My Honest Review Of Homestyler vs Planner 5d vs Sketchup vs Coohom
Homestyler is a browser-based 3D home design app (also available on mobile) that lets anyone draw floor plans, drag-and-drop furniture, and generate photo-realistic renders of rooms. It offers an AI-powered workflow (AI Designer, AI Decor, AI Modeler), AR room scanning, and a huge library of real-brand furniture (over 1,000,000+ models including IKEA and Ashley – in fact, one reviewer notes “over 10 million branded models” for decoration). The free Basic plan is generous: you can create full designs with unlimited 1K renders (watermarked) and 100,000+ free furniture items. Paid “Styler” subscriptions (from about $5/month) unlock extras like watermark removal, unlimited HD/4K renders, custom lighting, multi-floor editing and access to premium models.
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In practice, users love Homestyler’s ease-of-use and rich content: the interface is intuitive and “user friendly… with a lot of variety and options”, and many praise the vast model library and realistic output (one 4K render “came out more realistic than I expected”). However, some customers report drawbacks: the free tier has limits (many furniture items are premium-only), the mobile app can be buggy, and trustpilot reviews warn of subscription hassles (e.g. unexpected charges, difficulty cancelling). TechRadar summarizes it well: Homestyler is “easy and very flexible”, but “works best in Chrome” and has “too many premium items”.
Overall, Homestyler is worth trying (especially for casual users and novices) – its free plan and fun AI tools make home design accessible. The paid plan is recommended only if you need high-res renders, multi-floor support or watermark removal. In this review, we break down Homestyler’s features, share what real users say, compare it to alternatives, and give guidance on who should subscribe and why.
What is Homestyler?
Homestyler is an online 3D interior design platform (a spin-off of Autodesk’s Homestyler) where you can sketch floor plans and decorate them digitally. It runs in a web browser (on PC or Mac) and also offers mobile apps. You start by drawing walls or importing a floor plan, then furnish the space by dragging furniture, finishes, windows, etc. The app then lets you visualize in 2D or 3D, move the camera, and render photo-realistic images of the room. Key features include:
- AI-Powered Tools: Homestyler includes “AI Designer, AI Decor & AI Modeler” that can automatically suggest or place furniture and decorations for you. For example, you can apply a fully furnished template or let the AI “quick apply” a style to your room in seconds.
- AR Room Scan: Using a mobile camera, you can capture a real room and auto-generate an editable 3D layout. Homestyler touts this as “AR Room Scan – Capture your real room and auto-generate editable 3D layouts”, making it easy to model an existing space.
- Huge Model Library: It offers millions of furniture and decor 3D models. The app description boasts “1,000,000+ 3D Models – IKEA, Ashley, and more real brands updated weekly”. In fact, one reviewer says Homestyler has “over 10 million branded pieces” of furniture available. Everything from sofas and lamps to plants, textures and even cut-out people are searchable and drag-and-drop.
- Realistic Rendering: You can generate high-quality renders (images) of your design. The free plan allows unlimited renders at 1K resolution (with a watermark), and paid tiers unlock HD/4K output and faster previews. You can choose camera angles, lighting conditions, and even export panoramas or videos.
- Cross-Platform Access: Homestyler works on most devices. There’s no software to install for the browser version (though TechRadar notes it works best in Google Chrome). Mobile apps for iOS and Android are available, though some users say the mobile version lags behind the PC/web version in functionality. You can start a design on one device and continue on another.
- Community & Templates: The platform includes a gallery of user projects and weekly design challenges (join competitions and earn badges). Templates let you start quickly (over 500 room/house templates in styles like Modern, Mid-Century, Japandi, etc). One user specifically enjoyed the “weekly design challenges” as inspiration.
In short, Homestyler aims to bring professional-level floor planning, furniture placement and rendering to anyone with a browser. It’s marketed as easy enough for beginners (“no design skills needed”) while still offering advanced options for enthusiasts and pros.
Key Features
- Drag-and-Drop Floor Planning: Draw walls, doors, windows and stairs easily. Homestyler lets you switch between a top-down 2D plan and a 3D view seamlessly. You can design multiple floors (up to 3 on the free plan) and even automatically generate a roof for you. Walls and objects can be resized or moved intuitively. As TechRadar notes, “You’ll be able to add additional levels, including multiple basements” and duplicate floors to speed design.
