SketchUp AlternativesOnly apps categorised as 3D Modelers

The best 3D Modeler alternative to SketchUp is Blender, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to SketchUp and loads of them are 3D Modelers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting 3D Modeler alternatives to SketchUp are FreeCAD, Sweet Home 3D, Autodesk AutoCAD and Shapr3D.

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SketchUp alternatives are mainly 3D Modelers, but if you're looking for CAD Software or Interior Design Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Open Source, Linux, Free, iPad + Free, Mac and Windows + Free. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to SketchUp.
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Alternatives list

  1. Blender icon
     1744 likes
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    A comprehensive open-source 3D software suite for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, and animating. It supports renderings, simulations including fluid and cloth dynamics, complex compositing, video editing, and Python scripting, running across all major operating systems.

    139 Blender alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
     
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    24
    104
    Comments about Blender as an Alternative to SketchUp
    Comment summary: SketchUp is praised for its ease of use, making it ideal for quick, intuitive modeling tasks like building and room design. It is often contrasted with Blender, which is viewed as complex and more suited for 3D art and animation. While Blender is recognized for its powerful features and flexibility, it has a steep learning curve and lacks the intuitive CAD-like experience of SketchUp. Users appreciate Blender's extensive capabilities but note that it isn't geared towards quick structure modeling.
    Top Positive Comment
    naught101
    47

    Good generic 3D modeller, but not as suited for quick space modelling.

    Top Negative Comment
    KariLHegg
    2

    Sketchup has useful features for designing houses, furniture and similar objects quickly. It has an intuitive, simplified CAD UX and you can easily add measurements of important parts. Blender is very complex and intended for 3D CGI, not quickly designing objects. I'm sure Blender has plugins for putting measurements in and so on but it has a huge learning curve.

    ph soft
    Negative
    0

    Although it seems like it has progressed a lot and there are plugins to reduce the gap with sketchup, it is not an alternative unless you already use Blender all the time. Sketchup is like paint for 3D: perhaps not the most powerful, but it does not get in your way. Blender complexity does not solve Sketchup limitations (accuracy, constraints, etc). Freecad would be better for that.

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    3 of 24 comments
    SketchUp Icon
    Blender icon
    • Some users think Blender is a great SketchUp alternative, some don't.

    • Blender is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to SketchUp.

    • Blender is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to SketchUp.

    • Blender is Free and Open SourceSketchUp is Paid and Proprietary
    • Blender is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedSketchUp is not according to our users
  2. FreeCAD icon
     467 likes
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    A powerful open-source parametric 3D modeler ideal for mechanical engineering, supporting Python scripting, running on Windows, Linux, and Mac, with modular architecture allowing extensive adaptability and use with scientific computing libraries.

    112 FreeCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
     
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    9
    127
    Comments about FreeCAD as an Alternative to SketchUp
    Comment summary: SketchUp is praised for its ease of use, making it ideal for quick 3D drawings. However, it is not suitable for detailed blueprints or parametric modeling, unlike FreeCAD. Users acknowledge FreeCAD's capabilities in creating professional mechanical designs, despite its steep learning curve and lack of intuitiveness compared to SketchUp. Some comments highlight the difficulty in comparing these tools as they serve different purposes and audiences.
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    6

    Love this software for 3d printing.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    ph soft
    5

    Sketchup is for quick drawing, to think in 3D. Not for blueprints or super accurate things. Freecad can resolve constraints but is anything but intuitive of fast. They can't be compared.

    Guest
    Positive
    3

    FreeCAD is a rich program for mechanical components or structures. There is more of a learning curve than Sketchup but can create professional drawings, analysis, simulation, assemblies, and more.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 9 comments
    SketchUp Icon
    FreeCAD icon
    • Most users think FreeCAD is a great SketchUp alternative.

    • FreeCAD is Free and Open SourceSketchUp is Paid and Proprietary
  3. Sweet Home 3D icon
     318 likes
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    Open-source, Java-based software that allows users to create detailed floor plans, arrange furniture, and explore the final layout in 3D, assisting in interior design projects with ease and flexibility.

    67 Sweet Home 3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Java
     
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    11
    99
    Comments about Sweet Home 3D as an Alternative to SketchUp
    Comment summary: Users highlight that SketchUp is considered more versatile and suitable for a variety of 3D modeling tasks, including detailed designs. In contrast, Sweet Home 3D excels in home and furniture design but lacks the robust features necessary for broader CAD applications. Some appreciation exists for Sweet Home 3D's ease of use and assets library, but it remains a niche tool for specific design projects, rather than a comprehensive CAD solution.
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    22

    If you are looking for something related to home design, SweetHome3D is an excellent solution. But it is not a general purpose cad suite.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    38

    Sketchup is far more generic and can be used for creating 3D printing models. Sweet Home 3D is a targeted application designed for laying out house designs.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    5

    Its not general purpose, its to specific to be an alternative to virtually any other CAD program

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 11 comments
    SketchUp Icon
    Sweet Home 3D icon
    • Some users think Sweet Home 3D is a great SketchUp alternative, some don't.

    • Sweet Home 3D is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to SketchUp.

