Choosing how to design a landscape
No tool is best at everything. This compares categories of tools by workflow — what each is good at — rather than ranking products. Where a category varies a lot, we say so.
| Question | Paper & tape | General CAD / 3D modelling | Dedicated landscape suites | Browser garden planners | OpenLandscape3D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning curve | Lowest | Steep | Steep | Low | Low to moderate |
| Measured site and grading | Manual | Strong | Strong | Usually none | Boundary and spot elevations; grading planned |
| Plants as data (size, hardiness, light, moisture) | Your own notes | Usually symbols only | Varies by product and library | Varies; often decorative | Every plant, with sources and review state |
| Growth over years | Mental arithmetic | Manual | Varies | Rare | Built in, documented formula |
| Seasonal appearance | Sketches | Manual | Varies | Rare | Built in, from frost dates |
| Design checks | Experience | Generic | Varies | Rare | Ten rules with stable ids |
| Construction documents | Hand-drafted | Strong | Strong | Rare | Not yet |
| Open file format | — | Varies | Usually proprietary | Varies | Yes, documented JSON |
| Cost | Minimal | Subscription or licence | Subscription or licence | Free to subscription | Free, open source |
Categories, not specific products. Individual products in a category differ; check current features with each vendor.
When OpenLandscape3D fits
- Planting design is the hard part and you want plant facts, growth and seasons in the model.
- You want to show clients or family how the garden changes across a year and a decade.
- You already use OpenPlan3D for the house, or want open files you can keep.
When something else fits better (for now)
- You need stamped construction documents, detailed grading, cut-and-fill or irrigation design.
- You work outside the three U.S. pilot regions and need a deep regional plant library today.
- You need photoreal renderings for marketing.
See the landscape design software overview for selection criteria.
Start designing in your browser
OpenLandscape3D is free and open source. Draw the site, place regional plants, and scrub through seasons and years before anything goes in the ground.