- Extensive Decor Library: Furnish and finish your space with millions of items. Furniture, appliances, finishes and more are categorized (Living Room, Bedroom, Kitchen, etc.). You can search by name or filter by style (“Trends” mode gathers popular decor). Many objects (especially branded ones) are marked “Premium”, but you can filter them out if you only want free items. Users praise this depth: one iOS reviewer said Homestyler has “a lot of variety and options” allowing “limitless” creativity.
- AI Room Styling: If you don’t want to pick and place every item, Homestyler’s AI can auto-decorate. Pick a style or room type (e.g. “White Minimalist Bedroom”) and hit “Quick Apply” to have the software fill your room with an entire pre-set design. This accelerates the process and helps non-designers get a look quickly.
- Brand & Catalog Integration: Many items in Homestyler’s library are exact replicas of real products from stores (IKEA, Restoration Hardware, etc.). This makes it useful not just for visualization, but also shopping. You can export a “shopping list” of products used, linking back to retailers. (Note: exporting a BOM or material list is a Pro feature.)
- High-Quality Visualization: Homestyler’s rendering engine produces realistic lighting and shadows. In practice, renders look impressive: a Unite.ai reviewer said their final 4K bedroom image “came out looking more realistic than I expected”. You can tweak camera, season, time-of-day and lighting until the scene looks right. The one-click render menu offers normal images, panoramas and videos.
- Collaboration and Cloud: Since Homestyler is cloud-based, your projects are saved online and you can share or collaborate. The platform supports multiple users editing designs (with version history). This makes it feasible for design teams or client reviews. It also integrates with CAD tools (e.g. import DWG floor plans, or even SketchUp models) for professional workflows.
- Free Templates & Education: Over 500 editable project templates give novices a head start. There are built-in tutorials and a beginner’s bootcamp to teach new users basic design steps. The official site even promotes step-by-step learning (e.g. “Beginner’s Bootcamp”) for first-time designers.
Overall, Homestyler’s standout features are its accessibility (runs in-browser/mobile with a free tier), its vast furniture catalog and AI assistants, and its ease-of-use. It packs many professional touches (cloud rendering, real product models, multi-floor editing) into a platform aimed at both homeowners and pros.
Pricing and Plans
Homestyler uses a freemium model. The Basic (free) plan is surprisingly powerful: you can build unlimited room designs, furnish them, and export unlimited 1K-resolution images. TechRadar notes “Basic” grants an unlimited number of 1K renders and 3 AI credits. You also get 5 free “coins” each day (in-app currency) which you can use to buy extra higher-res renders or premium content. However, everything rendered on Basic will have a Homestyler watermark, and some features are locked: you cannot set up custom lighting, you can only add up to 3 floors, and you cannot remove the watermark without paying. In short, the free version is great for trying the tool and casual projects, but it has clear limits.
Paid subscriptions (called the Styler Membership) remove those limits:
- Pro ($4.90/mo) – Removes the watermark, unlocks custom lighting and full multi-floor support, and grants a monthly allotment of HD/2K/4K render credits and 100 AI-Assist credits.
- Master (~$9.90/mo) – Includes everything in Pro, plus unlimited HD/4K renders (except video) and other pro-level perks.
- Team ($19.60/mo per user) – Adds collaboration features like shared spaces, team management, etc.
With Pro/Master, you also get access to 50,000+ premium models and templates. The upgrade screens (e.g. the Play Store listing) emphasize unlocking “50,000+ Premium Furniture Models & Decor Packs” and “Unlimited HD Rendering”.
Conclusion on pricing: The free tier is very generous and a low-risk way to experiment (you only pay if you want higher resolution images or premium assets). As Unite.ai summed it up, Homestyler has “affordable & flexible pricing: Free basic plan with many features, plus paid options for higher-quality renders and premium content”. For many home users, the free plan will suffice for basic design. Professionals or enthusiasts needing polished visuals will likely upgrade to Pro – just note that several users on Trustpilot complained about unexpected charges or difficulty cancelling free trials. It’s wise to carefully monitor any trial subscription.
What Users Are Saying
Homestyler’s reputation is mixed. On the positive side, many users rave about its simplicity and breadth of options. For example, one iOS user declared “Homestyler is the best design app I’ve used so far. It’s user friendly, has a lot of variety and options… It’s honestly limitless what one can design”. A Trustpilot reviewer (an interior designer) loved the PC version: “It’s made my life as an interior designer so much easier… price is super cheap compared to other tools like SketchUp and Revit”. Google Play reviewers similarly appreciate the free floor-plan import and basic design features: “Enough to get me what I need, which is the very basic interior design… It’s good enough to do the job” (5-star review).
