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SketchUp Logo

3D design tools for AEC professionals and interior designers

Last updated: March 2025

Table of Contents

SketchUp - 2025 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

What is SketchUp?

SketchUp is a 3D modeling tool. Architects, engineers, interior designers, and construction managers leverage SketchUp to visualize quickly, document clearly, and coordinate easily. From residential renovations to complex commercial projects, SketchUp helps professionals get from design to done, faster. The software offers both 2D and 3D designing tools allowing users to visualize, plan and communicate planned construction projects.

Benefits of using SketchUp

-Visualize and iterate on your designs quickly with SketchUp’s intuitive, powerful 3D modeler.

-Turn your 3D model into accurate, detailed 2D construction drawings with LayOut.

-Avoid rework during schematic design by leveraging, PreDesign, a web application that gives you critical site information before you start modeling.

-Immerse your clients in your designs at 1:1 scale with SketchUp’s mixed reality viewing applications.

-Manage multiple files, assign to-dos, and leverage unlimited cloud storage with Trimble Connect.

Starting from

55

Per year

Alternatives with better value for money

SketchUp’s pros and cons based on 1,037 verified reviews

To identify what users like and dislike about SketchUp, our data scientists apply advanced modeling techniques to our proprietary reviews data. We've sorted the resulting list of pros and cons based on the percentage of users who expressed positive sentiment toward the given topic in their reviews.

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To determine these pros and cons insights, we analyzed responses from 1,037 verified reviews

Effective client visualization

97% of reviewers feel positive about SketchUp's client visualization capabilities. Reviewers indicate that the software allows them to create realistic 3D renderings, helping clients understand the design before it's built. They appreciate the ability to present detailed models quickly, which aids in client communication and project approval.

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“it can help you show your client a true to life model from plans to walls, to windows, doors and roofing as well as modeling creative works and best project presentation.”
“Sketchup allows the user to create three dimensional renderings of a plan or layout that give clients or partners the ability to see the product before they can touch it.”

Versatile 3D modeling

94% of reviewers feel positive about SketchUp's 3D modeling features. Users think the software is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to create detailed models. They value the extensive toolset and the ability to integrate with other software, which enhances their design process and productivity.

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“Forget the complexity of old-school heavy 3D modeling software, you can shape your idea with SketchUp in minutes, from simple wood works, to complex architectural plans or articulated models, the work flow of this software is unbeated.”
“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.”

Comprehensive architectural design

94% of reviewers feel positive about SketchUp's architectural design capabilities. Some users report that the software is versatile and suitable for various design fields, including architecture, interior design, and urban planning. They appreciate its ease of use and the ability to create detailed models quickly.

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“the best visualization tool for 3d modeling , it can be used for architectural design , interior design ,urban planning, and land scaping.”
“Especially when I want to model architectural interiors, sketchup is the best option, because it allows me to detail each scene with the most usual and unusual objects that I would find in it.”

Flexible design creation

93% of reviewers feel positive about SketchUp's design creation tools. Reviewers appreciate the software's flexibility and the wide range of options it provides for creating custom designs. They find it useful for both simple and complex projects, allowing them to explore creative ideas efficiently.

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“Sketchup helped us with more creativity, as the flexibility available in the system, the speed of response, and the multiple options it provides, enable us to design what customers require with high quality, and we can show all the design details accurately.”
“It is a software that very good features for the creation of custom designs, thanks to this software we can create designs that can be used for any type of project we have in mind, from a simple design for a website, holiday cards among other things , as well as professional designs for some thesis project of the university or some business logo.”

Extensive 3D Warehouse

91% of reviewers feel positive about SketchUp's 3D Warehouse. Users appreciate the vast library of pre-made models available, which saves time and effort in the design process. They find it helpful for quickly adding detailed components to their projects, enhancing the overall quality of their designs.

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“The 3D Warehouse is one of this software's best features for at the click of a button, you have access to a wide variety of models ranging from simple doors to incredibly detailed light fixtures.”
“The 3D warehouse within SketchUp pro is great because it allows me to quickly place furniture and other models that would typically be time-consuming, and implement them int the setting.”

Frequent software crashes

82% of reviewers feel negative about SketchUp's software stability. Some users report that the software crashes unexpectedly, especially with complex models, leading to lost work and frustration. They also mention issues with bugs and lack of efficient customer support to resolve these problems.

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“Usual rubbish - take a product that you're comfortable using, (I've used since 2010) force users into an upgrade they don't want it need, charge them for it, lose the template & configuration that your happy and used to using & provide a product that is no better, crashes endlessly with 'bug splats', loses files and needs time & energy getting it to how it was before. Why do tech companies feel they need to alter & if we are forced into an upgrade, let it copy the same template as previously used & make it seamless.”
“When the models get too complex errors can occur in the software including crashes or random triangulation of previously clean models.”

