Professional architecture software makes design and information management processes very efficient and fast. Thus, it helps architects increase output and improve productivity considerably.
Depending on the complexity of a software product and the number of features included in its toolkit, it may be pricy. However, some tools are still available in the market at no charge.
Here, we’ve collected a list of free architecture software for big and small architectural companies. Our selection includes design, modeling, and rendering tools that can become a great alternative to expensive 3D design, CAD and business software to manage clients, track time and progress, and issue bills.
Free Architecture Modeling and Design Software
FreeCAD
- 2D sketcher
- Multiple file formats
- CSG modeling
- BIM modeling
This free architecture software is a parametric 3D modeler built for creating models of real-life objects. The tool allows you to make 2D sketches and use them to create 3D objects, and vice versa – create 2D drawings based on existing 3D models.
It supports various file formats (STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE, and more) so that users can process exported files in other software.
FreeCAD is a great tool for both professionals and hobbyists and can be used in design, architecture, construction, mechanical engineering, and other fields.
Reasons to use:
- CAD formats import
- Mesh formats conversion
- Geometry cad errors fixing
Reasons to avoid:
- Not cloud-based
- Absence of analysis
- Absence of rendering
LibreCAD
- Multiple languages
- Suitable for Mac, Windows, and Linux
- 2D drawing tools
LibreCAD is a free 2D-CAD multiplatform architecture software for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is essentially a community version of QCAD.
It allows users to make different types of technical drawings, such as building and room plans, interior design schemes, mechanical part schematics, and diagrams. The main supported file format is DXF, but the tool also allows users to export files to SVG and PDF.
LibreCAD should work well for professionals, students, hobbyists, and enthusiasts.
Reasons to use:
- AutoCAD Compatibility
- Straightforward interface
Reasons to avoid:
- Slow speed
- Unstable performance
- Poor printing accuracy
OpenSCAD
- 3D modeling
- 2D modeling
OpenSCAD is free architecture software for creating solid 3D CAD models and is available for Windows, Unix, and Mac. What makes it different from most 3D modeling applications is that it does not focus on the artistic side of 3D modeling but instead on the CAD aspects.
It’s not an interactive modeling tool and instead works more like a 3D compiler that renders 3D models based on the description of their properties in a script file, which gives the user full control over the modeling process.
Reasons to use:
- Intuitive Code-based Approach
- Parametric Design and Modularity
- Powerful CAD Capabilities
Reasons to avoid:
- Steep learning curve
- Slow rendering engine
- Limited functionality for non-programmers
MyVirtualHome
- Design element library
- Intuitive interface
- 3D modeling
MyVirtualHome is free architecture software that was inspired by base-building video games: it includes a set of standard blocks and modifications that you can use to plan the space of your home, office or any other location.
It’s a simple app that is geared more toward beginners and people who are not very proficient in visual design. It’s easy to learn how to use MyVirtualHome (getting the basics won’t take longer than 10 minutes), and it allows users to create a full design in an hour or less.
The tool also provides an accurate lighting model, where you can set up your latitude, longitude, and season to add realistic lighting effects to your virtual environment.
Reasons to use:
- Straightforward interface
- Rich design elements library
Reasons to avoid:
- Limited tech support
Floorplanner
- 2D and 3D modeling
- Rich library
- Easy file sharing
Floorplanner is a user-friendly and straightforward space planning solution. You can apply it to create 2D layouts and then convert them into 3D in a matter of seconds. The tool has a library of over 150,000 3D design items that you can incorporate into your projects to make them look more realistic and detailed. And once a floor plan is completed, you may always share it with others online or export it as a high-resolution image.
Floorplanner is available for free to individual users. This version contains the basic functionality but affords access to the entire library of 3D assets.
Reasons to use:
- Intuitive interface
- Easy customization
- Cloud-based
Reasons to avoid:
- Limited features in free version
Sweet Home 3D
- 3D modeling
- Export and import
- Photorealistic images
- Interior design library
A simple and convenient free architecture software for beginners that’s great for designing interiors and drawing home or office plans that you can later review in 3D. You can create photorealistic images and videos based on your plans, and use different light sources to simulate how the environment would look in specific conditions. The software allows you to import additional 3D models from other sources and export your plans in various popular formats.
Reasons to use:
- Easy-to-use
- Quick and responsive
Reasons to avoid:
- Basic design features
- Limited library in free version
Live Home 3D
- 3D modeling
- Rendering
- Multi-platform access
Live Home 3D can be accessed through any device and computer platform, and it offers everything required to create visually striking floor plans and interior design layouts in an efficient and painless way.
In Live Home 3D, you may either create your projects from scratch or trace uploaded images. You can make use of a comprehensive design library that comprises over 2000 items. You may adjust the geolocation of the houses you draw and choose from a variety of lighting options. And, of course, you can quickly render your images in 3D and export them in a plethora of convenient formats.
Reasons to use:
- Very accurate
- Offers a lot of elements, textures, and colors
- Multiple views and angles supported
Reasons to avoid:
- Limited number of landscaping tools and plant images
Planner 5D
- 2D and 3D modeling
- Realistic images
- HD visualization
- 5000+ item library
Planner 5D is one of the most popular 2D and 3D home design tools for amateurs, which combines simplicity of use with robust functionality and features.
