Comparison

SketchUp vs 3D Modeling, Design

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SketchUp

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
Read full description

Experience the world's leading 3D design platform with a free 7-day Go trial! Without a subscription, you can still view 3D projects for free. Go offers essential 3D design tools, including SketchUp for iPad and SketchUp for Web. Created for design enthusiasts, architects, interior designers, contractors, home remodelers, construction professionals, and set designers, our intuitive tools streamline the creative process, allowing you to effortlessly craft 3D models and visualize concepts. Whether you're planning a home renovation, designing interiors, or creating a detailed architectural model, SketchUp helps bring your visions to life through 3D design. Go Features: - Work seamlessly across devices: Create 3D models on your iPad and computer using SketchUp.com. - Generative AI Designs: Harness the power of AI to create stunning visuals for architectural and home designs. Generate images that inspire your creative process and support your design narrative. - Room Planner & Space Design: Experiment with different layouts and design options to find the perfect fit for your space. Model your space with designer fixtures and furniture. - Real-time, realistic visuals: Create stunning photorealistic visuals by integrating environments and customizable real-world materials. - Scan-to-Design: Use our 3D scanning feature to capture real-world spaces, which AI intelligently transforms and organizes into editable 3D models. - Augmented Reality (AR): Visualize your designs in the real world with our AR capabilities. - DWG Compatibility: Import and export DWG files seamlessly, ensuring compatibility with other CAD software. - Import real-world information: Import images to textures, satellite imagery, 3D terrain, 3D buildings, and location information to power your designs with real-world context. Why Go? - Architects & Contractors: Transform your architectural visions into reality with intuitive 3D modeling tools. Quickly visualize and iterate design concepts and present ideas to clients and stakeholders. - Interior Designers & Home Remodelers: Visualize your ideas in 3D and AR, ensuring your designs meet expectations. Use AI image generation to inspire additional finishes and layouts. - Landscape Designer: Plan and visualize outdoor spaces, from planters to parks, with our 3D landscape tools, like real-time shadow studies, geo-locating satellite imagery, and 3D terrain. - DIYer: Whether you're planning a small remodel or a complete home renovation, SketchUp provides the tools you need to design and execute your projects with confidence. Without a subscription: - Switch between perspective and orthographic camera views. - Control the visibility of parts of your model. - Adjust the look and feel of your model by controlling Edge and Face styles, Shadows, Hidden Geometry, Section Planes, and Section Cuts. - Take measurements and get information about edge lengths, the area of faces, the volume of solids, and component and group definitions. - View models in augmented reality. IMPORT/EXPORT -Import: SKP, SKE, SKM, HDR, EXR, PNG, JPG, PDF, DWG, DXF, STL -Export: Images (PNG), Animations (MP4), SKP, USDz, PDF, DWG, DXF, OBJ, STL, MP4 REQUIREMENTS Requires iOS 17 or higher with a minimum of 1024Mb of RAM. For additional info, please visit help.sketchup.com. The AR model viewing feature uses ARKit and is compatible with iPhone 6s and newer, iPad Pro, or any 2017 iPad or newer. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Create 3D designs with a free 7-day Go trial. Payment will be charged to your Apple Account on confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before your subscription expiration date. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before your subscription expiration date. After completing your initial purchase, you can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renew by visiting your Apple Account Settings.

About

3D Modeling, Design

This app offers intuitive 3D modeling tools for creating detailed models on mobile devices. It's suitable for beginners, kids, and professionals, with features for game development and 3D printing. Export your designs for use in popular game engines or to bring them to life with a 3D printer.