However, criticism is not uncommon. Several recurring user complaints are:
- Bugs and Stability: Some mobile users report crashes and glitches. For instance, a Google Play review complained that while placing items “half of the screen goes black” and their room appeared stretched incorrectly. An iPhone reviewer found the photo upload feature “so broken [it] can’t be used” due to UI issues. Others say the app frequently crashes without saving progress. These issues seem more common on mobile apps than on the web version.
- Limited Free Content: Many free-plan users are frustrated that most desirable furniture items are “Premium”. TechRadar notes it’s not always obvious which items are free, and users can feel “confusing” or “frustrating” seeing so many locked assets. One Trustpilot reviewer said they “couldn’t put any good stuff [in their design]… it turned out to be not the greatest experience with ads about its pro subscription coming up every second”. In practice, to get access to the full catalog or remove watermarks, you must subscribe.
- Subscription/Payment Issues: A handful of online reviewers warn about billing traps. On Trustpilot, users wrote that the “free trial” still requires a credit card and leads to an unexpected charge, with “no invoice” and no easy way to cancel. Another said they felt “scammed” when their cancellation led to higher prices on other plans. These comments indicate the sign-up/subscription flow may be confusing or poorly managed.
- “Game-like” Interface: Some users feel Homestyler emphasizes community gamification too much. For instance, a Google review complained about in-app “bots” and mandatory design challenges, and that the app is “trying to turn it into some kind of game” instead of a pure design tool. (In reality, Homestyler does gamify the experience with points and badges, which appeals to some but annoys others.)
- Mobile vs Web Discrepancies: A number of reviews note that the iPad/phone app is far less capable than the desktop version. For example, one user said the web version let them edit imported plans fully, but the iPad app only shows a static 3D view with no editing. Others say the mobile UI has misaligned buttons (an upload button hidden behind “New Design” repeatedly) or simply isn’t working. Essentially, many users advise: use the browser/PC version if possible.
To summarize user sentiment: Homestyler is praised for ease and content. Many reviewers emphasize how “easy” and “fun” it is, even calling it better than paid tools for casual use. They like the weekly challenges and community designs. On the downside, free-plan limitations, ads for the pro version, and technical bugs are common complaints. The overall Trustpilot score is only 2.9/5, reflecting these mixed reports.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Easy to learn and use (drag-and-drop interface). Very large model library and templates for quick design. Free basic plan is generous (unlimited 1K renders, basic AI tools, many free models). Supports web and mobile access, and has cool features like AR scanning and AI auto-decorating. Realistic 3D renders (especially at 4K) look impressive. Weekly challenges and community inspire creativity.
- Cons: Browser restriction – it officially “works best in Chrome”, and Safari is unsupported. Premium locks: Many desirable objects are paid-only, forcing a subscription for full creative freedom. The free plan’s watermark and lack of high-res or custom lighting can be frustrating. Somewhat buggy on mobile: crashes and UI glitches reported. Subscription hassles: Canceling can be tricky (some users felt “scammed” by charges). Learning curve: The interface is full-featured (TechRadar calls it “busy, yet easy to understand”), which may overwhelm absolute beginners. Finally, Homestyler’s design challenges/gamification may not appeal to everyone and can clutter the UI for those who just want a straightforward tool.
Comparisons with Other Tools
Homestyler vs Planner 5D
Homestyler prioritizes photorealistic AI rendering and brand-specific furniture libraries, while Planner 5D excels in mobile-first 2D/3D editing with customizable materials and snapshots for realistic previews. Both offer free tiers, but Homestyler’s cloud renders beat Planner 5D’s premium-locked HD exports ($4.99+/month vs Homestyler’s $4.90 Pro).
Choose Homestyler for quick, realistic interior visuals and free advanced features; pick Planner 5D for offline mobile tweaks and pattern editing if you prioritize customization over renders.
Homestyler vs Floorplanner
Floorplanner shines in commercial 260k+ asset libraries and credit-based exports, contrasting Homestyler’s interior-focused AI and seamless 2D/3D collaboration. Homestyler is fully web-based with no credits; Floorplanner’s Plus ($5/mo) removes timelocks but limits free HD.
Choose Floorplanner for broad space planning and education; opt for Homestyler if interior decoration and AI speed matter more for home users.