It includes a library of over 5000 items and lets you customize colors and textures of different design surfaces. Using Planner 5D, you can also edit your final project images at a professional level, adding highlights, shadows, and depth to them in order to enhance the overall visual impact.
The free version of this free architecture software has a somewhat limited capacity. To access the entire design library and texture catalog, you’ll have to upgrade your account to one of the paid plans.
Reasons to use:
- Intuitively powerful
- AI-based
Reasons to avoid:
- Occasional glitches
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BRL-CAD
- CSG and B-REP modeling
- Multi-platform access
- Open-source system
One of the oldest free architecture software tools that has been in active development for over 30 years. It’s an open-source cross-platform system designed for constructive solid geometry design (CSG). It allows you to create, analyze, and edit 3D models that you can later use in other tools and systems.
The tool supports interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray tracing, a benchmark suite, and geometry libraries for application developers.
Reasons to use:
- Powerful analysis
- High-performance
Reasons to avoid:
- Performance issues
- Chunky UI
Draft it
- Drawing tools
- 2D modeling
- Dynamic editing features
This free 2D CAD solution is developed for professionals, amateurs, and beginners alike. Thus, it’s fairly easy to implement. Yet regardless of its simplicity, Draft it lets you make high-quality and error-free layouts.
The tool depicts dynamic dimensions right on your drawings, which helps you to check on the sizes of different objects and see the distances between them while you’re designing. It also offers fully customizable unit and metric systems, allowing you to fulfill your specification requirements without trouble.
Reasons to use:
- User-friendliness
- High accuracy
- Short drawing time
Reasons to avoid:
- No 3D modeling
- Poor customer support
- Limited free features
ZBrush
- Digital sculpting
- 3D printing
- Advanced brush system
ZBrush is a free architecture software tool available for Windows and Mac that is perfect for people who are trying to get into the 3D modeling world. It features a very straightforward interface that even someone with no experience in modeling can get started with relatively quickly, but its features are robust enough to build base models that can later be refined in more advanced applications.
Reasons to use:
- Intuitive UI design
- Advanced sculpting capabilities
- Integration with other 3D software
Reasons to avoid:
- Slowdowns when using certain tools or features
- Difficult access to certain shortcuts or commands
- Lack of a dedicated animation timeline system
Meshmixer
- 3D sculpting
- 3D printing
- Drag-and-drop mesh mixing
Meshmixer is a powerful tool with a strong emphasis on the mechanical functionality of the 3D design. It is primarily used to prepare meshes for 3D printing, allowing users to design 3D objects, or clean up their existing 3D scans.
Despite being a free tool, it offers some truly powerful features and techniques usually found in more sophisticated industrial-grade software: mass optimization, hollowing, scaling, and mesh simplification, making it an invaluable tool if you work with 3D printing. It’s best suited for more advanced users and is available for Windows and Mac.
Reasons to use:
-
Fast auto-repair function
-
Good remeshing algorithm
-
A comprehensive set of tools to optimize and prepare STL files for 3D printing
Reasons to avoid:
Infurnia
- Drawing
- Modeling
- Rendering
- VR
Infurnia is perfect for professional architects and designers as it contains everything they need for productive work. It includes the CAD and the building information modeling features. Besides, it allows for real-time monitoring of project progress and supports effortless collaboration with colleagues and clients.
Infurnia can be used on any of the existing computer platforms. And for superior process efficiency, it can be integrated with a plethora of handy software products that you already utilize on a day-to-day basis.
Individual architects and designers can apply Infurnia at no charge. The free version contains the basic functionality but excludes such features as single sign-on, custom API integrations, custom branding, etc.
Reasons to use:
- Straightforward interface
- Built-in tools for collaboration and sharing
Reasons to avoid:
- Slowdowns when working with big files
Business and Project Management Software for Architects
actiTIME
- Time tracking
- Invoicing
- Task management
- Performance reports
Many architects – both solo and small teams – charge clients on an hourly basis. Therefore, they need to make sure that the working time is utilized as productively and efficiently as possible.
actiTIME is meant to help architects precisely with that. But that’s not all! It offers many valuable features that come in handy in a wide range of situations:
- Streamlined project management: Using actiTIME, you can easily access all your ongoing projects, estimates, deadlines, budgets, and other team members’ timesheets, which simplifies progress tracking and allows for more efficient project management.
- Resource planning and allocation: actiTIME allows you to plan and assign tasks and manage team workloads for optimal efficiency. Besides, it can be applied in combo with actiPLANS, a user-friendly solution for the trouble-free workforce and resource scheduling. This integration helps to deliver architecture projects without delays while avoiding staff overexertion.
- Time and expense tracking: You can track your billable and non-billable hours with both automatic and manual time tracking features. Moreover, actiTIME lets you set cost of work rates for different team members and then track project expenses – this simplifies not only billing and invoicing but also budget management at large.
