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With PicSketch, only seconds and clicks, users of any level can learn how to turn photo to sketch. Basic photo editing tools, like changing pen color, sketch style / background, adjusting contrast and brightness are provided. You won't want to miss the sketch software for Mac. Affinity Designer on the Mac is a great Photoshop/Illustrator/Sketch replacement. It's got a ton of features, including artboards that work like Sketch. It's a little bit of a learning curve, but it's a solid replacement. The Best Free Graphic Design Software app downloads for Mac: SketchUp Adobe Illustrator CS6 Microspot DWG Viewer Sweet Home 3D Paintbrush Sketch Corel. The interface of SketchUp Pro. Formerly known as Google SketchUp, this is a great option for CAD software for Mac. SketchUp bills itself as easy-to-use CAD software with features such as 3D modeling of common projects such as landscaping and buildings, a customizable interface, and multiple file-import options.
In the old days, Macs used to be way behind PCs when it came to CAD software. Nowadays that’s all changed and there are some superb Computer Aided Design packages available for Mac users.
Of course, there are still a few major titles such as Solidworks which still isn’t available on Mac but from incredibly user friendly 2D CAD software like SmartDraw to industry leading professional 2D/3D CAD apps like AutoCAD & AutoCAD LTthe options are better than ever.
All of the following apps can handle 2D CAD design and the most powerful ones are suitable for 3D design and modelling too.
If you’re looking for something to redesign your home with, you might find our look at the best home design software for Mac useful too.
Best Photo To Sketch App For Mac
Here then is our list of the best CAD software on Mac in order of ranking.
1. SmartDraw (Easiest For 2D CAD)
If you’re looking for something powerful for 2D CAD design but amazingly easy to use and value for money, SmartDraw is the best 2D CAD software for Mac on the market.
SmartDraw is incredibly flexible because it can be used both as a powerful diagramming alternative to Microsoft Visio but also as a powerful but extremely user friendly CAD tool for 2D design.
What we really like about doing 2D CAD with SmartDraw is:
- 40,000+ Quick Start Templates: SmartDraw has more templates than any other CAD tool on Mac with everything from floor plans and office plans to electrical schematics, mechanical and architectural designs.
- CAD Automation: As you add elements, SmartDraw also automatically “snaps” everything together to help keep your designs organized, symmetrical and connected. It basically automates the often annoying fiddly aspects to CAD design and this we find incredibly time saving and stress reducing.
- 34,000 Symbols & Objects: We’ve never seen so many high quality vector symbols and objects in a 2D tool than you can drag and drop into designs.
- Value For Money: Compared to most 2D CAD software on this level, it’s not outrageously expensive plus you’re not only getting a CAD software, you’re getting an entire host of other diagramming tools.
You can get started now with SmartDraw for free to see exactly what it can do.
You can also check out our full SmartDraw review for Mac & PC for an in-depth look at everything it can do.
2. AutoCAD LT / AutoCAD (25% Off Until July 31st – Best For 2D/3D CAD)
AutoCAD is one of the CAD industry’s leading tools but it wasn’t until 2010 that Autodesk finally released AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT for Mac. You can download AutoCAD LT as a Mac desktop client and you can also use it online via the AutoCAD LT web app.
Th full version of AutoCAD does both 2D and 3D design but if you don’t need 3D modelling, AutoCAD LT is 75% cheaper than the full version of AutoCAD and excellent value for money for a CAD tool on this level.
Both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are incredibly professional tools that virtually invented the industry standard DWG file format.
Here’s a few of the reasons we like AutoCAD LT 2019 and AutoCAD so much:
- They’re both powerful & easy to learn: Many architects start life learning the ropes on AutoCAD products because it’s powerful but has an extremely intuitive interface that makes it easy to get to grips with.
- TouchBar support: AutoCAD is one of the only CAD drafting tools which supports the TouchBar on the latest Macs. We find this seriously speeds-up your workflow because you don’t have to use the TouchPad or mouse all the time. This shows that Autodesk take Mac users seriously and aren’t just pushing the Windows version onto macOS like many developers do.
- Superb web & mobile apps: The latest version of AutoCAD LT 2019 allows you to edit via a web browser and on your iPad or iPhone. The AutoCAD mobile and web apps are extremely close to the desktop version meaning you can edit projects anywhere.
- The 3D modelling features are amazing: AutoCAD produces probably some of the most stunning results on retina Macs you’ll see in any CAD software (although this is not available in AutoCAD LT).
- Value for money: AutoCAD LT costs 75% less than AutoCAD and you can always upgrade to AutoCAD later if you need 3D capabilities. With AutoCAD LT, you’re basically getting the same product as AutoCAD for a quarter of the cost only without the 3D features. You can see exactly how AutoCAD LT compares to AutoCAD here.
You can also currently get 20% off 1 year and 25% off 3 year subscriptions on AutoCAD products only until July 31st 2019. You can choose to pay month-to-month and cancel at any time.
Note that if you’re based in Europe, you have to use the Autodesk Europe store to buy AutoCAD software.
Those in the UK need to go direct to the Autodesk UK store.
When it comes to professional architecture, engineering and construction blueprints, AutoCAD LT & AutoCAD For Mac are industry leading tools.
3. TurboCAD Mac Deluxe
If you don’t want subscription based software and need an intermediate level CAD solution, TurboCAD Mac Deluxe is an affordable standalone desktop 2D and 3D CAD tool for Mac.
TurboCAD is already a major player on Windows providing strong competition for AutoCAD although it’s still not as well known on Mac.
TurboCAD uses the same engine as the highly respected Solidworks but has a more ViaCAD style interface.
TurboCAD Mac Deluxe is far more user-friendly than both Solidworks and ViaCAD however and is ideal for designing floor plans, diagrams, and illustrations.
One particularly nice feature is the ability to open 3D DWG (AutoCAD files) and even convert them into 2D with top and bottom side views.
TurboCAD Mac Deluxe is a good choice for those new to CAD as it has lots of online help and video tutorials to familiarize you with the interface.
One of the best things about TurboCAD Deluxe is the price.
At $129.99 for a standalone 2D/3D CAD software, it’s extremely good value for money compared to similar apps.
Although TurboCAD Deluxe is too lightweight for professonal use, there is also an advanced version of TurboCAD (see TurboCAD Mac Pro below) which gives even AutoCAD a run for its money.
4. TurboCAD Mac Pro
TurboCAD Mac Pro is a more powerful version of TurboCAD Mac Deluxe and provides a cost effective alternative to AutoCAD.
