Softwr

Construction · head to head

Autodesk Revit vs SketchUp

Autodesk Revit logo

Autodesk Revit

Construction

BIM software for architects and engineers

From
$29/month
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: Autodesk Revit exact subscription rates not shown on product page; pricing template contains placeholder {{PRICE}} variable; SketchUp studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • They diverge on capability: Autodesk Revit covers BIM modeling, SketchUp covers 3D modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Autodesk Revit and SketchUp actually diverge.

Attributes where Autodesk Revit and SketchUp differ
AttributeAutodesk RevitSketchUp
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsWeb, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only)
Founded19821978

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

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 Autodesk Revit

  • BIM modeling
  • Parametric components
  • Collaboration
  • Documentation
  • Structural analysis
  • MEP design
  • Cloud worksharing
  • AutoCAD

Only in SketchUp

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

Both cover

  • Rendering
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Autodesk Revit

  • 3D architectural design and BIM (Building Information Modeling) documentationnot SketchUp
  • Structural and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) engineering coordinationnot SketchUp
  • Construction scheduling and coordination workflows for project teamsnot SketchUp
  • AI-powered Autodesk Assistant for model queries and design analysisnot SketchUp
  • Carbon analysis and sustainability assessment with Forma integrationnot SketchUp

SketchUp

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

Where each one falls short

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

Autodesk Revit

  • Exact subscription rates not shown on product page; pricing template contains placeholder {{PRICE}} variable
  • Multiple pricing options (monthly, annual, 3-year term) available but actual costs require navigation to separate pricing flow

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

Autodesk Revit

$29/month
  • Revit$2545/month
    • Full BIM capabilities
    • Collaboration tools
  • AEC Collection$2975/month
    • Revit + AutoCAD + Civil 3D + more

SketchUp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SketchUp review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Autodesk Revit if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want parametric components.
Autodesk Revit 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 Autodesk Revit or SketchUp better?
Neither clearly leads. Autodesk Revit starts at $29/month and SketchUp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Autodesk Revit or SketchUp?
SketchUp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Autodesk Revit and Free for SketchUp.
Does Autodesk Revit or SketchUp run on more platforms?
Autodesk Revit 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. Autodesk Revit starts at $29/month.
What is Autodesk Revit best used for?
Autodesk Revit is most often used for 3d architectural design and bim (building information modeling) documentation, structural and mep (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) engineering coordination, construction scheduling and coordination workflows for project teams, ai-powered autodesk assistant for model queries and design analysis. Of those, 3d architectural design and bim (building information modeling) documentation and structural and mep (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) engineering coordination are not what SketchUp is typically brought in for.
What can Autodesk Revit do that SketchUp cannot?
Autodesk Revit covers BIM modeling, Parametric components, Collaboration, Documentation. SketchUp covers 3D modeling, 2D documentation, Animation, Extension warehouse. Both handle Rendering, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Autodesk Revit: How much does Autodesk Revit cost per month?

Autodesk Revit is available on a monthly subscription, with a 15-day return policy for trial conversions. Specific rates are not published on the product page.

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
Autodesk Revit: What discount does Autodesk offer for annual Revit subscriptions?

Revit annual subscriptions save 33% compared to monthly pricing. Specific price points are not displayed on the homepage.

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
Autodesk Revit: Can I install Revit on multiple computers?

Revit subscriptions allow installation on up to 3 computers, but only one named user can sign in at a time. Multi-seat team pricing is not detailed on the site.

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
Share

Related pages

More on Autodesk Revit

More on SketchUp

Keep looking

Other head to heads