# Yard Planner — user reviews > 193 indexed App Store user reviews of Yard Planner by Home Outside, Inc., rated 3.40/5 from 381 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yard-planner/id440420011/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yard-planner/id440420011.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 163 · 4★ 58 · 3★ 20 · 2★ 33 · 1★ 107 ## What do users think of Yard Planner? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 👍 Easy to use - 💡 Helpful for visualizing designs - 🚀 Simple and straightforward - 👍 Great for beginners - 👍 Useful for planning and sketching **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes and stability issues - 🔧 Limited customization options - 🔧 Lacks advanced design tools - 🔧 Restricted to portrait mode on iPad - 🔧 Outdated and basic graphics **Commonly reported bugs** - Layers and objects disappearing - Inability to undo actions - Inaccurate grid and scale - Mapping and photo import issues - Unexpected crashes and freezes **Most requested features** - Ability to change object dimensions independently - More plant, structure, and hardscape options - Metric measurement support - Landscape mode support for iPad - Export options for high-quality images ## Newest reviews (17 of 193) ### 2/5 — Not worth the small price tag *2025-06-08* I spent three hours trying to get something similar to what I wanted. This app lacks so many features that an experienced user would use. $5.69 and I’ll never use it again. ### 2/5 — Disappointing *2025-04-16* Essentially this is a fancy yard doodle board, but isn’t accurate enough to use with good project outcome. The main problem is the lack of the ability to correctly scale a drawing. In settings, there is no way to see the adjustments that the slider bar is making, not even the draw line width. But the worst of it is that the grid and the scale don’t match at all, when total zoomed in, there are 6 lines between 0 and 14. Then when you add things there is no size indicators on the objects either. So, have fun, but don’t plan on accuracy being better than a couple of feet this way or that. ### 4/5 — Only missing 1 feature! *2025-03-24, version 3.6.2* This app is fantastic. If it had an option to adjust aspect ratios/ size of layout, it would be almost perfect. Everytime i start a new project, it’s locked at 144 x 244 ### 4/5 — Missing 1 thing *2024-10-16, version 3.6.2* Just custom dimensions for houses, x and y or whatever, height and width, maybe depth, possibly just a isometric view, perhaps a dark mode, maybe even floors. This app has the ability to map out entire rust bases, 🔥🔥🔥 it is straight fire, I just want my driveway to be gravel ### 3/5 — Please fix bugs *2024-06-13, version 3.6.1* It was not too bad until last update. - Can’t import photo from library anymore. - App froze and need to restart the all thing. - it would be great to more plants in catalog Thanks. ### 2/5 — Ok but could be better… *2024-04-24* This app could be great but there are drawbacks. Simple things such as changing the size of the item makes it frustrating to design. An item’s size can change but not the width and length separately. For instance putting in a fence is immensely time consuming. Individual small fence sections must be added to create the appropriate length. And they don’t link to each other. Trying to get everything lined up is ridiculous. I would love it if you clicked on the item (ie: fence) and a box pops up that you could add the correct measurement and it automatically created the fence to the appropriate length. Along with having certain items link would make the design process more efficient. I would enjoy more options for items. In trying to put a garden bed in there was no brown option for shapes. instead of having to scroll through many different shapes in multiple colors, it would be quicker to have many different shapes options then just choose the color from a color wheel. I also wish the paths and patios could adjust the shape as well… a free form type option. I appreciate the layer buttons and locking layers comes in handy but it would be helpful to set each individual item’s layer. The menu could be more efficient as well. It always takes you back to the main menu instead of where you left off. Or if you back out of a subheading you’re back at the main menu again. For instance if I’m in pathways and I back out it doesn’t take me to hardscapes it takes me to the main menu again. More item options would be nice, especially in hardscapes and structures. The app works fine it’s just not very efficient. A few changes would make it more user friendly. ### 2/5 — Not more useful than other tools *2024-04-11* I bought this hoping for the squarespace of landscape design. I’m a graphic designer and I’ve used graph paper to draw to scale, I’ve used procreate, I’ve used