Compared to TurboCAD Mac Deluxe, the Pro version has a much better 64-bit user interface, integrated Redway drawing engine, Page Layout wizard, BOM and mating tools.
The Mac version of TurboCAD is also easier to use than the Windows version of TurboCAD as it allows you to customize the palette and interface pretty much any way you want.
You can design almost anything in TurboCAD Pro from something as simple as designing a bike to creating the blueprint for an entire building.
There’s also a TurboCAD Pro Powerpack for an extra $99 which adds support for things such as 3D printing, advanced design and BIM.
Although TurboCAD Pro doesn’t quite match-up to industry heavyweight AutoCAD, TurboCAD Mac Pro costs $499.99 which is considerably cheaper than an AutoCAD subscription.
Unlike AutoCAD, there’s no subscription either although bear in mind you will have to pay for major updates.
5. Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is made by Autodesk, the creators of AutoCAD and is the replacement for Autodesk Inventor.
Autodesk Fusion 360 isn’t quite as powerful as AutoCAD but is aimed at the product design focused “prosumer” CAD market.
The other big difference with AutoCAD is that Autodesk Fusion 360 is entirely Cloud based whereas AutoCAD also has a desktop client for Mac.
The interface of Fusion 360 is more Windows-like than AutoCAD but it’s still an amazing tool for 3D product design and CAM. The use of T-Splines and Sculpt environment in particular makes it easy to conceptualize and model and it’s easily one of the best 3D CAD tools for product designer on Mac out there.
If you’re looking for something focused on 3D product design but don’t need the advanced features of AutoCAD, Autodesk Fusion 360 is an impressive and cost effective alternative.
6. HighDesign
HighDesign is professional CAD application designed specifically for Mac that offers excellent value for money. From humble beginnings at a small Italian developer, HighDesign has even attracted the attention of NASA for its CAD needs.
Although HighDesign only supports 2D CAD, it can import and export AutoCAD files (including DXF/DWG) and TIFF files. HighDesign is easier for than most professional CAD applications and anyone that has used AutoCAD will recognize the interface straightaway.
HighDesign puts a special focus on architecture and allows both photogrammetry and image editing for drafting of building plans which is quite unusual for MAC CAD software. Other features in HighDesign 2017 include Associative Linear Dimensions, PNG alpha export, vector information, tool tips and quick object info.
HighDesign is overall an incredibly accomplished CAD product that often goes under the radar of professional designers because of it’s surprisingly low price. The Standard version is just $199.99 although Professionals will need either the Pro ($299.99) or Pro Plus ($449.99) versions for full functionality.
7. ARES Commander
The German based developer of ARES Commander Graebert has been in the CAD business for over 30 years although it was only in 2015 that it was finally released on Mac.
ARES Commander is a German based software that has recently been updated to become a truly multi-platform CAD solution which and is an ideal choice for those that need to work across Windows, Mac and mobile devices off site.
ARES Commander feels remarkably like AutoCAD with DWG as its native format although it’s not very intuitive to use at first.
At just $250 per year, ARES Commander is also extremely competitive considering it’s almost as powerful as apps such as AutoCAD but costs significantly less.
ARES Commander offers three versions for desktop, mobile and cloud which it calls “The Trinity of CAD” and one license is valid for all. ARES Commander is the desktop version for Mac and PC, ARES Touch is for mobile and ARES Kudo is the Cloud version. ARES Touch is now available for iPad and iPhone and is one of the most fully featured CAD applications you’ll find on iOS.
The well organized interface feels the same across all platforms with all the same functionality on Mac, Windows and mobile.
The demand for DWG CAD software on Mac remains strong despite the explosion in 3D, BIM and PLM CAD software but ARES remains a good choice for Microstation users as it’s one of the few that supports DGN. ARES Commander for Mac also allows you to import DGN (Microstation) files, essential for civil and landscape architects.
ARES Commander features a number of useful tools such as QuickModify which allows you to combine several commands into one. So for example, you can combine rotate, move, copy and cut into one command if that’s an action that you perform frequently. This is surprisingly useful and increases productivity by reducing the amount of mouse clicking you need to.
One other nice touch is Quick Input which automatically provides angles, dimensions, options and other useful data as you design to help you make sure your designs are accurate.
Thanks to the open API, you can also create custom functions and plugins for ARES Commander on Mac based on VSTA, C, Delphi and other languages.
If you’re looking for something similar to AutoCAD on Mac but with a cheaper subscription, ARES Commander is an excellent value for money professional level CAD software.
8. VectorWorks
VectorWorks for Mac is one of the most popular CAD packages out there and supports both 2D and 3D design. In particular, when it comes to BIM VectorWorks is hard to beat if that’s one of your main concerns.
For an industry level CAD application, it’s also surprisingly accessible because it’s been designed with both beginners and professionals in mind. Although VectorWorks is most commonly used for Architecture and especially Construction Engineers, it can be used for any CAD task.
The interface of Vectorworks uses a clean WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) format which makes designing easier to conceptualize and get to grips with.
Some of the highlights of VectorWorks include graphical scripting tools, intelligent objects and a superbly implemented virtual reality feature. Also ahead of the curve is VectorWorks Marionette which intelligently uses algorithms to shape design forms and customizations (although this costs extra).
If you’ve struggled to learn AutoCAD and want something powerful and innovative, Vectorworks is an amazing piece of CAD technology.
9. SolidThinking Evolve
SolidThinking Evolve for Mac is aimed at Professional Industrial Designers. It’s very much a mix of CAD and 3D modeling capabilities wrapped up in a very slick interface. SolidThinking Evolve features Geometry Simplification tools, smoothing options and concentrated mass parts.
Evolve allows organic surface modeling, parametric control and there’s a very handy ConstructionTree history feature. If your job involves a lot of CAD and 3D modeling, then SolidThinking Evolve is a great all round solution but it lacks some of the advanced functionality of top CAD software such as AutoCAD and VectorWorks.
10. Siemens NX
Siemens NX (formerly known as Unigraphics) is an industry leading 2D and 3D CAD and industrial design software for both Mac and PC. Siemens NX is used by professionals worldwide for professional industrial and aerospace industries.
Siemens NX is probably the leading PLM (Product Lifestyle Software) available for Mac and certainly the only true industrial class PLM software for Macs.
Siemens NX is one of the few CAD software packages that also includes 4th generation 4GD technology to enhance and facilitate design on industrial assemblies.
Another unique feature is synchronous technology for 2D which adds more intelligence to 2D data and enables users to edit multi CAD 2D files five times quicker.
