Whether you’re a beginner or a pro at 3D designing and modeling, SketchUp is one of the platforms you’ll come across when deciding which software to use.
The software first came to public attention in 2000 and currently boasts thousands of individual and business users worldwide. You can use SketchUp for free but with some limits. A subscription is necessary to access all of SketchUp’s features
Nevertheless, free alternatives are available if you cannot pay the subscription. You can try tools like FreeCAD, Sweet Home 3D, Wings 3D and several others.
However, the best free SketchUp alternative is Blender. Not only is it feature-rich, but compatible with most devices. The fact that Blender is open-source, you get better flexibility to mould it to your needs.
Let’s find out more about these tools and other options you have.
Best Free SketchUp Alternatives
1. Blender
When listing free 3D modeling software, it’s difficult not to mention Blender. Blender is widely used for not only 3D modeling but also rendering, sculpting, animation, and VFX, among others.
Compared to SketchUp, Blender is a more versatile 3D modeling solution. The software is not just free but also open-source, which means you can modify and add more features to it.
However, Blender is more suitable for animating, while SketchUp focuses on architecture and interior design.
Nevertheless, you can still depend on Blender’s comprehensive pack of modeling tools for creating architectural designs. You get access to a full N-Gon support platform with multi-resolution and dynamic subdivisions.
In addition, Blender supports Python scripting, which allows you to add custom tools and add-ons easily.
Another interesting Blender feature is the state-of-the-art Cycles Render Engine. It lets you perform GPU, CPU, and VR rendering and supports real-time viewpoint preview.
Blender is a better platform than SketchUp in terms of compatibility. SketchUp is only available for Mac and Windows computers. On the other hand, Blender supports Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD. You can also use Blender on Haiku, Steam, and PortableApps.
Find out the best alternatives to Blender in this post.
2. FreeCAD
From the name, it’s apparent that this is free software. FreeCAD is a suitable alternative to SketchUp if your priority is architectural design. In fact, you can build anything you want with it.
Many 3D designers opt for FreeCAD because it’s easy to use. In particular, it’s more popular with beginners, especially those advancing from 2D designing.
With FreeCAD, you can sketch your shapes in 2D and then gradually adjust them into 3D models. The result will be the same as if you created the 3D models directly.
FreeCAD is also popular because it is more versatile than SketchUp, thanks to its being open source.
The three major platforms the software supports are Linux, Windows, and Mac. But it’ll also work with BSD and PortableApps, and you can use FreeCAD online.
Migrating from SketchUp, or any other 3D modeling software, to FreeCAD won’t be difficult. The software works with different open file formats, including DXF, STEP, OBJ, IGES, DAE, STL, IFC, and SVG.
Other interesting features of FreeCAD include Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools, a robot simulation module, experimental CFD, and dedicated BIM. With these, it is ideal for mechanical engineering.
3. Sweet Home 3D
Perhaps you need a SketchUp alternative because you need something simpler. In that case, include Sweet Home 3D among your top options. The software focuses on architecture and nothing else.
In particular, Sweet Home 3D is a 3D modeling software for interior designing. With Sweet Home 3D, you can perform simple design tasks like drawing walls, inserting doors and windows, and editing colors and textures.
Interestingly, Sweet Home 3D lets you design in 2D and view the work in 3D in real time. You can view the design from a virtual visitor’s point of view or an aerial point of view.
Furthermore, annotation is easy with Sweet Home 3D. You have multiple annotation options, including room areas, texts, arrows, dimension lines, and a compass rose.
One major difference between Sweet Home 3D and SketchUp is that SketchUp Premium is only available as desktop software. On the other hand, you can install Sweet Home 3D on your desktop or use it online.
Sweet Home 3D works on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Solaris for desktops. For the web, you can use the software with any browser that supports WebGL. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari support WebGL.
4. Wings 3D
Described as a polygon modeler, Wings 3D is one of the best alternatives to SketchUp for modeling 3D characters. Unlike SketchUp, it’s a free and open source software that has been around since 2001.
Notably, Wings 3D only supports static 3D models. With a customizable interface, native AutoUB mapping facility, support for lights & materials, and an array of modeling tools, there’s no denying that Wings 3D is dependable software.
Furthermore, you can do more with Wings 3D as open-source software by programming more functions. To do that, however, you must know how to code in Erlang.
