Android: $99.99		 iPhone,
iPad,
Vision,
macOS, Windows, Android
HomeByMe ⭐⭐⭐ Free version;
Premium and Unlimited: $29~$65/month		 Web,
macOS,
Windows, Android, iOS

 

Detailed Review of the 10 Best Interior Design Software

 

Top 1. ZWCAD

ZWCAD is a leading interior design software known for its balance of power and affordability. It supports seamless collaboration and versatile design capabilities, making it suitable for both beginners and professionals.

 

Core Features:

  • Compatible with most CAD file formats, such as DWG,DWT,DWG,DXF,JPG,PDF,PNG,IFC and STEP.
  • Easy to use because skills and experiences you acquired in AutoCAD is completely applicable in ZWCAD.
  • Provides intelligent features like smart match, similar search and parametric design to boost work efficiency.
  • Faster performance compared with most CAD softwares when loading the larger files.

 

Applications in Interior Design:

  • Ideal for creating detailed floor plans, furniture layouts, elevations, and sections. It facilitates collaborative design by enabling easy file exchange with other professionals, and allows custom object creation to streamline workflows.

 

Pros:

  • Excellent value compared to high-priced CAD alternatives.
  • User-friendly interface for quick mastery.
  • Strong 2D and 3D design capabilities.
  • Custom object creation accelerates workflow.
  • One–time purchase for perpetual license.

Cons:

  • Support Lunix and Windows, but Lunix is only available in Chinese.
  • For new learners in CAD, it may take some time for you to learn because there are many commands and tools.
  • Not developed specifically for interior design, so pre-made components are limited.

 

Note:

ZWSOFT has released ZWCAD Flex, a subscription-based CAD solution currently available exclusively in the United States and Canada.

Users outside these regions are encouraged to contact their local ZWSOFT sales team to explore perpetual license options for ZWCAD.

 

Top 2. AutoCAD

AutoCAD is an industry-standard CAD software available for Windows and Mac. It’s widely used for professional interior design projects, offering precise and detailed design tools for 2D and 3D work.

AutoCAD

Core Features:

  • Advanced 2D floor plan and 3D model creation.
  • Supports elevation and section drawing for multi-angle visualization.
  • Large library of symbols and blocks for interior design elements.
  • Highly customizable tools and workspace.

Pros:

  • Industry-standard software with widespread professional recognition.
  • Powerful 2D/3D editing and creation features.
  • Produces detailed, accurate interior design plans.
  • Fully customizable to fit specific workflow needs.

Cons:

  • High cost of annual subscription and computer resources.
  • Continuous and stable internet is required when using it.

 

 

Top 3. Cedreo

Cedreo is a web-based interior design software popular among designers, architects, and homeowners. It specializes in user-friendly 2D/3D design and photorealistic renderings for residential and commercial spaces.

Cedreo

Core Features:

  • 2D floor planning and 3D modeling with curved wall support.
  • Photorealistic rendering and 360-degree panoramas.
  • Client presentation and collaboration features.
  • Library of pre–designed elements for interior design.

 

Pros:

  • Creates detailed 2D/3D models of interiors and furniture.
  • Generates realistic virtual tours and panoramas.
  • Offers project cost estimation and client management tools.
  • Supports collaboration with other designers.

 

Cons:

  • Lacks advanced features like parametric modeling.
  • The library’s pre-designed shapes may only comply with the standards of certain countries (e.g., the US).

 

 

Top 4. Planner 5D

Planner 5D is a multi-platform (web, Android, iOS) interior design tool suitable for all skill levels. It stands out for its user-friendly interface and robust online community support.

Planner 5D

Core Features:

  • Drag-and-drop 2D/3D design interface.
  • Vast library of real-world furniture and home decor from popular brands.
  • Online community with tutorials and courses helps beginners to learn fast.

 

Pros:

  • Beginner-friendly with no special skills required.
  • Extensive library of branded furniture and decor.
  • Abundant tutorials and resources for learning.

 

Cons:

  • Slow performance with complex projects.
  • Does not support 3D printing exports.
  • Not ideal for collaborative projects.

 

 

Top 5. SketchUp

SketchUp is an intuitive interior design software with a customizable workspace. It excels at 2D floor plan conversion to 3D models, making it popular for beginners and casual designers.

Sketchup

Core Features:

  • Vast library of pre-made components and textures are provided.
  • Collaboration tools allow you to share components you made and keep them on your work shared drive, which ensures a high consistency with your drawings.
  • 3D modeling capabilities enable users to visualize projects from multiple perspectives.

 

Pros:

  • Easy to start for beginners.
  • Simple, intuitive interface for easy learning.
  • Extensive pre-built model library.
  • Free version available for basic use.

 

Cons:

  • Realistic rendering is not supported.
  • Less precise for complex models.
  • Slow and laggy performance when working with complex shapes.

 

 

Top 6. Roomeon

Roomeon is a free, open-source interior design tool focused on 3D room visualization. It uses a drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible to users with no design experience.

Roomeon

Core Features:

  • Free 3D room design with drag-and-drop functionality.
  • Large library of furniture, materials, and finishes.
  • Photorealistic 3D rendering for room designs.
  • Web-based access with no installation required.

