Best Google SketchUp Alternatives in 2025

Looking for alternatives to Google SketchUp? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Google SketchUp alongside similar software solutions including Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, Autodesk ReCap, FreeCAD, Autodesk Fusion 360, Sweet Home 3D and Maxon Cinema 4D.

Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, Autodesk ReCap, FreeCAD, Autodesk Fusion 360, Sweet Home 3D and Maxon Cinema 4D stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.

	Primary Functionality	Platform & System Requirements	Pricing & License Model
Google SketchUp	3D modeling software focused on easy visualization, architectural and product design, suitable for beginners and simple projects.	Available on Windows and Mac (10.14+ or 10.15+), with versions including a free trial and mobile app; requires at least 2GB RAM.	Offers a free version (SketchUp Free) with basic features; paid Pro version available with advanced tools under subscription or one-time purchase.
AutoCAD	Professional CAD software for 2D and 3D design, drafting, and precise technical drawings used in various engineering and architectural fields.	Runs on Windows and macOS; resource-intensive requiring powerful hardware; available through subscription license.	Subscription-based pricing model with monthly or multi-year plans; offers a free 30-day trial period.
Autodesk ReCap	Reality capture software specializing in processing 3D data from laser scans and images for accurate 3D measurements and modeling.	Windows-only application; requires at least 8GB RAM and powerful hardware for processing large 3D datasets.	Commercial software with pricing in several thousand dollars range; offers trial versions to test advanced features.
FreeCAD	Free and open-source parametric 3D CAD software aimed at technical and engineering design with extensive customization through scripting.	Cross-platform support on Windows, macOS, and Linux; open-source with moderate system requirements.	Completely free and open-source software with no licensing fees.
Autodesk Fusion 360	Cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE platform providing comprehensive product development with real-time collaboration tools.	Cloud-based platform available on Windows and Mac; requires continuous internet connection for full functionality; needs strong hardware (16GB RAM recommended).	Subscription-based pricing with free trials; provides discounts for academic users and startups; includes standard and ultimate plans.
Sweet Home 3D	Free interior design application focusing on creating 2D floor plans with 3D visualization, suited for all skill levels and home design.	Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, with a mobile version; relatively low hardware requirements suitable for a wide user base.	Free open-source version available; some paid versions for additional features but generally cost-effective for personal use.
Maxon Cinema 4D	High-end 3D modeling and animation software targeting advanced users in film, broadcasting, motion graphics, and product visualization.	Supports Windows (8 or 10) and macOS (10.13+); demands high-performance hardware including a dedicated graphics card and at least 4GB RAM.	High-priced professional software offering perpetual licenses as well as subscription options; includes a free trial period.

Primary Functionality

Google SketchUp	3D modeling software focused on easy visualization, architectural and product design, suitable for beginners and simple projects.
AutoCAD	Professional CAD software for 2D and 3D design, drafting, and precise technical drawings used in various engineering and architectural fields.
Autodesk ReCap	Reality capture software specializing in processing 3D data from laser scans and images for accurate 3D measurements and modeling.
FreeCAD	Free and open-source parametric 3D CAD software aimed at technical and engineering design with extensive customization through scripting.
Autodesk Fusion 360	Cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE platform providing comprehensive product development with real-time collaboration tools.
Sweet Home 3D	Free interior design application focusing on creating 2D floor plans with 3D visualization, suited for all skill levels and home design.
Maxon Cinema 4D	High-end 3D modeling and animation software targeting advanced users in film, broadcasting, motion graphics, and product visualization.

Platform & System Requirements

Google SketchUp	Available on Windows and Mac (10.14+ or 10.15+), with versions including a free trial and mobile app; requires at least 2GB RAM.
AutoCAD	Runs on Windows and macOS; resource-intensive requiring powerful hardware; available through subscription license.
Autodesk ReCap	Windows-only application; requires at least 8GB RAM and powerful hardware for processing large 3D datasets.
FreeCAD	Cross-platform support on Windows, macOS, and Linux; open-source with moderate system requirements.
Autodesk Fusion 360	Cloud-based platform available on Windows and Mac; requires continuous internet connection for full functionality; needs strong hardware (16GB RAM recommended).
Sweet Home 3D	Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, with a mobile version; relatively low hardware requirements suitable for a wide user base.
Maxon Cinema 4D	Supports Windows (8 or 10) and macOS (10.13+); demands high-performance hardware including a dedicated graphics card and at least 4GB RAM.

Pricing & License Model

Google SketchUp	Offers a free version (SketchUp Free) with basic features; paid Pro version available with advanced tools under subscription or one-time purchase.
AutoCAD	Subscription-based pricing model with monthly or multi-year plans; offers a free 30-day trial period.
Autodesk ReCap	Commercial software with pricing in several thousand dollars range; offers trial versions to test advanced features.
FreeCAD	Completely free and open-source software with no licensing fees.
Autodesk Fusion 360	Subscription-based pricing with free trials; provides discounts for academic users and startups; includes standard and ultimate plans.
Sweet Home 3D	Free open-source version available; some paid versions for additional features but generally cost-effective for personal use.
Maxon Cinema 4D	High-priced professional software offering perpetual licenses as well as subscription options; includes a free trial period.

Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.

This quick comparison shows how Google SketchUp stacks up against Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, Autodesk ReCap, FreeCAD, Autodesk Fusion 360, Sweet Home 3D and Maxon Cinema 4D in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.

	Size	License	Popularity
Google SketchUp		Freeware	57%
AutoCAD		Commercial	16%
Autodesk ReCap		Commercial	54%
FreeCAD	488.3MB	Open Source	51%
Autodesk Fusion 360	13.8MB	Commercial	5%
Sweet Home 3D	385.7MB	Open Source	100%
Maxon Cinema 4D	47MB	Commercial	0%

Size

Google SketchUp
AutoCAD
Autodesk ReCap
FreeCAD	488.3MB
Autodesk Fusion 360	13.8MB
Sweet Home 3D	385.7MB
Maxon Cinema 4D	47MB

License

Google SketchUp	Freeware
AutoCAD	Commercial
Autodesk ReCap	Commercial
FreeCAD	Open Source
Autodesk Fusion 360	Commercial
Sweet Home 3D	Open Source
Maxon Cinema 4D	Commercial

Rating

Google SketchUp
AutoCAD
Autodesk ReCap
FreeCAD
Autodesk Fusion 360
Sweet Home 3D
Maxon Cinema 4D

Popularity

Google SketchUp	57%
AutoCAD	16%
Autodesk ReCap	54%
FreeCAD	51%
Autodesk Fusion 360	5%
Sweet Home 3D	100%
Maxon Cinema 4D	0%