It’s impossible to list all the features and functionality of Siemens NX here but it’s safe to say it’s squarely aimed at industrial designers with an industrial budget.
11. MacDraft Pro
MacDraft Pro is another powerful but user friendly CAD software designed specifically for Mac. MacDraft Pro is the professional version of MacDraft PE (see review below) with a more advanced multi-layered, scaled drawing environment.
It’s suitable for mechanical, architectural and engineering professionals and supports importing AutoCAD and DWG/DXF files.
You can drag and drop common image or CAD elements into your designs and it can even be used to design brochures, magazines and even flyers.
MacDraft Professional is extremely user friendly for a 2D CAD app and makes interior design, architectural drawing and illustration much easier than on AutoCAD.
In particular it has some very precise vector tools, smart units and has a fully-featured scaled environment. On the downside, it does lack some basic features such as trimming arcs or circles and of course, it’s 2D only.
However, if you want an easy to use 2D CAD desktop software for macOS, MacDraft Pro is one of the best out there.
12. MacDraft PE
MacDraft Personal Edition (PE) is a simpler version of MacDraft Pro with a more basic toolset and functionality. It’s a very good starting point for beginners to 2D CAD as it’s easy to learn.
It has a very limited library although you can purchase 2000 more from the developer website including architectural, electrical and graphic symbols.
![Review Review](https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/poster-for-5743473578001-720x720.jpg)
Although it’s aimed at beginners, the interface can be a little tricky to navigate at first and adding basic elements such as windows and doors isn’t as clear and straightforward as it should be.
However, it doesn’t take long to get the hang of it and once you have, it’s surprisingly versatile.
Be aware that MacDraft PE can’t produce drawings of smaller than about 17 inches and only supports a maximum of 5 Layers unlike the Pro version which allows unlimited layers. It also does not support DWG and updates aren’t free like in the Pro version.
If you’re on a limited budget and want something to get started in 2D CAD software on Mac, MacDraft PE is an excellent stepping stone to the Pro version.
13. CorelCAD For Mac
CorelCAD for Mac is from the makers of the extremely successful CorelDRAW graphic design program CorelDRAW for Mac which no longer exists.
CorelCAD for Mac 2018 lives on however and it’s pretty good too for a professional standalone CAD software under $1000. CorelCAD for Mac is based on Corel’s own ARES engine and works for both 2D and 3D drawings.
It can import DWG files and is also suitable for 3D printing and exporting in STL and PDF format. CorelCAD uses a ribbon based interface which will be familiar to anyone that’s used Microsoft Office and is generally very easy to use and navigate around.
CorelCAD is perfect for Architects, Engineers and Construction (AEC) service providers that focus mainly on 2D designs but need to sometimes flesh-out things in 3D too.
Overall, CorelCAD for Mac is extremely good value for money with lots of powerful features.
14. ArchiCAD
ArchiCAD for Mac is another industry leading software for CAD and is unique for using the Maxon CINEMA 4D rendering engine for photo realistic rendering. The results of this are stunning and few programs can bring your CAD designs to life quite like ArchiCAD.
It was also one of the first packages to support BIM and includes BIMcloud integration for easy collaboration with other designers on projects, wherever they are in the World. The one downside of ArchiCAD is that it still requires Java on Mac which we don’t recommend for a variety of performance and security issues on Mac.
15. Graphite
Graphite for Mac, formerly known as Vellum, is a professional 3D and 2D CAD program. Graphite’s strength is high precision wireframe drafting although it is quite dated now.
However, if you’re mainly going to be doing wireframe drawings, Graphite specializes in this form of CAD. You can work with AutoCAD DWG files and it integrates with the developer Ashlar Vellum’s popular 3D modeling software Cobalt.
One of the main advantages users report with Graphite is speed – it has a very smooth and efficient workflow that makes producing complex designs very quick. This is a result of what the developer Ashlar-Vellum calls an “Organic Workflow” between its products for maximum speed and efficiency.
There are many glowing testimonials to Graphite but we’d advise using the free trial first before deciding whether to go for it.
16. iCadMac
iCadMac markets itself as a cheaper alternative to AutoCAD for Mac and is a user-friendly 2D and 3D app which writes and reads AutoDesk DWG files.
The developers of iCadMac are also responsible for progeCAD Professional on Windows. iCadMac can also convert PDF to DWG and exports plans in 3D to PDF.
The interface is also highly customizable so that you have fine control over the layout of your tools although apps such as AutoCAD for Mac have caught up in this area nowadays.
iCadMac also includes an iPad app that lets you design on the move. iCadMac doesn’t support BIM however and it’s backed by a much smaller team and infrastructure than the major CAD developers out there.
17. DeltaCAD
DeltaCAD for Mac isn’t aimed at professional CAD designers but it’s an excellent starting point for beginners.
It does support importing of AutoCAD files but there’s no support for BIM or the more advanced features professionals need in a CAD application.
One unusual feature however is that you can write your own custom macros in AppleScript to extend it’s functionality. For instance you can use macros to create objects or read in data although only those that have been using Mac for a long time will have any idea of how AppleScript works.
If you just want a cheap CAD program on Mac for doing house plans, newsletters, furniture Layouts etc, DeltaCAD is a decent choice.
18. CADintosh X
Similar to DeltaCAD, CADintosh X for Mac is a budget 2D CAD program for Mac users. At just over $30, it’s one of the cheapest CAD programs for Mac available and is suitable for technical and architectural drawings.
CADintosh X is very basic – there are 8 pens and 6 line types to choose from but it there’s no support for importing files from major CAD programs – it only imports DXF, HPGL, IGES and PDF.
19. AutoQ 3D
AutoQ 3D is another low-end CAD program for Mac with a user-friendly interface that’s suitable for beginners to CAD or someone who just wants to build a basic prototype.
The difference to other CAD programs in this price range is that it supports 3D as well. It’s also got the best interface of CAD apps at this level and comes with a free iPad and iPhone app.
AutoQ 3D allows you to see drawings from all angles with Preset Views, Snap shapes into place and for just under $30, you can’t go too far wrong for a 2D/3D CAD app in one.
20. BricsCAD For Mac
BricsCAD is a professional CAD package that combines powerful 3D modelling with advanced 2D design features. BricsCAD is one of the few CAD packages that runs on all Mac, Windows and Linux platforms.
