SketchUp Review 2025
SketchUp CAD Plans & Pricing
SketchUp Comparison
Expert Review
Pros
Cons
SketchUp CAD's Offerings
SketchUp pricing plans are very versatile, and there are options created for any type of user.
Unlike most professional CAD tools on the market, SketchUp is one of the few that includes a free plan. Aside from its incredible set of tools and features, it’s considered the best CAD software for beginners because the free plan allows users to explore and learn how the software works and what it’s capable of.
The most affordable plan is Go, which costs $17.99 per month or $119.00 per year if paid annually. It includes 4+ million premade 3D models, AR mobile viewers for iOS and Android users, and unlimited cloud storage for collaboration.
The mid-range plan, called Pro, includes everything in the Go plan, with the addition of desktop, iOS, and web compatibility, 2D design documentation, and a variety of plugins for the desktop modeler. This plan is available only with a yearly subscription that starts at $349.
The most advanced plan is called Studio. It costs $749.00 per year and is on par with any other professional CAD tools on the market. The CAD software features provided by the SketchUp Studio plan include everything from the lower-tier plans plus the ability to create photorealistic images and visualizations, export fully rendered animations and 360° panoramas, and more.
SketchUp is also available for educational purposes and is free for primary and secondary education as long as the user has a Google Workspace for Education or Microsoft Education account.
Higher education users, on the other hand, can use SketchUp at its full potential for as little as $55 per year.
Customer Support
Being among the best CAD software options for 3D modeling and architecture, SketchUp includes a wide range of customer support options and additional resources.
The company has organized resources very well, and users can easily find information on every aspect of using SketchUp, from getting started to using specific extensions. The only thing SketchUp doesn’t include is live chat and phone support, but it’s understandable, given the number of people and organizations using this CAD software.
The fastest way to get support is by using the chatbot on the SketchUp website, which is available 24/7. In case you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, you can reach out to customer support via a contact form. In addition, SketchUp includes a YouTube channel with many tips and tricks on using the tool and a large community of people using the platform.
It might be a bit concerning that SketchUp only has one option to reach a human support agent, but on the other hand, there’s so much information laid out for users that a human agent isn’t necessary to resolve most issues.
Features & Functionality
Design Features
The amount of features and functions users get with SketchUp depends on their subscription plan. Users with a free subscription have the least features, while users with a
Studio subscription plan can use the SketchUp tool to its full potential.
Some of the most notable features include:
- Multi-device compatibility
- Real-world positioning with location data
- Millions of pre-built models
- 3D modeling and 2D design
- Textures and lighting effects
- Animations
- Layer Manager
- 3D Warehouse for model sharing
- Extension Warehouse for adding functionalities
- Visualization and photorealistic image generation
- In-depth SketchUp training
Let’s take a closer look at some of these features:
Multi-Device Compatibility
One of SketchUp’s biggest features is its multi-device compatibility. Users can design on the web-based platform, on their desktop, and even on their iOS device. Although it might be a bit difficult to use SketchUp on a handheld device, the viewer is a great way to check up on your work no matter where you are.
The SketchUp for Web platform is the most widely used because it’s extremely simple to use and includes standard features that fulfill most users’ requirements. With the Trimble integration, all projects are easily stored on the Cloud, and users can collaborate with others by simply sharing links.
SketchUp for iPad is a great way to take your designs with you. This feature allows users to work on designs and make necessary edits during client meetings or on the job site. This simple feature saves precious time when small changes are required in the design.
Lastly, users can view SketchUp designs on any type of mobile phone, whether it’s an Android or iPhone. SketchUp’s AR function provides users with the possibility to see their designs in the real world.
Millions of Pre-Built Models
Creating 3D designs and sketches requires the use of different elements within the design. Whether you’re using this 3D modeling software for architecture or interior design, you’ll need to find a large database of premade models to avoid having to design them yourself.
If you’re looking for 2D models, 3D models, or even materials, the SketchUp 3D Warehouse has it! Every paid subscription plan includes UNLIMITED downloads, so you can use as many pre-made models as you wish.
Visualization and Photorealistic Image Generation
As if being able to create sketches and projects easily wasn’t enough, SketchUp has another feature that makes it one of the best professional CAD tools on the market.
Having rendered images of your projects gives clients the opportunity to see what the end result would look like. Still, even some of the best CAD software platforms cannot create photorealistic images of designs.
SketchUp has this feature with high-level subscription plans, and it’s a game-changer. Architects, interior designers, and even woodworkers can create realistic-looking images based on their designs, giving them a better insight into the result.
In-Depth SketchUp Training
Among the biggest differences between other 3D modeling software options and SketchUp is the fact that SketchUp offers free in-depth training and guides. There’s a step-by-step guide for anything you can imagine, which allows users with any type of knowledge and experience to learn the ropes of this CAD software quickly.
Aside from the official lessons available on the SketchUp website, there are HUNDREDS of tutorials available on the official SketchUp YouTube channel. In these videos, experts share their knowledge and experience in design, helping new and experienced users level up their skills in design by using SketchUp’s full potential.
SketchUp’s forum and community also provide a wide range of tips, tricks, and guides for using this software. These include personal experiences from users who already use this CAD tool, and know the tricks of the trade.
Edit Features
Modify and refine designs with versatile editing tools.
Collaboration
Work seamlessly with teams using shared design tools.
Performance:
SketchUp is a very versatile 3D modeling software. It requires powerful enough hardware components to run smoothly, especially when rendering photorealistic images and panoramas. The web-based platform will run smoothly when high-quality hardware components are used in addition to a stable bandwidth connection.
The desktop version of SketchUp provides better performance, not only because it doesn’t depend on your internet speed but because it can use your computer’s full potential.
Generally speaking, SketchUp has good performance capabilities, and the platform is free of small bugs and crashes most of the time.
Ease Of Use:
One of the best things about SketchUp is that it includes professional CAD tools, but its user interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Downloading SketchUp and getting a subscription plan is a simple process and doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes. Downloading the software depends on your internet speed, but the installation files aren’t too big, so you won’t have to wait for hours before getting started.
Because there are hundreds of possibilities and tools within SketchUp, there is a learning curve. However, the company behind it provides a wide variety of easy-to-follow tutorials both on the SketchUp website and its official YouTube channel.
How long it takes users to learn using SketchUp depends only on what they’ll use the SketchUp tool for.
Verdict:
SketchUp offers all the features of other professional CAD tools and more, but it’s still considered one of the best CAD software for beginners.
Getting a subscription is very simple, and the platform includes a user-friendly interface. This allows new users to quickly learn the ropes of designing anything from a small home to the most complex building or interior design.
With SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse, users can include different types of materials and elements in their designs.
There are more than 5 million pre-made elements to download for free, with hundreds of new ones being uploaded every day! This alone will elevate your designs significantly.
Even though paid subscription plans seem a little bit expensive, SketchUp offers so many possibilities that even the most expensive subscription plan seems like a bargain!
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