Research note: This exhibition design software comparison is based on current public product documentation, pricing pages and published feature information. Curating.info has not completed hands-on testing of every product listed.
Last verified: September 2026. Prices exclude tax unless noted and can change. “Free” and “trial” refer only to what each provider publicly documents.
Quick comparison
This exhibition design software comparison brings together options with different documented scopes. Ortelia Curator, SketchUp and Floorplanner can support planning for a physical space. KUNSTMATRIX and Exhibbit are primarily publishing environments for virtual exhibitions. A browser-based 3D show is not a substitute for technical drawings, load checks or venue approval.
| Tool | Potential fit | Planning mode | Collaboration / sharing | Public pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortelia Curator | Purpose-built physical exhibition planning | 2D outputs + true-to-scale 3D | Shared files, exports and presentation; not browser co-editing | Quote |
| SketchUp | Custom spaces and detailed modeling | 3D + 2D documentation on Pro | Cloud links and Trimble Connect | Free; Go US$129/yr; Pro US$399/yr |
| Floorplanner | Scaled plans and browser-based 3D views | 2D + 3D | Web projects; team features on subscriptions | Free basic account + credits |
| KUNSTMATRIX | Published virtual and hybrid exhibitions | Browser-based 3D | Share/embed; role tools in EDU offering | €10–50/mo before tax |
| Exhibbit | Public virtual shows in measured templates | Browser-based 3D | Publish, embed and share; no co-editing claim confirmed | From US$10/mo billed annually |
Tools for physical exhibition planning
Start here when the output must communicate dimensions, wall positions or installation intent. None of these tools replaces a qualified architect, engineer, conservator or venue technician where their review is required.
Potential fit — Museums, galleries, touring-exhibition teams and exhibition designers
Ortelia Curator
Windows and macOS desktop. Not publicly listed; request a demo and quote. Demo available by request; no public free plan confirmed.
Potential fit — Designers needing flexible custom 3D spaces and 2D documentation
SketchUp
Web and iPad; Pro adds Windows and macOS desktop apps. A mobile viewer is available for iOS; legacy Android and VR viewers are no longer offered for download. Free web plan; Go from US$129/year and Pro from US$399/year. Free web plan; 7-day trial for the full design toolset.
Potential fit — Small teams that need accessible scaled floor plans and quick 3D views
Floorplanner
Web browser. Free basic account; usage-based credits and optional subscriptions. Free account supports up to five projects with export limits.
Ortelia Curator
Designed for: museums and galleries planning object placement and lighting within measured exhibition spaces. Published specifications include elevation and plan output, CSV and MuseumPlus imports, support for several media formats, and Windows/macOS desktop versions.
Notable published capabilities: artwork-specific layout tools, lighting, elevation and plan exports, and documentation for touring-show communication. Documented constraints: pricing is not public, access begins with a contact-led demo, and browser-based simultaneous editing is not publicly confirmed.
SketchUp
Potential fit: bespoke architecture, reusable venue models and detailed 3D control. The free web version provides browser-based modeling; Go adds web/iPad tools, broader file exchange and cloud collaboration, while Pro adds the desktop modeler, extensions and LayOut for 2D documentation. SketchUp currently documents a seven-day trial for its full design toolset.
Notable published capabilities: flexible modeling, a large object library and broad import/export options. Documented scope: it is general-purpose design software; artwork records, exhibition checklists and collection management are not part of its published product scope.
Floorplanner
May suit: teams needing a scaled 2D layout and browser-based 3D views without a general-purpose desktop modeler. The free account supports up to five projects, limited to three floors and three designs, with watermarked standard-definition exports.
Notable published capabilities: browser access, a free basic account and a usage-based path to higher-resolution output. Documented scope: its object library and workflow cover general spatial planning; museum registrarial functions, artwork management, conservation data and specialist construction documentation are not publicly documented as purpose-built capabilities.
Tools for virtual exhibitions
Use these when the 3D environment is itself a public-facing exhibition or online extension. Confirm accessibility, device performance, image rights and an alternate way to access core interpretive content before publishing.
Potential fit — Artists and organizations publishing browser-based 3D exhibitions
KUNSTMATRIX
Web browser; companion AR apps for iOS and Android. Basic €10, Regular €25 and Professional €50 per month, before tax. Starter trial; public 3D exhibitions require a paid plan.
Potential fit — Artists, galleries and educators creating public virtual exhibitions
Exhibbit
Web browser; published shows viewable across devices. From US$10/month billed annually; prices vary by gallery size and term. Trial links are offered for each gallery type.
KUNSTMATRIX
Designed for: publishing multiple virtual shows that include artwork, sculpture, audio or video, or commissioning a digital twin from floor plans. Paid tiers differ mainly by stored works and number of public 3D exhibitions; the Starter trial cannot publish a public exhibition.
Notable published capabilities: ready-made spaces, embedding, public sharing and connected inventory/sales tools. Documented constraints: custom architecture is a separate quoted service, and its published output is an online experience rather than a physical installation drawing package.
Exhibbit
Intended audience: artists, galleries and educators publishing a browser-viewable exhibition in a pre-measured gallery template. It supports drag-and-drop hanging, wall text and graphics, frames, audio/video, embedding, analytics and artwork inquiries. Plans vary by the size of the selected space and billing term.
Notable published capabilities: public pricing, trial links for gallery types and tools for publishing and promotion. Documented constraints: the standard offering uses pre-measured spatial templates unless additional services are arranged, and simultaneous co-editing is not publicly confirmed.
Potential fit by use case
- Purpose-built physical workflow: Ortelia Curator is designed for this scope.
- Custom modeling: SketchUp Pro may suit teams that also need a general-purpose 3D workflow.
- Scaled browser-based plans: Floorplanner offers a free account with documented project and export limits.
- Recurring virtual program: KUNSTMATRIX tiers are structured by stored works and public exhibitions.
- Template-led public virtual show: Exhibbit is intended for publishing within pre-measured gallery spaces.
Before committing, model one representative wall, one difficult artwork and one review cycle. Check units, export quality, media support, permissions, archive access and what happens when a subscription ends.
How we evaluate software
This comparison is documentary research based on current official product, pricing and help pages. Curating.info has not completed hands-on testing of every product listed. We review documented spatial workflows, 2D/3D output, sharing, platforms, public pricing and trial availability. We do not assign numerical scores, and no affiliate links are currently active. Provider-documented capabilities are kept separate from potential-fit observations, and we state “not publicly confirmed” where documentation does not support a conclusion.