- Customizable time reports: You can generate detailed time reports to check your billable hour summaries and get a better insight into employee performance, project progress, and more.
- Mobile app: actiTIME allows you to manage your architecture projects and track time from anywhere using a mobile app. It is especially useful for architects who frequently travel to different sites or work remotely.
Thanks to all these amazing features, actiTIME saves a ton of time while fostering an immense productivity boost. Besides, it has a free version for small teams and a 30-day trial. So, sign up for it today to start managing architecture projects and billable time with greater ease!
I’ll recommend actiTIME for an architectural business like ours
I’ll recommend the software, especially for architectural businesses like ours – the solution seems to be intuitive and streamlined, the learning curve is modest and the product works as you expected. A web-based interface is a big plus as well – very easy and very simple!
Reasons to use:
- Comfortable time-tracking
- Mobile app
- Powerful analytics
Reasons to avoid:
- Risk of micromanagement and abuse if utilized the wrong way
Wave
- Invoicing
- Online payments
- Expense tracking
- Customizabe taxes
Wave simplifies bookkeeping for architectural firms by providing easy-to-use tools for tracking income and expenses, managing invoices, and reconciling accounts. With intuitive features such as automatic bank connections, receipt scanning, and customizable categorization, Wave makes it effortless for firms to stay organized and up-to-date with their financial records.
Wave’s reporting capabilities enable firms to monitor their financial health, identify trends, and plan for future growth effectively. Detailed financial reports, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, companies allow make informed decisions based on accurate data and insights.
Wave aklso helps architectural firms simplify tax compliance by providing tax preparation tools, deduction tracking, and support for multiple tax jurisdictions. Firms can generate tax reports, export data for accountants, and file taxes accurately to meet regulatory requirements. Additionally, Wave integrates with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, allowing firms to streamline data transfer and ensure consistency across financial platforms.
Reasons to use:
- Invoicing templates
- Mobile app
Reasons to avoid:
- Poor automation
- Lack of scalability
Architectural Rendering Software
Blender
- Rendering
- Modeling
- Simulation
- Video editing
Blender, a versatile and powerful open-source 3D creation suite, has emerged as a popular tool among architects for its robust rendering capabilities. It supports all the steps of the model creation process: modeling, rigging, animation, rendering, and motion tracking, and also includes video editing and game creation features.
Blender is equipped with Cycles, its advanced rendering engine, which offers high-quality, photorealistic rendering capabilities. With support for ray tracing, global illumination, and physically accurate lighting, Blender can produce visually captivating architectural visualizations that showcase design details with precision.
This flexible tool will work well for both bigger design firms and self-employed professionals and students. It is highly customizable and can be enhanced with a variety of free community-developed extensions.
Reasons to use:
- Powerful features and tools
- Friendly community
Reasons to avoid:
- Performance issues
- Steep learning curve
- Cloggy interface
Enscape
- Rendering
- VR
- Visualization sharing
- Modeling
Enscape sets itself apart with its real-time rendering technology, allowing architects to visualize their designs instantly within the design software environment.
One of the key advantages of this software is its seamless integration with popular design software such as Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, and ArchiCAD. By operating as a plugin within these platforms, Enscape streamlines the rendering process, eliminating the need for exporting models to external rendering software and simplifying the workflow for architects.
Enscape’s rendering engine is capable of producing photorealistic visualizations that capture intricate design details, material textures, and lighting effects with remarkable accuracy. Whether showcasing interior spaces, exterior environments, or urban landscapes, Enscape empowers architects to create compelling visual narratives that resonate with clients and stakeholders.
The tool used to offer a free student license before till March 2023, but recently it has been replaced with a discounted one. However, the existing owners of the free license were not impacted by this policy shift.
Reasons to use:
- Real-time visualization
- Integration with popular CAD/BIM software
- Ease of use
Reasons to avoid:
- Medium quality final renders
- Materials can’t be edited
- Issues when creating representative model videos
Lumion
- 3D Rendering
- Camera controls from other tools
- Collaboration
- High-speed visualization
Lumion is renowned for its user-friendly interface and intuitive workflow, making it accessible to both beginners and seasoned professionals. With a vast library of high-quality assets, materials, and effects, Lumion enables users to quickly create stunning renderings without the steep learning curve typically associated with complex rendering software.
With Lumion’s dynamic visualization capabilities, users can create engaging animations, walkthroughs, and flythroughs that bring architectural designs to life in a cinematic manner. Whether presenting building sequences, interior walkthroughs, or site plans, Lumion empowers users to convey their design intent with compelling storytelling and visual impact.
Reasons to use:
- Vast library
- High-quality renders
- Fast speed
Reasons to avoid:
- Steep learning curve
Summary
Handling architecture, design, and modeling tasks quickly and professionally doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Even if you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of free architecture software out there that can download and try right now.
Defining characteristics of the right tool:
- Robust design capabilities,
Building Information Modeling (BIM),
Precise drawing tools,
Analysis and Simulation, - Compatibility with common file formats,
Integration with other tools, - Customizable settings, shortcuts, and templates,
- Cloud-based collaboration,
- Version control.
Thanks for reading and keep your architectural spirit up!
