What programs do virtual stagers use?

Virtual stagers have a blast using all sorts of cool software! From BoxBrownie’s do-it-all magic to PadStyler and Stuccco’s creative playgrounds, there’s something for everyone. Apply Design even makes it super easy to enhance listings right from your favorite real estate platforms. These programs let real estate agents, homeowners, and stagers turn dull spaces into must-see homes that catch buyers’ eyes and imagination.

Can I do virtual staging myself?

Yes! A few of the virtual staging programs for real estate offer DIY software. You don’t need to be a tech guru to use them, but you will need a sense of design to make sure the rooms look visually appealing.

How do realtors do virtual staging?

Realtors use virtual staging software to create digitally furnished homes to appeal to potential homebuyers. Start by taking high-quality photos of the rooms you want to stage, then upload them into virtual staging platforms like BoxBrownie or Stuccco. You can choose from various style types, furniture, and decor to bring boring and empty spaces to life. Once the photos are finished, realtors use them in their marketing materials to entice buyers to see a property’s potential.

How much does a visual stager cost?

That’s a tough one. Prices vary widely based on the number of photos being created, how much staging is necessary, and the complexity of the project. On average, the cost of virtual staging can range from $25 to $75 per image, with costs going much higher for higher-quality, luxury, or complex projects. If you don’t like an image, a revision may be necessary—so be sure to check if your provider includes changes in the cost.

6 Best Virtual Staging Software of 2025 + Expert Guide

Whenever a property looks empty or outdated in photos, potential buyers will scroll past it. Virtual staging changes that by transforming spaces into stylish homes. The best virtual staging software creates realistic, high-quality images that help properties stand out from the crowd. I’ve rounded up the top options, along with a few pro tips, so your photos capture buyers’ attention instead of letting them scroll by. Let’s get started!

Styldod: Best for various interior design styles
BoxBrownie: Best all-in-one staging software
PadStyler: Best for customization and furniture selection
Stuccco: Best for do-it-yourself (DIY) and ease of use
Apply Design: Best for quick turnaround times

The Close’s picks for best virtual staging software
Styldod: Best for various interior design styles
BoxBrownie: Best all-in-one staging software
PadStyler: Best for customization and furniture selection
Stuccco: Best for DIY and ease of use
Apply Design: Best for quick turnaround times
Methodology: How we selected the best virtual staging software
The ultimate virtual staging guide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Your take

The Close’s picks for best virtual staging software

Standout features	Price per image	Turnaround time
Highest-rated overall pick, with eight staging styles, free item removal, and unlimited free revisions	$16	12-48 hours
Visit Styldod
Virtual staging for both residential and commercial listings, plus photo editing add-ons	$24	48 hours
Visit BoxBrownie
Wide furniture catalog with detailed customization, 360° virtual staging available	$49	24-48 hours
Visit PadStyler
Easy DIY staging with drag-and-drop furniture editor	$15	24 hours
Visit Stuccco
One-click AI staging, real-time previews, and instant background item removal	$10.50	10 minutes
Visit Apply Design

Pro tip: When choosing the best virtual home staging software, determine your budget first. Software costs vary greatly, so finding one that fits your wallet is essential.

Styldod: Best for various interior design styles

Pros

Price savings for more than eight images
Unlimited free revisions
Turnaround time: 12-48 hours
Customer satisfaction guarantee
Ultra‑realistic renders that avoid the “plastic” CGI look

Cons

Limited customizations
Inconsistent quality
Basic furniture options
Slower customer support
Less realistic

The Close Score

4.8

Pricing

5.0

Features

2.6

Customer rating

4.6

Ease of use

4.5

Help and support

4.0

Expert score

4.6

/ 5

Start staging with Styldod

Why I chose Styldod

Want listing photos that look like they came straight from a designer’s portfolio but without the designer price tag? Styldod delivers.

Upload your empty room, choose from eight on‑trend style presets, and get web‑ and print‑ready images back in 24‑48 hours, often with your first photo free. Prices start at $16 per image, and you can request unlimited revisions until every pillow and picture frame feels just right. The polished results help listings stand out and grab attention in lead generation campaigns and social ads.

Before and after photos of a bedroom using the glam design option. — Before and after using glam design template (Source: Styledod)

Styldod pricing

Virtual staging: $16-$23 per image
Rapid Delivery (within 24 hours): Additional $6 per image
Super Rapid Delivery (within 12 hours): Additional $12 per image

Additional features

AI object removal: This feature is ideal for agents who want to remove one or two objects from an existing photo without virtually staging an entire room.
Real estate video maker: Agents can create a free listing video in minutes using premade templates.

BoxBrownie: Best all-in-one staging software

Pros

Affordable and realistic staging with no subscription strings attached
Turnaround time: 48 hours
Unlimited revisions at no cost
Unlimited revisions at no cost
Multiple furniture style choices

Cons

Higher cost for premium services
Quality can be inconsistent
Larger orders can take longer
An overwhelming number of service options
Multiple revisions are often needed

The Close Score

4.3

Pricing

3.0

Features

3.0

Customer rating

4.6

Ease of use

5.0

Help and support

5.0

Expert score

4.1

/ 5

Start staging with BoxBrownie

Why I chose BoxBrownie

If you want more than just virtual staging, BoxBrownie is your all-in-one shop to market your listings. Along with virtually staged photos, you can order day-to-dusk edits, floor plan redraws, 3D renders, and even 360° virtual tours, all from one platform.

That kind of convenience makes it one of the best options for home virtual staging software. It also offers real estate copywriting and virtual renovation tools. And if you ever need help, its customer support team is available 24/7.

Before and after virtual floor plans (Source: BoxBrownie)

BoxBrownie pricing

Virtual staging: $24 per image
360° virtual staging: $48

Additional features

Floor plan redraws: BoxBrownie’s virtually staged floor plans transform the typical, hard-to-read floor plan into a work of art.
Day-to-Dusk edits: Transform daytime exterior shots into moody, twilight scenes that add visual drama to listings on listing platforms and email newsletters.
Item Removal and Virtual Clean: Remove clutter, close open doors, or erase dust and stains from your photos before staging. These simple edits help you prep photos for brochures or social media without touching the property.
Professional copywriting: If you feel stuck, BoxBrownie has copywriting options. You can use this service to craft creative listing descriptions.

PadStyler: Best for customization and furniture selection

Pros

Rush delivery available
Turnaround time: 24-48 hours
Exterior virtual staging
Unlimited design revisions
Price match promise
Free virtual tour included

Cons

Relatively more expensive than competitors
Less user-friendly platform
Limited additional services
Inconsistent customer service experiences

The Close Score

3.9

Pricing

2.5

Features

2.6

Customer rating

4.1

Ease of use

4.5

Help and support

4.0

Expert score

4.3

/ 5

Start staging with PadStyler

Why I chose PadStyler

PadStyler feels less like software and more like a full‑blown design studio you control from your laptop. Scroll through thousands of furniture pieces and drag them into place until each room feels listing‑ready. Turnaround is typically 24‑48 hours, but the real draw is flexibility: tweak colors, swap décor, or request revisions until the image nails your vibe. If you’re auditioning different virtual staging programs, PadStyler is a clear winner.

Before and after of an exterior deck with and without patio furniture — Exterior virtual staging (Source: PadStyler)

PadStyler pricing

One photo: $49
Two or more photos: $39 each
Five or more photos: $34 each
Eight or more photos: $29 each
Matterport virtual staging: Starts from $300

Additional features

3D walkthrough: Perfect for new construction properties, you can show potential buyers what the house can look like once it is finished.

Schedule an actual photoshoot: If you’re in Austin, Texas, you’re in luck. PadStyler offers virtual staging options and professional photographers in your area.

