Open Source SketchUp Alternatives Filtered by 'Parametric Modeling'

The best open source alternative to SketchUp is Blender. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to SketchUp and ten of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to SketchUp are FreeCAD, MakeHuman, Dune 3D and CAD Sketcher.

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SketchUp alternatives are mainly 3D Modelers, but if you're looking for CAD Software or 3D Printing Tools 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

    Blender

     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
    Splash Artwork for Blender 4.3
     
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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

    FreeCAD

     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
    FreeCAD screenshot 1
     
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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
  4. MakeHuman icon

    MakeHuman

     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
    MakeHuman screenshot 1
     
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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
  5. Dune 3D icon

    Dune 3D

     16 likes
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    Dune 3D operates as a parametric 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. It provides users with the capability to sketch and constrain both in 2D and 3D dimensions. Furthermore, it allows for the addition of chamfers and fillets to designs.

    58 Dune 3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Dune 3D screenshot 1
     
  6. CAD Sketcher icon

    CAD Sketcher

     8 likes
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    CAD Sketcher is a free and open-source project looking to enhance precision workflows in Blender by bringing CAD like tools, features and usability to Blender.

    54 CAD Sketcher alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Blender
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    CAD Sketcher screenshot 1
     
  7. JSketcher icon

    JSketcher

     5 likes
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    Parametric 2D and 3D CAD modeler running client side in the web browser.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    Model made in JSketcher
     

    • JSketcher is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to SketchUp.

    • JSketcher is Free and Open SourceSketchUp is Paid and Proprietary
  9. Sverchok icon

    Sverchok

     5 likes
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    Sverchok is a parametric tool for architects and designers. You can use it to program objects' shapes without knowing any programming languages.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Blender
    Sverchok running Topologic nodes
     
  10. MakerSCAD icon

    MakerSCAD

     6 likes
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    MakerSCAD is a web-based parametric 3D design software with a block-based programming language to create objects for 3D printing, animations, games and websites.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    MakerSCAD screenshot 1
     
  11. CaDoodle icon

    CaDoodle

     6 likes
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    CaDoodle is a local drag-and-drop CAD application for Linux (Arm,x86), WIndows (X86), and Mac (Arm,x86) and ChromeOS. Users models are stored locally, and the application runs entirely locally. CaDoodle has a drag and drop interface that is cross-trainable with TinkerCAD.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    A model with a lot of example objects and the timeline open.
     

  12. VARKON

     2 likes
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    Varkon is a very powerful parametric 2D/3D CAD, modeling and application development tool for engineering, design, architecture, etc. It does 2D drafting, 2D and 3D modeling, sculptured surface modeling, and even animations.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    VARKON screenshot 1
     
10 of 10 SketchUp alternatives