10 best Sketchup Alternatives for Design Enthusiast

SketchUp is a 3D modeling software that is best to use and provides flexibility across various applications. It has a user-friendly interface that has become an attractive option for large audiences as the use of such applications has been in trend a lot recently. It is used by interior designers, architects, mechanical engineers, film and video game designers, etc.

Even though it provides sufficient and easy-to-use features it cannot be considered ideal for advanced sculpting, pro-level designs, etc. Thus, many SketchUp Alternatives for Design Enthusiast are required. This article discusses the same.

Even though SketchUp provides many useful features like an Intuitive interface, Extensive Library, Landscape Architecture, 3D Modeling, Integration, Versatility, etc. But it still lacks some professional features which are provided by SketchUp Alternatives in addition to these. Following are the best SketchUp Alternatives for Design Enthusiast:

Foyr Neo

Foyr Neo is one of the best alternative to sketchup free for Design Enthusiast which is known as it is a cloud-based interior designing software that is AI generated and provides an extensive library to the users. It has many useful features that simplify the design process and help to create stunning visuals.

Features:

• It gives users access to AI-generated designs which need the least effort.
• It provides an extensive 3D model library.
• Since it is cloud-based, it provides a lot of collaboration tools.

Pros:

• It has high-quality visuals.
• It doesn’t require any installation and even it helps to streamline the designing process.

Cons:

• It requires a strong and stable internet connection for its efficient usage.
• It has subscription-based pricing.

Pricing:

• It is available for free.
• ₹1583 per month (Basic).
• ₹1858 per month (Standard).
• ₹3717 per month (Professional).

Link: https://foyr.com/

Autodesk 3Ds Max

AutoDesk 3Ds Max is another best alternative to sketchup free for Design Enthusiast which is known for its comprehensive 3D models, animations and rendering applications. It has an adaptable plugin structure and a strong framework that makes it more appealing to use.

Features:

• It provides users with advanced polygon and texture modelling.
• It has an Animation toolkit for character rigging and animation.
• It provides many professional features for dynamic scenes.

Pros:

• It has industry-standard software.
• It is regularly updated which continues to bring new features as well.

Cons:

• It requires a high system to use.
• It can be costly for individuals.

Pricing:

• It is available for free.
• ₹14,473 per month (Monthly)
• ₹1,06,200 per year (Yearly)
• ₹3,18,600 (3 years)

Link: https://www.autodesk.in/products/3ds-max/overview

Blender

Blender is a alternative to sketchup free for Design Enthusiasts that is best for being free and open-source 3D creation software that has almost every professional feature for Design Enthusiasts like rigging, animation, motion tracking, etc. It has many advanced features.

Features:

• It has comprehensive 3D modelling tools available.
• It is a Node-based system that has composting material.
• It has full animation support that is not generally provided in apps for Design Enthusiast.

Pros:

• It is available completely for free.
• It has a wide range of features with a large community.

Cons:

• It can be difficult to use for beginners as it contains many features.

Pricing:

• It is available for free only.

Link: https://www.blender.org/

Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya is another best alternative to sketchup free for Design Enthusiast It is mainly used for its 3D computer graphics that helps to create an interactive 3D application, visuals and designs. It is the most preferred tool for animators, VFX artists, etc.

Features:

• It offers complex animation and rigging tools to its users.
• It has dynamic stimulation and realistic features available.

Pros:

• It ensures high-quality outputs.
• It provides strong and efficient technical support.

Cons:

• It is complex for new users.
• It is a resource-heavy application.

Pricing:

• It is available for free.
• ₹14,473 per month (Monthly)
• ₹1,06,200 per year (Yearly)
• ₹3,18,600 (3 years)

Link: https://www.autodesk.in/products/maya/overview

SolidWorks

Another SketchUp Alternative for Design Enthusiast is SolidWorks which is popular among people because of its solid modeling computer-aided designs and engineering. It is widely used in aerospace, automotive manufacturing etc. It has strong community support as well.

Features:

• It offers many data management and collaboration tools.
• It acts as a stimulating suite that helps in performance analysis as well.
• It provides parametric and direct modelling capabilities.

Pros:

• It has a robust feature set.
• It has a user-friendly interface and a variety of features available.

Cons:

• It is available in Windows only.
• It can be expensive for some individuals.

