Plan7Architect: A Better Alternative to the Homestyler App

If you’re wondering whether Plan7Architect is a better alternative to the Homestyler app, the answer is clear: yes. While Homestyler works well for quick interior visualizations and fun room mockups, Plan7Architect is the tool you need for serious, accurate home design – both in 2D and 3D.

Plan7Architect is professional-grade CAD software that is still easy enough to use for private users. It lets you design an entire house, from the walls to the roof and the terrain. You can work with both metric (meters, centimeters) and imperial (feet, inches) measurement systems, depending on where you are or how you prefer to plan. Everything is fully customizable and precise – not just drag-and-drop furniture.

You don’t need to be an architect to use Plan7Architect, but if you are, it will meet your expectations. If you’re a private builder, renovator, or real estate planner, this software gives you the flexibility and functionality that the Homestyler app simply doesn’t provide.

Full 3D house model created with Plan7Architect – including roof, terrain, and landscaping
Full 3D house model created with Plan7Architect – including roof, terrain, and landscaping

Quick Comparison – Plan7Architect vs. Homestyler

Who Each Program Is For

From my own use of both programs, it quickly became obvious that they serve very different audiences.

  • Homestyler is perfect if you just want to place a sofa in a room and get an idea of how it looks. It’s web-based, intuitive, and made for visualizing ideas fast – not for accurate planning or professional results. It’s mostly used by people who want to test interior styles.

  • Plan7Architect, on the other hand, is for people who actually want to build or renovate. Whether you’re planning a family house, an apartment renovation, or even a garage or garden, it gives you the tools you need to create proper plans that you can share with a builder or engineer.

Feature Comparison Table

Feature Plan7Architect Homestyler
2D and 3D planning  Professional and construction-ready  Visual-only level
Metric and imperial units  Fully supported, switchable anytime  Limited
Architectural precision  Snap tools, accurate scaling, exact input  Drag-based, imprecise
Full house design (roof, terrain)  Included  Interior rooms only
Construction plan export (PDF/DWG)  For architects and builders  Not supported
Offline use  Fully offline capable  Browser-only
One-time purchase  No subscription  Mostly subscription-based
Realistic rendering  High-resolution, custom lighting  Medium-quality rendering

Advantages of Plan7Architect Over Homestyler

Professional Tools Without Complexity

One of the biggest surprises when I first tried Plan7Architect was how user-friendly it is. Despite being a serious CAD program, it doesn’t overwhelm you. Everything is intuitive: drag walls into place, define room dimensions manually or with the mouse, and instantly switch to a 3D view.

You can add floors, roofs, terrain elements, windows, and even full garden landscapes. All this is done with easy-to-use tools that still give you full control over the size, positioning, and layout.

Even if you’ve never used design software before, you’ll be up and running quickly thanks to built-in tutorials and a logical workflow.

Tip:
If you’re planning a full renovation or even a new build, Plan7Architect allows you to create multiple layers – for example, separate floor plans for each level of your house, including basements or attics.

True Multi-System Support

Plan7Architect lets you plan using either metric (meters, centimeters) or imperial (feet, inches) units. You can easily switch between systems depending on your project location or preference. This is especially helpful if you’re working with international teams or if you’ve downloaded architectural references in a different system.

You won’t need to do any manual conversions – just pick your preferred measurement system in the settings, and everything adjusts automatically.

You Own the Software

Unlike web-based apps or subscription services, Plan7Architect is a one-time purchase. That means no monthly fees, no browser limitations, and no login requirement just to use what you already paid for.

Once installed, it works offline. This is a major plus if you’re working on a construction site, in rural areas, or simply prefer not to depend on cloud services. You can also install it on your main computer and a laptop, for example, without any recurring costs.

Interior furnishing and lighting simulation created using Plan7Architect
Interior furnishing and lighting simulation created using Plan7Architect

Ideal Use Cases Where Plan7Architect Outperforms

I’ve used Plan7Architect for everything from small remodeling projects to helping a friend plan their full new-build family home. These are the areas where it really shines compared to Homestyler:

  • Designing complete houses, including exterior walls, roof structures, balconies, and garages

  • Creating terrain profiles for sloped lots or gardens

  • Planning full renovations with accurate dimensions and detailed layer management

  • Exporting real architectural plans for use by engineers or city authorities

  • Designing in both 2D and 3D simultaneously – with live updates between views

  • Working without an internet connection or web app delays

Use Case Example:
You want to design a two-story home with a rooftop terrace and a garden. With Plan7Architect, you can:

  • Design each floor separately and manage them in layers

  • Add a custom flat roof or sloped roof with real pitch settings

  • Place windows and doors with exact positioning

  • Model the surrounding property and garden path in 3D

  • Export your project as a PDF or DWG and send it to your builder

Where Homestyler Still Has Its Place

To be fair, Homestyler isn’t useless. It can still be helpful – but mostly for light tasks.

  • It’s great for quick interior mockups: arranging furniture, testing wall colors, or showing clients some layout options.

  • It’s fast and runs in the browser, so you don’t have to install anything.

  • You can quickly create an idea board or a visual mood piece for a single room or apartment.

If that’s all you need, then Homestyler can serve its purpose. But once your project goes beyond visualizing a couch and starts involving walls, measurements, and construction planning, it falls short.

Custom roof and window configurations modeled in Plan7Architect
Custom roof and window configurations modeled in Plan7Architect

Final Verdict – Plan7Architect Is the Stronger, More Versatile Choice

If you’re serious about planning, designing, or building, Plan7Architect is the better option. It’s reliable, accurate, and made for real-world results. Whether you’re working alone or coordinating with professionals, it gives you the tools you need to turn your ideas into real, buildable plans.

Homestyler may be easier at first glance, but Plan7Architect lets you go further, deeper, and more precisely.

Tip – Try Plan7Architect Risk-Free

If you’re still unsure, you can try Plan7Architect completely risk-free. There is no demo version, but you can cancel your purchase within 14 days by sending a simple email – no questions asked. That gives you full access to test every feature and find out if it’s right for your project.

Plan your project with Plan7Architect

Plan7Architect Pro House Planning Software

Plan7Architect Pro 5 for $159.99

You don’t need any prior experience because the software has been specifically designed for beginners. The planning process is carried out in 5 simple steps:

1. Draw Walls

Create your 2D floor plan by accurately drawing and adjusting rooms and walls for your home design.
Create your 2D floor plan by accurately drawing and adjusting rooms and walls for your home design.

2. Windows & Doors

Optimize your space layout with perfectly fitting door and window elements.
Optimize your space layout with perfectly fitting door and window elements.

3. Floors & Roof

Visualize different levels and roof types for your home design.
Visualize different levels and roof types for your home design.

4. Textures & 3D Objects

Choose materials and textures to customize floors, walls, and 3D objects individually for a realistic representation of your design.
Choose materials and textures to customize floors, walls, and 3D objects individually for a realistic representation of your design.

5. Plan for the Building Permit

Sections and views for the building application can be created with Plan7Architect (1)
Create professional construction drawings with elevations, sections, and complete plan compilations.

6. Export the Floor Plan as a 3D Model for Twinmotion

Visualize your project with cutting-edge 3D technology and create high-quality image renderings and videos using Twinmotion by Epic Games.
Visualize your project with cutting-edge 3D technology and create high-quality image renderings and videos using Twinmotion by Epic Games.

 

  • – Compliant with international construction standards
  • – Usable on 3 PCs simultaneously
  • – Option for consultation with an architect
  • – Comprehensive user manual
  • – Regular updates
  • – Video tutorials
  • – Millions of 3D objects available

The 3 Plan7Architects