System requirements
Site Designer is a native desktop application for Windows and macOS. This article lists the minimum and recommended system requirements to run it comfortably.
Windows
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or more |
| Disk space | 500 MB free | 1 GB free (more for large projects) |
| Display | 1280 × 800 | 1920 × 1080 or higher |
| Processor | Intel/AMD x64 | Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 or better |
| Graphics | Any integrated GPU | Dedicated GPU helps with large canvas performance |
Windows ARM64 is supported via x64 emulation on compatible devices (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon X-based laptops). A native ARM64 build may be available — check the installer notes.
macOS
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | macOS 11 Big Sur | macOS 13 Ventura or later |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or more (16 GB for large projects) |
| Disk space | 500 MB free | 1 GB free |
| Display | 1280 × 800 | Retina display (2560 × 1600 or similar) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 or Apple Silicon | Apple Silicon (M1 or later) native |
| Graphics | Integrated (Intel/Apple GPU) | Apple Silicon GPU or dedicated GPU |
Site Designer runs natively on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4 chips) — no Rosetta translation needed. Performance on Apple Silicon Macs is excellent.
Network
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| License activation | Internet required (one-time, or periodically to re-validate) |
| Google Fonts | Internet required to load fonts in canvas and Live Preview |
| S-Drive publishing | Internet required |
| FTP publishing | Internet required |
| Export to folder | No internet required |
| Local editing / Live Preview | No internet required (except for Google Fonts) |
Site Designer is a locally installed application. Unlike web-based design tools, your project files and your work never leave your machine unless you explicitly publish or export.
Display and resolution
Site Designer’s canvas and panels work best at 1920 × 1080 or higher. At 1280 × 800:
- Some panels may feel cramped — you can minimize or detach them.
- The canvas area is smaller, but all functionality is accessible.
- Consider using a connected external monitor for more workspace.
The app is fully HiDPI/Retina-aware. UI elements, canvas content, and Live Preview all render at the full resolution of your screen.
Performance notes
- Large projects (many pages, many high-resolution embedded images) require more RAM. Projects over 50 MB as
.rsdfiles benefit from 8 GB or more. - Many CSS transitions and effects in the canvas can slow down rendering. If the canvas feels sluggish, reduce canvas zoom or hide effects layers while editing.
- A dedicated GPU improves performance when working on animation-heavy projects or when Live Preview has complex CSS effects. Most projects run fine on integrated graphics.
