Decks.com Deck Designer vs Planner 5D Deck Design: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
Decks.com Deck Designer and Planner 5D Deck Design 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; Planner 5D Deck Design is free, with limits (Paid) and runs in any web browser with nothing to install. Both are close on the basics, so the choice comes down to which free-tier limits and platform support fit your project.
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 Planner 5D Deck Design if…
Free, with limitsWhole-backyard deck and patio scenes
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.
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.
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.
Planner 5D Deck Design
Free 2D/3D deck and patio design with drag-and-drop; some premium items and HD renders require payment.
Decks.com Deck Designer vs Planner 5D Deck Design: questions, answered
What is the main difference between Decks.com Deck Designer and Planner 5D Deck Design?
Both are close on the basics, so the choice comes down to which free-tier limits and platform support fit your project.
Is Decks.com Deck Designer or Planner 5D Deck Design free?
Decks.com Deck Designer is free, with limits and Planner 5D Deck Design is free, with limits. 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. Planner 5D Deck Design: Free 2D/3D deck and patio design with drag-and-drop; some premium items and HD renders require payment.