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SmartDraw vs RoomSketcher: Which Floor Plan Software Is Better?

Choosing between SmartDraw and RoomSketcher for your floor plan needs? This article will help you decide.

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SmartDraw vs RoomSketcher. The image is a comparison between the two software 2D floor plans. On the left side of the image is a 2D floor plan made with SmartDraw. It is in black-and-white. Below the floor plan is the SmartDraw logo. On the right side of the image is a selection of 2D floor plans made with RoomSketcher. It shows black-and-white, standard, materials, and color-coded floor plans. Below the floor plans is the RoomSketcher logo.
Sarah Bolstad

✍️Article Summary: SmartDraw is primarily a diagramming tool that includes floor plan functionality. It's a good option if you already use it for flowcharts, organization charts, or technical diagrams and only need basic 2D floor plans.

RoomSketcher is built specifically for creating floor plans and property visuals. It offers a more intuitive editing experience, extensive customization options, and a complete set of 2D and 3D visualization tools.

For most floor planning, real estate, and design projects, RoomSketcher is the stronger choice.

While both SmartDraw and RoomSketcher can create floor plans, they are designed for very different purposes. This comparison will help you understand the strengths of each platform and determine which one is the better fit for your needs.

Side-by-Side

FeatureSmartDrawRoomSketcher
Capture Rooms-Yes - iOS LiDAR
Draw Floor PlansYesYes
Order Floor Plans-Yes
Trace Over an Existing Floor PlanYesYes
Convert an Existing Floor Plan-Yes
Edit Floor PlansYesYes
2D Floor PlansYesYes
3D Floor Plans-Yes
3D Visualization-Yes
3D Walkthrough-Yes
Site PlansYesYes
MeasurementsYesYes
Total Area Calculations-Yes
Customization of Floor PlansYesYes
Branded Floor PlansYesYes
Customizable TemplatesVaries by planYes
Cloud StorageYesYes
Furniture LibraryYesYes
2D SymbolsYesYes
PricingIndividual, Team, EnterpriseFree, Pro, Team
Customer SupportChat, Email, Help Center, PhoneChat, Email, Help Center, 1:1 Training for Business Users
Learning MaterialKnowledge Base, Video tutorialsTutorials, Webinars
SharingShareable project link, PDF, PNG, SVGProject link, walkthroughs, share floor plans and images as PDF, JPG, PNG

Who Uses SmartDraw and Who Uses RoomSketcher?

SmartDraw

  • IT teams and network engineers
  • Business and project managers
  • Construction and facility teams
  • Operations and business analysts
  • Fire and police departments
  • Architects and remodelers

RoomSketcher

  • Remodelers
  • Home builders
  • Interior designers
  • Real estate professionals
  • Property managers and home stagers
  • Anyone looking for professional-quality results with less hassle

How They Work

SmartDraw vs RoomSketcher. The image shows a screenshot of the two software home pages. On the left there is a screenshot of SmartDraw's home page. Below the screenshot is the SmartDraw logo. On the right side of the image there is a screenshot of RoomSketcher's home page. Below the screenshot is the RoomSketcher logo.

SmartDraw is a versatile diagramming application that supports a wide range of visual documents, including floor plans. To start a project, you can draw from scratch, use a template, or import an image, PDF, or map and trace over it.

The editing experience will feel familiar if you already use SmartDraw for diagrams. You can drag and drop walls, rooms, doors, windows, furniture, and symbols onto the canvas to build your layout.

SmartDraw produces 2D floor plans that can be exported in several file formats. It is often used by businesses for office layouts, seating plans, and evacuation maps. However, it does not include 3D floor plans or any 3D visualization features.

RoomSketcher is designed specifically for floor planning, making the entire workflow more intuitive and efficient. In addition to drawing from scratch, tracing a blueprint, or starting from a template, there are several fast ways to create a project.

You can upload an existing blueprint, image, or PDF and convert it into an editable floor plan with AI Convert. If you're working with a real space, you can capture it using LiDAR with RoomSketcher's FloorCapture app.

Drawing and editing are straightforward. Simply click and drag to create walls, then add doors, windows, furniture, stairs, and other structural elements. You can also apply colors, materials, and finishes to walls, floors, and furniture. Every change appears instantly in Live 3D, allowing you to see results as you work.

