Decks.com Deck Designer
Free, with limitsFree brand-neutral 3D deck designer with IRC-based plans
Free tier & pricing
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.
Last verified Jun 23, 2026. Report a change →
The short answer
Decks.com (owned by Trex) offers a free 3D designer that handles multi-level decks, stairs, octagons and angled shapes, with 2D and 3D views. You can download permit plans, build specs and a suggested material list, plus access 80-plus free deck plans based on the International Residential Code. A free account is needed to save, and you can't change joist or beam sizes.
The facts
- Pricing
- Paid · Free, with limits
- Free tier
- Yes
- Runs in browser
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
- 2D / 3D
- Good 3D
- Learning curve
- Moderate
- Export formats
- PDF, PNG
The catch
- You must create an account to save or export.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Free and not locked to a single product brand
- Handles multi-level, stairs, octagons and angled shapes
- Permit plans and build specs based on the IRC
- 80+ free downloadable deck plans alongside the tool
Cons
- Free account required to save and download
- Cannot change joist or beam sizes
- Material list is 'suggested' and may omit bracing/blocking you need
- Disclaimer notes you must verify local code compliance yourself
Best for
DIYers who want code-referenced plans without committing to one brand.
Not for
Anyone needing custom framing sizes or a guaranteed material takeoff.
Alternatives to Decks.com Deck Designer
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.
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.
See all Decks.com Deck Designer alternatives compared →
Head-to-head comparisons
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Decks.com Deck Designer: questions, answered
Is Decks.com Deck Designer free?
Decks.com Deck Designer has a free tier, but with limits. 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. Paid plans start at Paid.
What platforms does Decks.com Deck Designer run on?
Decks.com Deck Designer is available on Web. It runs in any web browser with nothing to install.
What file formats can you export from Decks.com Deck Designer?
Decks.com Deck Designer exports to PDF, PNG. It does not export CAD (DWG/DXF) formats, so it is not aimed at construction documents.
Does Decks.com Deck Designer do 3D and photorealistic renders?
Decks.com Deck Designer supports 3D with good 3d render quality. For fully photorealistic output you may want a heavier tool.
Is Decks.com Deck Designer easy to learn?
Moderate to pick up. DIYers who want code-referenced plans without committing to one brand.
What are the best alternatives to Decks.com Deck Designer?
Popular Decks.com Deck Designer alternatives include Trex Deck Designer and Lowe's Deck Designer. Compare their free tiers, platforms and export formats on the Decks.com Deck Designer alternatives page.