SketchUp Alternative: 10 Best Options for Designers (2025)

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SketchUp is a 3D modeling software known for its design tools and user-friendly interface that caters to various design professionals. While it stands as a strong choice for many, its CAD-centric nature and premium pricing may lead designers to seek a SketchUp alternative that are better aligned with their specific workflow and project needs.

For interior design professionals, a specialized tool that streamlines the creative process is essential. Foyr has emerged as a popular SketchUp alternative, praised for its AI automation, extensive 3D library, 12K renders, and an intuitive interface designed specifically for interior designers.

This guide explores the 10 best SketchUp alternatives available in 2025, from free open-source platforms to advanced professional software, to help you select the perfect design tool to bring your creative visions to life.

What is SketchUp?

SketchUp is a versatile 3D modeling software widely used by architects, engineers, designers, and hobbyists. Originally developed by @Last Software in 1999, it was acquired by Google in 2006 and later sold to Trimble Inc. in 2012. Known for its user-friendly interface and intuitive tools, SketchUp is accessible to users of all experience levels.

A key feature of SketchUp is the “Push/Pull” tool. This allows users to easily manipulate faces of existing shapes, whether 2D or 3D. While commonly used to extrude flat surfaces into 3D forms, Push/Pull can also be used to modify existing 3D objects by adding or subtracting volume. This intuitive functionality simplifies the modeling process, enabling rapid prototyping and design development.

Additionally, SketchUp is highly regarded for its capability to support both 2D and 3D design, making it ideal for creating architectural design software and floor plans. Users can easily craft intricate models and detailed renderings, while also benefiting from real-time collaboration, enhancing teamwork and communication throughout the design process.

SketchUp features a vast library of user-generated models and supports various third-party plugins via the Extension Warehouse, enhancing its versatility for multiple fields like architecture, interior design, design projects, and even entertainment. Its user-friendly design makes it a preferred choice for professionals and hobbyists alike, enabling them to effectively visualize ideas, from simple layouts to intricate structures in engineering projects and beyond.

How Much Does SketchUp Cost?

SketchUp offers different subscription plans as per the needs of different users. The available plans are priced annually and include SketchUp Go at $129, SketchUp Pro for $399, and SketchUp Studio for $819.

Why Designers Look for Alternatives to SketchUp?

While SketchUp is a powerful and popular tool, it may not be the perfect fit for every user or project. One of the primary reasons designers seek alternatives to SketchUp is the cost associated with the premium versions, which unlock the full suite of features necessary for professional work.

While SketchUp is praised for its user-friendly interface, its capabilities can be limiting for complex and specialized tasks. Professionals in fields like architecture, engineering, and animation often require advanced features, such as parametric modeling, intricate rendering options, and robust simulation tools that other dedicated software readily offer.

A different program might better serve the specific needs of a project. For instance, designers focused on organic shapes and detailed sculpting may prefer software with advanced modeling tools. At the same time, professionals requiring photorealistic rendering might move toward platforms with powerful built-in rendering engines.

Read also – 15 Best 3D Floor Plan Software

Which Are the 10 Best SketchUp Alternatives for your Design Projects

While SketchUp is a popular choice for 3D modeling, it may not suit all interior designers due to its CAD-centric nature and premium pricing for features that may be underutilized. Here are some of the best alternatives to SketchUp that cater specifically to designers:

1. Foyr Neo

How Much Does Foyr Cost?

Foyr offers a 14-day free trial to explore all its features. After the trial, paid plans include the Basic option at $22 per month, the Standard plan at $55 per month, and the Premium plan starting from $99 per month. Custom Enterprise solutions are also available for larger organizations.

How Do Customers Rate Foyr?

With a 4.3 rating on Trustpilot, Foyr Neo receives positive feedback from design professionals regarding its impact on their workflow.

How does Foyr Compare to SketchUp?

