Lumion vs Sweet Home 3D

Lumion8.8Visit Sweet Home 3D8.4Visit

Higher score Lumion #5 in 3D Visualization Software 8.8/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Lumion

vs

Sweet Home 3D #8 in 3D Visualization Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Sweet Home 3D

• Lumion fits best

  High-end architectural rendering

• Sweet Home 3D fits best

  Free, open-source floor-plan visualization

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Side by side

Feature	Lumion 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Sweet Home 3D 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.4
Ranking	#5 in 3D Visualization Software	#8 in 3D Visualization Software
Best for	High-end architectural rendering	Free, open-source floor-plan visualization
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$96/user/mo	Free plan
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Browser extension	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, Web	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Docs, Community, Tickets · 24/7	Docs, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Lumion 5/6 · Sweet Home 3D 3/6
Real-time scenes	✓	✓
360° tours	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
VR/AR support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
AI visualization tools	✓ (best)	—
Video export	✓	✓
Mobile viewing	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Primary platform	Desktop	Hybrid
Our review
Pros	Real-time rendering with stills, videos, and 360° panoramas CAD/BIM imports and LiveSync for major design applications Lumion Cloud supports comments, versions, and approvals	Dimensioned plans support straight, round and sloping walls. Photorealistic images and video include lighting and sunlight controls. Works across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
Cons	The desktop application requires Windows No mobile viewing is provided Paid plans center on commercial licensing	The feature set focuses on residential planning rather than broad visualization workflows. Panorama and VR workflows are not included. Premium mobile features require a subscription plan.
Our verdict	Lumion is real-time 3D visualization software for architects, interior designers, landscapers, urban planners, and other design professionals. It imports models from CAD and BIM applications and supports LiveSync workflows. Its toolset… Read the review →	Sweet Home 3D is interior design software for homeowners, students, professionals and others planning residential spaces. Its core workflow combines dimensioned floor-plan creation with interactive aerial and virtual-visitor 3D views.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Lumion — where it wins

  • Real-time rendering with stills, videos, and 360° panoramas
  • CAD/BIM imports and LiveSync for major design applications
  • Lumion Cloud supports comments, versions, and approvals

  Where it doesn't

  • The desktop application requires Windows
  • No mobile viewing is provided
  • Paid plans center on commercial licensing

• Sweet Home 3D — where it wins

  • Dimensioned plans support straight, round and sloping walls.
  • Photorealistic images and video include lighting and sunlight controls.
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.

  Where it doesn't

  • The feature set focuses on residential planning rather than broad visualization workflows.
  • Panorama and VR workflows are not included.
  • Premium mobile features require a subscription plan.

• Lumion8.8/10 · 14-day trial

  A high-end rendering suite with strong CAD/BIM workflows and cloud review tools.

  Visit LumionFull verdict →
• Sweet Home 3D8.4/10 · Free plan

  A capable open-source choice for detailed residential floor plans and 3D visualization.

  Visit Sweet Home 3DFull verdict →