It’s suitable for all types of industrial 2D and 3D design but it has specialized support for sheet metal design. BricsCAD uses what’s known as a Quad cursor which enables designers to make complex technical drawings, 3D models and intricate layouts very quickly. BricsCAD is also unique because it handles both 3D drawings and parametric assemblies but saves files in DWG format. In fact BricsCAD compares favorably with AutoCAD and it even provides a free book on how to switch from AutoCAD to BricsCAD.
There are three versions of BricsCAD – Classic ($750), Pro ($970) and BricsCAD Platinum ($1110) but prices for all are slightly higher if you want premium support. Classic only handles 2D but Pro adds 3D modelling and Platinum adds BIM support.
BricsCAD is an excellent AutoCAD for Mac alternative with many of the same features but without the subscription pricing model.
21. Rhino For Mac
Rhino For Mac is a specialized 3D CAD software designed specifically for Mac with a loyal following and arguably still one of the best programs for organic 3D design. Rhino features tools to do everything from creating, editing, and rendering to animating, translating NURBS curves and creating polygon meshes.
Rhino For Mac is pretty good value for money at $695 because some of the free form 3D modelling features cost a lot more in similar packages and yet it still remains powerful enough for professional needs.
In the beginning, there were many features missing from the Mac version of Rhino compared to Windows but nowadays the two products are almost exactly the same. Only Worksessions, Animation Tools and some Commands are missing from Rhino for Mac and the Grasshopper feature is still in progress.
If you just want a 3D CAD app on your Mac without breaking the bank, Rhino for Mac is an impressive tool.
22. PowerCADD
Finally, PowerCADD for Mac is for all those old school CAD designers that miss the days of pen and paper. PowerCADD is for 2D CAD only and creates CAD designs that look like they were done on paper.
PowerCADD is suitable for all types of CAD design from buildings to machinery, brochures and even maps. The functionality of PowerCADD can be extended too by something called “Externals” which are basically add-ons that can be activated simply by dragging them into a specific folder.
PowerCADD is a bit dated now and at $995 isn’t exactly cheap either but if you miss the aesthetics of pen on paper, it offers something a bit different.
Which Is The Best CAD Software For Mac?
SmartDraw is still our favorite 2D CAD tool for Mac users, simply because it makes CAD so easy, whatever your level.
For complex 2D and 3D CAD, the industry leading AutoCAD can’t be beat for features and ease of learning. Its DWG format is still the industry standard for CAD design. If you’re a beginner to CAD, the 2D only version AutoCAD LT is far cheaper and easier to use than AutoCAD making a good starting point.
Autodesk Fusion 360 is still the best for product designers and although it’s Cloud based, it works superbly on Mac.
If you don’t want to be locked into a monthly subscription model, TurboCAD Mac Pro for Mac is a good alternative to AutoCAD on Mac and will satisfy all but the most demanding of architects and engineers.
TurboCAD Mac Deluxe meanwhile is excellent value for intermediate users that need 2D and 3D CAD features.
Finally, for those that are just getting started in CAD design or want something desktop but easy to use, MacDraft PE is an excellent entry level Mac CAD package.
We’ve looked at a lot of different options in this article and if it’s all been too much to digest, here’s a useful summary of our top 5 picks.
Best CAD Software For Mac Compared
SmartDraw | AutoCAD LT | AutoCAD | TurboCAD Deluxe | TurboCAD Pro | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Works On Mac | |||||
Mac Desktop Client | |||||
2D CAD | |||||
3D CAD | |||||
Easy To Learn | |||||
DWG Support | |||||
DXF Support | |||||
Templates | 40,000+ | ||||
Works on iPad | |||||
Annotations | |||||
Import PDFs | |||||
Free Trial | |||||
Price | $5.95/$9.95/m | $50/m | $195/m | $129 | $499 |
Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More |
Are There Any Free CAD Tools For Mac?
If you’re looking for something free to do basic mockups or get started in CAD, there are a few free or open source CAD applications for Mac worth trying.
Here’s a selection of the best ones.
SketchUp
SketchUp started life as a simple online design tool by Google until it was bought by Trimble Navigation and turned into a professional CAD tool for both Mac and PC.
SketchUp was Google’s idea of a free and basic user-friendly CAD application for all abilities and Trimble Navigation has maintained this ease of use but added more professional features.
SketchUp Pro is both a serious option for CAD professionals but also beginners that want to create impressive mock ups. It’s suitable for those in a range of professions from architecture, construction, engineering to interior design, light construction and landscape architecture.
The basic version of SketchUp is an ideal tool to give clients 3D mock-ups of their designs or for clients themselves to provide architects with an idea of their vision or plans.
If you want your client to sketch out their vision for you to develop for example, point they can download SketchUp free for personal use and create a basic outline that you can then develop further.
The professional version of SketchUp is for serious CAD designers but it still retains the general ease of use of the original Google product and still has Google Earth integration for geo-tagging designs.
SketchUp is free for Educational and Personal use but the Pro version costs $695.
FreeCAD
As the name suggest, FreeCAD is a free 3D modelling software for Mac which uses Parametric modelling to create designs. FreeCAD can read files in STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC and DAE format and is aimed mainly at those in mechanical engineering and product design fields.
FreeCAD features some of the tools found in major industry leading CAD applications such as SolidWorks but relies more on modules and scripts to design things like OpenSCAD. If you’re comfortable with scripting and modules, FreeCAD is another powerful yet free 3D design tool for Macs.
QCAD
QCAD is a free open source 2D Computer Aided Drafting application for Mac, Windows and Linux which allows you to create technical drawings for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts, schematics and diagrams. QCAD is a great starting point for novices in CAD design with a simplified, clear interface but plenty of features.
QCAD can import and open DWG and DXF files and also has a special add-on for Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM). There’s also a professional version of QCAD which costs less than $40 and adds extra features although it doesn’t support 3D CAD.
If you’re new to CAD and need something easy to get started with at zero cost, QCAD is an excellent beginners CAD package for Mac users.
Tips On Choosing The Right Package For You
In reality, there’s no such thing as the “best” CAD software for everyone. However, there’s definitely such a thing as the best CAD software for your needs.
Choosing the right CAD software for your specific needs however depends on whether you’re a professional designer, student or simply an amateur looking to do a little bit of home or landscape design.
Professional packages such as AutoCAD are complicated to learn and use as they whereas packages such as TurboCAD are somewhere in the middle, sometimes referred to as “prosumer” CAD software.
Online technical drafting software such as SmartDraw are aimed at those with minimal CAD experience and provide plenty of templates and automated functions to do the hard work for you.
Before you buy, here’s a few important questions and things to consider before deciding which one to choose.