Slow performance with complex models

71% of reviewers feel negative about SketchUp's performance speed. Users think the software can be slow and laggy when handling large-scale projects or complex models. They note that it requires a powerful computer to run smoothly, which can be a limitation for some users.

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“However, I have found that Sketchup can be limited in its ability to handle large-scale projects or complex models, particularly when it comes to working with vegetation or other natural elements that can slow down the software or cause it to crash.”
“Based on our experience, even with high-end processors and 32gb of ram, larger scale models can lag quite a bit which can be very frustrating.”

Limited design tools

55% of reviewers feel negative about SketchUp's design tools. Some reviewers find the software lacks precision and advanced features for creating detailed designs. They mention difficulties with certain geometries and the need for additional tools to improve the design process.

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“Geometries are normally not connected to fix references which might cause issues when scaling or changing single components of a geometry during the modeling process.”
“that lines and surfaces are seperate, it makes modelling and editing harder to handle especially when selecting or moving surfaces”

Insufficient navigation shortcuts

40% of reviewers feel negative about SketchUp's navigation shortcuts. Users think the software lacks sufficient keyboard shortcuts, making the design process slower and less efficient. They also find the navigation controls less intuitive compared to other design programs.

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“What I didn't like when I was making my models is that it doesn't have many keyboard shortcuts that would make it easier to click on each tool in the taskbar, it would be very useful if they added them, because it slows down the user experience.”
“Some of the shortcuts were completely different to other 3D programs I use and I found it a bit hard to customize some navigation commands.”

SketchUp's key features

GetApp's analysis of 95 verified user reviews collected between July 2021 and July 2024 identified SketchUp's most critical features and how it performs according to users.

Data Import/Export

Reviewers appreciate SketchUp's data import/export capabilities, noting its support for various file formats like SKP, PNG, JPG, DWG, DXF, and more. They find it easy to import objects and export 3D models to other software such as AutoCAD and Blender. Users report that the capability enhances interoperability and streamlines workflows. However, some mention limitations in the free version and occasional issues with complex objects. They also highlight the live sync link with rendering software like D5, 3D Max, and Blender. Of the 48 SketchUp users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Data Import/Export, 96% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“It is very important for me to be able to export and import 3D Models between different softwares without losing any information and still be able to edit all parts of the model individually. Its is quite simpe to import objects into Sketchup and also save them as 3D Models to open in other softwares.”
“data export and import is really great option in sketchup because I can import or export different formats of files and use them in other softwares such as autocad.”

Component Library

Reviewers highlight SketchUp's component library as a valuable aspect, emphasizing the extensive 3D Warehouse with downloadable models. They appreciate the ability to customize and reuse components, which saves time and enhances efficiency. Users find the library easy to access and note the variety of objects available, including those contributed by the community. They also mention the integration with external resources and the positive impact on workflow. Some suggest the library could expand further to include more models and specifications. Of the 43 SketchUp users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Component Library, 91% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“Components are geometry that is reused in models. Sketchup offers a 3D Warehouse that contains downloadable models available for the community to use. It is very useful and also allows a user to upload their own models to the 3D Warehouse.”
“In a work environment that requires a general reference or model then I need a place that can have everything I need. Usually, I enter communities or search from websites that have them, but sometimes it can be time-consuming because these things are scattered in different places. But in SketchUp, I found that everything is in one place, and can be integrated into the software directly. 3D Warehouse is something that can make it easier to find references or examples and generic models that can be reused for my work efficiency.”

2D Drawing

Reviewers indicate that SketchUp's 2D drawing capabilities are helpful for creating layouts and clarifying design details. They appreciate the integration with SketchUp Layout, which automates professional 2D drawings. Users find the tools intuitive and useful for annotating, detailing, and scaling. While some prefer other software like AutoCAD for precision, they acknowledge SketchUp's functionality for basic outlines and schematic designs. They also mention the ease of importing 2D shapes and the importance of 2D drawing as a foundation for 3D models. Of the 26 SketchUp users who gave detailed accounts of their use of 2D Drawing, 88% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“2D drawing in SketchUp, when integrated with SketchUp layout, makes everything way easier, as the professional 2d drawing is almost fully generated automatically. The features we need to use in there to complete the drawing and sheets are very intuitive and variable.”
“To me this is one of the most important aspects. I Use it to sketch out layouts mostly and it works flawlessly. There are other programs that can do the same thing, but this is made for it and it works smoothly and is very clean and easy to learn.”