Homestyler vs SketchUp
SketchUp dominates pro modeling with extensions and offline power, while Homestyler offers beginner-friendly cloud interiors and cheap renders ($119/year Pro vs $4.90/mo). Reddit favors SketchUp for houses but notes Homestyler’s free library ease.
| Aspect | Homestyler | SketchUp | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Curve | Beginner | Steep | Homestyler |
| Rendering | AI/cloud | Extensions needed | Homestyler |
| Cost | Affordable | $119+/yr | Homestyler |
| Pro Features | Limited | Advanced | SketchUp |
Choose SketchUp for complex architecture; Homestyler wins for casual interiors and budgets.
Homestyler vs HomeByMe
HomeByMe leads SW scores (98%) with similar free 2D/3D but stronger VR walkthroughs; Homestyler edges in AI decor and brand links ($0 basic; $19.47/mo premium). Both intuitive, but HomeByMe’s community rivals Homestyler’s challenges.
| Aspect | Homestyler | HomeByMe | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SW Score | 90% | 98% | HomeByMe |
| AI Tools | Strong decor | Basic | Homestyler |
| Pricing | $3.90+ | $19.47/mo | Homestyler |
| Walkthroughs | Panorama | VR | HomeByMe |
Choose HomeByMe for polished VR; Homestyler for AI-driven speed and value.
Homestyler vs Coohom
Coohom packs more features (e.g., live support) for pros, but Homestyler is cheaper and sufficient for basics; Coohom’s longer list suits enterprises. Homestyler wins affordability; Coohom better service.
| Aspect | Homestyler | Coohom | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Core AI | Extensive | Coohom |
| Price | Lowest | Higher | Homestyler |
| Support | Forums | Live agents | Coohom |
Choose Coohom for pro support/features; Homestyler for budget interiors.
Homestyler vs Roomstyler
Roomstyler focuses simple room redesigns (120k items, custom pricing); Homestyler offers fuller 3D/360 with free tiers (SW 90% vs 82%).
| Aspect | Homestyler | Roomstyler | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SW Score | 90% | 82% | Homestyler |
| Library | Brands + panorama | 120k custom | Homestyler |
| Pricing | Free-$9.90 | Custom | Homestyler |
Choose Homestyler for comprehensive free tools; Roomstyler for basic matching.
Homestyler vs RoomSketcher
RoomSketcher targets real estate with pro floor plans/Live 3D; Homestyler favors decor renders. RoomSketcher pros: branded plans; Homestyler: visuals.
| Aspect | Homestyler | RoomSketcher | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Decor renders | Pro plans | RoomSketcher (real estate) |
| Exports | HD basic | Custom services | RoomSketcher |
| Ease | AI beginner | Pro tools | Homestyler |
Choose RoomSketcher for professional realty; Homestyler for home decor.
Homestyler vs Sweet Home 3D
Sweet Home 3D is free/open-source offline with basic 3D; Homestyler adds cloud AI/realism (both free). Sweet: mods; Homestyler: renders.
| Aspect | Homestyler | Sweet Home 3D | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Cloud/web | Offline/app | Sweet (offline) |
| Rendering | Photoreal AI | Basic | Homestyler |
| Cost | Free pro upsell | Fully free | Tie |
Choose Sweet Home 3D for offline/no-internet; Homestyler for online realism.
Homestyler vs SketchUp (Reddit)
Reddit users prefer SketchUp Free for house power despite limits; Homestyler lauded for easy libraries but critiqued for pro gaps. Consensus: SketchUp scales better.
Summary from Reddit: Homestyler for quick interiors (free library huge pro); SketchUp for serious design (beginner-friendly enough, extensions). Choose SketchUp per community for versatility; Homestyler for noob speed.
To put Homestyler in context, let’s compare it to a few similar programs:
- Planner 5D: Both Homestyler and Planner 5D are easy drag-and-drop home design tools. Planner 5D is often praised for being ultra user-friendly on mobile. However, Unite.ai notes that Homestyler has more realistic rendering and actual brand models, whereas Planner 5D has a simpler catalog (~8,000 items). In other words, Planner 5D is great for quick sketches on your phone, but Homestyler wins if you want high-quality visuals and real products.
- HomeByMe: A well-known web app for home design. Compared to Homestyler, HomeByMe also offers photo-realistic renders, but reviewers say Homestyler edges it out on model variety and image quality. As one comparison notes, Homestyler “creates realistic 2D and 3D floor plans, comes with a large library of branded furniture, and offers advanced rendering,” while HomeByMe shines in cross-device project editing. Essentially, Homestyler gives more free content and better fidelity, whereas HomeByMe is smoother to use across devices.
