FloorGen vs Sweet Home 3D
Both are free. Sweet Home 3D is an open-source desktop program that works offline, with photoreal images and a large importable library. FloorGen runs in the browser with nothing to install, and adds PDF tracing, scaled print sets, DXF export and code checks. Checked October 2026 against sweethome3d.com.
- Checked
- October 2026
- Both
- Free
- Sweet Home 3D
- Desktop, offline
- FloorGen
- Browser, nothing to install
We make FloorGen, and we think Sweet Home 3D is one of the best free tools in this field; our roundup of free floor plan software says so too. The question is which suits your project. Sweet Home 3D facts below come from its own site, user guide, version history and FAQ.
At a glance
| FloorGen | Sweet Home 3D | |
|---|---|---|
| Price and free tier | Free, every feature; free exports may carry a small badge | Free and open source (GPL), for personal or commercial use; app-store editions with larger libraries are paid |
| Sign-up to start | Not needed; Google sign-in adds cloud sync | None for the desktop download; the online version needs a free account to save |
| Platforms | Browser on computers, tablets and phones | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps that work offline, plus an online version in the browser |
| 2D and 3D | 2D plans; 3D orbit, dollhouse and walk modes; no photoreal renders | 2D with a live 3D view and a virtual visitor; photoreal images and videos with sunlight by time and place |
| Furniture library | About 3,000 models in 14 categories | 100 (Windows) or 929 (macOS) models in the free download; 10,000+ in store editions; 1,600+ free contributed models; imports OBJ, DAE, 3DS and KMZ |
| Units | Imperial or metric, to 1/16 in or 1 mm | Metric or imperial, including inch fractions |
| Trace an image or PDF | Image or PDF; two-point scale; suggested walls you accept; DXF import | Background image (BMP, JPEG, GIF or PNG) to draw walls over |
| Exports (DWG, DXF, PDF) | PDF, PNG, SVG, DXF (R12), glTF, CSV, HTML; no DWG or IFC | PDF, SVG, OBJ and a CSV furniture list; PNG or JPEG plan images by plug-in; no DXF or DWG built in |
| Video | MP4 or WebM walkthrough, up to 1440p, with captions | Video along a path through the 3D view, saved as QuickTime (desktop) |
| AI and MCP | MCP server with 151 tools; in-app AI chat with sign-in | No AI features or MCP server found; Java plug-ins |
| Collaboration | View-only HTML file to share; no real-time co-editing | None; a single-user program |
One thing to know about the paid editions: sweethome3d.com describes the Mac App Store, Microsoft Store and mobile versions as paid versions with over 10,000 models, but in October 2026 those store listings showed free downloads with subscriptions, sold under other company names, and different furniture counts. Read the listing before you buy. The free download from sweethome3d.com is the open-source program.
Where Sweet Home 3D is the better choice
- Offline desktop work. It installs on Windows, macOS and Linux, runs without an internet connection, and even runs from a USB stick. FloorGen is a web app with no desktop version.
- Photoreal images and videos. Two render engines (SunFlow and YafaRay) with lights and sunlight by time of day and location. FloorGen has no photoreal rendering.
- Your own 3D models. Import OBJ, DAE, 3DS or KMZ furniture and whole libraries, and use 1,600+ free contributed models. FloorGen's library is its own, about 3,000 models.
- Open source and plug-ins. GPL code you can extend with Java plug-ins, and an interface in 29 languages (FloorGen has 4).
- 3D export for other programs as OBJ.
Where FloorGen is the better choice
- Nothing to install, on any device. Open a page on a school Chromebook, a work laptop you cannot install on, or a phone. Plans save in the browser, and signing in with Google syncs them across devices.
- Tracing a PDF. Import a PDF page or an image, set the scale with two points, and accept the walls FloorGen suggests from the drawing. Sweet Home 3D's background image takes BMP, JPEG, GIF or PNG, and you draw every wall.
- CAD export built in. DXF (R12) on named layers. Sweet Home 3D's developer has said it does not support DXF or DWG; a third-party plug-in adds DXF.
- Drawings for a permit or a contractor. Print sets at a real scale on Letter up to ARCH D or A1 with a title block, elevations and sections, and door and window schedules.
- Code checks and quantities. Room sizes, stairs and escape windows under IRC, NBC, OBC, UK, DIN or CDMX rules, and paint, flooring and tile quantities with a budget.
- Modern video formats. MP4 at 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1 up to 1440p, ready for a phone or social post.
- AI agents. An MCP server so Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor can read and edit the plan.
Switching from Sweet Home 3D
FloorGen cannot open .sh3d files. Move a plan across through PDF:
- In Sweet Home 3D, show the dimensions you want to keep, then use File > Print to PDF for each level.
- Start a trace in FloorGen with the button above and pick the PDF; choose the page for the floor you are drawing.
- Set the scale by clicking both ends of the longest dimension line and typing its length.
- Accept the suggested walls or draw over them, then add doors, windows and furniture from FloorGen's library. Imported custom models do not carry over.
- Check a few room sizes against the original before you trust the copy.
Questions
Is there a Sweet Home 3D online version?
Yes. Sweet Home 3D Online runs in a browser with WebGL; it needs a free account to save, and importing and exporting are for registered, logged-in users. FloorGen needs no account to save or export.
Can I use Sweet Home 3D commercially?
Yes. Its FAQ says it can be used free of charge for personal or commercial purposes. FloorGen's terms let you use what you draw in your own plans and exports.
Does Sweet Home 3D export DXF?
Not built in: its developer has said it does not support DXF or DWG, though a third-party plug-in posted on its forum adds DXF. FloorGen exports DXF (R12) itself; see floor plan to DXF.
Which is easier for a beginner?
Both are approachable. Sweet Home 3D has a classic desktop interface; FloorGen starts from templates such as a 3-bed ranch or an apartment that you edit to your measurements.