Landscape Design

Users report that SketchUp is effective for landscape design, allowing for detailed and realistic representations of outdoor spaces. They highlight the ability to apply various materials and textures, such as grass, soil, and water. Reviewers find the software intuitive for creating curving shapes and sophisticated garden designs. They appreciate the integration with third-party platforms for rendering and the extensive library of real-life objects. Some users note that heavy objects can slow down the design process, but overall, they find SketchUp valuable for landscape projects. Of the 36 SketchUp users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Landscape Design, 83% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“Sketchup make it easy for users who do landscape designs because they greatly improve our quality of life and well-being, landscapes and characteristics are significant. facilitating faster, more accurate model construction for landscape designers.”
“SketchUp allows users to apply various materials and textures to surfaces, enabling landscape designers to depict different materials like grass, soil, pavement, water, and more. This capability helps in creating realistic and visually appealing representations of landscape elements.”

Third-Party Integrations

Reviewers appreciate SketchUp's third-party integrations, noting the enhancement of capabilities and streamlined workflows. They highlight the compatibility with rendering software like Lumion and the availability of numerous plugins through the Extension Warehouse. Users find these integrations helpful for specific needs, such as parametric design and BIM projects. They mention the ease of transferring models between different platforms and the positive impact on productivity. Some users feel overwhelmed by the variety of extensions, but overall, they value the flexibility provided by third-party integrations. Of the 34 SketchUp users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Third-Party Integrations, 79% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“Third party integration is very useful feature in SketchUp. It helps me in integrating plugins from third party and use great features to make my work easy. My productivity increases to a great level.”
“Third-party integration significantly impacts SketchUp by enhancing its capabilities, streamlining workflows, and expanding its applications.”

Drafting

Reviewers find SketchUp's drafting capabilities useful for creating quick renderings and visual content. They appreciate the ease of drafting in both 2D and 3D, noting the simple process and intuitive tools. Users highlight the ability to import CAD linework and the integration with other software like AutoCAD and Adobe Illustrator. They mention the importance of drafting for planning dimensions and communicating ideas. Some users prefer other software for detailed drafting, but they acknowledge SketchUp's effectiveness for conceptual designs and quick changes. Of the 38 SketchUp users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Drafting, 79% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“We use sketch up to create quick renderings and visual content for customers to visualize their space and what is possible from a construction and design perspective. ”
“I typically use a CAD based program to do my drafting and then import it into Sketchup... I do like that I can import my CAD linework into sketchup.”

All SketchUp features

Features rating:

Access Controls/Permissions
Reporting & Statistics
3D Design & Modeling
3D Imaging
Content Library
Projections
Annotations
Document Storage
Architectural Symbol Library
Collaboration Tools
Template Management
API
For AEC Industry
BIM Modeling
Animation
For 3D Printing
For Architects
Mobile Access
Document Management
Project Management
Document Generation
Reporting/Analytics
For Manufacturers
Search/Filter

SketchUp awards

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SketchUp pricing

Starting from

55

Per year

Flat Rate

Pricing details
Subscription
Free trial
Free plan
Pricing range

User opinions about SketchUp price and value

Value for money rating:

Of 149 reviews that provide robust commentary on SketchUp's price and value, 72% mention it in a positive light.

Most users consider SketchUp to offer good value for money, highlighting its affordability compared to other CAD software. They appreciate the availability of a free version, which is useful for students, hobbyists, and professionals alike. Reviewers indicate that the free version, despite being basic, allows for significant functionality and can be a great starting point before upgrading to the Pro version. They find the tiered pricing system beneficial, as it provides options that cater to different needs and budgets. Users also value the inclusion of extensive libraries and plugins, which enhance the software's capabilities without incurring additional costs.

However, some users feel that the recent shift to a web-based free version has reduced its usability and accessibility. They report that the subscription plans can be expensive, especially for beginners or those on a limited budget. Some reviewers mention that the cost of additional plugins and features can add up, making the overall expense higher than anticipated. Additionally, the limited trial period and the removal of certain features from the free version have been points of contention for some users.

Check .

To see what individual users think of SketchUp's cost and value, check out the review excerpts below.

“SketchUp does has a free version, which is great for those who cannot afford other 3D software. Though it is basic, you can create great massing studies, or more detailed renderings from SketchUp models with patience and practice.”
“Pricing is much more reasonable than the leading CADD software, and the company offers a free version which, while it has fewer features than the Pro version, still provides an excellent tool for anyone who needs CADD software.”
“I also don't like that SketchUp seems to have discontinued its "free" version/license altogether and replaced it with the buggy and ill-featured "SketchUp for Web" app--they've priced the license very ambitiously which I think will unfortunately put it out of reach for a lot of people.”

