NPT Backyard vs Deck Planner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NPT Backyard
Visualize your dream pool in your own backyard using augmented reality. This app offers stunning 4k graphics, advanced lighting, and realistic water simulations to help you design and preview your perfect pool.
- Augmented Reality pool visualization
- 4k graphics
- Realistic lighting effects
- Advanced water systems
- Design your dream pool
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This application will no longer be available. Existing users will be required to upgrade to the new version and when opened, Users will be directed to our Website.
Deck Planner
Easily design a beautiful and safe deck in minutes. Visualize your dream deck with realistic 3D models, customizable options, and augmented reality. Generates a complete materials list for a stress-free building experience.
- Deck design tool
- High-quality material selection
- Customizable dimensions
- Color and hardware options
- Photo Mode visualization
- Augmented Reality (AR) view
- Generates materials list
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Transforming your outdoor space has never been easier with our innovative deck designing tool. In just a matter of minutes, you can create a stunning and secure deck with a selection of high-quality materials, customizable dimensions, and an array of attractive colors and hardware options. Our tool incorporates advanced features like Photo Mode and Augmented Reality, allowing you to visualize your dream deck with remarkable realism. Once you've finalized your design, our tool generates a comprehensive materials list, making it simple and hassle-free to start building your dream deck. Enjoy a seamless and stress-free deck building experience with our powerful deck design tool.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: NPT Backyard at 3.7 against Deck Planner's 3.3. NPT Backyard also leads on review sentiment (43% vs 25%) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NPT Backyard holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NPT Backyard has 101 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of NPT Backyard's written reviews are positive against 25% of Deck Planner's.
NPT Backyard ships an update every 2 months, Deck Planner every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NPT Backyard | Deck Planner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (101 ratings) — better | 3.3 (15 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 42.5% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 101 — better | 15 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 117 MB | 198 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pool Corporation | Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. |
Customer experience
NPT Backyard
Deck Planner
Bugs and requests
NPT Backyard
Reported bugs
6 issues- AR doesn't work
- App crashes when viewing tiles
- App crashes frequently
- App is slow and hangs
- Water color doesn't change with plaster choices
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- Tutorial is useless
Requested features
6 requests- Option to design a remodel for existing pools
- Ability to change pool dimensions within the app
- More standard pool shapes available (e.g., round spa)
- Include all pool tiles from the catalog
- Ability to drag and position the pool design in the yard
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- More realistic water color rendering based on plaster choices
Deck Planner
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
NPT Backyard
No in-app purchases
Deck Planner
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NPT Backyard free?
Is Deck Planner free?
Which has better reviews, NPT Backyard or Deck Planner?
Do NPT Backyard or Deck Planner have ads?
Which is updated more often, NPT Backyard or Deck Planner?
Other comparisons