    • Sweet Home 3D is Freemium and Open SourceSketchUp is Paid and Proprietary
    • Sweet Home 3D is CustomizableSketchUp is not according to our users
  4. Autodesk AutoCAD icon
     214 likes
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    Leading CAD software known for its robust 2D and 3D modeling capabilities, facilitating intricate designs in architecture, engineering, and construction across Mac, PC, and web. Features include a dynamic API for customization, cloud access, and subscription-based service for continual updates and collaborations.

    129 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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    2
    63
    Comments about Autodesk AutoCAD as an Alternative to SketchUp
    Ibuddy66
    Negative
    0

    AutoCAD is beyond expensive and prices the average user completely out of the picture. There is no good reason for the exorbitant rising costs of this software. None!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -1

    If you're talking about Autodesk software the 3D software is Revit, which is amazing, but AutoCAD is much more suited to 2D modelling and doing 3D requires a larger time investment or understanding of procedural coding etc.

    As for Revit, it leaves Sketchup in the dust, but it's also very expensive(I didn't see it on the list even after scrolling down, hmm).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    SketchUp Icon
    Autodesk AutoCAD icon
    • Most users think Autodesk AutoCAD is a great SketchUp alternative.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is the most popular Web-based alternative to SketchUp.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is the most popular commercial alternative to SketchUp.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is Paid and ProprietarySketchUp is also Paid and Proprietary
  5. Shapr3D icon
     30 likes
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    From design to manufacturing. Teams collaborate with more impact. Instinctive design meets multidevice capability and full interoperability for the ultimate 3D design workflow.

    44 Shapr3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad
     
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    1
    53
    Comments about Shapr3D as an Alternative to SketchUp
    maurosoft391
    Negative
    1

    it's for iPad, not for Windows or Android

    SketchUp Icon
    Shapr3D icon
    • Most users think Shapr3D is a great SketchUp alternative.

    • Shapr3D is Freemium and ProprietarySketchUp is Paid and Proprietary
    • Shapr3D is LightweightSketchUp is not according to our users
  6. Wings 3D icon
     118 likes
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    Wings 3D is a subdivision modeler inspired by Nendo and Mirai from Izware.

    It is possible to assign materials, vertex color, UV coordinates and textures, but there will be improvements in those features before Wings goes 1.0.

    There is no support in Wings for doing animations.

    50 Wings 3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    27
  7. pCon.planner icon
     31 likes
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    The professional furnishing 2D-/3D-tool for everybody: The pCon.planner is a cost-free application allowing you to comfortably and professionally create complex furnishing concepts and to visualize them in a photo-realistic quality. File Formats: dwg, dxf, 3ds, skp, ... Language.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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    1
    31
    Comments about pCon.planner as an Alternative to SketchUp
    Guest
    Positive
    5

    Beautifully designed interface, very intuitive, wide gallery of 3D objetcs to use, and free... What's not to like.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    SketchUp Icon
    pCon.planner icon
    • Almost everyone thinks pCon.planner is a great SketchUp alternative.

    • pCon.planner is Free and ProprietarySketchUp is Paid and Proprietary
  8. SOLIDWORKS icon
     88 likes
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    Leading 3D CAD software for design, analysis, and product data management, developed by Dassault Systèmes. Enhances productivity, fosters collaboration, and accelerates time to market. Features include parametric modeling, photorealistic rendering, and strong PLM process support.

    102 SOLIDWORKS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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    8
  9. Autodesk 3ds Max icon
     147 likes
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    Professional-grade software designed for 3D modeling, rendering, and animation, equipped with comprehensive tools for creating detailed worlds. Widely used across film, TV, games, and design projects, it includes the powerful Arnold renderer, offering artistic control over scenes and characters.

    82 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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    13
  10. MakeHuman icon
     137 likes
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    Free interactive open source software for swift creation of customizable 3D human models, featuring precise morph controls, realistic pose simulation, real-time editing, multi-platform export, and support for body, facial, and garment customization in many animation pipelines.

    48 MakeHuman alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    2
    Comments about MakeHuman as an Alternative to SketchUp
    Guest
    Negative
    4

    Completely different scope. SketchUp is a general modeller with a hard surface / architecture focus while MakeHuman is strictly for creating realistic human models.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Makehuman makes 3D human models only whereas sketchup is intended for 3D objects like furniture or buildings.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    SketchUp Icon
    MakeHuman icon
    • This alternative is disputed. MakeHuman is a legitimate SketchUp alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • MakeHuman is Free and Open SourceSketchUp is Paid and Proprietary
  11. BRL-CAD icon
     57 likes
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    BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for...

    74 BRL-CAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    1
    16
    Comments about BRL-CAD as an Alternative to SketchUp
    Guest
    Positive
    -5

    The manner in which you draw a shape, enter dimensions, and push/pull a flat plane shape are the most similar to the SketchUp workflow of any 3D/CAD program I have used.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    SketchUp Icon
    BRL-CAD icon
    • Most users think BRL-CAD is a great SketchUp alternative.

    • BRL-CAD is Free and Open SourceSketchUp is Paid and Proprietary
  12. Spline icon
     24 likes
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    Create 3D objects, edit materials, add interactivity, and export. Control the outcome of your 3d design work.

    19 Spline alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
    • Spline is the most popular SaaS alternative to SketchUp.

    • Spline is Freemium and ProprietarySketchUp is Paid and Proprietary
    • Spline is LightweightSketchUp is not according to our users
12 of 93 SketchUp alternatives