 

Pros:

  • Free for personal use.
  • User-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
  • Produces realistic 3D renderings.
  • Extensive library of design materials and furniture.

 

Cons:

  • Limited to pre-defined material library; no custom materials.
  • Slow loading and rendering for complex designs.
  • No support for curved walls.

 

 

Top 7. ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD is suitable for diverse projects from residential buildings to public architectures, which enables seamless connection between design, construction, and management through full BIM workflow support.

ArchiCAD

                          (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZWYhCUy5-I)

Core Features:

  • Archicad’s sleek, user-friendly interface and clear visual presentation make it ideal for fast, efficient modeling, especially in the early design stages.
  • The software’s versatile tools, including the Shell Tool, Interactive Calendar, and BIMX, enable teams to handle a wide range of projects while effectively managing large-scale tasks.
  • Compatibility with both Mac and Windows platforms ensures a flexible and accessible solution for diverse work environments.

 

Pros:

  • Allowing simultaneous 2D and 3D work for real-time visualization.
  • Efficiently handling complex models with speed and versatility.
  • Stability is a key strength, with rare crashes and no loss of work reported by long-time users.

 

Cons:

  • Limitations in large-scale coordination and documentation.
  • Some tools in Archicad are difficult to understand initially, with certain functions being hard to locate or requiring multiple clicks.
  • 3D object library is bulky and slow to load, affecting workflow efficiency and still relatively basic, with ongoing improvements but still insufficient for many design needs.

 

 

Top 8. TurboCAD

TurboCAD is a versatile CAD software available in multiple editions, catering to beginners and professionals alike. It offers comprehensive 2D/3D design tools for interior design projects.

TurboCAD

Core Features:

  • Multi-edition software with tailored features for different skill levels.
  • 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and rendering tools.
  • Collaboration tools including real-time sharing and version control.

Pros:

  • Compatible with other popular CAD software.
  • Extensive library of objects and materials.
  • Supports various import/export formats.
  • Robust collaboration and file sharing features.

Cons:

  • Only support some basic 3D functions and 3D renderings are not really lifelike.
  • Expertise guidance or systemactic classes will be needed if you are new to this software.
  • Expensive subscription for use.
  • Slow performance and occasional bugs with large/complex models.

 

Top 9. Live Home 3D

Live Home 3D is a multi-platform interior design software (macOS, Windows, Android, iOS) ideal for beginners. It offers a balance of ease of use and powerful design features.

Livehome 3D

Core Features:

  • 2D drafting and 3D modeling with 5,000+ object library.
  • Photorealistic rendering and 360-degree panoramas.
  • Cross-device compatibility and collaboration tools.

 

Pros:

  • Easy to create designs for first–time users and available in multiple platforms.
  • 3D visualisation are quick and intutive.
  • Unique augmented reality feature allows you to convert a 2D diagram to 3D and AR model with a single button click.

 

Cons:

  • Performance issues with complex designs may lead to the loss of data.
  • Lacks advanced features like BIM functionalities and comprehensive collaboration tools.

 

 

Top 10. HomeByMe

HomeByMe is a user-friendly interior design tool for professionals and homeowners. It focuses on 2D/3D floor planning and photorealistic renderings with a library of branded home decor.

HomeByMe

Core Features:

  • Straightforward to use with amazing photorealistic renders.
  • Large library of branded furniture and appliances.
  • 3D modeling and layouts allow you to view your design from different angles and to check whether you like it.

 

Pros:

  • Responsive support team with promopt customer service.
  • Extensive library of templates is provided.
  • Easy to use for users with no design experience.

 

Cons:

  • Creating custom shapes is not supported.
  • Slow performance with complex projects.
  • Relatively high annual subscription price.

 

 

FAQs About Interior Design Software

 

Which Software Is Mostly Used for Interior Design?

ZWCAD, AutoCAD, and Cedreo are the most widely used interior design software. All three support multi-format file exchange, and plugin integration—suitable for both beginners and professionals. ZWCAD offers versatility at an affordable price, AutoCAD is the industry-standard with advanced features (but higher cost and learning curve), and Cedreo is tailored specifically for interior design needs.

 

 

Is It a Good Investment to Buy Interior Design Software?

The value of investing in interior design software depends on your needs:

  • For professional designers: Essential for creating polished, efficient designs, saving time, and standing out from competitors. AutoCAD and its best alternative ZWCAD with same function but affordable price are recommended.
  • For hobbyists/DIYers: Free or affordable options (e.g., SketchUp) are sufficient—no need for expensive tools like AutoCAD.
  • For serious enthusiasts: Mid-range software (e.g., Planner 5D, Live Home 3D) offers a worthwhile balance of features and cost.

 

 

Conclusion

The 10 interior design software options covered cater to all skill levels and budgets—from free beginner tools like DFS Room Planner to professional-grade software like AutoCAD and ArchiCAD. The best choice depends on your specific needs: prioritize affordability with ZWCAD, Mac compatibility with AutoCAD, 3D visualization with ArchiCAD, or ease of use with Planner 5D.

We recommend testing free trials to experience each tool’s workflow before committing. Whether you’re a professional designer, homeowner, or hobbyist, these software options will help bring your interior design ideas to life.