Sweet Home 3D
Truly freeGenuinely free, open-source home planner with built-in photoreal rendering and no paywall.
Free tier & pricing
Completely free and open-source for personal and commercial use with no feature paywall; the only real limit is that the online and mobile versions can't import custom 3D models or export OBJ, which the desktop app handles.
Last verified Jul 3, 2026. Report a change →
The short answer
The rare no-strings option: open-source (GPL), free for personal and commercial use, works offline, and even includes built-in photorealistic rendering at no cost. The trade-offs are a dated Java interface, slow CPU-only renders, and a smaller default catalog. It's also the only tool here that runs on Linux.
The facts
- Pricing
- Free · Truly free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Runs in browser
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
- 2D / 3D
- Photorealistic
- Learning curve
- Easy
- Export formats
- PDF, PNG, SVG, OBJ
The catch
- Desktop install only — no browser version.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Completely free and open-source for personal and commercial use
- Works offline with accurate real-dimension floor plans
- Built-in photorealistic photo and video rendering at no cost
- Runs on Linux as well as Windows, macOS, and mobile
- PDF, PNG, SVG, and OBJ export all free
Cons
- Dated Java interface feels clunky next to modern rivals
- Photorealistic renders are slow because they're CPU-only
- Online and mobile versions can't import custom models or export OBJ
- Smaller default furniture catalog than commercial competitors
- No native DWG/DXF or STL export
Best for
Budget-conscious DIYers and Linux users who want a truly free 2D/3D planner with free photoreal renders.
Not for
Users needing a polished modern UI, CAD/DWG interchange, fast GPU rendering, or a large built-in catalog out of the box.
Sweet Home 3D in depth
Why Sweet Home 3D is the pick for a truly free planner
Sweet Home 3D is the rare no-strings option: it is open-source (GPL), free for both personal and commercial use, runs fully offline, and — unusually — includes built-in photorealistic rendering at no cost and with no watermark. It draws accurate to-scale floor plans, exports PDF, PNG, SVG and OBJ without paywalls, and is the only tool in its class that also runs on Linux alongside Windows, macOS and mobile.
For a budget-conscious DIYer, a renter planning a layout, or anyone who refuses to hand their project to a cloud account, it is the safest recommendation on the whole directory.
The trade-offs of open-source
The cost of all that freedom is polish. The interface is dated Java and feels clunky next to modern cloud rivals, the photorealistic renders are slow because they are CPU-only, and the default furniture catalog is smaller than commercial competitors (though free extra libraries exist). The online and mobile versions also cannot import custom 3D models or export OBJ — only the desktop app handles those.
If you want a modern UI, fast GPU rendering, or a giant brand catalog out of the box, a commercial tool will feel nicer; if you want zero limits and zero cost, the rough edges are worth it.
Alternatives to Sweet Home 3D
SketchUp
Free, with limitsSketchUp Free is free for personal, non-commercial use in the browser only; you can model and download skp/png/stl, but DWG/DXF/OBJ/PDF export, the desktop app, and extensions all require a paid 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.
Floor Plan Creator
Free, with limitsThe Android free tier lets you draw unlimited projects and floors and save in-app, but any export (PNG/JPG/PDF/DXF/SVG/OBJ) needs a one-time paid unlock; the separate web free tier allows only 1 project and low-res PNG/JPG.
See all Sweet Home 3D alternatives compared →
Head-to-head comparisons
Sweet Home 3D: questions, answered
Is Sweet Home 3D free?
Yes. Sweet Home 3D is genuinely free to use. Completely free and open-source for personal and commercial use with no feature paywall; the only real limit is that the online and mobile versions can't import custom 3D models or export OBJ, which the desktop app handles.
What platforms does Sweet Home 3D run on?
Sweet Home 3D is available on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. It runs in any web browser with nothing to install.
What file formats can you export from Sweet Home 3D?
Sweet Home 3D exports to PDF, PNG, SVG, OBJ. It does not export CAD (DWG/DXF) formats, so it is not aimed at construction documents.
Does Sweet Home 3D do 3D and photorealistic renders?
Yes. Sweet Home 3D produces photorealistic 3D renders. Check the free-tier note above, though — several tools watermark or cap free renders.
Is Sweet Home 3D easy to learn?
Easy to pick up. Budget-conscious DIYers and Linux users who want a truly free 2D/3D planner with free photoreal renders.
What are the best alternatives to Sweet Home 3D?
Popular Sweet Home 3D alternatives include SketchUp, Planner 5D and Floor Plan Creator. Compare their free tiers, platforms and export formats on the Sweet Home 3D alternatives page.