RoomSketcher produces a wide range of outputs, including 2D Floor Plans, 3D Floor Plans, 3D Photos, 360 Views, and Live 3D walkthroughs. Projects can be exported as JPG or PDF, and every project includes a shareable Project Presentation that brings all outputs together in one place.

💻Platform Availability:

SmartDraw:

  • Browse-based application or downloadable desktop app for Windows and Mac.
  • Mobile apps for iOS and Android exist, but are mainly for viewing, not for full diagramming.

RoomSketcher:

  • Downloadable desktop app for Windows and Mac. Full-featured app for tablets.
  • FloorCapture app for LiDAR capturing.

Order Floor Plans

Order floor plans from blueprint to 2D and 3D Floor Plans

If you need floor plans quickly but don't have time to draw them yourself, RoomSketcher's redraw service can be a major advantage.

Simply upload a blueprint, sketch, or existing floor plan, and RoomSketcher will convert it into a professional, editable project. You'll receive high-quality 2D and 3D floor plans along with the editable RoomSketcher project, typically by the next business day.

Because the project remains editable, you can make changes later and generate updated floor plans without starting over.

SmartDraw does not offer a comparable redraw service.

Sharing and Exporting

Both platforms make it easy to share your work, but they take different approaches.

SmartDraw allows users to share a project through a link or export it in a variety of file formats. The shared link opens the editable project, making it useful for internal collaboration.

RoomSketcher automatically creates a Project Presentation for every project. This shareable presentation combines your 2D Floor Plans, 3D Floor Plans, 3D Photos, 360 Views, and Live 3D walkthroughs into a polished format.

Recipients can view the project in a browser, and users with RoomSketcher access can also open and edit a copy of the project.

2D Floor Plans

SmartDraw vs RoomSketcher. The image is a comparison between the two software 2D floor plans. On the left side of the image is a 2D floor plan made with SmartDraw. It is in black-and-white. Below the floor plan is the SmartDraw logo. On the right side of the image is a selection of 2D floor plans made with RoomSketcher. It shows black-and-white, standard, materials, and color-coded floor plans. Below the floor plans is the RoomSketcher logo.

Both SmartDraw and RoomSketcher can create professional 2D floor plans, but RoomSketcher offers significantly more customization options.

In SmartDraw, you can create black-and-white or grayscale floor plans and also customize furniture colors on the plans. Measurement tools, annotations, arrows, and compass symbols help communicate important information. Floor plans can be exported as PDF, PNG, or SVG files.

RoomSketcher provides greater control over the appearance of 2D Floor Plans. You can use materials such as hardwood, tile, or carpet, and color-coding to make plans easier to understand. For example, bathrooms can be displayed in one color while bedrooms use another.

You can choose from pre-designed color templates or create your own branded template and share it across your team. This makes it easy to maintain a consistent, professional look across multiple projects.

RoomSketcher also supports custom logos and branding on exported floor plans. Plans can be exported as high-quality JPG or PDF files and printed to scale when needed.

3D Floor Plans

Colorful 3D Floor Plan made with RoomSketcher. The floor plan is of an apartment with one bedroom, one bathroom, an open living and dining/kitchen area. The color matching is green and orange.

One of the biggest differences between the two platforms is support for 3D floor plans.

With RoomSketcher, you can instantly generate 3D Floor Plans from your existing project. These plans provide a clearer understanding of room layouts, furniture placement, and traffic flow than traditional 2D drawings.

For users who regularly create 3D floor plans, RoomSketcher lets you save your preferred settings to ensure consistency across projects.

SmartDraw does not offer 3D floor plans.

3D Visualization

RoomSketcher includes a full suite of 3D visualization tools.

Once a floor plan is complete, you can generate realistic 3D Photos, immersive 360 Views, and professional 3D Floor Plans. The AI Render feature can further enhance visual presentations, helping clients better understand the finished space.

Because Live 3D updates automatically as you edit your floor plan, you can instantly see how changes affect the design. These tools are especially valuable for real estate professionals, interior designers, property managers, and anyone presenting spaces to clients.

SmartDraw does not include comparable 3D visualization features.

Measurements and Calculations

SmartDraw includes measurement tools for floor plans, with wall lengths and room labels shown on the drawing.

