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Construction & Architecture · head to head

ArchiCAD vs SketchUp

ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction & Architecture

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SketchUp logo

SketchUp

Construction & Architecture

3D design software for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SketchUp has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support; SketchUp studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • They diverge on capability: ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, SketchUp covers 3D modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchiCAD and SketchUp actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchiCAD and SketchUp differ
AttributeArchiCADSketchUp
Starting price$177/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only)
Founded19821978

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction & Architecture).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ArchiCAD

  • BIM modeling
  • Design tools
  • Documentation
  • Energy analysis
  • IFC support
  • Teamwork collaboration
  • Library parts
  • Twinmotion

Only in SketchUp

  • 3D modeling
  • 2D documentation
  • Animation
  • Extension warehouse
  • 3D Warehouse
  • LayOut
  • V-Ray
  • Enscape

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • Lumion
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ArchiCAD

  • Architectural design with BIM capabilitiesnot SketchUp
  • Real-time team collaboration via BIMcloudnot SketchUp
  • Automated documentation generation from design changesnot SketchUp
  • Mixed Windows and macOS team environmentsnot SketchUp

SketchUp

  • 3D architectural design and visualizationnot ArchiCAD
  • Product design and prototypingnot ArchiCAD
  • Interior design planningnot ArchiCAD
  • Real estate visualizationnot ArchiCAD

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ArchiCAD

  • Available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
  • Subscription-only licensing model with no perpetual licence option
  • Studio tier does not include MEP Designer - requires Collaborate tier at $208/month

SketchUp

  • Studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • Go tier restricted to iPad and web—no desktop application access
  • LayOut (documentation tool) only available in Pro and Studio tiers
  • 1000+ extensions library only available in Pro and Studio; Go has limited extension access

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchiCAD

$177/month

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchiCAD review.

SketchUp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SketchUp review.

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchiCAD if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want design tools.
ArchiCAD review

Choose SketchUp if

  • You need 3d modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only).
  • You also want 2d documentation.
SketchUp review

Questions people ask

Is ArchiCAD or SketchUp better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month and SketchUp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchiCAD or SketchUp?
SketchUp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $177/month for ArchiCAD and Free for SketchUp.
Does ArchiCAD or SketchUp run on more platforms?
ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS. SketchUp runs on Web, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only).
Can I use SketchUp for free?
Yes. SketchUp has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ArchiCAD starts at $177/month.
What is ArchiCAD best used for?
ArchiCAD is most often used for architectural design with bim capabilities, real-time team collaboration via bimcloud, automated documentation generation from design changes, mixed windows and macos team environments. Of those, architectural design with bim capabilities and real-time team collaboration via bimcloud are not what SketchUp is typically brought in for.
What can ArchiCAD do that SketchUp cannot?
ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Energy analysis. SketchUp covers 3D modeling, 2D documentation, Animation, Extension warehouse. Both handle Rendering, Lumion, Windows support, MacOS support.
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