Softwr

CAD · head to head

Rhino 3D vs SketchUp

Rhino 3D logo

Rhino 3D

CAD

3D computer graphics and CAD application

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SketchUp logo

SketchUp

Construction

3D design software for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Rhino 3D windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support; SketchUp studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • They diverge on capability: Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling, SketchUp covers 3D modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Rhino 3D and SketchUp actually diverge.

Attributes where Rhino 3D and SketchUp differ
AttributeRhino 3DSketchUp
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Mac, iOSWeb, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only)
CategoryCADConstruction
Founded19801978

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Rhino 3D

  • NURBS modeling
  • Surface modeling
  • 3D visualization
  • Grasshopper
  • Grasshopper
  • KeyShot
  • CAM software
  • 3D printing

Only in SketchUp

  • 3D modeling
  • 2D documentation
  • Animation
  • Extension warehouse
  • 3D Warehouse
  • LayOut
  • Enscape
  • Lumion

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • V-Ray
  • Cloud storage
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Rhino 3D

  • NURBS-based 3D modelling for product design and engineeringnot SketchUp
  • Precision engineering and prototyping (aerospace, automotive, jewellery)not SketchUp
  • Generative design with Grasshopper visual programmingnot SketchUp
  • Mesh editing and point cloud processingnot SketchUp

SketchUp

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

Where each one falls short

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

Rhino 3D

  • Windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • Performance depends on hardware capabilities; complex projects require better equipment
  • Pre-release/Work-in-Progress builds may contain bugs and are not production ready

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

Rhino 3D

Free
  • EvaluationFree
    • 90-day trial
    • All features included
    • No credit card required
  • Student License$195/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Commercial License$995/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Student Upgrade$95/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Requires prior license key
    • Support included

SketchUp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SketchUp review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Rhino 3D if

  • You need nurbs modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, iOS.
  • You also want surface modeling.
Rhino 3D 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 Rhino 3D or SketchUp better?
Neither clearly leads. Rhino 3D starts at Free and SketchUp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Rhino 3D or SketchUp?
Rhino 3D starts at Free and SketchUp at Free.
Does Rhino 3D or SketchUp run on more platforms?
Rhino 3D runs on Windows, Mac, iOS. SketchUp runs on Web, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only).
Can I use Rhino 3D for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Rhino 3D best used for?
Rhino 3D is most often used for nurbs-based 3d modelling for product design and engineering, precision engineering and prototyping (aerospace, automotive, jewellery), generative design with grasshopper visual programming, mesh editing and point cloud processing. Of those, nurbs-based 3d modelling for product design and engineering and precision engineering and prototyping (aerospace, automotive, jewellery) are not what SketchUp is typically brought in for.
What can Rhino 3D do that SketchUp cannot?
Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling, Surface modeling, 3D visualization, Grasshopper. SketchUp covers 3D modeling, 2D documentation, Animation, Extension warehouse. Both handle Rendering, V-Ray, Cloud storage, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Rhino 3D: How much does Rhino 3D cost?

Student licenses cost EUR 195, commercial licenses cost EUR 995. Both are perpetual one-time purchases. Upgrades from prior versions cost EUR 95 for students and EUR 595 for commercial users.

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
Rhino 3D: Is there a free trial?

Yes, a 90-day evaluation license is available free with no credit card required. Full features are included and commercial use is allowed.

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
Rhino 3D: Can Rhino 3D licenses be shared across multiple users?

Commercial versions support floating licenses that can be shared. Student licenses are limited to single-user perpetual licenses. All licenses include support and service releases.

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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