Decks.com Deck Designer vs Lowe's Deck Designer: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
Decks.com Deck Designer and Lowe's Deck Designer are both home & construction design tools, compared here side by side. Decks.com Deck Designer is free, with limits (Paid) and runs in any web browser with nothing to install; Lowe's Deck Designer is free, brand-locked (Free) and runs in any web browser with nothing to install. Decks.com Deck Designer is moderate to learn, while Lowe's Deck Designer is easy — a real factor if you are just starting out.
Free tiers & pricing last verified Jun 23, 2026.
Pick Decks.com Deck Designer if…
Free, with limitsDIYers who want code-referenced plans without committing to one brand.
Pick Lowe's Deck Designer if…
Free, brand-lockedDIYers planning a basic deck who intend to buy materials at Lowe's.
Side by side
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.
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.
Read the full reviews
Decks.com Deck Designer
Free 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.
Lowe's Deck Designer
Free 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.
Decks.com Deck Designer vs Lowe's Deck Designer: questions, answered
What is the main difference between Decks.com Deck Designer and Lowe's Deck Designer?
Decks.com Deck Designer is moderate to learn, while Lowe's Deck Designer is easy — a real factor if you are just starting out.
Is Decks.com Deck Designer or Lowe's Deck Designer free?
Decks.com Deck Designer is free, with limits and Lowe's Deck Designer is free, brand-locked. Decks.com Deck Designer: Free 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. Lowe's Deck Designer: Free 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.