SketchUp integrations (35)

Integrations rated by users

We looked through 1,037 user reviews, to identify which products are mentioned as SketchUp integrations, and what is the users perception.

AutoCAD logo
AutoCAD

Integration rating: 4.5 (11)

AutoCAD is often used for precise drafting, technical drawings, and complex geometries, while SketchUp is known for its intuitive 3D modeling capabilities. Integrating the two software allows for a seamless transition of designs between the two platforms, improving overall workflow efficiency.

Most architectural firms and older architects have to save a new file and copy/paste it in AutoCAD to have the professional 2D drawings we need.

I imported 2D floor plans from AutoCAD to Sketchup and then I create 3D models from those 2D plans.

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Prince Bansah

Facilities Manager

1/3

Integration rating: 4.2 (5)

If we make a chance in SketchUp, we need to remake everything in photoshop, when we use it com refining the rendering process.

I exported various camera views of my SketchUp environments to use as a base for illustrations in Photoshop.

Allows me to further tweak my models in a 2d environment for texture and animation.

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Lucas Campana

Co Founder

1/3

Integration rating: 4.3 (3)

Trimble Connect cloud services make SketchUp seamless when working with 3D modelling online and the accessibility of 3D Warehouse is definitely awesome and helps to complete you 3D modelling so fast.

FAst and easy way to see components and areas, saves time but make the software run slow.

RG

RYAN GICO

Documentation Engineer

1/2
Blender logo
Blender

Integration rating: 5.0 (2)

Between Blender and D5, I take all my sketchup models into those programs to render.

Because I first build the proyects on Sketchup and then I import them to blender

RM

Ryan Maglinger

Designer and Project Manager

1/2
Lumion logo
Lumion

Integration rating: 4.9 (9)

As I use Lumion as a rendering software, it is crucial for me to be able to integrate SketchUp Models into Lumion - a crucial feature for me is definitely the live sync option.

SV

Sanda Vanaga

Architect

ARCHICAD logo
ARCHICAD

Integration rating: 4.8 (4)

Some parts of the Archicad model cannot be edited, so I import the 3D Model to SketchUp to edit it. It is also easier to import 3D Models like furniture into SketchUp than Archicad and in Archicad you usually cannot edit them.

SV

Sanda Vanaga

Architect

Revit logo
Revit

Integration rating: 4.0 (4)

When the design is finnalized, we can take it to Revit and get the building specs. Also, any change in SketchUp should be automated to BIM software.

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Lucas Campana

Co Founder

Integration rating: 5.0 (2)

I like to import basic plans from autocad and then raise them in 3d in sketchup and model the projects more efficiently

JP

Juan Pablo Gallardo Gabella

Architect

Integration rating: 2.0 (1)

That's where we refine our sheets and presentations. Any change in SketchUp should be automated to Adobe softwares.

Verified reviewer profile picture

Lucas Campana

Co Founder

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

The geographic data that can be derived directly from Google Earth can save you time and effort especially when it comes to layouts.

PT

Paolo Tan

Engineer

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

Being able to generate life like renderings are vital for my clientele. Having seen what I was producing prior to learning and adding 3D assets from SketchUp, I am leaps and bounds a better renderer and would never go back.

JM

Jason Miller

Owner

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SketchUp support options

Typical customers

Freelancers
Small businesses
Mid size businesses
Large enterprises

Platforms supported

Web
Android
iPhone/iPad

Support options

Knowledge Base
Email/Help Desk
FAQs/Forum
Phone Support

Training options

Videos
Documentation
Live Online

SketchUp reviews

Overall rating

4.5

/5

1K

Positive reviews

92

%

Rating breakdown
  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Features
  • Customer support
  • Likelihood to recommend8.55/10
Rating distribution

5

4

3

2

1

614

343

63

7

10

Pros
“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.”
“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.”
Cons
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”

SketchUp FAQs

Q. What type of pricing plans does SketchUp offer?

SketchUp has the following pricing plans:
Starting from: $119.00/year
Pricing model: Free, Subscription
Free Trial: Available

These products have better value for money


Q. Who are the typical users of SketchUp?

SketchUp has the following typical customers:
Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business, Small Business


Q. What languages does SketchUp support?

SketchUp supports the following languages:
English, Swedish


Q. Does SketchUp support mobile devices?

SketchUp supports the following devices:
Android, iPad, iPhone


Q. Does SketchUp offer an API?

Yes, SketchUp has an API available for use.


Q. What other apps does SketchUp integrate with?

SketchUp integrates with the following applications:
Trimble Connect


Q. What level of support does SketchUp offer?

SketchUp offers the following support options:
Knowledge Base, Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Phone Support

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