illustrator…I wanted more pre-built options where I could adjust the shape of a flowerbed for example, enter actual dimensions and get something to drop plants etc into. This interface just felt like it wanted to sort of be like procreate but clunkier. Lots of steps. No useful tool tips or tutorial videos to get started. The FAQ kind of helped but not really. I can draw faster on my iPad or on paper than I can use this app so I regret spending the money and won’t be using it. ### 3/5 — For what it is *2024-03-12* I like this app for what it is. I wanted a simple app that allowed me to see the space I’m working with. I enjoy sketching out my own property for projects, gardening, playground, homesteading. This app is great for on the go and allows me to leave a sketch pad and ruler at the house. The reason for a 3 and not a 5 is for the limited varieties of plants and equipment. It is helping me visualize my goal, but I still need an active imagination to see the plans in my head. I like the 2d sketch and that part is enough for me. It’s an easy to use program and I do not regret the purchase. I don’t think this is the app for a landscaping business unless you are wanting to quickly map a worksite for a customer who lacks the ability to visualize your basic placement of objects. ### 4/5 — Garden design *2023-12-07* Loving this little app and have been planning my garden for our new home. It has loads of features but I’d love it to get more additions for the garden. I’d like to be able to change the shape of the paving and lawns and shapes and maybe draw in some features myself. I’m having lots of fun though doing garden plans with this app and I’m looking forward to it becoming more popular and gaining more features. Metric measurements will be awesome. Thank you. ### 1/5 — ? *2023-09-06, version 3.2.2* Downloaded the app checked it out didn’t do what I needed it to do deleted it then comes next month and they charged my card $3.17 why? I’m unsure and I would like my money back they took unauthorized ### 1/5 — Scam!!!! *2023-08-25, version 3.2.2* No art library ### 3/5 — Portrait mode only *2023-08-11* One thing i am struggling with is the fact that I like to use apps like this in landscape mode, as its more practical to use with the apple keyboard connected. The app is for use in portrait mode only. I can still use it, but the measurement bar is completely upside down and the text buttons are sideways. I personally don’t understand how anybody would NOT prefer to use a LANDSCAPE app in LANDSCAPE MODE. It’s not practical to do it this way in the slightest if you have a keyboard mount or any kind of standard horizontal stand for your iPad case. I hope there is an update that gives me the option to view it horizontally. ### 1/5 — Not useful at all *2023-08-07, version 3.2.2* Tried using this and it’s a joke. Very hard to change plant spacing and size. No plant data base.Just dumb ### 1/5 — Don’t buy *2023-07-29, version 3.2.2* Accurately planning with mapping is what I care about and for whatever reason my iPad is displaying a ancient version of Google Maps with the app that cannot even perform a search function, rendering the app pointless for me. ### 3/5 — Not what I had hoped *2023-07-23, version 3.2.2* I had high hopes for this design. It’s not that advanced and seems a bit basic at best. Have seen better apps that were free. Not really worth it. ### 1/5 — Delete account *2023-06-21, version 3.2.2* I was charged for a subscription to this app. I am trying to delete my account and stop any subscription fees from being charged in the future. However, this has proven to be almost impossible to do. How can I go about deleting my account with this app? ### 1/5 — Unsupported, improvements not made, poor *2023-05-06* Don’t waste your money on this app, it hasn’t been updated by the developers for 4 years and the modest improvements they’d need to make to make it a very useful productive app haven’t and won’t happen. They have never sorted the Mac app (on trial years ago), the ‘export to email’ button didn’t work for me but turns out apparently it just emails a picture (with no scale anyway). You can’t create your own scale, or template size so you have to adjust all your workings to the board size they provide, you can’t create even basic custom shapes (so if you need a rectangle that isn’t 2:1 ratio you end up needing to add multiple, try to line them up and then group, with no snap to grid option). ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Waste of Money *2026-01-16* Very limited features. Missing super basic options. ### 1/5 — Terrible software *2025-11-22, version 3.6.2* You can’t do anything. ### 1/5 — Waste of money *2025-09-19, version 3.6.2* This thing is old and antiquated! ### 1/5 — Janky, low quality *2024-08-30* The mapping feature is so poorly done as to be useless. The rest of the app is pretty janky. Deleted. ### 1/5 — Completely unusable *2024-08-11, version 3.6.1* App does not function. Made some pretty picture and slapped. Price tag on it. Absolutely worthless. Spent an hour trying to figure out how to use it, then all of the work disappeared. Pencil and graph paper will save you the heartache. ### 1/5 — Can’t do anything worthwhile *2024-08-05, version 3.6.1* Can’t change rectangle aspect ratios. Can’t change house aspect ratios. Can’t import photo or use a map image (apply stays greyed out). Can’t change the size of the palette Too dumbed down to do anything useful.. ### 1/5 — Loading issues *2024-07-28* Keeps crashing. Worked fine but if design gets complicated it can’t keep up. Seems to be just for small backyard designs. ### 1/5 — Totally unimpressed *2023-10-24, version 3.2.2* I realize that this is a low cost graphics app BUT it is basically unusable. All work in in portrait mod because it does not rotate. Added items can be resized but they keep the XY proportions. All drawing is pencil and there is no straight line mode. Glad I did not spend much. ### 1/5 — Very limited *2023-10-09, version 3.2.2* Easy to use, but almost cartoonish design library of plants and structures. ### 1/5 — I can’t believe this is so bad *2023-09-24* I paid £3 to use drawings worse than my own 2 minute sketching which I was trying to perfect… and in an unusable format. You can’t change the colour or the size of things unless it’s in a one size fits all. I’m pretty sure you can’t even change the garden size …. Which is useful. Not. 🤣 I wanted to use stones thinking I could have the affect of gravel/shale and laughed out loud at the childish drawings of a SINGLE rock to insert. I know the creator of this is laughing at me for paying for this app and it will haunt me forever. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Nice! *2023-11-06, version 3.2.2* I really like this app. I thought it would help me in positioning additional shrubbery in my cottage garden. It was perfect for that. I also put a few additions on the house and that worked well too. It’s nice to see the design I was planning from a different perspective. I’m sure I’ll get a lot of use out of this app. ### 5/5 — Great app *2023-07-12, version 3.2.2* This app is simple and easy to use. Very basic images and options but it helps give you an idea of what the space you are working with will look like. No in app purchases like all the other similar apps. ### 5/5 — Easy to use *2023-03-18* The most user friendly outside design app on the market! This app allowed me to design a stunning outdoor space for my home. ### 5/5 — Where has this app been my whole life *2022-11-06, version 3.2.2* I love the way this app measures and gives a clear picture of what you have. I love the simplicity of it too, it is easy to navigate. Get it it’s worth it. ### 5/5 — Easy App *2022-02-26, version 3.2.2* This app was so easy to use! It puts your thoughts and ideas Into perspective. Don G ### 5/5 — I have used this app SO MANY times! *2021-09-20, version 3.2.2* I am a person that has to move furniture to see it/feel it. This app has really helped me to have that experience, without the back ache. Just saying. :) ### 5/5 — Sweet for concept designs! *2021-03-04, version 3.2.2* This is great for mapping out the basic areas of my property to get an idea across quickly. It’s NOT a super sophisticated design tool like CAD or similar desktop programs—it’s more like a colorful sandbox tool with remarkable functionality and agility for a small screen. ### 5/5 — Great design tool *2021-02-08* I loved the simplicity of this app it really had though through what you might want to include in your garden design ### 5/5 — Surprised at how useful this is *2020-10-30, version 3.2.2* Great ap. I’ve used it to plot our landscape design as well as barn layout. Very easy to use. Great options and I’ve gotten creative at how to use different shapes and colors to add structures and plants that are not built in to the program. ### 5/5 — Great app. Nothing like it as good. *2020-06-03* Which is my 5 star rating. Would love to be able to size things accordingly and not rely on preformed sizes. Also would love an update with new things. (More furniture. HardscApes. Etc. Maybe an outdoor shower ) hahaha. I like the feature where we can upload photos but finding good matches for the over all aesthetic takes time. Over all I love it. I’m about to re do my entire yard front and back and this was really helpful to see if the idea would work. **Developer response:** We're so glad the app helped you redesign your property! If you have more suggestions for additional graphics, please email us or take our user survey: https://homeoutside.typeform.com/to/iLAmfBkm Thanks! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-10.*