AutoCAD vs SketchUp

Blender

SolidWorks Premium

Revit

ARCHICAD

Lumion

FreeCAD

Compare AutoCAD and SketchUp based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

Revit is a BIM (building information modeling) solution for architects, structural engineers, construction companies, & MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) services. The platform facilitates coordinated 3D design & offers tools such as floor plan design, 3D visualizations, & a WYSIWYG editor.

SolidWorks Premium is the leading 3D design solution in the industry. It seamlessly integrates powerful design tools-including industry-leading part, assembly, and drawing capabilities with built-in simulation, rendering, animation, product data management, and cost estimation. 

SolidWorks will help you get work done faster and easier than before, using innovative phases of product creation to achieve a more productive 3D design experience.

FreeCAD is an on-premise open-source paramedic 3D modeler, which helps businesses design objects of all sizes. Programmers can sketch constrained 2D shapes and utilize them as a base to create other objects. It supports several file formats such as IGES, SVG, DXF, DE, IFC, STL, STEP, OBJ, and more.


AutoCAD is a design and drafting platform which supports automated design tasks and offers features such as 2D drafting, drawing and annotation, 3D modeling and visualization, and more.

2D Drawing

3D Design & Modeling

3D Modeling

Access Controls/Permissions

Animation

Annotations

Bills of Material

CAD Tools

Change Management

Civil

Collaboration Tools

Commercial

Compliance Management

Component Library

Configurable Workflow

Content Library

Customizable Fields

Data Import/Export

Design Management

Design Templates

Document Generation

Document Management

Document Storage

Drafting

Drag & Drop

Electrical

Estimating

File Management

Floor Plans & Maps

For 3D Printing

For AEC Industry

For Architects

For Manufacturers

For Residential

Landscape Design

Manufacturing Design Data

Mechanical

Mobile Access

Offline Access

Parts Management

Planning Tools

Product Data Management

Project Management

Project Templates

Project Workflow

Real-Time Updates

Rendering

Reporting/Analytics

Reusable Designs

Rules-Based Workflow

Scheduling

Search

Search/Filter

Secure Data Storage

Sketching and Annotation Tools

Third-Party Integrations

Workflow Management

AutoCAD

Android

Linux

Web-based

Windows

iPad

iPhone

Search Engine Optimization Manager

The biggest disadvantage of AutoCAD is that it comes with a lot of problems, which is to be expected from a tool that can do so much. It seems reasonable to me.

Civil engineer

WOW, all that I can say is that probably this is the most important software to make blueprints in the world.

interior designer 

The AutoCAD is very good to be used for many industries like construction and industrial / manufacturing process as well, good for beginners and professional level as well.

architecture

I use this program all of the time because their Features are awesome powerful tool and easy for professional and beginners.

excellent application

Excellent for architects and engineers, all functions and tools are easy to use, and have an excellent cost benefit.

Co Founder

It is the most accessible CAD software to date with lots of documentation and a great and responsive community. Very user friendly and a well designed interface.

Telecommunications Specialist

I have been using AutoCAD (Mostly 2D) for almost 9 years now and I found it very useful, easy to use, and great platform for drafting anything you like.

Sometimes the user interface becomes annoying, file can get very big and may crash the computer, drawings can get corrupt.

Web Developer 

It was one and still is the best Architectural software they was and will every be. I remember how easy it was to make designs and configure settings to my liking.

Student

Great software with a great user interface that has a ton of functionality to it.

Firstly, I like all the features in AutoCAD which make the software one of the best in engineering designs. Also, it is not complected and that make the software easy to use for any user.

INDEPENDENT BUSINESS CONSULTANT

I love the shortcut keys for various tools, it makes the job a lot quicker. As a Mechanical Engineer , I really love spending time with different drawings in this cool software.

Front-End Web Developer

Overall, I think AutoCAD has been a great addition to our company. We needed a 3D drawing tool and even with the price, I believe AutoCAD was the best software for us.

Landscape Architect

I love how easily other pieces of software can integrate with it and how you can produce quality looking technical drawings within a relatively short time-span.

Planner

It is frustrating when in the AutoCAD updates over the years that the interface has changed so much that it makes it hard to adjust and find things.

Applications Engineer

This is also backed up by AutoDesk's excellent customer service and a very large catalogue of training documentation and tutorials online.