- Are your CAD needs industry specific or general?
If you need CAD software for a specific industry, such as Architecture, then you need software designed specifically for the needs of 3D Architecture and all the components that go into buildings. If it’s mechanical CAD you’re going to be doing on your Mac then the needs are a bit different.
CAD software also covers many other fields including construction, engineering, commercial interiors, light construction, landscaping, interior design, urban planning, game design, film & stage, woodworking and much more.
You should make sure the CAD software you choose supports the specific industry you’re working in.
- Do you need 2D or 3D CAD software?
Again, this depends on what you want to use it for. If you only need to work in the Y and X axis i.e. draw floor plans, elevations and top/front/bottom angles of different objects, then 2D CAD software is all you need.
3D CAD software meanwhile allows you to work in the X,Y and Z axis and is essential for architects, product designers or those that need mechanical CAD software features. Basically, anyone that needs to manipulate a design from every possible angle.
3D software allows you to create both models and wire-frames but it’s more expensive than 2D software and can run into thousands of dollars on Mac.
Note that most professional 3D CAD software such as AutoCAD and ArchiCAD have now been updated to include support for 3D printers.
- Are you looking for paid or free software?
It should be no surprise that free CAD software on Mac is generally nowhere near as powerful as paid software although there are still some pretty decent packages now available which we’ve included in this article.
If you just need 2D design capabilities or don’t need to collaborate in a team with others, you can probably get away with using free CAD software if you’re not working in a professional environment.
3D designing is another matter however and there are few free 3D tools which are worth using. If you’re intending to use the software for professional work, it’s highly recommended to go for a paid CAD software as you may spend more time fighting with a free option or searching for features that are lacking than actually being productive.
Don’t be caught-out by CAD software that claims to be “free” but actually only offers a free version with limited functionality that requires you to upgrade to unlock features.
- Do you need BIM support?
BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the next step in Computer Aided Design and an increasingly important feature of CAD software for professionals.
BIM models are more intelligent than traditional CAD plans because they contain much more information. For instance, BIM models can calculate the knock-on effect that the smallest of changes to modeling plans can have.
In the long run, BIM can help cut down on the amount of errors or reworking that needs to be done to your CAD designs. Accounts stored program for mac.
Most of the top industry leading packages such as AutoCAD and Vectorworks, include BIM capabilities as standard but cheaper packages usually don’t.
We’ve indicated which packages support BIM in these reviews.
- Do you need CAD or 3D design software?
We have focused here mainly on CAD software, although we have also featured some 3D design or animation software because the line can be often blurred.
The difference between the two types of software is subtle but the key difference is that CAD software is specifically for the needs of professional and industrial designers, with all the technical specs and needs they have.
In a nutshell, 3D design software is generally aimed at the more creative side of design – for example animation – whereas CAD programs focus on technical plans and designs.
- Does the developer offer support?
Make sure that the CAD app you choose offers extensive help, training and after sale support. CAD software is very complex and if you’ve never used it before, it can be very daunting to get to grips with.
In particular, the most common problem you will experience with CAD software on Mac that’s been ported from Windows is instability and it can send you insane trying to work out exactly what is causing glitches or bugs with the program.
The most reputable CAD software developers offer free customer support but some charge extra for it so check before buying.
- Other things you may want to consider
Other useful features you might want to check for in professional CAD software on a Mac include:
- A command line (which enables you to search for a tool or object in real-time), design setup wizards, templates and tutorial videos. Particularly if you need to create architecture designs, look for software with house wizards which take the basic information in your design and can whip-up a basic house design in minutes saving hours of work.
- A complete set of editing tools is also important i.e. the ability to use pointer markers, layer editors and color coordinate different elements in your designs. Most CAD software now includes a snap tool to make sure that your designs fit together neatly but it’s still always worth checking.
- If you need to import and export files, check what CAD file types it supports. Common formats are DWG, DXF (Drawing Exchange Format, important for things like CNC cutters, plasma cutters etc), DWF and DGN. If you’re going to be exporting for 3D printing, STL export is important and of course, it’s always handy to be able to export to common document formats such as PDF and image formats such as PNG and JPG.
- Support for your specific industry. In architectural CAD software for example, photo realistic rendering is a useful feature because it allows you and your client see what the final design will actually look like. Although there is CAD software on Mac for almost every conceivable need and area nowadays, there are certain industries such as pipeline, piping and valve architecture that require ISO prints for which there’s no specific software on Mac for yet.
- Support for graphics tablets. If you’re a professional architect or CAD designer and prefer to use a digital pen for sketching blueprints, make sure the software you select supports tablets. Check out our guide for which drawing tablets for Mac work best with macOS.
Once you’ve digested all of this, you’re much better prepared to choose the right drafting software on Mac for you.
How To Run Windows CAD Applications On Mac
If you really don’t want to go to the hassle of finding CAD software for your Mac or can’t find anything that measures up to CAD software you use on PC, you can always install Windows on your Mac.
A virtual environment like Parallels has the advantage of allowing you to run both macOS and Windows at the same time but if you use Boot Camp, you can only boot in either macOS or Windows at one time which can be annoying if you need to switch between your Mac and Windows CAD software regularly.
For an example, check out our guide on how to run SolidWorks on Mac which is only available on Windows.
However, we don’t recommend running Windows on your Mac in order to use CAD software. You will inevitably experience bugs running Windows CAD software on a Mac this way, especially graphic related issues such are the complexities and demands of CAD software.
It’s much better to use a Mac only CAD software solution like the ones covered here instead and the choice on Mac is enough so that using Windows really isn’t necessary for most people.
This also means that if you have any problems with the software, you will receive support from the developer. If you’re running Windows CAD software on a Mac however, the developer is unlikely to offer technical support as most don’t support problems running Windows on Mac.
New Mac CAD Releases In 2019
We hope this overview has shown that there’s no need to go back to PCs or Windows for your CAD needs.
Indeed, the future for Computer Aided Design on Mac in 2019 generally looks very good as more developers recognize the growing demand on Mac or move their software online.
A good example of the way the industry is moving is Onshape which was started by some members of the team behind the popular SolidWorks 3D CAD design software for Windows.
Although you can run SolidWorks on Mac using a virtual machine it’s not an ideal solution and doesn’t work as well as on PC. Onshape meanwhile claims to offer the functionality of Solidworks but in any web browser, running on any platform.
Onshape is the first serious attempt at a web-based 3D CAD software that enables teams to work on designs as the same time in real-time. It works extremely well on a Mac too which isn’t surprising as the majority of programmers that created it coded it on Mac.
