Side by side
Garden Sketchbook vs SmartDraw
Both stand on landscape software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Garden Sketchbook combines scaled garden planning, plant selection and seasonal previews in a browser-based workspace. The free demo is time-limited for saved gardens, while Gardener saves up to 10 gardens for $39/yr after a 14-day free trial.
Visit Garden Sketchbook
Choose SmartDraw if you need a diagramming tool with many diagram types, real-time collaboration, and broad import and export formats. Enterprise adds SSO, multiple shared folders, a custom company theme, and a dedicated customer success manager. The paid-only model may not suit someone looking for a free plan, and Team requires at least three users.
Visit SmartDrawThe facts
| Garden Sketchbook | SmartDraw | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | A free trial |
| Open source | No | No |
| Runs on | Web | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Gardener: $39 a year | See the plans |
| Plans published | 5 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | SmartDraw |
| Website | gardensketchbook.com | smartdraw.com |
| On landscape software | #3 of 18 | #7 of 18 |
Garden Sketchbook: what it does well
- Plans gardens to scale with automatic plant sizing
- Previews designs in 3D across the seasons
- Filters plants by growing conditions and resistance
- Includes hundreds of plants and custom varieties
- 2D planner works on any device
What to know first
- Free demo gardens expire after 24 hours
- 3D seasonal view requires WebGL
- Free demo PDF export costs a one-time $9
- Gardener costs $39/yr after the free trial
SmartDraw: what it does well
- Supports a broad range of planning, technical, and business diagrams.
- Real-time collaboration and version history are available.
- Imports PDFs, Visio files, Lucidchart files, and image formats.
- Exports diagrams as JPEG, PNG, SVG, PDF, or Visio.
- Available on web, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- Team licenses require at least three users.
Alternatives to Garden Sketchbook Alternatives to SmartDraw The whole list