Innovation Manager

The 3d is terrible and right now the 3d is absolutely need for design.

Freelancer

The software keeps improving with update and the integration with other software as well as the online version gives me interest working experience.

AutoCAD screenshot: AutoCAD design models

AutoCAD screenshot: AutoCAD manage model design

AutoCAD screenshot: AutoCAD customize workspace 

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Non Profit

Public Administrations

Small Business

Blender is an on-premise game development platform, which helps small to large businesses in technology, motion pictures, graphic designing, online media, computer games, and other sectors manage 3D printing, develop animations, create visual effects, and more. The software provides various functionality including python scripting, sculpting tools, data export, sound synchronization, and custom colors.

Archicad from Graphisoft is an architectural CAD and building information modeling software for architects, interior designers and planners, with Archicad adding enhancements including CineRender engine, remastered Façade Design tool, Parametric Profile Editor and BIMx mobile model visualizations

From early ideas to final visuals, Lumion’s real-time rendering solutions—Lumion View and Lumion Pro—fit naturally into your workflow, making visualization fast, seamless, and intuitive. Designed for architects, designers, and visualizers, Lumion supports every step of the creative process.

SketchUp is a design and collaboration solution that helps businesses streamline AEC and interior design workflows. Its intuitive 3D modeler allows users to visualize projects, while its 2D documentation and AR/VR viewing applications keep stakeholders aligned throughout the design-build process.

2D/3D Designing

3D Digital Asset Management

3D Imaging

3D Light Rendering

3D Objects

3D Texture Rendering

Activity Dashboard

Architectural Symbol Library

BIM Modeling

Building Information Model

Communication Management

Diagramming

File Sharing

For Real Estate

Image Editing

Multiple File Format Support

Multiple Format Support

Multiple Projects

Panoramas

Projections

Real Time Comparisons

Real-time Product Visualizations

Reporting & Statistics

Room Visualization

Rule-based Configuration

Template Management

Version Control

SketchUp

Architectural Designer

The scenes feature is great for architectural presentations and paired with a rendering software like Enscape or Lumion it works like magic. Also workshop and all the add-ons are amazing.

Editor In Chief

It's not discovered yet by me what is most disappointed about this product because all I needed to switch to this software is inbuilt within and therefore can't say I'm disappointed in using it.

Arch

Easy to use, with a friendly layout and intuitive commands. Reliable and trustable software for all kind of projects.

And even the software went through different owner companies, the product is still here, amazing, easy, and stay affordable. Keep going this way please.

Manager 

Great software, geolocation feature is great. Easy to create a rough sketch of the work for easy visualization.

Medical coder

I like that you can get a design from other creators and use it for my projects. It really helps a lot in improving my designs.

Architect

I am completely satisfied with the experience I have had with Sketchup, it makes my job a lot easier and even fun to use.

Building Plan Consultant

This software is the best one as far as i know. It's very easy to use on modeling and the i mostly like the the model percision inside.

Great work environment, tabs and tools that are easy to access, simple and intuitive, proving to be effective and allowing the addition of new tools and plugins that streamline my work.

Research Associate

Easily the best feature about the software is the online support. The walkthroughs make picking up SketchUp a breeze and after a few lessons I had a solid grasp on the fundamentals of the program.

Landscape desinger

This program is a great tool to have under your belt. It helps explain ideas in 3d and makes it easy to start a concept without using over priced software.

Electrical Engineer

There are plenty of video tutorials and customer support is great. It is easy to use and the designs can be attached in professional documents.

Overall, the functionalities are great and the price is just right for it.

Principal / Sr. Healthcare Architect

The ability to rapidly produce models for study, and the extensive palette of tools provides the ability to enhance basic models to presentation-quality products.

Creative Director

The only real issue I had with Sketchup was the lack of stp export options. This made it unusable when working with overseas manufacturing vendors.

Owner

It causes hours of wasted work to fix and that is time and money. It also affects business by not being able to deliver a serviceable idea to the clients.

Poor product that crashes and freezes, no ability to contact customer support, no refunds.

Network Administrator

Very easy to setup and free for schools. There is now a web based version optimized for Google Chrome browser and integrates with Gsuite.

AutoCAD vs SketchUp Comparison (2026)

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives