Tilly Landscape Design Alternative: Ratio Landscape vs Tilly Compared

By The Ratio Landscape Team, 3D Landscape Design · October 2026

If you want a Tilly landscape design alternative, Ratio Landscape is the most direct comparison: both are fully online, both deliver a custom yard plan without an in-person visit, and both serve US homeowners. The key difference is output — Tilly delivers a 2D scaled plan with a planting list, while Ratio Landscape delivers photorealistic 3D renders and 2D plans so you can see exactly what your yard will look like before a single plant goes in the ground.

What Is Tilly, and Who Is It For?

Tilly is a remote landscape design service aimed at homeowners who want a professional yard plan without hiring a local landscape architect. You submit photos and information about your property, collaborate with a designer remotely, and receive a scaled 2D plan, planting list, materials palette, and care instructions. Third-party reviews note that one round of revisions is typically included, with additional revisions potentially costing extra.

Tilly is a design-only service — it does not handle installation or construction, and independent reviewers note that construction drawings are not included in standard packages. Some Trustpilot reviews flag concerns about communication responsiveness and satisfaction with the final output.

Published package prices as of October 2026, per Tilly's own positioning: front yard at $375, back yard at $475, and full yard at $775. Some third-party review sites report higher size-based tiers (front yard from $429, back yard from $629, full yard from $929 for standard lots), but those figures are not confirmed on the official site — check current third-party coverage and Tilly's own site directly for the most up-to-date pricing.

Tilly vs Ratio Landscape: Side-by-Side Comparison

When Tilly Is the Better Choice

Tilly makes sense if a 2D plan and planting list is genuinely all you need. If you already have a clear picture of what you want, you're comfortable working from a flat plan, and your main goal is a plant-by-plant layout to hand to a local landscaper or tackle yourself, Tilly's format fits that workflow well. Its price points — particularly for front-yard packages — are relatively accessible for a professionally designed plan.

Tilly is also worth considering if you prefer working directly with a named human designer through a back-and-forth consultation process rather than submitting photos to a studio. Some homeowners value that relationship-style collaboration, especially for complex planting decisions.

When Ratio Landscape Is the Better Choice

Ratio Landscape is the stronger fit when you — or your contractor — need to see the yard before committing to the build. A photorealistic 3D render removes the guesswork that a 2D plan leaves in place: you can evaluate whether the pergola feels too large, whether the pool placement works with the patio, or whether the planting density reads the way you imagined. That visual certainty is what our homeowner clients consistently say made the difference between hesitating and moving forward.

For landscape and hardscape contractors, the case is even clearer. In our experience producing hundreds of renders for design-build firms across the US, a photorealistic render included in a proposal changes the conversation — clients stop comparing bids on price alone and start evaluating the vision. A 2D plan rarely does that.

Ratio Landscape also covers the full scope of outdoor living: backyard, pool, patio, outdoor kitchen, firepit, front yard, and full-yard designs. Our packages page lays out exactly what's included at each price point, with no ambiguity about what you'll receive. And if you want to walk a client or family member through the design, a 60-second video walkthrough add-on does that in a format anyone can follow.

If you're not sure which format fits your project, the design quiz takes two minutes and points you to the right starting point.

What Drives the Cost Difference Between These Services

The main cost driver is output complexity. A 2D scaled plan requires drafting and plant specification — skilled work, but a known deliverable. A photorealistic 3D render requires modeling the site geometry, applying physically accurate materials (pavers, wood, water, planting), setting up lighting conditions, and rendering at a resolution that holds up on a large screen or in a printed proposal. Night renders and video walkthroughs add another production layer on top of that.

Other factors that affect price across any online design service: yard size, number of distinct zones (front, back, side yards), hardscape complexity (pools, retaining walls, pergolas), and the number of views or scenes delivered. Our packages are structured around yard size so you know upfront what you're getting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ratio Landscape a direct Tilly alternative for homeowners?

Yes — both are fully online, require no in-person visit, and work from photos and measurements you submit. The core difference is that Ratio Landscape delivers photorealistic 3D renders alongside 2D plans, while Tilly focuses on 2D plans and planting lists. If seeing the finished yard in realistic detail matters to your decision, Ratio Landscape is the closer fit.

Does Ratio Landscape include a planting list like Tilly does?

Ratio Landscape's primary deliverable is the photorealistic 3D render and 2D plan — the visual design of your yard. For full planting specification lists, review what's included in each package at ratiolandscape.com/packages. Our designs show planting in context so you and your contractor can see exactly what goes where.

Can I use a Ratio Landscape render with my own contractor?

Absolutely — that's one of the most common use cases. You receive the render files to share directly with any contractor you choose. Many homeowners use the renders to get more accurate bids, because contractors can quote from a clear visual rather than a verbal description. See our portfolio for examples of what contractors receive.

How long does Ratio Landscape take compared to Tilly?

Ratio Landscape's published turnaround is 5–10 days for homeowners and 5–7 days for contractors. Tilly does not consistently publish a turnaround time, so timelines may vary depending on designer availability and revision rounds. If schedule certainty matters for your project, a published turnaround is worth factoring into your choice.

What if I only need a 2D plan, not a 3D render?

Ratio Landscape offers 2D landscape plans starting at $200 — a practical option if a flat plan is all your project requires. If you're unsure whether 2D or 3D is right for your situation, the design quiz walks you through the decision in a couple of minutes based on your project type and goals.

Start your design at Ratio Landscape →

Last updated: October 2026