If you’re planning to put in a metal building, it’s important that you can create a blueprint, test the design, and ensure you have what you need to order the building. That’s true for amateur and professional builders – although many steel building manufacturers will use their own builders to double-check your work.
This list of the top 13 best metal building design software options includes free and paid options, for beginners, intermediate users, and professionals. Professional tools can be used by anyone, however, you should expect a longer learning curve. On the other hand, browser-based beginner-oriented tools usually have no learning curve.
| Software | Cost | Platform | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmartBuildSystems | NA | Cloud | Professional Metal Builders for Sales |
| CADPro | $99.95 | Windows/Mac | Intermediate/Pro |
| Sketchup Free | Free-$299/year | Cloud | Intermediate/Pro |
| ElecoSoft Arcon Evo | $140+ | Windows | Pro |
| RoomSketcher | Free-$99/year | Windows/Mac/iOS/Android | Beginner/Intermediate |
| SmartDraw Building Design | $5.95-$9.95 per month | Browser | Beginner/Intermediate |
| Home Designer by Chief Architect Solutions | $119+ | Cloud/Windows | Intermediate/Pro |
| Virtual Architect | $39.99-$99.99 | Windows/Mac | Beginner/Intermediate |
| DraftSight | $249/year | Windows/Mac | Intermediate/Pro |
| Planner 5D | Free | Windows/Mac/iOS/Android | Beginner |
| Worldwide Steel Buildings Designer | Free | Browser | Beginner |
| MBS Productivity Designer | Free | Browser | Professional |
| Smartland Metal Building 3D Design | Free | Browser | Beginner |
*This list was correct when last updated in July 2023. Software, features, and pricing are subject to change. In addition, this list is in random order.
1. SmartBuild Systems
SmartBuild Systems is an automated metal building design program that uses your specs to automatically construct those building elements. For example, you can input the size, roof style, foundation, doors and windows, cupolas, and finishes to get a 3D model, framing, a cut list, material list, and (when integrated into a supplier’s list) pricing.
That makes this tool an extremely good option. However, it is primarily intended for builders and manufacturers looking to offer a tool on their website. This means it’s not a great option if you want to build a single building.
- Automates materials list
- Creates a 3D plan from building specs
- Designed for beginner use
- Works in browser
Website: https://smartbuildsystems.com/all-metal-buildings/
2. CADPro
CADPro is one of the most popular architectural design applications on the market. It’s also relatively affordable at $99.95 for a lifetime license. CADPro also has specific elements integrated for metal buildings. This includes evaluation tools to automate some of safety and review. In addition, you can create floorplans, 3D designs, and full renders.
As a complete CAD program, this tool is flexible and one of the most professional options on this list. It also includes diagrams and prebuilt assets as well as snap-to-fit tools to make it beginner-friendly. However, there is a learning curve and it’s likely not a great option if you just want to quickly spec out a single small building.
- $99.95
- Best for intermediate/professional use
- Drag and drop/CAD interface
- Works on Windows
Website: https://www.cadpro.com/easy-metal-building-design-software/
3. SketchUp Free
SketchUp Free is a 3D metal building design tool with a free and premium version. The tool is a full CAD program with drag and drop and drafting options – suitable for using on a browser or on a tablet. It’s also suitable for doing floor layouts in 2D as well as for creating 3D mockups – making it useful for every stage of metal building design.
In most cases, the free version is more than enough to design a simple metal building. However, professionals and builders will typically prefer the premium version. In addition, you need the pro version to design on a tablet.
Drafting means you can easily draw your floorplan, layout, and posts. Drag and drop means you’ll have options to quickly mock up your building without professional design skills.
- Free (Pro goes up to $699 per year)
- Best for beginner to intermediate users
- Drag and drop/drafting interface
- Browser, Windows, iOS (Pro only)
Website: https://www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pricing/sketchup-free
4. Elecosoft Arcon Evo/3D Architect
Elecosoft’s 3D Architect is a 3D metal building software designer with architectural tools, ideal for floor planning, 3D designs, frames, insulation, roofing, flooring, and more. As a professional tool, Arcon Evo is expensive. It’s also UK-based, meaning support is as well.
However, 3D Architect is an extremely popular architectural design tool that integrates into other Elecosoft building and project management software. That makes this tool ideal for builders who want a full, integrated package of project and design management – although you will have to buy both separately.
In addition, 3D Architect is not specifically designed for metal buildings. However, it does include a large library of drag-and-drop metal building elements, meaning you can easily create 3D models without individually designing each element.
- $150+
- Best for intermediate to professional users
- Drag and drop/CAD/drafting interface
- Windows
Website: https://www.3darchitect.co.uk/
5. RoomSketcher
RoomSketcher is a floorplan and 3D metal building designer for homes and small garages. That makes it a good option if you’re looking to build a barndominium or a metal home and want a tool that supports interior design and floor layouts.
RoomSketcher is free for personal use. You can also pay up to $30 per month for a premium account, which gives you the option to create 3D mockups of the building. Most users can pay just $2 per month for a premium account for a project per month. You’ll also get 3D snapshots and 3D views with walkthroughs, which is ideal for testing and sharing ideas and concepts before you commit and buy.
RoomSketcehr also offers import options and can calculate materials and dimensions from your building dimensions.
- Free/$30 per month
- Best for beginners
- Drag and drop, drafting interface
- Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
Website: https://www.roomsketcher.com/
6. SmartDraw Building Design
SmartDraw is a home metal design software option ideal for barndominiums and similar live-in metal buildings. It’s also completely free, which makes it an ideal option for many. Despite being free, Smartdraw offers a wealth of tools including diagrams and templates for floorplans, home layouts, room layouts and more.
