# SketchUp vs Adobe Illustrator

SketchUp and Adobe Illustrator both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 37% of SketchUp's written reviews are positive against 13% of Adobe Illustrator's. SketchUp also leads on chart position (#139 vs unranked) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Adobe Illustrator's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.6). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SketchUp sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month and Adobe Illustrator sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for SketchUp against 4.5 for Adobe Illustrator. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18K and 38K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 37% of SketchUp's written reviews are positive against 13% of Adobe Illustrator's.

SketchUp ships an update every 3 weeks, Adobe Illustrator every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SketchUp | Adobe Illustrator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketchup-3d-modeling/id796352563/reviews) | **[4.5 (38K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adobe-illustrator-graphic-art/id1018784575/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 18K | **38K** |
| Positive reviews | **37.0% of reviews** | 13.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#139** | — |
| Size | 695 MB | 856 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Trimble Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/322561665) | [Adobe Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/331646274) |

## What reviewers say

### SketchUp

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketchup-3d-modeling/id796352563)

**Currently charting:** #139 Top Free · Graphics & Design (US App Store)

This platform offers intuitive 3D modeling tools for design enthusiasts and professionals. Visualize concepts, create photorealistic visuals, and even use AI to generate design ideas. Scan real-world spaces and view your creations in augmented reality.

**Highlights:** 3D modeling tools, Generative AI designs, Room planner & space design, Photorealistic visuals, Scan-to-design, Augmented reality (AR) visualization, DWG compatibility

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SketchUp AI Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| SketchUp Go Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| SketchUp Go Yearly | $129.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great potential
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🚀 Powerful and capable
- 👍 Excellent for designers, engineers, and contractors
- 👍 Smooth performance and rendering

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Requires paid subscription
- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔒 Limited functionality in free version
- 🔒 Expensive for casual users
- 🔒 Complicated navigation and UI

**Reported bugs**

- Login and account creation problems
- Crashes and freezes when opening large models
- Inability to hide/unhide components
- Inconsistent behavior with Apple Pencil
- Outdated model not updating properly

**Requested features**

- 2D drawing and 3D model integration
- More intuitive navigation and controls
- Improved file management and syncing
- Offline mode and reduced dependency on internet
- Affordable pricing options for casual users


### Adobe Illustrator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adobe-illustrator-graphic-art/id1018784575)

Create logos, illustrations, and graphics on your iPad with intuitive Apple Pencil support. Design vector art, manipulate type, and create patterns on the go, even offline. Seamlessly sync your work across devices and other Adobe apps.

**Highlights:** Vector drawing with Apple Pencil, Advanced typography tools, Pattern creation, Image vectorization, Cross-device syncing, Gradient and color tools

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Illustrator on iPad : Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Adobe Design Mobile: Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Illustrator on iPad : Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Adobe Design Mobile: Yearly | $149.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth and intuitive
- 👍 Great for on-the-go vector work
- 🚀 Seamless sync with desktop Illustrator
- 👍 Useful for quick sketches and illustrations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 🔍 Missing key desktop features
- 🔍 Buggy layer and selection handling
- 🔍 Limited export options and quality
- 🔍 Unintuitive interface in some areas

**Reported bugs**

- Layers disappearing or not updating properly
- Eraser tool behaving inconsistently
- Pasting content causing unexpected issues
- Frequent crashes when working on complex files

**Requested features**

- Ability to rotate canvas
- More brush and stroke customization options
- Implement Gaussian blur and other effects
- Add support for keyboard shortcuts
- Improve file management and cloud sync


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SketchUp free?

SketchUp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Adobe Illustrator free?

Adobe Illustrator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SketchUp or Adobe Illustrator?

Adobe Illustrator is rated higher. SketchUp averages 4.5 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Adobe Illustrator averages 4.5 from 38K ratings.

### Do SketchUp or Adobe Illustrator have ads?

Neither SketchUp nor Adobe Illustrator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SketchUp or Adobe Illustrator?

SketchUp ships an update every 3 weeks, and Adobe Illustrator every 2 months. Most recently, SketchUp was updated on November 1, 2026 and Adobe Illustrator on November 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*