RoomSketcher gives you more control over measurements. You can choose exactly what appears on your plan, such as room area, exact room dimensions, exterior wall lengths, and distances between any two points. The Measurement Wizard makes it fast to add several measurements at once, and you can adjust the font size, color, and placement.

For real estate professionals and appraisers, RoomSketcher also includes a Total Area Calculator. It supports several industry-standard area calculations, including Gross Living Area (GLA) and Total Living Area (TLA), helping ensure accurate reporting.

Furniture and Replace Materials

SmartDraw vs RoomSketcher. The image shows a comparison between two chairs from the software tool. On the left side of the image is a 2D chair from the SmartDraw furniture library. Below the chair is the SmartDraw logo. On the right side of the image is a 3D chair from the RoomSketcher furniture library. Below the chair is the RoomSketcher logo.

SmartDraw includes a set of 2D furniture and symbols for both bird's-eye view and side views. You can change colors and add textures, like fabric for a sofa, but the materials library is limited, and the steps aren't very intuitive. For example, you have to apply a color first before you can add texture.

RoomSketcher offers a larger furniture library and a more user-friendly customization experience. Furniture, finishes, and décor items can be updated with a single click using a wide selection of colors, materials, and textures.

This makes it easier to create floor plans and visualizations that closely match real-world spaces.

Customer Support

SmartDraw vs RoomSketcher. The image shows a comparison between the two software Help Centers. On the left side is a screenshot of the SmartDraw Knowledge Base. Below the screenshot is the SmartDraw logo. On the right side of the image is a screenshot of the RoomSketcher Help Center. Below the screenshot is the RoomSketcher logo.

SmartDraw offers a Knowledge Base with articles and videos, as well as a responsive customer service team. We did find that the Knowledge Base searches often return diagramming content, which isn't helpful if you're looking for floor plan guidance. Even simple questions, like "how do I add a room to my floor plan", didn't have answers.

RoomSketcher's support resources are dedicated entirely to floor plan creation and visualization. The company offers a comprehensive Help Center with articles and videos, live chat support, email support, step-by-step tutorials, and weekly webinars. Team subscribers also receive 1:1 training sessions and access to a dedicated Customer Manager.

For users who primarily create floor plans, finding relevant help is often faster and easier in RoomSketcher.

Pricing

SmartDraw offers Individual, Team, and Enterprise plans. Plans are billed annually, and there is no monthly subscription option. A free trial is available, but there is no permanent free plan.

RoomSketcher offers more flexibility. You can start with a free account, which lets you draw floor plans and use a limited furniture library. If you only need a floor plan once in a while, the pay-as-you-go option lets you buy credits as you need them, without a subscription. For more frequent use, the RoomSketcher plans start at $12 a month when billed annually and include features such as 2D and 3D floor plans, Live 3D, and full branding. Monthly and annual options are both available.

Which Software Is Right For You?

If you already use SmartDraw for diagrams and only need occasional 2D floor plans, SmartDraw may be sufficient.

However, if floor plans are a regular part of your work, RoomSketcher offers a more complete solution. It provides more ways to start projects, more intuitive editing tools, extensive customization options, professional sharing features, and a full suite of 3D visualization tools.

For anyone who needs professional 2D and 3D floor plans, realistic property visuals, and a workflow built specifically for floor planning, RoomSketcher is the better choice.


This two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo floor plan stands out with its feminine touches and contemporary charm. The entrance is flanked by two bathrooms, each featuring stunning tile floors that add instant style. Beyond the entryway, the open living room flows seamlessly into the dining area and kitchen. Light hardwood floors and a pair of windows create a bright, modern ambiance. The compact kitchen includes a one-wall countertop with a sink, stove, and refrigerator. Each bedroom is located on either side of the living room, with its own window and matching light hardwood flooring.

Why People Prefer RoomSketcher

  • Intuitive and easy-to-use
  • Capture, Convert, Draw, Trace, or Order Floor Plans
  • Unmatched 2D and 3D Floor Plan customization
  • Friendly customer support
  • Flexible pay-as-you-go pricing

Ready to try it yourself? Create a free RoomSketcher account today and explore the features. Upgrade anytime to unlock 2D and 3D Floor Plans, 3D Photos, 360 Views, and Live 3D.

With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can get started risk-free.