The Best Free Exterior House Design App for Homeowners: No Experience NeededEthan Brooks05/07Table of ContentWhy Every Homeowner Needs an Exterior Design AppTop 10 Pain Points Homeowners Face in Exterior Design1. Planner 5D – Simple, Smart, and Beginner-Friendly2. Coohom – Best for AI-Driven, Photorealistic Exterior Design3. Roomstyler – Drag-and-Drop Tool to Build From Scratch4. HomeByMe – Upload Your House Photo and Let AI Redesign It5. Home Depot VisualizeColor – Quick Paint Tests With Real BrandsColor Decisions in 7 DaysExpert Comparison Which Tool Is Best for You?What to Look for in an Exterior Home Design ToolFAQsFree Smart Home PlannerAI-Powered smart home design software 2025Home Design for FreeWhy Every Homeowner Needs an Exterior Design AppAccording to a 2023 report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), 67% of homeowners prioritize exterior upgrades during renovations. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) confirms that exterior improvements consistently top home improvement spending in the U.S.Yet here’s the frustrating reality:You can’t upload a photo of your real home and test changesTools are clunky or too “professional” to understandYou waste hours trying to preview what a simple wall color update will look likeThis guide reviews the top-rated free tools in 2025 to help you avoid those headaches—and actually enjoy redesigning your home's exterior.Top 10 Pain Points Homeowners Face in Exterior DesignNo.Pain PointDescription1Can't upload real house photoMany tools use generic models, not your own home's image2Poor rendering qualityBlurry visuals and unrealistic textures lead to confusion3Too complex to useSteep learning curves turn simple ideas into frustration4No mobile-friendly optionsLimited or clunky on phones and tablets5No way to export/share designNo high-res downloads or links for contractors/family6Lacks regional architectural styleDoesn’t reflect local house types or materials7No AI guidanceYou're left guessing with endless color/material choices8No side-by-side comparisonsCan’t easily A/B test design options9No construction feasibility tipsNo materials list or implementation insights10Hidden costsKey features locked behind paywalls or limited trialsBest Free Exterior Home Design Apps of 2025 (with G2 Ratings)1. Planner 5D – Simple, Smart, and Beginner-FriendlyIf you're looking to test front elevations or simple layouts, Planner 5D is a fantastic starting point. Its 2D and 3D views make it easy to sketch out ideas.G2 Rating: 4.6/5User feedback: “Perfect for beginners—easy to use with lots of customization options.”✅ Pros: Drag-and-drop interface, great for quick facades ❌ Cons: Limited texture realism, better for drafts than final visuals2. Coohom – Best for AI-Driven, Photorealistic Exterior DesignIf you need true-to-life renderings and fast AI suggestions, Coohom excels. It provides exterior templates, smart material suggestions, and 4K-level visuals—all in a browser.G2 Rating: 4.6/5User feedback: “By far the best platform I’ve used. The exterior visuals are incredibly realistic. The lighting and video output are amazing for client use.”✅ Pros: Ultra-realistic renders, AI-guided templates, fast exports ❌ Cons: Learning curve may require 5–10 minutes on first use3. Roomstyler – Drag-and-Drop Tool to Build From ScratchWhether you're designing your dream house or testing structure layouts, Roomstyler’s easy interface makes it a go-to for creative homeowners.G2 Rating: 4.3/5 (per TechRadar)User feedback: “Extremely user-friendly and perfect for creating both real and imagined homes.”✅ Pros: Intuitive layout, perfect for conceptual builds ❌ Cons: Material options may feel limited compared to other tools4. HomeByMe – Upload Your House Photo and Let AI Redesign ItWant to repaint your home or test new siding without lifting a brush? Upload a photo, and AI will simulate lighting, landscaping, and material updates.G2 Rating: 3.7/5User feedback: “Quick and intuitive. A great way to bring ideas to life visually.”✅ Pros: Real-image simulation, great for renovation previews ❌ Cons: Requires high-resolution images for best results 5. Home Depot VisualizeColor – Quick Paint Tests With Real BrandsWant to try Sherwin-Williams or Behr paint on your home digitally? Upload a picture and instantly see how hundreds of paint shades will look.✅ Pros: Super lightweight and easy for color changes ❌ Cons: No structural editing or 3D viewingColor Decisions in 7 DaysJane, a homeowner in Austin, Texas, wanted to repaint her Craftsman-style home. She uploaded her photo into HomeByMe, tested 7 color schemes, and chose a soft white with sage green trim. She finalized the design with her contractor—all in just one week.“The visual overlay made it so easy. No more trying to describe a ‘warm white’ over the phone. One picture solved it all.”Expert Comparison: Which Tool Is Best for You?NeedBest ToolBeginner-friendly layout sketchesPlanner 5DReal photo-based AI designHomeByMe, CoohomBuild-from-scratch dream homesRoomstyler, CoohomFast, lightweight color testingHome Depot VisualizeColorPro-level rendering with AICoohomWhat to Look for in an Exterior Home Design ToolA great tool should offer:Real photo upload and edit optionsPre-built templates for facades and landscapingAI-based material/color suggestionsExport options for contractors and sharingLighting simulation to mimic real conditionsFAQsQ: What is the best free app to design a house exterior? A: Coohom, Planner 5D, and HomeByMe are top-rated by G2 and design professionals.Q: Can I upload a photo of my house and redesign it? A: Yes! Try HomeByMe or Home Depot VisualizeColor.Q: Is there a tool for building a house from scratch? A: Yes. Roomstyler and Coohom let you construct full exterior layouts.Q: Which free tools support AI exterior design? A: Coohom, Planner 5D, and HomeByMe all support AI-assisted planning.Q: Do these tools work on mobile? A: Planner 5D and HomeByMe offer solid mobile support.(Source: JCHS Remodeling Futures Program)(Source: AIA Home Design Trends Survey)Home Design for FreePlease check with customer service before testing new feature.