Foyr offers a more integrated and user-friendly solution specifically for interior design, combining 2D planning, 3D modeling, and rendering in one place. Unlike SketchUp, which often requires separate plugins for high-quality rendering, Foyr provides these capabilities natively, simplifying the workflow.

2. Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya is a prominent computer-aided design program known for its diverse design features and a wide array of animation tools. The software excels in managing elaborate scenes and fine details, making it a preferred option for experts seeking sophisticated functionality found in other 3D modeling programs.

It offers limited features such as polygon and texture modeling, high-end rendering with Arnold, and an animation toolkit for character rigging and animation. Maya includes features for simulation and effects, allowing for the creation of dynamic scenes, and has a customizable user interface with a robust plugin architecture that enhances its functionality with various software solutions.

Despite its industry-standard status and strong user community, Autodesk Maya has a steep learning curve, high system requirements, and is considered costly for individual users.

How Much Does Autodesk Maya Cost?

Autodesk Maya is a premium software that is available through a subscription model, costing $255 per month or around $2,010 annually. Autodesk also offers a limited free trial for users to test the software.

How Do Customers Rate Autodesk Maya?

On Trustpilot, Autodesk as a company receives mixed reviews, often related to customer service and billing practices. However, Maya itself is popular with industry professionals as a powerful tool for animation and modeling, though it is frequently criticized for its steep learning curve and high system requirements.

How does Foyr compare to Autodesk Maya?

Foyr is a far more accessible and user-friendly alternative, designed for speed and efficiency in interior design. Maya is a complex and highly specialized tool for animation and VFX, whereas Foyr offers an all-in-one solution for designers without the steep learning curve.

3. Autodesk 3DS Max

Autodesk 3ds Max can only rank second among the offerings from the developers, closely followed by AutoCAD in terms of quality. 3ds Max is a version of the 3D studio that supports advanced modeling tools. It is a popular choice with architects, interior designers, and game developers alike.

The beauty and drawback of 3ds Max is its complexity. On the one hand, it seems incredibly difficult to learn, especially for beginners, due to its complex user interface and advanced modeling and visualization tools. On the other hand, after learning how to use 3ds Max, you can adapt to using any 3D design software that is presented to you with ease.

Of course, the cost of 3ds Max is going to stump a few users. However, if you want to use a powerful SketchUp alternative with its range of graphic features, then you have to pay a hefty amount.

How Much Does 3ds Max Cost?

Like other Autodesk products, 3ds Max is premium software available via subscription. The cost is $255 per month or $2,010 for an annual plan. Autodesk provides a limited free-trial for users to evaluate its features before purchasing.

How Do Customers Rate 3ds Max?

User reviews for 3ds Max often point to its powerful rendering and modeling capabilities as major strengths. However, it is also commonly cited as being difficult for beginners to learn due to its complex interface, and Autodesk’s high subscription cost can be a drawback for individuals.

How does Foyr compare to 3ds Max?

Foyr provides an all-in-one interior design solution with a much gentler learning curve. While 3ds Max is a powerful tool for general 3D visualization, Foyr is specifically tailored for the interior design workflow, offering greater speed and ease of use for relevant tasks.

4. Blender

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite that supports the entire 3D pipeline, including 3D modeling capabilities, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking. The software boasts a comprehensive toolset, including advanced tools for modeling, sculpting, animation, and rendering, making it versatile for various 3D projects.

Blender features a powerful, unbiased path-tracer engine called Cycles, which enables the realistic rendering of 3D scenes. It has a large and active community that provides extensive support through tutorials, plugins, and forums, enhancing user experience and learning. Despite its powerful capabilities, Blender is known for its steep learning curve, particularly in areas such as direct modeling.

This complexity may be overwhelming for beginners who are primarily focused on practical design tasks and may find the software’s extensive features a bit too advanced for their immediate needs.

How Much Does Blender Cost?

Blender is completely free and open-source software, available for download and use without any licensing fees or subscription costs. While this makes it financially accessible, the investment comes in the form of time required to learn its complex interface and adapt it to interior design purposes.