Regarding compatibility, Wings 3D has a slight edge over SketchUp. Wings 3D is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux desktop devices. Meanwhile, SketchUp only supports Mac and Windows.
5. Autodesk Fusion 360 (For Personal Use)
Autodesk is one of the most popular 3D modeling programs. While it’s a premium software, the Fusion 360 version is free for personal use. It has all the features you’ll need in a tool like SketchUp.
With Autodesk Fusion 360, you can create 3D models for different types of projects. These include manufacturing, engineering, electronics, or architecture like SketchUp.
For 3D designing and modeling, the software supports sketching, direct modeling, surface modeling, parametric modeling, and mesh modeling, to name a few.
To make things interesting, you get access to generative designs created with machine learning and AI. It’s one of the unique features of Autodesk Fusion 360 and will make your work easier.
If you need a SketchUp replacement that works with other platforms, Autodesk Fusion 360 can work. The software supports multiple extensions you can connect to, although not all extensions are free.
Like SketchUp, you can install Autodesk Fusion 360 on Windows and Mac computers.
However, note that a free Autodesk Fusion 360 account lasts for three years. Afterward, you will need to pay for the software.
6. Onshape
Here’s a SketchUp alternative to opt for if you’re a designer in the medical field. The software specifically targets non-professional CAD designers. Hence, it’ll make a good alternative if you’re a beginner.
Onshape employs one of the easiest simulations you’ll find on any software. The intuitive render studio lets you create renderings as real as live photos with many environments and lighting options. You also get an extensive material library.
Notably, many users opt for Onshape due to its collaborative options. In particular, the tool lets you work with other users and view their changes in real time.
Collaboration with Onshape is also engaging, with options to add comments, assign tasks, and drop design reviews.
Onshape isn’t a desktop software like SketchUp and many other 3D designing tools on this list. Rather, the platform is accessible online via any modern browser.
Being available via the web makes Onshape more versatile than SketchUp. You can use the platform easily on any device. In addition, Onshape features a mobile app for Android devices.
You can use Onshape for free forever, so long as it’s not for commercial purposes.
7. LibreCAD
From the developers of LibreOffice, we have LibreCAD, which is also free software. LibreCAD and SketchUp are notably different. While SketchUp facilitates 3D designing, LibreCAD works for 2D designing.
Sometimes, beginners want to experiment with 2D design before moving to 3D. On the other hand, perhaps you’re a 3D designer using SketchUp, and you need an alternative exclusive for 2D. Whichever it is, LibreCAD provides a solution.
With LibreCAD, you can work with DWG, DXF, DXF, SVG, and PDF files, to name a few. The software features an advanced snapping system and a plugin system. Notably, its user interface is highly customizable.
One of LibreCAD’s unique features is multi-language support. The platform supports more than 30 languages. In comparison, SketchUp only supports 13 languages.
LibreCAD also has a winning edge over SketchUp in terms of compatibility. SketchUp works for Windows and Mac, but LibreCAD works for Windows, Linux, and Mac.
Since LibreCAD is open source, you can access the source code and improve the software to meet your needs. You could add functions to support 3D if you’re an advanced programmer.
8. MeshMagic
MeshMagic is a free software by NCHSoftware, useful for 3D modeling. It’s another tool like SketchUp that is only available for Windows users.
MeshMagic lets you create 3D objects using shapes like spheres and cubes. Also, you can create and edit 3D meshes with simple options like rotate and rescale, among others.
Notably, with MeshMagic, you can begin with 2D designs and expand them to 3D models. The software works with six file formats, including 3DP, 3DS, 3MF, OBJ, PLY, and STL.
As a result, you can import files you create with other platforms and edit them on MeshMagic. It makes things easy when migrating from SketchUp or any other 3D modeling software.
MeshMagic is a relatively lightweight software. Hence, it works with both old and new Windows versions. You can install it on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11.
However, MeshMagic’s 3D modeling and 3D mesh converter software are separate. In other words, you’ll have to install extra software if you wish to import files from other software programs.
9. Blophome
With more than 460,000 installs, Blophome is unarguably a widely used 3D designing software. The software has multiple versions, including the Classic, Premium, Professional, and Business. You can use the Classic version for free.
Blophome is a lot similar to SketchUp as both platforms prioritize architecture. In particular, Blophome lets you design and customize interior and exterior home designs.
