Decks.com Deck Designer vs Trex Deck Designer: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
Decks.com Deck Designer and Trex 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; Trex 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 Trex 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 Trex Deck Designer if…
Free, brand-lockedHomeowners committed to Trex composite who want a contractor-ready shopping list.
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.
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.
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.
Trex Deck Designer
Completely 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.
Decks.com Deck Designer vs Trex Deck Designer: questions, answered
What is the main difference between Decks.com Deck Designer and Trex Deck Designer?
Decks.com Deck Designer is moderate to learn, while Trex Deck Designer is easy — a real factor if you are just starting out.
Is Decks.com Deck Designer or Trex Deck Designer free?
Decks.com Deck Designer is free, with limits and Trex 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. Trex Deck Designer: Completely 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.