Whether you’re rearranging a living room, planning a kitchen renovation or designing a house, a good floor plan makes it easier to see what will fit before you start moving furniture or spending money.
The best floor plan software for Mac depends on what you want to produce. Some apps concentrate on accurate measurements and clear 2D layouts. Others let you furnish rooms, experiment with materials and explore a home in 3D without the need to use complex and expensive CAD software.
We’ve brought together our leading recommendations for both, including free software, Mac desktop apps and planners you can use in your browser.
Our pick for 2D floor plans: SmartDraw
SmartDraw is our first choice for creating a measured room, house or office layout on a Mac. Its templates, dimension tools and furniture symbols help you turn an idea into a clear plan you can share. If your main goal is a 3D walkthrough, start with Live Home 3D below.
The Best Floor Plan Software for Mac Compared
| Software | Best for | How you use it on a Mac | Free option and paid pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmartDraw | Measured 2D floor plans | Browser; Mac desktop download also available | Free to start; Individual subscription currently $7.95/month, reductions for Team & Enterprise plans available |
| Live Home 3D | 3D home and interior design | Mac app | Limited free version; Mac lifetime licences currently $49.99 Standard or $99.99 Pro |
| Sweet Home 3D | Free desktop home planning | Mac app | Free installer; paid Mac App Store edition also available |
| RoomSketcher | Property plans and presentations | Mac app for drawing; browser portal for project services | Free account; Pro $144/year or $24 billed monthly; some outputs use credits |
| Floorplanner | Occasional projects in a browser | Browser | Five free projects; paid credits for project upgrades and better exports |
| Planner 5D | Beginner home design and decorating | Browser; Mac app also available | Free web plan; Premium $59.99/year or $19.99 billed monthly |
| SketchUp | Custom 3D modelling | Browser; Mac desktop app with Pro | Free for non-commercial use; Go $129/year; Pro $399/year |
| Homestyler | Interior styling and rendered images | Browser | Free Basic plan; paid memberships and additional rendering options |
Prices are in US dollars, checked on September 11, 2026. Introductory offers, taxes and regional or App Store pricing can differ. Annual subscriptions are billed for the year; a quoted monthly equivalent is not a monthly payment option. Pricing links and the main restrictions are included below.
1. SmartDraw — Best for Measured 2D Floor Plans
SmartDraw remains our top recommendation for fast 2D floor plans because we’ve yet to try any Mac-compatible floor planning software that lets you create accurate professional floor plans so quickly. If you need scaled 2D layouts for homes, offices, classrooms or commercial buildings rather than photorealistic interior visualizations, it’s still the fastest and easiest tool we’ve tested.
SmartDraw offers both a lightweight Mac desktop app – although it is just a web-app wrapper – that works on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, or can also be used online in any browser.
One of the things that’s really impressive in SmartDraw is the sheer number of floor plan templates available.
There are literally thousands of Quick Start templates and symbols including a huge number of ready-made floor plans which you can personalize very quickly.
These include detailed templates for office floors, conference floors, event floors, warehouse floors and reception floors.
SmartDraw’s floor plan creator allows you to quickly drag-and-drop structures like walls, windows, doors and then decorate them with furniture, appliances and fixtures.
This includes bathroom fixtures, lighting fixtures, cabinets, office furniture, wiring, plumbing, HVAC, security systems, plants, landscape elements and many more.
There are also plenty of textures to choose from for flooring, countertops and different types of furniture.
You can share designs easily via a link online, PDF or transfer it to Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
You can start creating a floor plan on SmartDraw for FREE to judge it for yourself or see our guide on how to draw a floor plan on a Mac with SmartDraw.
You can also read our SmartDraw review for more.
Pricing: Free to start but to save designs $7.95/m/single user or $6.95/m for 3+ users billed annually. Enterprise plans on request.
Pros:
- Gives professional results fast
- Offers both Mac desktop app and online version
- Free to start designing with
- Very lightweight, fast and beginner friendly
- Automated templates do the hard work for you
- Includes free whiteboard tools for brainstorming designs
Cons:
- No mobile app
- No 3D planning
2. Live Home 3D —Best for 3D Home Design
If you want a Mac desktop app then Live Home 3D (formerly known as Live Interior 3D) is by far the best native Mac desktop home design software we’ve tried.
There are many things that make Live Home 3D stand out from the crowd and the developers have clearly put a lot of thought into how to make external and interior design easy, visually striking and fun.
The interface to Live Home 3D is perfect for beginners as it’s so clear and logically laid-out without being overwhelming so its suitable for beginners too.
The graphics in general are also superb with high quality 2D objects and highly realistic 3D rendering. You can switch between 2D and 3D at any time and with no waiting around to see how your designs look close up.
