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SketchUp

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Company health

Employee growth
6% increase in the last year
Web traffic
8% increase in the last quarter
Financing
June 2022 - $1B

Ratings

G2
4.5/5
(1304)
Capterra
4.5/5
(950)
Glassdoor
3.9/5
(1518)

SketchUp description

SketchUp is a 3D modeling software that's easy to use, yet powerful enough for professionals in architecture, interior design, and construction. Visualize projects of any size, create detailed 2D drawings from your models, and share your vision with colleagues and clients through presentations and immersive visuals. SketchUp is known for its intuitive interface and is used by individuals and companies worldwide, from small design studios to large architectural firms.

What companies are using SketchUp?

Perkins Eastman is using SketchUp
Perkins Eastman Zapier is used by Perkins Eastman.

Who is SketchUp best for

SketchUp is a user-friendly 3D modeling software perfect for architecture, interior design, and construction. We find that its intuitive interface and versatile tools make it great for visualizing projects, creating detailed drawings, and collaborating with clients. Some users mentioned that the 3D Warehouse and large community are very helpful, but complex shapes can be challenging without plugins.

  • Perfect for small to medium-sized businesses (1-1000 employees) seeking accessible, powerful 3D modeling.

  • Great for professionals in manufacturing and real estate/construction seeking intuitive 3D design and visualization tools.

SketchUp features

Supported

3D Modeling: SketchUp is a 3D modeling software that allows users to turn their ideas into reality. It is described as intuitive and powerful.

Supported

Visualization: SketchUp provides the ability to compose stunning, photorealistic visuals in real time, enhancing the presentation and understanding of designs.

Supported

Communication: SketchUp offers tools for creating standout presentations, enabling users to effectively communicate their designs and win over clients.

Supported

Collaboration: SketchUp includes features that facilitate teamwork, allowing users to refine designs and drive innovation through collaboration.

Supported

Sustainability: SketchUp prioritizes sustainability by focusing on building energy-efficient and healthy places, promoting environmentally conscious design practices.

Supported

Multiplatform: SketchUp offers multiplatform capabilities, allowing users to model across various devices, providing flexibility and accessibility.

Supported

Workflow: SketchUp provides tools to build dynamic models, enabling users to create complex and responsive designs.

Qualities

We evaluate the sentiment that users express about non-functional aspects of the software

Value and Pricing Transparency

Neutral
-0.11

Customer Service

Neutral
+0.17

Ease of Use

Strongly positive
+0.89

Reliability and Performance

Neutral
-0.06

Ease of Implementation

Rather positive
+0.44

Scalability

Neutral
+0.17

SketchUp reviews

We've summarised 2254 SketchUp reviews (SketchUp GetApp reviews, SketchUp Software Advice reviews, SketchUp Capterra reviews and SketchUp G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of SketchUp
  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface, easy to learn.
  • Versatile 3D modeling capabilities suitable for various design tasks.
  • Extensive 3D Warehouse with pre-made models and components.
  • Large and active community with ample learning resources and plugins.
  • Good integration with other software, especially rendering applications.
Cons of SketchUp
  • Difficult to create complex or organic shapes without plugins.
  • Rendering capabilities are limited without plugins.
  • Large models can cause performance issues, including slowdowns and crashes.
  • Inconsistent experience across different operating systems (Windows vs. Mac).
  • Subscription model and pricing can be a barrier for some users.

SketchUp pricing

The commentary is based on 218 reviews from SketchUp Capterra reviews, SketchUp G2 reviews and SketchUp Software Advice reviews.

We find SketchUp's pricing to be generally reasonable, especially for beginners, with its free version and affordable subscription tiers. Some users, however, find the cost of plugins and the subscription model a bit steep, wishing for a perpetual license option.

Users sentiment

Neutral
-0.11

See the SketchUp pricing page.

Go
$119/year

Basic plan that includes iPad, and web-based 3D modelers, access to 4M+ pre-built 3D models, collaboration platform, unlimited cloud storage, XR viewer for Meta Quest devices, and AR mobile viewers for iOS and android.

Pro
$349/year

Everything in Go plus: desktop, iPad, and web-based 3D modelers, 2D design documentation, quick insights for design research, access to plugins for extending SketchUp for Desktop functionality.

Studio
$749/year

Everything in Pro plus; ability to import Revit files, Revit-to-SketchUp importer, the ability to model on point clouds in 3D, create real-time visualizations and photorealistic images, and export fully rendered animations and 360° panoramas.

SketchUp alternatives

SketchUp FAQ

  • What is SketchUp and what does SketchUp do?

    SketchUp is intuitive 3D modeling software used for visualizing and creating designs in various fields like architecture and interior design. We find it's great for creating detailed 2D drawings from 3D models, which simplifies project presentations and improves communication with clients. It's known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both individuals and large firms.

  • How does SketchUp integrate with other tools?

    We find that SketchUp integrates well with other software, especially rendering applications. This allows users to create stunning visuals and presentations. It also works with various plugins, expanding its functionality for more complex tasks.

  • What the main competitors of SketchUp?

    We find that SketchUp's main competitors include Blender, Revit, AutoCAD, and SolidWorks. These alternatives offer similar 3D modeling capabilities, targeting various industries from architecture and engineering to product design.

  • Is SketchUp legit?

    Yes, SketchUp is a legitimate 3D modeling software used by professionals worldwide. We find it's known for its ease of use and robust features. However, some users have reported performance issues and customer service concerns.

  • How much does SketchUp cost?

    SketchUp Go is $119/year, Pro is $349/year, and Studio is $749/year. These are all annual subscriptions, but we believe they also offer monthly subscriptions at a higher overall cost. There are no free plans available.

  • Is SketchUp customer service good?

    Based on user reviews, SketchUp's customer support receives mixed feedback. While some users praise the helpful and responsive support team, others have experienced difficulties accessing support or finding solutions to their issues.

Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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