How Do Customers Rate Blender?

Users universally praise Blender for being a powerful and versatile tool that is available for free. The primary criticism is its steep learning curve; the vast number of features and complex interface can be overwhelming for new users who are not familiar with 3D software.

How does Foyr compare to Blender?

Foyr is a purpose-built tool for interior design with a focus on ease of use and speed, which is ideal for professionals working with clients. Blender is a general-purpose 3D suite that requires significant time to master and lacks the specialized, curated library that Foyr offers.

5. Autodesk Revit

Another gem from the creators of AutoCAD, Maya, 3DS Max, etc., i.e., Autodesk is Revit. With its requirement for 64-bit Windows, Revit offers a wide range of design styles. From floor plans to landscapes, you can find a variety of available themes to choose from.

It is popular with designers working with mechanical designs, home designs, electrical planning, plumbing lines, structural engineering, etc. It does take some time to learn and use Revit, much like other Autodesk products, and it is a little costly. However, they do provide a 1-year free version package for educators and students to help them adapt to design features fluently.

How Much Does Autodesk Revit Cost?

Revit is a professional-grade software with a corresponding price. An annual subscription costs approximately $3,005, with monthly options also available at $380 per month. A free trial is available from the company.

How Do Customers Rate Revit?

Revit is considered the industry standard for BIM and is praised for its ability to manage large, complex construction projects and facilitate collaboration. Common criticisms include its high price, steep learning curve, and demanding system requirements to run smoothly.

How does Foyr compare to Revit?

Foyr is focused on interior design and visualization, prioritizing speed and aesthetics. Revit is a complex BIM tool for architectural planning and construction documentation. For interior designers, Foyr offers a much faster, more intuitive, and cost-effective workflow.

Read also – 10 Best Floor Plan Creator

6. Shapr3D

An exclusive design software available to Apple users is Shapr3D. It is available on iPad Pro and other Apple devices to facilitate enhanced design options for experienced and apple-dedicated users.

Among its many exciting features, Shapr3D is available as a mobile app that is commonly used for engineering projects, making 3D prints of innovative creations, etc. It is compatible with almost all CAD programs, and once you complete the foundations and animations, you can import the file to STL or STEP file formats.

Apart from the drawback of being unavailable to users of other operating systems, Shapr3D is a viable option for design professionals.

How Much Does Shapr3D Cost?

Shapr3D operates on a freemium model. The free version has limitations on the number of active designs and export quality. The Pro plan, which unlocks all features, costs around $25 per month or approximately $299 when billed annually.

How Do Customers Rate Shapr3D?

Users highly rate Shapr3D for its intuitive and mobile-first design, often stating it is a good CAD application for the iPad. Some users note that while it is powerful, it may still lack some of the highly advanced features found in desktop-only competitors.

How does Foyr compare to Shapr3D?

Foyr is a complete, browser-based interior design platform, while Shapr3D is a CAD modeling app primarily for mobile devices. Foyr offers an end-to-end solution including rendering and a vast 3D library, which Shapr3D does not provide natively.

7. FreeCAD

FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler that is highly customizable and scriptable, making it suitable for designing real-life objects across various scales. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating detailed models, which positions it as a strong contender for those needing a free SketchUp alternative.

The software has a steep learning curve and is not particularly user-friendly, making it challenging for newcomers to navigate its complex interface. FreeCAD supports multiple operating systems, offering versatility for users across different platforms.

While it excels in mechanical design and engineering applications, its limitations in managing larger and more complex projects may disadvantage architects and interior designers.

How Much Does FreeCAD Cost?

FreeCAD is completely free to download and use for any purpose. As an open-source project developed by a community of volunteers, it is available to everyone at no cost, making it an accessible entry point for parametric 3D modeling.

How Do Customers Rate FreeCAD?

Users appreciate FreeCAD for being a powerful and free alternative to expensive commercial CAD software. However, it is frequently criticized for having a non-intuitive user interface and a steep learning curve, especially for those new to 3D modeling or CAD.