The main problem with Cloud or online CAD software is that it often can’t meet the technical needs of graphic intensive CAD demands but Onshape allows you to create complex parts, assemblies, and detailed drawings comfortably within a web browser on a Mac. You can even use Onshape on your iPad or iPhone.
By current market standards, Onshape is priced quite competitively too. The basic version is free but professionals will need to upgrade to the Pro plan for $100 a month to unlock all the functionality.
In addition to developments such as Onshape, there are also signs that Apple is increasingly willing to move closer towards enterprise apps like CAD software such as the deal it reached with IBM.
This means Apple is likely to put more effort in supporting business oriented CAD software on Mac in future when it comes to components and software support.
So all in all, the future for CAD designers on Mac looks very bright indeed.
If you have any questions or problems with the software covered here, or need some advice on which CAD software is right for you on your Mac, let us know in the comments below.
If you’re interested in interior design and floor planning specifically, we also recommend you check out our guide to home design software on Mac.
If you want to redesign your home or office, we’ve taken a look at the very best home design software for Mac in 2019. Whether you want a straightforward floor planner to map out an office layout or desktop interior design software for your Mac to create the home of your dreams, you’ll find a tool here to fit.
It’s important to be aware from the start that there’s a difference between floor planning tools and interior design apps.
Floor planning apps like the excellent SmartDraw are for exactly that – mapping out layouts for offices, real estate, homes etc.
Home design software such as the impressive Live Home 3D go much further however and allow you to visualize interiors in 3D, choose materials and even do Virtual Reality walkthroughs in some cases.
There’s also a difference between Cloud based apps i.e. those that are online and can be used in any browser and desktop software that work specifically on Mac. We’ve made it clear in these reviews which are Cloud based and which are desktop apps.
The important thing to bear in mind is that whereas almost all interior design tools also do floor planning, most floor plan software doesn’t do interior design.
However, floor planners have the advantage of being simpler, faster and usually cheaper if you don’t need all the features of a home planner.
We’ve made it clear in the reviews below what each tool is designed for to make it easier to choose the right app for your needs.
Note that if you’re looking for more technical CAD software suitable for professional architects, you may be better reading our guide to the best CAD software on Mac instead.
Although some of the apps here are suitable for landscaping, we also recommend checking out our look at the top landscaping software for Mac as this area has its own specific demands and requirements.
With this in mind, here then are the best floor planners and home design software for Mac in order of ranking.
1. Live Home 3D (Home Design – Desktop)
Live Home 3D (formerly known as Live Interior 3D) is a powerful but easy to use home design software for Mac desktops.
The interface to Live Home 3D is perfect for beginners to floor planning as it’s so clear and logically laid out without being overwhelming.
The graphics in general are also superb with high quality 2D objects and highly realistic 3D rendering. You can design in 2D and 3D with a selection of furniture and objects from the vast Trimble SketchUp 3D Warehouse which allows you to download thousands of objects and models.
You can switch between 2D and 3D at any time and with no waiting around to see how your floor plans look close up. Just click on “Walk” at the top of the interface to walk through your new office or home design.
The overall attention to detail in Live Home 3D is amazing with around 2,100 materials to choose from – if the building material exists then it’s probably in Live Home 3D. If an object isn’t in the library, you can also import them in Wavefront .OBJ format.
There are Arc Wall and Straight Wall tools for different shapes and you can easily drag and drop doors onto the walls to add them into your floor plans. You can also share designs directly to social media, as well as export to PDF, JPG, PNG, TIFF and HEVC encoding for making high quality videos.
Even more impressive is that you can export to USDZ format which means you can view any piece of furniture, a room or an entire house in AR using iOS Quicklook on your iPad or iPhone.
Live Home 3D is also very hot at keeping-up with the latest Macs and versions of macOS. It’s the only floor planning software for Mac we’re aware of that is optimized for using the Touch Bar in the latest MacBook Pros.
It’s also fully integrated for saving to iCloud and to take advantage of 64 bit architecture in the latest versions of macOS. Live Home 3D also supports the Dark Mode in the latest version of macOS Mojave.
Live Home 3D is available in two versions – Standard and Pro but the Standard version is very basic. For serious home design, we strongly recommend Live Home 3D Pro as it includes essential features like unlimited floor levels, furniture and impressive full HD walkthroughs.
You can also buy 600 additional add-on materials such as different types of carpet, wallpaper and bricks for a small fee.
You can find full details on Live Home 3D pricing here and there’s a 30 day money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with it.
There’s also our full review of Live Home 3D for a more detailed look.
You can watch how to create a floor plan in Live Home 3D below:
2. SmartDraw (Floor Planning – Online)
SmartDraw is a remarkably slick and easy to use online 2D diagramming software that’s excellent for creating 2D floor plans and blueprints.
Note that unlike Live Home 3D, SmartDraw is Cloud based so there’s no desktop app and costs $9.95 per month.
Sketch For Mac Review
SmartDraw used to be a Windows only application but the release of SmartDraw Online Edition (formerly SmartDraw Cloud) means that Mac users can finally use it too in any browser.
SmartDraw Online feels like something that was designed for macOS which isn’t surprising since the developers created it mainly using Macs as a user friendly alternative to Visio in mind.
SmartDraw is extremely slick, easy to use, logical and makes it very easy to draw floor plans on Mac. One of the things that’s really impressive in SmartDraw is the sheer number of templates available.
There are literally thousands of templates including a huge number of ready-made floor plans which you can customize very quickly.
The other really clever thing about SmartDraw is that it automatically snaps objects and shapes into place to keep floor plans neat and symmetrical.
This is surprisingly time-saving rather than having to manually align and adjust shapes. If you want to import Visio floor plans on your Mac, SmartDraw will also import Visio VSD and VSDX files and it’s the only tool for Mac that can export to the latest Visio 2016 VSDX format if you want to send it to a Visio user.
Most recently SmartDraw’s floor planning tools have has been updated to make it easier to:
- Set angles just by typing
- Show the distance between a corner and openings like doors and windows
- Print the grid
- Adjust dimension lines
- Adjustment walls easily
- Improve the rotation of shapes attached to walls
You can get started now with SmartDraw for free to judge for yourself.
You can also read many more reasons why we like it in our review of SmartDraw.
3. Lucidchart (Floor Planning – Online)
Lucidchart is another easy to use cloud diagramming software that makes designing floor plans very easy on all platforms.
