Free architecture apps (2026)
The architect design apps for phone and tablet that are genuinely usable for free — real free tiers, honestly described. Desktop software has its own guide; this page is what fits in your pocket or on an iPad.
Sketching & concept design
- Morpholio Trace (iPad) — the architect's sketch-over-drawings app; the free tier covers basic trace layers over photos and plans. The full toolset (scale, stencils) is paid.
- Concepts (iPad/Android) — infinite-canvas vector sketching; free tier includes the core brushes and 5 layers.
- Excalidraw (browser, works on tablet) — free and open-source for quick diagrams and massing sketches.
- Shapr3D (iPad) — the strongest free-tier 3D modeling app on iPad: two projects free, precise solid modelling with the Apple Pencil.
Viewers — open drawings and models on site
- Autodesk Viewer (web) + AutoCAD mobile — view and mark up DWG on a phone; the viewer tier is free.
- BIMx (Graphisoft) — the standard free way to walk a client or contractor through an Archicad model on a tablet.
- Trimble Connect — free viewer for SketchUp and IFC models.
- SketchUp Viewer (mobile) — free viewing of .skp files, with AR modes on supported devices.
Site measuring & scanning
- magicplan — floor plans from your phone camera; free tier is limited to two projects, enough to test a survey workflow.
- Polycam — LiDAR/photo 3D scanning on recent iPhones/iPads; free tier with capture limits.
- Sun position (suncalc.org, browser) — free sun-path checks for any site and date, no install.
Honest note: no phone app replaces desktop CAD/BIM for delivery work — apps shine at sketching, site capture and showing models. For the free desktop stack, see free architecture software; for what employers actually ask for, browse the live BIM & Revit jobs.
More guides: free architecture software · SketchUp for free · free floor plan software · salary calculator.
Common questions
What is the best free architecture app?
It depends on the task: Morpholio Trace for sketching over plans on iPad, BIMx or the Autodesk Viewer for showing models on site, and magicplan or Polycam for capturing a space with your phone.
Can I do real CAD or BIM work on a phone or tablet?
Not delivery work — mobile apps shine at sketching, viewing and site capture. For drafting and BIM you still need desktop software; several genuinely free options exist.