Apply Design Pricing vs StageHQ
Apply Design sells coins: $7–$10 each, 1.5 per staged image. StageHQ sells credits: $0.28–$0.95 per staged image.
Apply Design has moved from a human-edited service to a coin-based AI product. You buy Apply Coins at $10 each ($8 at 10–19 coins, $7 at 20+), then spend 1.5 coins per one-click staged 2D image or 1 coin per image in its drag-and-drop DIY editor, with item removal included and a stated 15-minute turnaround. That puts a one-click staged photo at $10.50–$15 and a DIY one at $7–$10. StageHQ prices the same job at $0.28–$0.95 per image with credits that never expire and renders in about 30 seconds. For the annual-cost math across every major vendor, see virtual staging pricing.
No credit card required · 3 free images included
Side by side
StageHQ vs Apply Design
| Feature | StageHQ | Apply Design |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Credit packs: $19 / 20, $39 / 100, $69 / 250 images | Apply Coins: $10 each; $8 at 10–19 coins; $7 at 20+ coins |
| Cost per staged image | $0.28–$0.95 | One-click 2D: 1.5 coins = $10.50–$15 · DIY 2D: 1 coin = $7–$10 · 360°: 2–2.5 coins |
| 8-photo listing | $2–$8 | ~$84–$120 one-click (12 coins), ~$56–$80 DIY |
| Turnaround | ~15–30 seconds | ~15 minutes (one-click); instant in the DIY editor |
| How you work | Pick room, style and mode; AI stages the photo | One-click AI from your design preferences, or place furniture yourself in the DIY editor |
| Revisions | Re-render for one credit, variants in parallel | On-the-spot revisions (one-click); unlimited DIY revisions |
| Free trial | 3 free images + no-signup live demo | First image free |
| Unused balance | Credits never expire | Coins are prepaid; check current terms for expiry |
Competitor details reflect publicly available pricing and reviews as of June 2026 and may change — verify current terms with each provider.
What you get
This is StageHQ's output, unretouched
Before
AfterMore examples by room and style on the before & after page, or stage your own photo in the live demo without signing up.
Why switch
Why Agents Pick StageHQ Over Apply Design
10–50x lower cost per image
A one-click Apply Design image is $10.50–$15; a DIY one is $7–$10. StageHQ's is $0.28–$0.95. Staging 100 photos a year costs $700–$1,500 in coins versus $39 on StageHQ's 100-credit pack.
Seconds, not a 15-minute queue
Apply Design quotes 15 minutes for one-click staging. StageHQ returns the render in about 30 seconds, so you can try three styles on a room in the time one Apply Design image is processing.
MLS-safe by default
StageHQ's Precise Staging mode leaves walls, floors and fixtures exactly as photographed and exports an MLS-sized JPG in one click — the disclosure workflow agents need under 2026 rules.
Fair is fair
Where Apply Design Holds Its Own
- A drag-and-drop DIY editor for agents who want to place specific pieces themselves rather than accept an AI layout.
- 360° image staging (2–2.5 coins), which StageHQ does not offer.
- Prepaid coins rather than a subscription — the same no-monthly-fee logic as StageHQ, at a higher price point.
The verdict
Choose Apply Design if you want to hand-place furniture in a DIY editor or need 360° staging, and $7–$15 an image fits your budget. Choose StageHQ if you want photorealistic AI staging in 30 seconds at $0.28–$0.95, with credits that wait for your next listing.
FAQ
StageHQ vs Apply Design: Common Questions
How much does Apply Design cost per image?
Apply Design sells Apply Coins at $10 each, $8 each for 10–19 coins, or $7 each for 20 or more (September 2026 pricing page). One-click virtual staging costs 1.5 coins per 2D image ($10.50–$15) and 2.5 coins per 360° image; the DIY editor costs 1 coin per 2D image ($7–$10) and 2 per 360°. Your first image is free.
Is Apply Design still a human-edited service?
Its current pricing page describes one-click AI staging with a 15-minute turnaround and a self-serve DIY editor, not the 24–48 hour human-edited service it was known for. Check their site for any remaining managed options; this page compares the published coin pricing.
How much does StageHQ cost compared to Apply Design?
StageHQ runs $0.28–$0.95 per image via prepaid credit packs ($19 for 20, $39 for 100, $69 for 250). Apply Design is $7–$15 per image depending on coin volume and mode. For a typical 8-photo listing that's $2–$8 versus roughly $56–$120.
Can I try StageHQ before committing?
Yes — the live demo works without an account, and signing up adds 3 free staging credits for your own photos. No credit card required. Apply Design's first image is also free, so you can stage the same room on both before buying anything.
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- What Is Virtual Staging?
- Virtual Staging Cost Guide
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- Is Virtual Staging Worth It?
- Photo Guide for Virtual Staging
- Virtual Staging Pricing Compared
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Stage Your Next Listing for $0.28, Not $25
Upload a photo, pick a style, and judge the quality yourself — 3 free images, no credit card, results in 30 seconds.
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