Lucidchart is similar to SmartDraw although it has a Chrome extension which allows you to work offline as well. Although it has less templates than SmartDraw, it still has plenty to complete most diagramming tasks quickly and easily.
There are several Floorplan templates that you an customize and adapt for your own designs. You can also import and even export to Visio format although you’ll need a Team subscription or higher in order to do this.
Lucidchart also has an iPad app which allows you to create floor plans on the move (see our review of the Lucidchart iPad app for more).
Overall, Lucidchart is a simple, convenient and fast way to draw floor plans on macOS.
You can read more in our Lucidchart review and you can also sign-up for a free account.
You can watch an overview of how to create a floor plan in Lucidchart below:
4. Homestyler (Home Design – Online)
Homestyler was originally made by Autodesk, the makers of the industry leading AutoCAD for Mac software and was an incredibly powerful floor planning software for Mac and PC.
It discontinued the product in 2017 but it has been continued as a somewhat lighter version under Chinese ownership by Easyhome.
The surprising thing is that Homestyler is still completely free to use but still feels like a professional floor plan app. The only requirement is that you sign-up for an Easyhome Homestyler account.
The latest version of Homestyler has recently been given a facelift with a new interface that’s streamlined and more responsive than the old Flash based one.
Creating floor plans in Homestyler is simply a case of dragging and dropping elements in your web browser. You can add small details like grass, gravel and water elements to add realism to your floor plans. It even allows you to import and export DWG files.
When it was owned by Autodesk, Homestyler could even provide pricing for your mock ups although unfortunately that is no longer possible. However, the new owners have added some interesting touches such as 3D walk throughs, an enhanced furniture library and mobile apps with Augmented Reality.
These allow you to take a photo of a room and then start decorating it with products immediately from the Easyhome catalog which really brings things to life.
You can also share designs made in Homestyler to social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc.
It’s really amazing that Homestyler is a free application and if you just want some fun redesigning your home, you can’t do much better.
5. Floorplanner (Floor Planning – Online)
Floorplanner is a very slick dedicated online floor plan software that makes creating floor plans or redesigning your home fun. Floorplanner is designed with beginners in mind that need help creating professional and striking floor plans on Mac.
Floorplanner conveniently snaps items and objects into place to keep your designs both geometrically correct and tidy with minimal effort. There are even convex tools to help you create complex rounded walls and dividers in floor plans.
Like Homestyler, you create designs in 2D but you can render them in 3D. This is a really nice touch as it allows you to better visualize what your floor plans will look like if you were standing in the room.
The good thing is that you can use Floorplanner for free although this only entitles you to one saved floor plan. You then need to pay $4.99 for each additional floor plan or you can pay $14.95 which entitles you to 5 floor plans per year with additional floor plans at $2.99 each.
The Pro version is $29.99 per year and gives you 15 floor plans and additional floor plans $1.99 each plus it allows you to brand floor plans.
Floorplanner is great for beginners and professionals alike and although it’s not the cheapest floor planning software for Mac, it’s probably worth it for those serious about creating professional floor plans.
You can watch Floorplanner in action below:
6. Roomle (Floor Planning – Desktop)
Roomle is a very attractively made 2D and 3D room planning app for Mac and iOS that makes it very easy to create floor plans.
Roomle is very slick and extremely well thought out making it easy for beginners to floor design to create professional and attractive looking floor plans.
Roomle is free to use although you need to register in order to save designs, send directly via email and work on more than design at once.
For professionals or furniture buyers, there are also business packages available.
Roomle has a surprisingly minimal interface with very few visible tools.
Roomle puts a big emphasis on walls and floors giving you full control over the thickness, material and type of walls and floors in your designs.
You can very easily change floorings, wall colors and drop furniture from Roomle’s extensive catalog of objects and materials.
The smart thing about Roomle is that it’s integrated with the furniture catalogs of major manufacturers such as Ikea, Samsung and Vitra meaning you can use (and purchase) objects from these brands in your designs.
You can plan in both 2D and 3D and use the 3D orbit view to get a birds eye or ground level view of how your floor plan would feel like for real.
There is less detail in the 3D view compared to most of the other floor planning apps for Mac featured here
The export options are limited – there’s no DMG support for example and you can’t share directly to social media but you can save floor plans in JPG format.
You can also print them directly from your browser or the Roomle iPad/iPhone app. The Roomle iOS app is one of the best mobile floor planning apps we’ve tried allowing you to pretty much everything you can do in the web version.
There’s even a Roomle Viewer VR app which allows you to view rooms with any VR viewer on iPhone.
Considering Roomle is completely free to use, it’s an amazingly accomplished floor planning app for Mac users.
You can see Roomle’s impressive 3D walk-through in action below:
7. OmniGraffle (Floor Planning – Desktop)
OmniGraffle is easily the best desktop diagramming software designed specifically for Mac and an excellent alternative to online floor plan software.
OmniGraffle is designed specifically for macOS (there’s no Windows version) so it naturally looks and works great on Macs.
OmniGraffle is extremely powerful and is a popular alternative to Visio on Mac although you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro version ($199) to get Visio import features and advanced diagramming tools.
However, the Standard version of OmniGraffle is more than enough to create floor plans.
OmniGraffle has a limited number of templates but the good thing is there is a mini-industry of user-generated OmniGraffle templates and stencils out there, many of which you can download for free.
![Best Sketch Program For Mac Best Sketch Program For Mac](https://3nlm2c1gjj0z2ju16293909h-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/best-cad-software-for-mac-sketchup-pro.jpg)
Check out our review of OmniGraffle for Mac for more.
You can also watch how to create a floor plan in OmniGraffle below.
8. ConceptDraw Diagram (Floor Planning – Desktop)
ConceptDraw Diagram (formerly ConceptDraw Pro) is a professional drawing tool which is suitable for creating complex diagrams of all types including floor plans and building designs.
ConceptDraw has a wide variety of templates for things such as office layouts, piping and instrumentation diagrams, heating and ventilation systems, air conditioning (HVAC) and emergency exit plans.
You can also just have a bit of fun with it such as map out the floor plan for the apartments in Friends but at $199, it’s an expensive tool to just indulge in a bit of doodling.
However, if you’re looking for an all purpose diagramming tool or an alternative to Visio for Mac users, it’s definitely worth taking a closer look.
You can check out our full review of ConceptDraw Diagram for more.
You can also try a free trial of ConceptDraw before buying.
9. SketchUp (Home Design – Online/Desktop)
SketchUp (formerly Google Sketchup) has evolved from a free online 2D design tool that was once owned by Google to a very powerful 2D and 3D modelling software that produces professional floor plans.