You can design in 2D and 3D with a selection of furniture and objects from the Trimble SketchUp 3D Warehouse which has many more objects and models.
You can read our full review of Live Home 3D for more.
Pricing: A limited free version is available. The developer store currently offers Mac lifetime licences at $49.99 for Standard and $99.99 for Pro with a 30 day money back guarantee. These are current offers; Mac App Store options and pricing can differ.
Pros:
- Excellent Mac desktop app
- Powerful yet low learning curve
- 2D and 3D design
- Huge choice of interiors, furniture and materials
- Terrain editing functionality
- Support for lighting effects
Cons:
- Limited landscaping tools
- No support for layers
3. Sweet Home 3D — Best Free Desktop Option
Sweet Home 3D is an open-source home design application that’s available both as a free download and as a browser-based web app. It’s a good choice if you want a straightforward way to create floor plans, remodel rooms or experiment with interior layouts without a steep learning curve.
The software lets you draw your home in 2D, then instantly preview the results in a fully navigable 3D view. You can furnish rooms using a library of furniture, doors, windows and other objects, making it easy to visualize different layouts before making changes in real life.
The free downloadable version is available from the Sweet Home 3D website and includes all of the core design features. The browser version also lets you create designs online, although you’ll need to create a free account to save your projects.
There’s also a paid subscription only version on the Mac App Store ($4.99/week, $19.99/month or $49.99/year) which bundles the latest version of the software with a much larger library of furniture models and textures, automatic updates through the App Store, and the convenience of installing directly on macOS. The design tools themselves are essentially the same as the free version, and you can also expand the free version by downloading additional furniture and textures separately.
Sweet Home 3D has an intuitive interface and an active community that shares additional models, textures and design ideas. It also includes basic outdoor and landscaping features, although if your main focus is garden design, you’ll get better results with dedicated landscape design software.
Check out our full Sweet Home 3D for Mac review for more.
Pricing: Free Cloud and desktop version / Mac App Store desktop version with more furniture and objects starts at $4.99/week.
Pros:
- Free cloud version and desktop app
- Works in any browser and on desktop
- Paid version offers better Mac integration and more features
Cons:
- Paid version is now subscription only
- Web version feels very dated
- Free version requires manually downloaded extra textures and objects
4. RoomSketcher — Best for Property Presentations
RoomSketcher is an easy-to-use floor plan and home design tool that lets you draw layouts, furnish rooms, and generate high-quality 3D interior designs directly in any web browser.
Originally launched as a simple floor-planning tool, RoomSketcher has evolved into a full home design platform aimed at homeowners, interior designers, real-estate agents, and anyone who needs fast, professional-looking plans without complicated CAD software.
You simply draw your walls, add doors and windows, then start decorating with the built-in library of furniture, fixtures, and materials. Everything is drag-and-drop, and you can switch instantly between 2D and 3D as you work.
One of RoomSketcher’s standout features is its 3D rendering engine. Even on a Mac, you can generate photorealistic snapshots, 3D floor plans, and immersive walkthroughs that help visualize a space more clearly.
The 3D image quality is significantly higher than most browser-based design tools, and you can create multiple angles or full-project walkthroughs with minimal setup.
The furniture and materials library is extensive and regularly updated, covering everything from kitchen cabinetry and flooring options to décor and lighting. There are no branded products but the catalogue is more than enough for re-modelling interiors or experimenting with new interiors.
You can read our full RoomSketcher review for more.
You can also see how RoomSketcher compares to our top pick in our in-depth look at SmartDraw vs RoomSketcher.
Pricing: Free plan available / Paid tiers starting at $12/month unlock 3D renders, high-resolution exports, and professional features
Pros:
- Extremely easy drag-and-drop floor planning
- Excellent 3D renders, walkthroughs, and 3D floor plans
- Works in any browser on Mac (no installation)
- Large furniture and materials library
- Great for client-ready visuals and quick room layouts
Cons:
- High-resolution renders require paid credits or a subscription
- Limited business/enterprise tools compared with contractor-focused platforms
- Not ideal for complex, highly technical architectural drawings
5. Floorplanner — Best for Occasional Browser Projects
Floorplanner is a very slick dedicated online software that’s used by everyone from home owners to professional interior designers to create impressive 2D and 3D designs.
The tool is particularly popular with Realtors that need to create professional plans on a Mac quickly.
This is partly because Floorplanner can use your phone or iPad to capture rooms and then aggregate floor designs thanks to integration with Magicplan.
Floorplanner is easy enough for beginners and conveniently snaps items and objects into place to keep your designs both geometrically correct and tidy with minimal effort.
There are also convex tools to help you create complex rounded walls and dividers.