Stuccco: Best for DIY and ease of use

Pros

Add or remove furniture and decor
Turnaround time: 24 hours
Discount on additional features with subscription
Library of style types to choose from
Unlimited revisions

Cons

Subscription required to unlock additional features
Limited additional services available
Pricing structure is more complicated than most
Some visuals appear to be lower quality
Requires high quality photos for best results

The Close Score

3.8

Pricing

2.5

Features

2.4

Customer rating

4.6

Ease of use

4.5

Help and support

4.0

Expert score

3.8

/ 5

Start staging with Stuccco

Why I chose Stuccco

If you’d rather keep staging budget-friendly and straightforward, Stuccco delivers a refreshingly no‑frills workflow. Buy only the credits you need, upload a photo, pick a style, and you’re done — no subscriptions, no extra buttons to learn. The UI walks you through each step, so even first‑timers can get polished images back in about a day. Stuccco proves that solid virtual staging solutions don’t have to feel like learning a new CAD platform.

virtually staged office space with desk, chairs, shelving and accessories. — Virtually staged office space (Source: Stuccco)

Stuccco pricing

Basic: Free + virtual staging services
Pro: $39 per month + virtual staging services
Team: $100 per month (paid by team leader, plus virtual staging services paid by team members)

Virtual staging service price per photo varies depending on your subscription plan. If you’re subscribed to the Basic plan, changing the flooring, ceiling, or interior wall will cost an additional $15. Adding furniture and decor will cost more.

Additional features

Listing pages with statistics: Listing pages enable you to control who can view this page and its contents. You can track the buyer traffic, leads, and conversion rate when you share it.
Lead capture: Upgrade your plan to enable homebuyers to share their contact information on your property listing pages, making it easy to capture buyer leads and follow up with them.

Apply Design: Best for quick turnaround times

Pros

No design experience required
Turnaround time: 10 minutes
Item removal included
On-the-spot revisions in one click
First image is free

Cons

Limited service offerings
Less customizable than other designers
Takes time to learn the program
Geared towards quick results vs quality
DIYers will need an eye for design, at least

The Close Score

3.5

Pricing

2.5

Features

2.0

Customer rating

4.1

Ease of use

4.5

Help and support

3.5

Expert score

3.6

/ 5

Start staging with Apply Design

Why I chose Apply Design

Do you need photos staged before the ink is dry on your listing agreement? Apply Design clocks in at around ten minutes per image, making it one of the fastest options we’ve tested. The browser-based editor is as intuitive as placing furniture stickers on a floor plan — choose a template, drag to reposition, click ‘Render,’ and download.

For agents who move fast and still expect studio‑grade realism, Apply Design earns its place among the best virtual home staging software picks on the market.

Two pictures of a living room before and after item removal features — One-click item removal (Source: Apply Design)

Apply Design pricing

2D image (auto staging): $10.50
360 image (auto staging): $20.50
2D image (DIY staging): $10
360 image (DIY staging): $20

Additional features

AI decluttering: Automatically remove existing furniture or other clutter by checking a box.
On-the-spot revisions: Make quick changes with Apply Design’s drag-and-drop editor. Customize any real estate photo in a snap.

Methodology: How we selected the best virtual staging software

Our methodology at The Close ensures that our team of professionals, writers, and editors thoroughly analyzes each software. We meticulously evaluate the affordability, features, usability, customer support, and reviews of the virtual staging software available for real estate to determine our expert score.

We picked the best virtual staging app to help agents boost their business and sell their listings. Our thorough selection process ensures that our top picks make it easier for agents to streamline their work, impress clients, and hit their business goals. Our detailed criteria include:

Pricing 30%
- Cost was an important consideration. We looked for real estate virtual staging software that offers a good balance of features and affordability.
Features 25%
- We evaluated the range of features each tool offers, such as 360-degree images, photography, 2D/3D floorplans, decluttering tools, furniture library, virtual landscaping, and renovations.
Customer rating 15%
- We analyzed actual product customer reviews to ensure our research was unbiased.
Ease of use 15%
- We considered intuitive interfaces, straightforward navigation, learning curves, turnaround times, and whether revisions are provided at no additional cost.
Help and support 5%
- Reliable customer support is essential, so we considered the availability of customer service through live chat, phone, and email.
Expert score 10%
- After considering all the factors, we compile all the scores to determine our expert score.

The ultimate virtual staging guide

Selecting the best virtual staging software is just as important as mastering the best staging techniques. So, I’ve put together this guide with easy steps and insider tips. Whether you’re just starting out or already a staging whiz, you’ll find plenty to help make your properties look incredible.