How does Foyr compare to FreeCAD?

Foyr is a user-friendly interior design tool focused on aesthetics and quick visualization. FreeCAD is a technical, engineering-focused parametric modeler. For design presentations, Foyr provides superior rendering and a purpose-built workflow that is much faster and easier to learn.

Read also – 15 Best Kitchen Design Software

8. LibreCAD

A little on the low-tech end of this list is LibreCAD. It is a 2D platform that allows you to work with a number of operating systems including Windows, Linux, and Apple-based platforms.

The user interface on this design software is pretty simplistic. It allows you to sketch and create 2D drawings, add polylines, modeling and transformational tools. The application is available in a small size so it runs faster than 3D modeling programs. The drawback still stands that as a 2D platform in this era, it lacks the potential to develop high-quality sculpting and 3D printing options.

How Much Does LibreCAD Cost?

LibreCAD is free for everyone to download and use. As a community-driven, open-source project, there are no fees, subscriptions, or licensing costs associated with using the software for personal or commercial projects.

How Do Customers Rate LibreCAD?

Users often recommend LibreCAD as a capable and free tool for 2D drafting needs. While it is praised for its accessibility, its primary limitation is that it does not support 3D modeling, which makes it unsuitable for visualization, rendering, or creating three-dimensional models.

How does Foyr compare to LibreCAD?

Foyr offers a complete 2D and 3D design solution, automatically converting floor plans into interactive 3D models. LibreCAD is strictly limited to 2D drafting and lacks the visualization and rendering capabilities that are essential for modern interior design.

9. SolidWorks

As the name may have given it away, a 3D CAD software that has been beneficial to people who work with solid modeling is SolidWorks. The 3D modeling software was developed and published by Dassault Système to be available on Windows platforms.

As a SketchUp alternative, it is a simplistic software program that is well-suited for beginners in the fields of design. For students, it is quite helpful to learn new design techniques using the tutorials and implement what they learn easily.

It may not be the best option for professional designers but for amateurs, it will do in a pinch.

How Much Does SolidWorks Cost?

SolidWorks is a premium professional tool with pricing available through resellers. A standard license costs $2,820 per year, while the premium license costs $4,716 per year.

How Do Customers Rate SolidWorks?

SolidWorks is highly regarded by engineers for its comprehensive feature set for product design and manufacturing. Criticisms are usually directed at its high cost and its availability only for the Windows operating system.

How does Foyr compare to SolidWorks?

The two serve entirely different industries. Foyr is a tool for interior and architectural design, focused on space planning and visualization. SolidWorks is a technical CAD program for mechanical engineering and product manufacturing.

10. Apple Pencil

Apple Pencil. As we have mentioned, it is a boon to Apple users, especially those with Apple Pro. The product design does accommodate fundamental sketching and offers immense control over the design process.

There are several other software programs available at varying price ranges. These include tenable options such as TinkerCAD, Rhino, Fusion 360, and other incredible 3D CAD options for Windows, Linux, and macOS. You can always try the free versions of the paid software programs and determine for yourself if they are the right fit for your design needs.

How Much Does the Apple Pencil Cost?

The Apple Pencil is a hardware accessory sold separately from the iPad. The price varies by model; the 2nd generation Apple Pencil typically retails for around $129, while other versions (like the USB-C model) are available at lower price points.

How Do Customers Rate the Apple Pencil?

The Apple Pencil is almost universally praised by artists, designers, and general users as the best stylus available for the iPad. Reviewers consistently highlight its accuracy, responsiveness, and seamless integration with iPadOS and compatible applications.

How does Foyr compare to the Apple Pencil?

This is a hardware vs. software comparison. Foyr is an all-in-one, browser-based design platform that works on any computer. The Apple Pencil is a physical tool that requires an iPad and a separate design app to function and is limited to the Apple ecosystem.

