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Navisworks vs SketchUp

Navisworks logo

Navisworks

Software

Project review software for construction professionals

From
$145/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SketchUp logo

SketchUp

Software

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: Navisworks sold in two named editions, Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage, each licensed for install on up to 3 computers per subscription (Internet Archive capture, 7 January 2023); SketchUp studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • They diverge on capability: Navisworks covers Clash detection, SketchUp covers 3D modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Navisworks and SketchUp actually diverge.

Attributes where Navisworks and SketchUp differ
AttributeNavisworksSketchUp
Starting price$145/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsWeb, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only)
Founded19821978

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

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 Navisworks

  • Clash detection
  • 4D scheduling
  • Model aggregation
  • Quantification
  • Visualization
  • AutoCAD
  • BIM 360
  • 3ds Max

Only in SketchUp

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

Both cover

  • Revit
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Navisworks

  • Clash detectionnot SketchUp
  • Construction sequencingnot SketchUp
  • Project coordinationnot SketchUp
  • Cost analysisnot SketchUp

SketchUp

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

Where each one falls short

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

Navisworks

  • Sold in two named editions, Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage, each licensed for install on up to 3 computers per subscription (Internet Archive capture, 7 January 2023)

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

Navisworks

$145/month
  • Navisworks Manage$145/month
    • Clash detection
    • 4D simulation
    • Model aggregation
  • Navisworks Simulate$100/month
    • 4D simulation
    • Model aggregation
    • Rendering

SketchUp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SketchUp review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Navisworks if

  • You need clash detection.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want 4d scheduling.
Navisworks 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 Navisworks or SketchUp better?
Neither clearly leads. Navisworks starts at $145/month and SketchUp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Navisworks or SketchUp?
SketchUp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $145/month for Navisworks and Free for SketchUp.
Does Navisworks or SketchUp run on more platforms?
Navisworks runs on Windows. 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. Navisworks starts at $145/month.
What is Navisworks best used for?
Navisworks is most often used for clash detection, construction sequencing, project coordination, cost analysis. Of those, clash detection and construction sequencing are not what SketchUp is typically brought in for.
What can Navisworks do that SketchUp cannot?
Navisworks covers Clash detection, 4D scheduling, Model aggregation, Quantification. SketchUp covers 3D modeling, 2D documentation, Rendering, Animation. Both handle Revit, Windows support.
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