Virtual staging is like magic for your listing photos. Instead of lugging heavy furniture around or paying for a full staging setup, you use digital tools to spruce up empty rooms into inviting spaces. It’s a cost-effective way to make a property feel move-in ready without the expense of renting furniture or hiring movers. With just a few clicks, you can show buyers the potential of a space and make your listings stand out online.

Anytime is perfect for showcasing a space’s potential without the hassle and cost of physically staging it. With just a few clicks, you can style a room to appeal to any buyer — whether it’s a cozy office or a kids’ playroom.

Let’s take a look at some of the best scenarios for a virtual staging app:

Empty spaces: Transform vacant rooms into furnished, inviting spaces.
Outdated decor: Update the look of a home with modern furnishings and decor.
Cost-effective makeover: Stage a property without the expense of traditional staging.
Targeted marketing: Customize staging to appeal to specific buyer demographics or lifestyles.
Quick sales: Attract more interest and sell properties faster with visually appealing listings, especially when a property lacks strong appeal.
Creative flexibility: Experiment with different layouts and designs to showcase a property’s full potential.

Many agents ask, “Is virtual staging as effective as traditional staging?” Virtual staging can be a highly effective alternative to traditional home staging, offering cost savings, flexibility, and the ability to reach a wider audience with appealing pictures. However, the effectiveness ultimately depends on the specific property, target market, and the quality of the virtual staging itself.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each type of staging to help you determine which method is right for your listing:

	Pros	Cons
Traditional staging	Physically experience the space Immediate impact Boosts perceived property value in person	Can be expensive Time-consuming physical labor Limited flexibility in actual spaces
Virtual staging	Cost-effective since you won’t need to rent furniture Quick turnaround times Creative flexibility	It is dependent on the quality of the original property photos Tech skills are needed to use virtual staging software Potentially misleading to buyers

Now that you know the basics, let’s talk about best practices.

Keep furniture balanced — inviting yet not cluttered, and let natural light shine through.
Highlight the home’s best features, skip the distracting decor, and keep it simple yet stylish.
Don’t forget curb appeal — it matters more than you think!

Here are a few dos and don’ts to get you started:

Dos	Don’ts
Keep it neutral Declutter Highlight key property features Consider the flow	Overdo it Leave personal items Forget about the exterior Overlook the lighting

Choosing your real estate virtual staging software depends on your budget and the level of control you want over the finished product. Here are some key factors to consider:

✓Cost: Some virtual home staging services charge per image, while others offer unlimited access with a monthly plan. If you only need a few staged photos, paying per image may be a more cost-effective choice. But if you’re staging listings regularly, a flat monthly fee might save you money over time.

✓Level of customization: Do you want to drag and drop furniture yourself, or would you rather upload your photos and let a designer handle the rest? DIY tools offer speed and flexibility, while done-for-you services deliver polished results with zero design effort on your part.

✓Ease of use: If you’re not super tech-savvy, look for tools with clean interfaces, mobile access, and straightforward workflows. The faster you can learn the tool, the quicker you can get your listings market-ready.

✓Turnaround time: If you need staging fast, some tools generate images instantly with AI, while others rely on designers and may take 24 to 48 hours. Always know your timeline so you’re not left waiting when a property listing goes live.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The key to virtual staging is having high-quality, well-lit photos of your space. Then, use virtual staging software like Apply Design or BoxBrownie to add stylish furniture and decor with just a few clicks. Bonus points if you choose a tool with an excellent mobile interface so that you can stage on the go.

Yes. Canva now offers a feature called AI Interior Design, which allows you to upload a picture of a room and select a design style. While it’s a fun and easy tool, it’s not as advanced as other free virtual staging software — at least for now!

Yes, Adobe offers Substance 3D Stager, a powerful tool for creating realistic interior designs. However, it has a steep learning curve, so you’ll need time to master it before producing high-quality staging. Additionally, it requires a subscription, making it less budget-friendly than other virtual staging software options.

Your take

I hope this guide helps you find the best virtual staging software for your real estate property listings. Experiment with different styles and setups to determine what resonates best, but ensure you understand your audience and budget.

Do you have any questions about virtual home staging software? What’s your go-to staging method? Let me know in the comments!

The 5 Best Virtual Staging Software & Virtual Staging Guide in 2025

The Close’s picks for best virtual staging software