- Foyr Neo / SketchUp / Revit: These are professional-grade tools. Foyr Neo is a powerful interior design software with 60,000+ products and photo-realistic rendering; Revit and SketchUp are industry standards. Homestyler cannot match them in raw power or 3D modeling detail, but it is far more accessible and affordable. The trade-off is clear: Homestyler has a generous free tier and web access, whereas Foyr or Revit require paid licenses and steep learning. Unite.ai suggests “for an all-in-one design workflow and rapid photorealistic rendering, choose Foyr Neo. For affordable, cross-device access, easy 3D design, and a wide range of real furniture options, choose Homestyler.”.
- Coohom / RoomSketcher / Space Designer: These cloud-based tools also offer 3D home design. They tend to work similarly to Homestyler (some also use flash/HTML5 in browser). User comparisons often boil down to interface and content: Homestyler’s big advantage is its price (a robust free plan) and branded catalog. Other services might have nicer templates or export options, but often with higher subscription costs. (For example, one Coohom reviewer praised its speed, while another noted Homestyler is simpler for beginners.) The general consensus is that Homestyler is among the best free home design apps for beginners, whereas the paid tools offer incremental pro features.
In summary, Homestyler’s niche is being “the best free app for interior design”. It isn’t the absolute top choice for professionals (who might prefer the polish of Foyr Neo or Revit), but it beats many rivals on cost and content. As Unite.ai put it: it’s a user-friendly browser tool with “incredible realistic 3D renders” and a large branded furniture library, ideal for both first-time homeowners and design pros on a budget.
Should You Subscribe?
Homestyler’s free plan covers a lot of ground, so subscription is optional depending on your needs.
- Use the Free Plan if… you’re a casual user, hobbyist or new homeowner just exploring designs. The free tier lets you design full rooms, render basic images, and learn the software without spending anything. Many users find this sufficient for trial and light use. For example, one Google reviewer said they “don’t expect much because it’s free”, but that “it’s good enough to do the job” of simple interior design. Also, if you only need to quickly mock up a room or test layout ideas, the free plan’s limitations (watermark, fewer floors, no custom lighting) may not matter much.
- Upgrade if… you need higher-quality output or professional features. The Pro plan ($5/mo) removes the watermark and unlocks features like full 3D editing, advanced lighting, and more AI credits. You also get dozens of extra models and templates. If you’re an interior design student or professional using Homestyler for client work, Pro/Master makes sense. TechRadar’s advice: “Buy it if you need it to be simple to use, with tons of options, which you don’t mind paying for, and don’t view being restricted to Google Chrome as an issue.”. In short, subscribe if the free version feels too limited for your projects, or you need high-res exports and collaboration tools.
A couple more notes: Several customers have warned to read the fine print on billing. One Trustpilot reviewer said they provided card details for the “free trial” and then were charged with no easy way to cancel. Another found unsubscribing difficult and felt “scammed” by price jumps. To avoid this, monitor any trial period and confirm you can cancel before you get billed. Also, since the web interface is best on Chrome, if you use another browser be aware the experience may not be fully supported.
Overall, for most home users the free tier is a great place to start (and well worth it). You can always switch to subscription later if you need advanced features. If you absolutely want pro-level flexibility (no watermark, custom materials, etc.), the paid plan is affordable compared to many CAD tools – just make sure you actually use those extras to get your money’s worth.
Conclusion
Homestyler is a capable and easy-to-use 3D home design app with an impressively rich feature set for a free product. It earns high marks for its intuitive interface, AI help features, and vast catalog of real furniture models. For hobbyists and DIYers, it provides a fun way to visualize room layouts at no cost. Customers often say it’s “really easy” and “fun” to use, and that it accomplishes more than they expected for a free tool.
That said, Homestyler is not perfect. Heavy reliance on browser/Chrome, occasional bugs (especially on mobile), and frequent prompts to upgrade can be annoying. The free plan’s limitations (watermark, premium items, etc.) are real. Paying subscribers get meaningful extras, so if you need professional polish you may find the upgrade worthwhile.
Our verdict: We recommend trying Homestyler for anyone needing to mock up a floor plan or interior design. Its low barrier to entry makes it great for beginners, students and pros on a budget. Decide on subscribing based on your usage: casual users can stay free, while enthusiasts who value high-res renders and full-feature access will likely get value from the paid plan. In either case, Homestyler offers a powerful set of tools in one package, and it stands out among free online design apps
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