Kitchen Design Software
Berta Kitchen Layout Planner
Truly freeFree, no-signup tool that generates a cabinet layout and plywood/material estimate with SVG/PDF export.
Kitchenplanner.net
Truly freeCompletely free 3D kitchen planner with no download and no registration, monetized by optional dealer-quote referrals.
Arcadium 3D Kitchen Planner
Free, with limitsFree version covers cabinet placement, countertops and basic 2D/3D layout; AI tools, premium materials and photorealistic rendering need an upgrade.
Coohom
Free, with limitsFree to design and view in 3D in-browser, but free renders are capped at around 10 standard renders a month and carry a Coohom watermark; HD/4K, panoramas, videos, and watermark removal all require a paid plan.
HomeByMe Kitchen Planner
Free, with limitsFree account lets you draw a 2D plan and view in 3D, but high-res 4K renders and extra projects are limited on the free tier.
Homestyler
Free, with limitsFree to design with unlimited 1K renders and 100k+ models, but every free render carries a Homestyler watermark, removing it needs a paid plan, and 4K renders cost $1.99 each a la carte.
KitchenBlueprint
Free, with limitsEverything is unlocked free during the public beta, with planned paid contractor plans later.
KitchenDesign.io
Free, with limitsThe drag-and-drop layout planner with 24+ appliances and PNG/PDF export is free; a separate AI photo-redesign tool charges credits.
Picpala AI Kitchen Planner
Free, with limitsFree to try with no signup; unlimited generations and extra features require signing in to a paid/upgraded plan.
Planner 5D
Free, with limitsFree to design unlimited 2D/3D projects, but about half the furniture catalog is locked, you get no proper renders, and DWG/DXF export plus custom 3D import require the Professional plan.
VisualGPT AI Kitchen Planner
Free, with limitsFree AI kitchen visualizer with no signup for basic use; higher-resolution or volume output is gated behind paid credits.
Aristokraft Kitchen Visualizer
Free, brand-lockedFree room visualizer restricted to Aristokraft cabinet door styles and finishes on preset scenes.
Cabinets.com Create-A-Kitchen
Free, brand-lockedFree self-serve 3D tool, but it designs only with Cabinets.com's own door styles and products toward a quote.
Closeout Kitchens AI Kitchen Designer
Free, brand-lockedFree with no sign-up, but it only places real cabinets from Closeout Kitchens' own catalog with live pricing aimed at purchase.
IKEA Kitchen Planner
Free, brand-lockedCompletely free with no paid tier, but it only contains IKEA's own SEKTION cabinets and products, and you must sign in to an IKEA account to save your design or download/print the PDF plan and item list.
KraftMaid Kitchen Visualizer
Free, brand-lockedFree self-serve visualizer limited to KraftMaid door styles, finishes, countertops and flooring on preset room scenes.
Lowe's Kitchen Planner
Free, brand-lockedFree to use including the visualizer and the designer consultation, but it's oriented around Lowe's own cabinetry and products, and the detailed 3D rendering comes from a complimentary Lowe's designer rather than a full DIY editor.
Rebode Jumpstarter
Free, brand-lockedFree self-serve style quiz and AI 'Try on Your Style' photo preview, but it's geared to MasterBrand styles and routing you to a local designer.
Thomasville Cabinetry Room Visualizer
Free, brand-lockedFree visualizer limited to Thomasville cabinet styles/finishes; products are sold through Home Depot.
Wellborn My Project Planner
Free, brand-lockedFree self-serve planning suite (budget estimator, measuring guides, checklist, idea/design tools) oriented to Wellborn cabinetry and dealers.
2020 Design Live
PaidNo free tier; it's a paid professional license, with legacy 2020 Design Live around $166-$235/month and its successor Design Flex running roughly $1,895-$2,995 per year depending on tier and manufacturer-catalog access.
ProKitchen
PaidNo free tier, only a 7-day trial; paid licenses run about $1,795/year without manufacturer catalogs or $2,395/year with all branded catalogs (roughly $158-$208/month paid annually).
What to look for in kitchen design software
The best free kitchen design software in 2026 for most people is a browser-based planner that draws your kitchen to scale, drops in cabinets and appliances, and shows a 3D view with no install. Below we compare the top options and flag exactly where free ends — watermarks, locked exports, and account walls. Retailer planners (IKEA, Lowe’s) are powerful but tie you to their own products and catalogs.
Free tier & pricing. Some tools let you design for free but charge to save, print, or remove watermarks. Check before you spend an hour on a layout you can’t export.
True-to-scale dimensions. A real planner uses exact inches, not rough boxes. You need precise measurements to order cabinets and check that everything fits.
Cabinet and countertop catalogs. Look for adjustable cabinet sizes, corner units, and countertop materials. Generic blocks won’t tell you if your run actually fits the wall.
Appliance fit and clearances. Good tools warn you when a fridge door blocks a walkway or a dishwasher crowds the sink. Standard clearances (counter depth, walkway width) matter more than looks.
Work-triangle and layout guidance. The sink, stove, and fridge form a triangle. The best planners help you keep those legs efficient and flag galley, L-shaped, and island layouts.
Retailer planner caveats. IKEA and Lowe’s planners are free and detailed, but they only use that store’s products and pricing. Great for shopping there, limiting if you’re not.
Export and sharing. Can you download a PDF, a parts list, or a shareable 3D link? Free plans often cap this or stamp a watermark on every page.
Questions, answered
What is the best free kitchen design software in 2026?
For most people it’s a browser-based 3D planner that needs no install and draws your kitchen to scale. The catch is that many free plans add a watermark or block PDF and image exports until you upgrade. Retailer tools like the IKEA Kitchen Planner are fully free but only use that store’s cabinets.
Can I design a kitchen online without downloading anything?
Yes. Several planners run entirely in your browser on Mac, Windows, and Chromebook, so there’s nothing to install. You usually need a free account to save your work. Watch for export limits — designing is free, but downloading a clean copy often is not.
How do I design a kitchen layout from scratch?
Start by measuring your room and entering the exact wall lengths, then place doors, windows, and the sink, stove, and fridge. Keep those three appliances in an efficient work triangle and leave at least 36 to 42 inches of walkway. Most planners then let you add cabinets and switch to a 3D view to check the result.
Is the IKEA or Lowe’s kitchen planner any good?
Both are genuinely free and accurate, with real product dimensions and live pricing. The trade-off is lock-in — they only design with that store’s cabinets and appliances. They’re excellent if you plan to buy there and limiting if you want to compare brands or use a custom cabinetmaker.
Can free kitchen software give me a cabinet price estimate?
Retailer planners can, because they price their own catalog as you build. General design tools usually show layouts and parts but not real costs, so you’ll quote cabinets separately. Treat any auto-estimate as a starting point and confirm with a supplier before ordering.
Learn more
- Official IKEA Kitchen Planner and Lowe’s Kitchen Planner pages
- NKBA kitchen layout & clearance guidelines
- A reputable kitchen-remodel YouTube channel
- A major cabinet maker’s "how to measure your kitchen" guide