In addition, you can opt into the pro version for $9.95 per month. This includes additional tools, templates, and design options, so you can more easily get started without drafting from scratch.
- Free to $9.95 per month
- Best for beginning to intermediate users
- Drag and drop interface, CAD
- Browser
Website: https://www.smartdraw.com/floor-plan/home-design-software.htm
7. Home Designer by Chief Architect Solutions
Home Designer by Chief Architect is a metal building design software solution with a complete suite of tools for amateur and professional use. With multiple options to choose from, the program is suitable for builders at almost every level.
It’s also ideal for both 2D and 3D modeling. You can pull from a library of templates and designs to drag and drop your model together. You can also auto-update walls and frames, auto-add posts, and snap to fit to ensure everything is where it should be. Those tools mean Home Designer is an ideal tool for beginners because it has a lower learning curve and uses automation to reduce manual error.
- $119+
- For beginners/intermediate
- Drag and drop interface
- Windows
Website: https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/
8. Virtual Architect 3D Home Design Software
Virtual Architect’s 3D metal building design software is designed for homeowners who want to simplify their construction and remodeling projects. The tool includes 3D layouts, 3D modeling, 3D visualization, digital pictures, and more. You can also start from premade layouts and drag and drop objects or add your own to quickly design the building you want.
Virtual Architect includes a large suite of tools for interior design. However, it also includes basic building design. Therefore, if you just want exterior design, you may want to opt for a cheaper tool.
However, with snap-to-fit, automatic doors and windows, and auto-connecting walls, it’s a very beginner-friendly tool.
- $39.99+
- For beginners
- Drag and drop interface
- Windows, Mac
Website: https://www.homedesignsoftware.tv/
9. DraftSight
Dassault Systems DraftSight is a metal design software solution for 3D CAD and design. That makes it ideal for individuals looking for simple 2D and 3D design. It’s also based on other 3D design tools, meaning you can quickly get up to speed and learn the interface.
The tool is primarily for professional use. In addition, it costs from $249 per year, so it isn’t cheap. However, it offers a large suite of tools in an easy to use interface, and drafting for most types of buildings.
- $205+
- For professionals
- Drafting interface
- Windows, Mac
Website: https://www.draftsight.com/
10. Planner 5D
Planner 5D is a free to use design platform that you can use as metal building design software. However, it’s not intended for that, so you won’t get metal building textures. Instead, you can create plans, add floor layouts, and ensure that your 3D designs work. In addition, Planner 5D has an iOS and Android app, making it relatively easy to drag and drop to design your building without any drafting skills.
Planner5D can also render your building plan so you can get a better idea of what it will look like, enabling faster decision-making. The floor planner is also idea for deciding on layout and room contents, so you can easily scope how much space you actually need.
This building designer will not be useful for deciding on material needs or for costing, but is useful for pairing with a browser-based metal building planner to get a full scope of the project.
- Free
- For beginners
- Drag and drop interface
- Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Website: https://planner5d.com/
11. Worldwide Steel Buildings Designer
If you want a simple and free-to-use metal building software solution, Worldwide Steel Buildings offers one. Its designer offers basic drag and drop metal building design. Features include setting dimensions, choosing materials from Worldwide Steel’s inventory, and showing a mockup of the finished result.
However, you can only set building dimensions, colors, extensions, porches, windows, and doors. There are no interior design or floorplan options, so you’ll have to choose a different tool if you’d like to have a floorplan. You can also submit the design for a free quote – or save it to ask someone else.
This interface is very simple but also very easy to use. Therefore, it’s a great place to get started if you just want to get a rough idea of what you want from your building.
- Free
- For beginners
- Click Interface
- Browser
Website: https://www.worldwidesteelbuildings.com/3d-building-designer/
12. MBS Productivity Program
The MBS Productivity Program is designed for professional builders looking for a long-term solution for metal building construction. The planner includes a suite of tools for design, drafting, detailing, and costing metal buildings. IT also includes hundreds of design templates, beams, mezzanines, and more – with reports, exports, and building codes worked in. That makes it relatively easy to design a building while checking against available materials and safety codes – so you can send to clients and customers.
It’s also designed to help professionals cost buildings before making a bid – meaning you can see materials, labor, and overhead pricing in the software.
MBS Productivity is not a free metal building design tool. However, you’ll have to contact the company for a custom quote.
- Custom Pricing
- For professionals
- Drafting interface
- Windows
Website: https://mbsweb.com/
13. Smartland Metal Building 3D Designer
Smartland’s Metal Building designer is a simple drag and drop and selection building designer tool. It’s browser-based, pulls from Smartland’s metal building inventory, and has very little learning curve. That makes it a good fit if you want to see what your metal building will look like and see what you can add.
For example, the tool offers support for building dimensions, doors, windows, canopy, eaves, vents, color, and even insulation. Smartland will also offer a quote on the finished design. However, you can’t export it to share somewhere else, which limits how useful the tool is if you’re ordering from somewhere else.
- Free
- For Beginners
- Click Interface
- Browser
Website: https://smartlandconstruction.com/metal-building-3d-designer/
Conclusion
Designing a metal building can mean building out a complex frame complete with every beam calculated. It may also mean creating a layout and floorplan and nothing else. In most cases, the only thing you have to tell your building manufacturer is the specs and they will do the 3D modeling for you. On the other hand, you can do the mockups yourself and more easily translate what you want to your manufacturer.
Get in touch with us if you’re looking for a local metal building supplier with coverage across the majority of U.S. states.