You’ll find Blophome easy to use thanks to its short learning curve. Also, the software has highly optimized servers that make 3D rendering appear ultra-real. You can render models on the go as you design.
However, Blophome’s main strength is the catalogs. With catalogs, you don’t have to design much. You can download and import them into your projects. Most catalogs feature objects from top manufacturers, including Umbrosa, Ikea, Dancook, Roca, and Cosentino.
Besides Windows, Blophome has a Mac version too.
10. Planner 5D
Despite its description, this is not 5D modeling software. It’s 2D and 3D modeling software, just like SketchUp.
If you need a free SketchUp replacement, you can opt for its free floor plan creator.
The free floor plan creator is a basic 2D and 3D modeling tool for designing house floor plans. As a basic tool, it is more suitable for beginners. Therefore, you can opt for it if you find SketchUp somewhat complex to use.
The software lets you design interiors and customize and decorate them using various objects, including hundreds of furniture pieces.
Designing with Planner 5D’s free floor plan creator is easier using templates. You get access to templates featuring realistic renderings and panoramas. Creating your floor plans from scratch is also not difficult.
You can opt for this software if you need a similar tool like SketchUp for your mobile device. Planner 5D is popular among Android and iOS users. In addition, you can do more with the mobile app than with the SketchUp viewer mobile app.
If you prefer using the software on a desktop, you can install the Mac app or use it via the web.
Also Read: Best Scratch Alternatives
11. Coohom
Coohom is another freemium SketchUp alternative on this list. Like SketchUp, it’s optimized for architectural 3D modeling, with support for floor planning, decor, and interior rendering.
With a Coohom-free account, you get access to basic renderings. Nevertheless, among the basic renderings, you get 25 HD renderings and many 4K, 8K, 12K, and video renderings.
That’s not all. You also get access to more than 300,000 free 3D models and materials. As a result, you can carry out various 3D modeling projects using Coohom without paying any amount.
Using Coohoom 3D designer is seamless. You can build house plans by simply dragging and dropping design elements.
With up to 12K video rendering, you can view your designs as real as is obtainable. In addition, the lightning speed of the rendering engine ensures you spend minimal time designing.
Another interesting Coohom feature is the model library. Aside from the hundreds of models it features, you can design and save your own models for subsequent use.
Coohom supports only desktop devices. It’s available for Mac, Windows, and Chrome OS. It’s worth noting that SketchUp doesn’t support Chrome OS.
Also Read: Best Toon Boom Alternatives
12. HomeByMe
HomeByMe is one of the simplest tools on this list of the best free SketchUp Alternatives.
The tool helps you create the best designs not only by providing intuitive tools alone but also by providing inspiration.
How it works is simple. You get access to an extensive library of home designs created by other HomeByMe users. You can look at these designs and draw inspiration. Subsequently, you can upload your designs to inspire others.
Like many tools on this list, you can start with 2D designs on HomeByMe and introduce 3D models as you go.
Interestingly, you can furnish your designs using furniture from top brands. CB2, Crate&Barrel, Wayfair, AllModern, and Pottery Barn are only some of the featured brands.
Furthermore, HomeByMe supports HD rendering, allowing you to visualize your designs in real life.
Compared to SketchUp, HomeByMe isn’t desktop software. You can only use the software online via a web browser or install the Android or iOS mobile app.
13. Vectary
Most of the tools listed above are downloadable software programs. Perhaps you want a solution that’s exclusively online. If so, you can make do with Vectary.
Vectary works with any modern browser and is a versatile 3D designing tool. It allows you to create 3D models from scratch or with any of the ready-made assets. You’ll find hundreds of these assets in the comprehensive library.
Furthermore, Vectary’s interface is ultra-intuitive. It features two panels on the right and left sides, with a clear working area in the middle.
All the tools you need to work, including 3D materials, lights, and others, are within quick reach. With these, you’ll appreciate Vectary if you’re new to 3D designing.
The software further allows you to make your designs interesting using interactions. This is possible using the 3D configurator. The configurator lets you add descriptions and labels, switch materials, and easily change 3D parts and colors.
Also Read: Best 2D Animation Courses Online
Bottom Line
The platforms and software programs listed above will cost you zero cents to use.
If it’s down to one out of all, Blender would be the best to opt for. It’s a more comprehensive software with higher compatibility compared to the others.
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