Choosing the Best SketchUp Alternatives

Before we share the list though, keep in mind that when choosing the best SketchUp alternative for 3D rendering, modeling tools, and sculpting, you need to ensure that it is compatible with your system.

To begin with, it must be compatible with your budget and system configuration. If the hardware and software features are compatible, you need to check if it fits well with your operating system such as Mac, Linux, your version of Windows, Android, etc.

For Apple and Mac users with a plethora of design features at their disposal, using a 3D modeling software that facilitates the use of an Apple Pencil to add touch-ups and intricate nuances is very important. iPad Pro users in particular have numerous options to explore with the help of these design tools.

You must also keep an eye on the plugins and open-source modeling tools available in free versions vs paid versions of any design software. Most 3D modeling software tools allow you to test out the utilization of certain features even in free versions for a limited period. However, most design tools only allow a certain number of features for free usage, even if it is for a lifetime. In contrast, the coveted advanced design features are only available to paid subscribers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Foyr stands out as the best SketchUp alternative for designers, offering AI-powered design automation, an extensive 3D model library, and user-friendly tools for creating stunning visuals.

Selecting the right tool hinges on your needs, workflow, and project type. Foyr is fast and user-friendly, but alternatives like Lumion or Rhino excel in architectural visualization and rendering, enhancing designs with advanced features. For collaborative, web-based design, Tinkercad or Blender facilitate teamwork, making them great options for mechanical design projects as well.

Consider software compatibility, learning curves, and project types while focusing on the specific requirements of mechanical design. Utilize free trials to find a tool that fits your workflow and creative vision. Ultimately, the best software boosts productivity and exceptional designs, whether you choose Foyr, Rhino, or another SketchUp alternative. Embrace experimentation and evolve with tools that enhance your design journey.

Sign up for a 14-day free trial with Foyr to experience its robust interior design capabilities and seamless cloud-based collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best SketchUp alternative for 3D modeling?

Foyr Neo is the best SketchUp alternative for 3D modeling, especially for interior designers. It offers an intuitive interface with AI-powered tools that simplify the creation of professional 3D models. The cloud-based platform provides an extensive library of customizable 3D objects and materials, allowing designers to create detailed models without advanced technical skills.

Is there a SketchUp alternative for landscape design?

Foyr Neo is an exceptional platform for professional landscape design, extending its powerful capabilities seamlessly from interiors to stunning exterior environments. Designers can bring any outdoor vision to life, from lush gardens to detailed patios and backyards. Foyr Neo’s comprehensive 3D library contains a vast selection of dedicated landscape elements, providing all the essential tools needed for any project within one intuitive and powerful platform.

Are there any SketchUp alternatives with better rendering capabilities?

Absolutely. Foyr Neo outperforms SketchUp with its advanced rendering engine that produces photorealistic 12K renders in minutes. This SketchUp alternative utilizes cloud computing power to generate stunning visualizations without taxing your local hardware.

What is the most affordable SketchUp alternative for professionals?

Foyr Neo stands out as the most affordable professional SketchUp alternative with the pro plan available at $55/month, offering exceptional value with its comprehensive toolset. This cloud-based platform eliminates the need for expensive hardware upgrades while providing professional-grade features.

What are the best SketchUp alternatives for Mac users?

For Mac users seeking the best design software, Foyr Neo is the definitive choice. It delivers a powerful, installation-free experience by running seamlessly in any web browser. This modern, cloud-based approach provides immediate access to a full suite of professional design and visualization tools, making it the top solution for performance, convenience, and a streamlined workflow on macOS.

Which SketchUp alternative offers the most advanced modeling tools?

Foyr Neo offers the industry’s most advanced modeling tools in one intuitive platform. It provides advanced 3D modeling features, empowering designers to create complex and intricate forms with precision and ease. While complex features in other software often require a steep learning curve, Foyr Neo is engineered for accessibility. It balances powerful features with an intuitive interface specifically tailored to the demands of interior designers, making it a preferred tool for professionals.

10 Best SketchUp Alternatives for Designers in 2025