SketchUp might look familiar because it’s used by Chip and Joanna Gaines in the HGTV show Fixer Upper.
SketchUp was known as Google Sketchup until 2012 when Trimble Navigation bought it and turned it into a powerful, professional 3D architectural software.
The professional version of SketchUp is SketchUp Pro which is a professional tool costing $299 per year and there’s a more limited version SketchUp Shop which costs $119 per year.
However, there is also a basic free version for non commercial use called SketchUp Free which works online allows you to model in 3D for free with a generous 10GB of online storage.
There are also far fewer floor plan templates in the non Pro versions of Sketchup to get you going although it’s very easy to create them from scratch. One thing that Google SketchupPro really excels in is furniture and objects – there’s an enormous database of 3D models of just about any type of furniture or object – for chairs alone there are 35,000 choices.
SketchupPro isn’t cheap at $695 but it’s a very powerful professional floor planning and interior design tool. There are many SketchupPro video tutorials to help you get started and you can watch how to get started with Sketchup Pro below:
10. Ikea Home Planner (Home Design – Online)
It’s hardly surprising that furniture giant Ikea has gone into the world of floor planning software and Ikea Home Planner is Ikea’s way of helping you re imagine your home (and then buy its furniture of course).
Ikea Home Planner is actually a plugin for Chrome, Safari and Firefox that allows you to create floor plans in your browser.
Although it’s nowhere near as advanced as most of the other software featured here, it is completely free to use and fine for creating simple mock-up floor plans.
Ikea Home Planner allows you to place objects around a floor space to rearrange your home in 2D and 3D. The smart thing is you can “look” around the room at ground level in 3D mode to see exactly how your new home design would feel.
Is Sketch For Mac Only
Of course, because it’s an Ikea product, you can get pricing for all of the objects so that you can order them in store or online where available.
Of course, you are limited to objects and furniture in the Ikea catalogue although as anyone that has been to an Ikea will know, that’s pretty extensive. It’s also limited to lounge and kitchen floor plans.
You can watch Ikea Home Planner for Mac in action below:
11. Sketch (Floor Planning – Desktop)
Sketch is a beautifully designed digital design application that’s mainly aimed at user interface and UX designers but it can also whip-up some pretty good floor plans.
Some of the companies that use Sketch for web design include Google, Apple and Facebook so that gives you an idea of how highly rated it is.
Although it’s not cheap at $99.00, it’s definitely worth a closer look if you’re a UI or UX designer or if you like your apps designed specifically for Mac.
Sketch is Mac only and features state-of-the-art boolean operations, multiple pages and boards and makes things quick and snappy when working on multiple projects with symbols and shared styles.
You can see how you can use Sketch to design floor plans when one Sketch user decided to redesign her apartment using it. She even created a useful free Sketch floor plan template to save you time creating your own.
There’s also a growing collection of free Sketch plugins created by the devoted Sketch community to enhance your floor plans. You can try a free trial of Sketch before deciding whether it’s the right floor planning software for you.
Best Drawing Program For Mac
12. Sweet Home 3D (Home Design – Desktop/Online)
Finally there’s Sweet Home 3D Which seems to have been around forever on Mac.
Sweet Home 3D is a free interior design application for Mac which allows you to create 2D and 3D floor plans. Sweet Home 3D is unusual in that it has both a Mac desktop client and a web version.
However, unfortunately we can’t recommend using Sweet Home 3D anymore because both the web version and Mac desktop client use Java.
Sketch Software Mac
There are too many problems with Java on OS X, not least that it’s impossible to uninstall Java on Mac that it’s not worth the hassle anymore. Apple is gradually phasing out support for Java and so we don’t recommend going for a Java based solution like Sweet Home 3D when there are so many other options available.
You can see Sweet Home 3D in action below:
Mac Home Design & Floor Plan Software Checklist
There are a few things to be aware of when choosing home design software on Mac.
- Most of the best floor planners and interior design software for Mac is online and although some have already moved to HTML5, the majority still use Adobe Flash. It’s therefore recommended to use Google Chrome rather than browsers such as Firefox or Safari as it tends to perform better and be more stable with Flash based software. Although Firefox and Safari both work with Flash, they are more prone to block elements especially if your version of Adobe Flash needs updating. Chrome generally works better with Flash and is faster and more responsive when running Flash based applications such as floor planning software.
- Avoid Java based home design software on Mac. There are simply too many problems with Java on Mac, not least that its impossible to fully uninstall Java from Mac. Although there isn’t much floor planning software on either Mac or PC that still uses Java, Sweet Home 3D still does and is one of the most popular which we mention at the end of these reviews.
- Floor planning software doesn’t need to be expensive. The great thing is that some of the best software for creating blueprints on Mac is completely free to use. Homestyler and Roomle are perfect examples of professional 3D floor planning software for Mac which are professional interior design software for Mac which don’t cost a cent. Others like Live Home 3D are produce high quality results and are very reasonable priced at around $30 while most of the rest use a subscription based pricing model. Some like Floorplanner offer freemium versions which limit you to just one saved floor plan and then charge you for each additional floor plan you create. The days of needing expensive CAD software or dated apps like HGTV Home Design For Mac are gone.
- Although VR is still a fledgling technology when it comes to floor plans, it’s ideal for doing walk-throughs of 3D floor plan designs. So far however, only Roomle supports VR with a VR Viewer app for iPhone which works with any VR viewer. This is likely to change though as more floor planning apps embrace VR on Mac.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, there’s some really excellent and free floor plan software for Mac out there both desktop and online.
If you want a floor plan or home design software with a Mac desktop client,Live Home 3D is slick, easy to use and makes interior design fun.
If you’re in a hurry and just want a 2D floor plan with nothing to download or install, you can’t do much better than SmartDraw for its huge number of floor plan templates, ease of use and slick interface.
For professional floor planners, we’d have to say Homestyler is the best as it’s made by the same makers of AutoCAD for Mac, is incredibly powerful yet is totally free to use.
Free Sketch Program For Mac
Roomle is an excellent intermediate option and far more accessible for those starting out in floor design plus it has the best mobile apps for iPad and iPhone of any floor plan software out there.
Finally, Floorplanner is also really well done but it can be expensive as you have to subscribe to a monthly subscription fee and doesn’t offer any major advantages over the other floor planning software for Mac featured here.
If you have any comments, experiences or suggestions for other floor plan or interior design software on Mac, let us know in the comments below.