It allows you to create designs in 2D but you can render them in 3D. This is a really nice touch as it allows you to better visualize what your idea will look like if you were standing in the room.
You can use Floorplanner on your Mac for free although this only entitles you to one saved project.
The pricing policy for advanced Floorplan features is complex but works on a subscription plus credits system starting at $5 per month for individuals and $59 per month for teams.
You can check out our full Floorplanner review for more.
Pricing: Free for one project. Plans starting from $5/month
Pros:
- Uses your phone or iPad to capture rooms
- Specialized tools for Real Estate Professionals
- Convex tools to create complex rounded walls
Cons:
- Expensive cost per design unless you subscribe
- Confusing credit/subscription pricing policy
6. Planner 5D — Best for Beginner Home Design
Planner 5D is an intuitive but powerful 2D and 3D tool that has both a Mac desktop app and Cloud version.
Despite offering some serious rendering power, its lightweight enough to work very well on base level Macs such as the MacBook Air.
There’s a huge catalog of over 5000 items both interior and outdoor landscape furnishings which you can view from any angle.
You can apply custom surfaces, choose the upholstery of furniture and experiment with different lighting sources.
If you don’t want to start from scratch, there are templates you can customize and the mobile app even allows you to take a photo of your room and import it into Planner5D.
The 3D renderings are as good as you’ll get in any app on this level and can be done in real time as you tweak your designs.
You can use the Basic Plan of Planner5D for free to test it for yourself. The catalog of furnishings is limited in the free version and there’s no HD rendering but its enough to evaluate the product.
The Premium Plans include full catalog access, AI plan recognition and access to Design School which is Planner 5D’s own interior design learning program.
You can read our full Planner 5D review for more.
Pricing: Basic plan free / Premium pricing based on catalog access and renderings required starting from $59.99/year or $19.99 billed monthly.
Pros:
- Mac desktop app
- Huge catalog of furnishings
- Intuitive interface
Cons:
- Confusing pricing system
- Can’t change furniture sizing or textures in free version
7. SketchUp — Best for Custom 3D Models
If you’re looking for the HGTV home design software used by Chip and Joanna Gaines in the show Fixer Upper, then SketchUp will look very familiar.
That’s because Chip and Joanna Gaines use SketchUp to redesign houses in the HGTV show Fixer Upper although they use the rather more expensive Sketchup Pro.
SketchUp (formerly Google Sketchup) has evolved from a free online 2D design tool that was once owned by Google to a very powerful 2D and 3D modelling software that produces professional interior and architectural designs.
SketchUp was known as Google SketchUp until 2012 when Trimble Navigation bought it and turned it into a powerful, professional 3D architectural tool.
There is also a basic version called SketchUp Free for non commercial use which is aimed at hobbyists.
However, the free version of SketchUp web only and there’s no Mac desktop app whereas the Pro version also offers a Mac desktop app for offline use.
You can read our review of SketchUp for a more in-depth look.
You can also look at our comparison of SketchUp vs SmartDraw and Live Home 3D vs SketchUp for a more in-depth look at how it differs from our top picks.
Pricing: Free / Starting from $10.75/per month (paid annually) for SketchUp Go Web version
Pros:
- Does both 2D and 3D design
- Draw freehand if you want
- Extensive 3D warehouse with objects and floor plans
- Free web version
Cons:
- Advanced features and full exporting only available if you upgrade to Pro
- Desktop app only available in Pro version
8. Homestyler — Best for Interior Styling
Homestyler (formerly Easyhome Homestyler) is a fun, AI powered home design tool that lets anyone plan, furnish and visualize interiors in a web browser.
Originally launched as part of Autodesk’s “Project Dragonfly” back in 2009, it was later spun off and acquired by Easyhome New Retail Group and Alibaba Group, who now operate it independently.
The current version of Homestyler is far more advanced than the old Autodesk tool that was discontinued in 2017, with a strong focus on AI-powered design and cloud rendering.
The Basic version of Homestyler is free which includes access to the 3D floor planner, furniture and material library, and community design gallery.
If you want HD or 4K renders, watermark removal, or extra AI credits, you’ll need to upgrade to one of the paid tiers.
The AI Decoration tools are some of the best in any home design software including AI Room Generation that can turn a floor plan sketch or photo into a realistic 3D model in seconds.
Whether you’re planning a renovation, creating client visuals, or just redecorating for fun, Homestyler offers an accessible yet professional-grade experience that feels remarkably complete for a browser-based app.
Check out our full Homestyler review for more.
Pricing: Free / Paid plans start from $4.90/month but check the selected billing term, rendering allowances and final checkout price on its membership page.
