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Prospect vs SketchUp

Prospect logo

Prospect

Software

VR for architectural visualization

From
$225/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: Prospect no longer available as a standalone product; has been discontinued and replaced by other solutions; SketchUp studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • They diverge on capability: Prospect covers BIM visualization, SketchUp covers 3D modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Prospect and SketchUp actually diverge.

Attributes where Prospect and SketchUp differ
AttributeProspectSketchUp
Starting price$225/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsVR Headsets (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Meta Quest)Web, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only)
Founded20141978

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 Prospect

  • BIM visualization
  • Real-scale viewing
  • Collaboration
  • Annotations
  • SketchUp
  • Rhino
  • Navisworks
  • Vr support

Only in SketchUp

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

Both cover

  • Revit

What people use each for

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

Prospect

  • VR Gamingnot SketchUp
  • AR Marketingnot SketchUp
  • Virtual Trainingnot SketchUp
  • 3D Visualizationnot SketchUp
  • Immersive Experiencesnot SketchUp

SketchUp

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

Where each one falls short

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

Prospect

  • No longer available as a standalone product; has been discontinued and replaced by other solutions
  • Acquisition by The Wild in 2021 resulted in product discontinuation and transition to Workshop XR
  • No ongoing development, bug fixes, or feature updates since acquisition

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

Prospect

$225/month
  • Team$350/month
    • Multiuser VR collaboration
    • Design review tools
    • Voice communication

SketchUp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SketchUp review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Prospect if

  • You need bim visualization.
  • You work on VR Headsets (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Meta Quest).
  • You also want real-scale viewing.
Prospect 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 Prospect or SketchUp better?
Neither clearly leads. Prospect starts at $225/month and SketchUp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Prospect or SketchUp?
SketchUp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $225/month for Prospect and Free for SketchUp.
Does Prospect or SketchUp run on more platforms?
Prospect runs on VR Headsets (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Meta Quest). 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. Prospect starts at $225/month.
What is Prospect best used for?
Prospect is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what SketchUp is typically brought in for.
What can Prospect do that SketchUp cannot?
Prospect covers BIM visualization, Real-scale viewing, Collaboration, Annotations. SketchUp covers 3D modeling, 2D documentation, Rendering, Animation. Both handle Revit.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Prospect: What is Prospect by IrisVR?

Prospect was an immersive VR application that converted 3D design files from Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, and Navisworks into virtual reality walkthroughs with one click. It enabled AEC teams to conduct design reviews, collaborate in VR, and present projects to clients immersively.

Source
Prospect: Is Prospect still available?

No. Prospect by IrisVR was acquired by The Wild in February 2021 and has been discontinued. Autodesk Workshop XR is now the recommended successor for AEC teams migrating from Prospect.

Source
Prospect: How was Prospect priced?

Prospect's Team plan cost approximately $350 per workstation per month when billed annually. Earlier pricing information from 2020 showed starting prices around $225. Custom enterprise pricing was available.

Source
Prospect: What VR headsets did Prospect support?

Prospect was compatible with major VR headsets including Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and later Meta Quest. Support depended on the runtime and connection method available.

Source
Prospect: What was Prospect's biggest advantage?

Prospect's one-click conversion from native design files (Revit, Rhino, SketchUp) into immersive VR experiences was its primary value proposition, enabling non-VR specialists to easily create compelling design reviews and client presentations.

Source
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