Pricing:

• It is available for free.
• $2,820 per year (Term license)
• $4,195 per license (Plus)

Link: https://www.solidworks.com/how-to-buy

Shapr3D

Shapr3D is one of the best SketchUp Alternatives for Design Enthusiast that is mainly loved for its comprehensive software like CAD and CAE which are used extensively by Design Enthusiasts. It has a user-friendly interface and unique features with solid community support available for its users. It enables the creation of professional 3D models and visuals as well.

Features:

• It allows the users to utilize direct modelling with Apple Pencil.
• It allows the creation of high-quality outputs.
• It can be quickly learnt as it has an easy-to-use interface.

Pros:

• It has portable and tactical designs available.
• It has many collaboration features as well.

Cons:

• It is limited to iPad users.
• It may lack some of the advanced features.

Pricing:

• It is available for free.
• $25 per month (Pro)
• Custom pricing for Enterprise.

Link: https://www.shapr3d.com/

LibreCAD

LibreCAD is a Sketchup Alternative for Design Enthusiast that is best for being a free and open source software that allows users to create 2D CAD in Windows, Linux and Apple. It doesn’t support 3-D modelling but is an excellent choice for users to simply create 2D animations and graphics.

Features:

• It allows layer management and object snapping.
• It has cross-platform compatibility.
• It has active community and user support available.

Pros:

• It is completely free to use.
• It is easy to learn and is regularly updated by the team.

Cons:

• It doesn’t allow 3D modeling.
• It has limited advanced features available.

Pricing:

• It is available for free only.

Link: https://librecad.org/

FreeCAD

Another best Sketchup Alternative for Design Enthusiast is FreeCAD, which is an open-source parametric 3D modeller made mainly for designing real-life objects that can be of any size. It is highly customizable and scriptable software that serves many useful features for creating 3D visuals easily.

Features:

• It enables parametric modelling that helps to easily edit.
• It has modular architecture as well for plugins.
• It has a built-in Python interpreter for scripting.

Pros:

• It has highly customizable features.
• It is available for free.

Cons:

• It has limited documentation.
• It is not very useful for artistic modelling.

Pricing:

• It is available for free only.

Link: https://www.freecad.org/

Sweet Home 3D

Sweet Home 3D is one of the best known Sketchup Alternative for Design Enthusiast that is mainly used as a free interior designing software that uses Java language. It helps to draw the structures and designs for houses, furniture, etc.

Features:

• It can be extended with various add ons and plugins.
• This application provides various tools like push, pull, smooth, pinch etc.
• Even though it uses Java, it can still be used with or without the need of coding.

Pros:

• It has an user-friendly interface.
• It has 3D images and videos that are free to use.

Cons:

• It can only be used for interior designing.
• Not a general purpose CAD program.

Pricing:

• It is available for free only.

Link: https://www.sweethome3d.com/

Autodesk Revit

The last best SketchUp Alternative for Design Enthusiast is AutoDesk Revit, which is mainly used as a Body Information Model (BIM) tool for professionals that enables professionals, architects, and engineers to design comprehensive visuals and models.

Features:

• It allows the creation of 3D architectural designs.
• It allows collaborations with highly customizable features.
• It allows the creation of high-quality Designs.

Pros:

• It has improved project coordination features.
• It has a large library of elements for visuals.

Cons:

• Since it has a lot of features it can be not easy to use.
• It is not suitable for beginners.

Pricing:

• It is available for free.
• ₹21,943 per month (Monthly)
• ₹1,58,120 per year (Annually)
• ₹4,74,360 for 3 years

Link: https://www.autodesk.in/products/revit/overview

Conclusion

Even though Sketchup has many useful features available for the users, due to its some drawbacks like being costly, not having strong community support, having limited advanced tools etc. the need for Sketchup Alternatives for Design Enthusiast is rising. This article discusses the Best SketchUp Alternatives for Desenthusiastsiast that are rising in importance. Out of the discussed alternatives, Blender is the best of all due to the all necessary features provided.

Best Sketchup Alternatives – FAQs

What is better than SketchUp?

Applications like Blender, AutoDesk Revit, AutoDesk 3Ds Max, Onshape are better than SketchUp.

Who is in the Sketchup top competition?

Autodesk 3ds Max and Blender are the two main competitors of Sketchup.

Is there anything else available like Sketchup for free?

Yes, alternatives like Blender, FreeCAD, LibreCAD are free and open source softwares available that are the same as SketchUp.

Do designers use SketchUp?

Yes, SketchUp is used by almost all the designers. It helps to create 3D designs and visuals with high quality outputs.