Deck & Patio Design Software
Greenplank Deck Designer
Truly freeA free, no-signup browser 3D deck designer with adjustable settings.
Arden AI Pergola Design
Free, with limitsFree AI pergola visualizer (no signup) that renders pergola styles onto an uploaded photo; advanced features may be paid.
Decks.com Deck Designer
Free, with limitsFree to design and download plans plus a suggested material list after a free signup, but you cannot change the framing lumber sizes and the materials are a suggested list, not a guaranteed takeoff.
Planner 5D Deck Design
Free, with limitsFree 2D/3D deck and patio design with drag-and-drop; some premium items and HD renders require payment.
Belgard Rooms Planner
Free, brand-lockedFree planner with pre-designed outdoor rooms and AR preview of Belgard paver/patio products.
Deckorators 3D Deck Builder
Free, brand-lockedFree template-based 3D deck builder locked to Deckorators products, generates a materials list and design report.
Deckorators Deck Visualizer
Free, brand-lockedFree product-combination visualizer locked to Deckorators decking, railing, and privacy screens.
Envision Outdoor Living Visualizer
Free, brand-lockedFree visualizer for pairing Envision composite decking and railing products in preset settings.
Fiberon Discovery Deck Designer
Free, brand-lockedFree with unlimited designs and a downloadable bill of materials, but the BoM is explicitly an estimate and every component is a Fiberon product.
FortressView Visualizer
Free, brand-lockedFree 3D framing and railing visualizer locked to Fortress Building Products with an autogenerated bill of materials.
Home Depot Deck Designer
Free, brand-lockedFree deck designer tied to Home Depot inventory with automatic material lists.
Hygge Pergola Configurator
Free, brand-lockedFree self-serve configurator for Hygge aluminum pergolas with 80,000+ configurations, leading to a purchasable product.
Lowe's Deck Designer
Free, brand-lockedFree with no purchase or account upgrade, but the material list and prices are pulled from Lowe's own inventory and the plans are not engineered or permit-ready.
Menards Deck Designer
Free, brand-lockedFree web deck designer that itemizes lumber/hardware with current Menards store pricing and full build packet.
MoistureShield Outdoor Project Hub
Free, brand-lockedFree account-based deck planning hub locked to MoistureShield collections, exports a project PDF.
NewTechWood Visualizer
Free, brand-lockedFree visualizer to apply NewTechWood decking, deck tiles, and siding to an uploaded photo or scene, with a materials list.
StruXure Pergola X Visualizer
Free, brand-lockedFree configurator for customizing StruXure Pergola X colors and accessories; ends in a quote request.
TimberTech / AZEK Deck Designer
Free, brand-lockedFree to design, save, compare and download a materials take-off, but the take-off only covers AZEK/TimberTech parts and starting a project signs you up for dealer and contractor outreach.
Trex Deck Designer
Free, brand-lockedCompletely free with no payment and no export paywall, but every board, railing and SKU it prices is a Trex composite product, so the shopping list only works if you actually buy Trex.
Wolf Home Products Deck Visualizer
Free, brand-lockedFree web visualizer for previewing Wolf deck board, post, railing, and baluster combinations.
What to look for in deck & patio design software
The best free deck design software in 2026 for most people is a browser-based designer that lays out your deck to scale, shows it in 3D, and generates a material list. The catch: those auto-generated lumber and cost estimates often under-count — they miss waste, blocking, and fasteners — so always cross-check before you buy. Below we compare the top deck and patio tools and flag exactly where free stops.
Free tier & pricing. Many deck designers are free to use but gate the printable plan, the material list, or the 3D export behind an account or upgrade. Confirm you can actually get your plan out.
Accurate material and lumber list. A material list is the main reason to use these tools, but most under-count. Look for one that includes joists, beams, fasteners, and waste — and still verify the totals yourself.
Works on a photo of your yard. Some tools let you design on top of a photo of your actual yard, which makes the result far more realistic than a blank grid.
Railing, joist, and footing detail. Good software lets you set joist spacing, beam sizes, railing styles, and footing locations — not just an outline. That detail is what makes a plan buildable.
Code and permit awareness. Many decks need a permit and must meet local code for railings, spans, and footings. The best tools flag standard spans and railing heights, but you still confirm with your local building department.
Paver and patio support. For patios, look for paver pattern layouts, square-footage math, and a paver count. A dedicated paver patio tool beats a deck-only planner here.
Export and shareable plans. Check whether you get a PDF plan, a dimensioned drawing, and a shareable 3D view. Free tiers often watermark or limit these.
Questions, answered
What is the best free deck design software in 2026?
For most people it’s a browser-based deck designer that lays out your deck to scale, shows a 3D view, and spits out a material list with no install. Brand tools from composite makers are free and detailed but design around their own boards. The catch is that the auto material list usually under-counts, so check it before buying lumber.
Are the material lists from deck software accurate?
Treat them as a starting point, not a final order. Most free tools under-count — they often skip waste, blocking, hangers, screws, and stair framing. Use the list to get close, then run the numbers through a deck material calculator and add 10 to 15 percent for waste before you buy.
Can I design a deck on a photo of my own yard?
Some tools support this, and it’s the most realistic way to plan. You upload or position a photo of your yard and draw the deck on top, so you see it against your real house and grade. Not every planner offers it, so check the comparison table above.
Do I need a permit, and will the software handle code?
Most attached decks and any raised deck need a permit, and your build must meet local code for railing height, joist spans, and footing depth. Good software flags standard spans and a 36-inch railing, but it can’t know your local rules. Always confirm with your local building department before you build.
How do I design a deck if I’ve never done it before?
Start by measuring the space and your door height, then draw the deck outline to scale and set the height off the ground. Add joists, beams, and footings, pick a railing, and switch to 3D to check the look. Finish by exporting the plan and material list, then verify the lumber counts and permit needs.
Learn more
- Official Trex Deck Designer and AZEK/TimberTech designer pages
- Decks.com (by Trex) for free deck plans and code tips
- Your local building department or the ICC DCA 6 prescriptive deck guide
- A trusted deck-building YouTube channel