saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

3D modeling program · Trimble

SketchUp

Subscription 3D modeler for desktop, web and iPad, with a Ruby extension API.

24/100

#9 of 9 3D modeling programs
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

SketchUp suits people who want a modeler across desktop, web and iPad, and who are happy to subscribe1,15. Go is the cheapest way in at $10.75 a month, and a public Ruby API supports extensions2,5. The catch: there is no free version for adults, no one-off licence, and only a 7-day trial1,3.

Best for: Designers who want a subscription modeler for desktop, web and iPad.

Where the points come from

Systems6 of 8
Licence0 of 33
Modelling tools5 of 38
Formats4 of 6
Price9 of 15

Systems 6 of 8 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Other systemsmacOS, Web, iPadDesktop lists Windows 11 and macOS; modelers for web and iPad are part of the plans4,15.6 / 8

Licence 0 of 33 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free version without a time limitNoThe pricing page lists no free version. Only K-12 schools get a free school product through Google or Microsoft accounts1.0 / 10
Free version allowed for paid workNoNo free version is listed for adults, so none allows paid work1.0 / 6
One-off licence you keepNoThe FAQ says SketchUp offers annual subscriptions and monthly plans for all offerings1.0 / 8
Open sourceNot publishedNot published on the vendor's pricing or help pages1,4.0 / 5
Free licence for studentsNoStudents pay $55 a year. Free access is limited to K-12 schools with a Google or Microsoft education account1.0 / 4

Modelling tools 5 of 38 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Precise curve and solid modelingNot publishedSolid Tools combine closed solids; the help page names no NURBS, parametric or B-rep modeling11.0 / 5
Digital sculptingNot publishedNot published on the help page read; only terrain tools such as Smoove and Add Detail are described13.0 / 5
Node-based procedural modelingNot publishedNot published on the vendor's pages read1,5.0 / 5
Rigging and animationNot publishedHelp describes scene transitions and timing, exportable as video; it names no bones or keyframe timeline12.0 / 5
Physics simulationNot publishedNot published on the vendor's pages read1,12.0 / 4
UV unwrappingNot publishedNot published; the texture help page covers pin-based placement, not UV unwrapping14.0 / 4
Built-in ray-traced rendererNoV-Ray is included only in Studio, not in Go, the plan priced here1.0 / 5
Scripting and add-onsYesThe developer site documents a SketchUp Ruby API for creating extensions5.5 / 5

Formats 4 of 6 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Built-in export formatsFBX, OBJ, glTF, STLHelp pages cover export of FBX and OBJ (Pro), GLB and STL; only USDZ for USD, and STEP is not named6,7,8,9,10.4 / 6

Price 9 of 15 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Cheapest way to use it for paid work$10.75/moGo, $129 a year billed annually; the page calls it a toolkit for independent designers and firms2.9 / 12
Full-feature trialNoThe trial page offers a free 7-day Pro trial, under the 14 days the rule needs3.0 / 3

The rule behind each line: how we score 3D modeling programs.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Go1 person$129/year1,2$10.75Web and iPad only; $19.99 a month if billed monthly
Pro1 person$33.25/month, billed yearly1$33.25Adds the desktop app
Studio1 person$71.58/month, billed yearly1$71.58Windows only; includes V-Ray
Students1 student$55/year1$4.58Discounted, not free

Prices are per user, shown as annual billing and before tax. Go also sells month to month at $19.992.

Strengths

  • Runs on macOS, in the web browser and on iPad as well as Windows4,15.
  • Go starts at $10.75 a month billed annually2.
  • A documented Ruby API lets developers write extensions5.
  • Exports FBX, OBJ, glTF and STL files6,7,8,9.

Limits

  • Subscription only; the vendor lists no one-off licence1.
  • The trial is 7 days3.
  • USDZ is the only USD-family export; SketchUp does not write USD, USDA or USDC10.
  • Scene animation covers transitions and timing only; the help page names no bones or keyframe timeline12.
  • V-Ray is included only in the $71.58 Studio plan1.

Other 3D modeling programs

  1. 1
    BlenderAnyone who wants full 3D tools for paid work at no cost
    80/100
    $0cheapest way to use it for paid work
  2. 2
    HoudiniArtists who want procedural, node-driven modeling and simulation
    72/100
    $24.92/mocheapest way to use it for paid work
  3. 3
    FreeCADPeople who want free, scriptable solid modeling for designed parts
    50/100
    $0cheapest way to use it for paid work
  4. 4
    Rhino 3DDesigners who want precise curve and surface modeling and prefer to buy once
    48/100
    $30.92/mocheapest way to use it for paid work

All 9 3D modeling programs

Sources

  1. SketchUp plans and pricing, Trimble. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Buy SketchUp Go, Trimble. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Try SketchUp, Trimble. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. SketchUp system requirements, SketchUp Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. SketchUp Developer Center, Trimble. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Exporting FBX files, SketchUp Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. Exporting OBJ files, SketchUp Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Working with glTF files, SketchUp Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. Importing and exporting STL files for 3D printing, SketchUp Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. Working with USDZ files, SketchUp Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  11. Modeling complex 3D shapes with Solid Tools, SketchUp Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  12. Animating scenes, SketchUp Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  13. Sculpting and fine-tuning terrain, SketchUp Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  14. Positioning textures, SketchUp Help. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  15. SketchUp Pro plan, Trimble. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: sketchup.trimble.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Trimble.