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CAD · head to head

CATIA vs SketchUp

CATIA logo

CATIA

CAD

World's leading solution for product design

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SketchUp logo

SketchUp

Construction

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: CATIA no public pricing available on vendor website; SketchUp studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • They diverge on capability: CATIA covers Surface modeling, SketchUp covers 3D modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CATIA and SketchUp actually diverge.

Attributes where CATIA and SketchUp differ
AttributeCATIASketchUp
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux (some)Web, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only)
CategoryCADConstruction
Founded19811978

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 CATIA

  • Surface modeling
  • Class A surfacing
  • Systems engineering
  • Simulation
  • Composites design
  • Electrical design
  • Knowledge-based engineering
  • ENOVIA PLM

Only in SketchUp

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

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

CATIA

  • 3D product designnot SketchUp
  • Simulation and analysisnot SketchUp
  • System design and developmentnot SketchUp
  • Manufacturing engineeringnot SketchUp
  • Advanced modelingnot SketchUp

SketchUp

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

Where each one falls short

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

CATIA

  • No public pricing available on vendor website
  • Requires direct contact with sales for quotes
  • Enterprise-grade CAD software likely requires substantial investment

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

CATIA

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the CATIA review.

SketchUp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SketchUp review.

Which should you pick?

Choose CATIA if

  • You need surface modeling.
  • You work on Windows, Linux (some).
  • You also want class a surfacing.
CATIA 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 CATIA or SketchUp better?
Neither clearly leads. CATIA starts at On request and SketchUp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CATIA or SketchUp?
SketchUp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for CATIA and Free for SketchUp.
Does CATIA or SketchUp run on more platforms?
CATIA runs on Windows, Linux (some). 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. CATIA starts at On request.
What is CATIA best used for?
CATIA is most often used for 3d product design, simulation and analysis, system design and development, manufacturing engineering. Of those, 3d product design and simulation and analysis are not what SketchUp is typically brought in for.
What can CATIA do that SketchUp cannot?
CATIA covers Surface modeling, Class A surfacing, Systems engineering, Simulation. SketchUp covers 3D modeling, 2D documentation, Rendering, Animation. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CATIA: How much does CATIA cost?

Pricing is not publicly displayed on CATIA's product page. Customers must contact Dassault Systèmes directly or visit user communities to obtain pricing information for CATIA licenses and subscriptions.

Source
SketchUp: How much does SketchUp cost?

SketchUp publishes three core annual plans, priced per user and billed annually: Go at $10.75 per month, Pro at $33.25 per month and Studio at $68.25 per month.

Source
CATIA: Is there a free version of CATIA?

No free version or trial is mentioned on CATIA's product page. CATIA is described as a comprehensive commercial solution for product innovation, and no freemium option is referenced.

Source
SketchUp: Is there a free version of SketchUp?

There is a 7 day free trial of the core features. SketchUp is also free for K-12 use when accessed with a Google Workspace for Education or Microsoft Education account.

Source
SketchUp: What is the difference between SketchUp Pro and Studio?

Studio adds a Revit importer, point cloud modelling, photorealistic visuals, animations and panoramas on top of Pro. Studio runs on Windows only, while Pro is available on web, iPad and desktop.

Source
SketchUp: What does SketchUp Go include compared with Pro?

Go is limited to iPad and web, with premade furnishings and materials, cloud storage, a mobile viewer and real time sharing. Pro adds desktop modelling, the LayOut documentation tool and access to over 1000 extensions.

Source
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