Pros:
- Easy drag-and-drop interface with a gentle learning curve
- Massive library of 50,000+ real-brand objects
- AI decoration and layout suggestions
- HD and 4K rendering in paid versions
- Works entirely in browser (Mac-friendly)
Cons:
- Limited to 1K renders in free version
- Can feel slow with complex projects or large furniture sets
- Credit-based rendering and AI system
Other Floor Plan and Home Design Tools to Consider
These tools are useful for more specific needs:
- Cedreo: A home design platform aimed at builders, remodelers and designers who need floor plans and 3D visuals for presentations. Consider it when producing client proposals is a recurring part of your work. Our Cedreo review looks at it in more detail.
- Home Design 3D: Another option for drawing rooms, furnishing a house and experimenting with decoration. Check the features of the Mac edition when comparing it with the developer’s mobile apps.
- Houzz Pro: Combines 3D floor planning with business tools such as estimates, selections and scheduling. It is most relevant if you also need software to run a design or building business. See our Houzz Pro review.
- Floor Plan Creator: Offers a web editor you can use on a Mac, alongside a separate Android app. Its dimension tools and paid export options make it worth a look for practical layouts. See our Floor Plan Creator review.
- IKEA’s planning tools: Useful when a project revolves around IKEA kitchens, storage or furniture. Their product focus is helpful for that shopping decision, but less flexible when you want to mix furnishings from several brands. See our IKEA room planning tool review for more.
How to Choose the Right Software
Start with the result you need. For a layout showing room dimensions, doors and furniture positions, we would begin with SmartDraw. For a visual model you can walk through and decorate, Live Home 3D is our leading Mac app recommendation. Sweet Home 3D is the free desktop option to try first.
Next, check how you will share the result. A screenshot may be enough for your own reference. If someone else needs measurements, confirm that the software can produce the dimensions, scale and file format they need. Ask about this before spending hours on a detailed model.
Finally, price the finished job. A free editor may charge for a clean PDF, higher-resolution render or additional project. A yearly subscription can make sense for regular use, while a one-time project upgrade may suit a single room redesign.
How We Chose These Apps
This guide draws on MacHow2’s individual software reviews and checks of the developers’ current product and pricing pages. The linked reviews provide more detail, and the screenshots show examples from our existing coverage.
Our recommendations focus on the tasks each app suits: drawing measured layouts, furnishing rooms, presenting a property or building a custom 3D model. We also consider the route available to Mac users, what the free version includes and the cost of getting a usable result out of the software.
FAQ
What is the best free floor plan software for Mac?
Sweet Home 3D is our first recommendation for free desktop planning because you can draw, furnish, save and export a home project without a subscription. If you prefer a browser, Floorplanner’s free account is useful for trying layouts, although its free exports have restrictions. See Sweet Home 3D’s download options and Floorplanner’s free plan limits.
Is SmartDraw free?
SmartDraw is free to start trying, with a paid subscription for ongoing use. The current Individual offer is $7.95 per month billed annually for new customers. See its current pricing and terms.
Should I choose 2D floor plan software or a 3D home designer?
Choose according to the decision you need to make. A measured 2D plan helps you check room sizes, furniture positions and the space around doors. A 3D view helps you judge how the space and finishes look together. Many home planners offer both, but SmartDraw is our recommendation when the main deliverable is a clear 2D layout.
Can I use floor plan software on a MacBook Air or an older Mac?
Choose an app that supports your Mac’s macOS version, or a web planner that supports your browser. For example, the current Live Home 3D Mac store listing requires macOS 11 or later. Being browser-based does not remove hardware limits: complex 3D scenes can still be demanding. Try a representative room project on your own Mac before subscribing.
Which floor plan software can I use offline on a Mac?
Sweet Home 3D’s desktop version is a useful starting point for working locally. Live Home 3D also offers local Mac design tools and offline rendering. Downloads, extra content and online services may still need a connection. Check the Sweet Home 3D features and Live Home 3D Mac features for the functions you need.
Can I import an existing floor plan or use AI to convert it?
Yes, but the methods differ. SmartDraw can import a PDF or image as a scaled background for tracing. RoomSketcher and Planner 5D offer AI conversion or recognition features that help create an editable starting layout. See SmartDraw’s import guide, RoomSketcher’s conversion workflow and Planner 5D’s plan features.
Whichever method you use, check the overall dimensions, wall thicknesses, openings and scale against the original measurements before relying on the result.
Is HGTV home design software available for Mac?
Yes — the home design software often associated with HGTV shows such as Fixer Upper is SketchUp Pro, which is fully available for Mac.
However, SketchUp Pro is aimed more at professionals and advanced users. If you want something easier for home renovation or room layouts, tools such as Planner 5D, Live Home 3D, or SmartDraw are generally more beginner-friendly.
SketchUp Free is also available in a browser if you want to try it without paying for the Pro version.