Live Home 3D
Free, with limitsPolished offline desktop app with lifetime licenses, but the free version is crippled.
Free tier & pricing
The free version limits you to one active project at a time, watermarks all image and video exports, and disables 3D-model export entirely; a one-time Standard purchase removes those limits.
Last verified Jun 23, 2026. Report a change →
The short answer
A polished native app for Windows, Mac, and iOS with real architectural tools and on-device photorealistic rendering. Refreshingly, it offers one-time lifetime licenses, not just subscriptions, and keeps your data local. The free version is barely usable though: one project at a time, watermarks, and no 3D export. Each platform is a separate purchase.
The facts
- Pricing
- $49.99 once · Free, with limits
- Free tier
- Yes
- Runs in browser
- No
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android
- 2D / 3D
- Photorealistic
- Learning curve
- Moderate
- Export formats
- PNG, JPG, PDF, OBJ
The catch
- Free images and renders carry a watermark.
- Desktop install only — no browser version.
Pros & cons
Pros
- True one-time lifetime license available, no forced subscription
- Unlimited on-device photorealistic ray-traced rendering once unlocked
- Works fully offline with your data kept local
- Real architectural tooling including roofs, terrain, and 2D elevations
- Imports SketchUp and Trimble 3D Warehouse models
Cons
- Free version is barely usable: 1 project, watermarks, no 3D export
- No web version; must install, and no Linux support
- Each platform is a separate purchase with no license transfer
- Some homeowners report even simple rooms need the pricier Pro tier
- Smaller furniture library than cloud rivals
Best for
Mac, Windows, and iPad users who want a polished, offline, lifetime-license app with real architectural tools.
Not for
People who want a free or browser tool, a cross-platform single purchase, or a giant real-brand catalog.
Alternatives to Live 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.
Sweet Home 3D
Truly freeCompletely 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.
Chief Architect / Home Designer
Free trial onlyThere's no free tier, only a non-expiring trial that disables saving, printing, exporting, and walkthrough recording, so you can explore in 3D but can't get any work out without a paid subscription.
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.