Highlights
  • Intuitive 3D modeling tools
  • Sculpting capabilities
  • 3D model export (OBJ, STL)
  • Game development asset creation
  • 3D printing model preparation
  • Beginner-friendly interface
  • Model library for printing
Features
Read full description

Try the subscription-based 3D modeling app Shapeyard! Whether it’s 3D modeling on iPhone or 3D modeling for iPad – Shapeyard lets you create detailed 3D models using easy and intuitive tools that simplify 3D modeling for beginners and even make it accessible for kids. Shapeyard’s 3D modeling tools are perfect for 3D modeling for games. If you’re wondering how to make a game, start modeling with Shapeyard and export 3D models into Roblox Studio, Unity, and Unreal Engine through the OBJ or STL formats. Elevate your 3D printing endeavors with Shapeyard, the premier mobile iOS app designed to bring your creations to life. Seamlessly create intricate 3D models for 3D printing using our intuitive tools. Unleash your imagination and explore a world of possibilities as you discover an array of 3D models that you can readily download and print in 3D. Shapeyard empowers both beginners and experts to craft the best 3D prints, providing a platform to turn 3D printing models into tangible reality. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just embarking on your 3D printing journey, Shapeyard offers an extensive selection of 3D printing ideas and files, catering to your every need. With Shapeyard, the world of 3D printing is at your fingertips – explore, create, and print with unparalleled ease. Easily create and 3D print your models. Shapeyard allows you to export your creations into slicers and seamlessly transition to 3D printing for tangible results with unparalleled ease. Terms of Use: https://www.shapeyard.org/info/terms_of_use Privacy Policy: https://www.shapeyard.org/info/privacy_policy

Screenshots

SketchUp4 screens
3D Modeling, Design4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: SketchUp at free with in-app purchases against 3D Modeling, Design's subscription. SketchUp also leads on chart position (#126 vs unranked) and ratings volume (18K vs 5.7K). 3D Modeling, Design's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SketchUp sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month and 3D Modeling, Design sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for SketchUp against 4.5 for 3D Modeling, Design. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18K and 5.7K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 37% of SketchUp's written reviews are positive against 34% of 3D Modeling, Design's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SketchUp ships an update every 3 weeks, 3D Modeling, Design every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
SketchUp versus 3D Modeling, Design: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSketchUp3D Modeling, Design
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (18K ratings)4.5 (5.7K ratings)
Positive reviews37.0% of reviews — better34.1% of reviews
Number of ratings18K — better5.7K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#126 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size695 MB115 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTrimble Inc.Magic Unicorn Inc.

Customer experience

SketchUp

All ratings17,929 ratings
Positive86.5%
Neutral3.1%
Negative10.4%
Written reviews1,677 reviews
Positive37.0%
Neutral6.4%
Negative56.5%

3D Modeling, Design

All ratings5,704 ratings
Positive86.9%
Neutral2.1%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews964 reviews
Positive34.1%
Neutral8.2%
Negative57.7%

User reviews

SketchUp

From 18K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

3D Modeling, Design

From 5.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Smooth performance
  • 🚀 Convenient for mobile 3D modeling
  • 👍 Good for 3D printing projects
  • 👍 Impressive results for a mobile app

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Requires subscription to access core features
  • 🔒 Limited functionality without paid plan
  • 🐛 Crashes and glitches reported
  • 🐛 Unreliable saving and exporting
  • 🔋 High resource consumption

Bugs and requests

SketchUp

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

3D Modeling, Design

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes when trying to create models
  • Inability to save progress
  • Unreliable face tracking and scanning
  • Compatibility issues on older devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to customize avatars
  • Improve sculpting and modeling tools
  • Integrate with other 3D platforms
  • Provide more free content and features
  • Improve stability and reduce bugs

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SketchUp

Subscriptions3
  • SketchUp AI Monthly$11.991 Month
  • SketchUp Go Monthly7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • SketchUp Go Yearly7 Days trial$129.001 Year
10 purchases

3D Modeling, Design

Subscriptions9
  • Pro Version$2.997 Days
  • Pro Version7 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Pro Version3 Days trial$5.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • Pro Version$5.997 Days
  • Pro Version3 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Pro Version2 variants$14.991 Month
  • Pro Version$29.991 Year
  • Pro Version3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Pro Version$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$99.99

Questions

Is SketchUp free?
SketchUp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 3D Modeling, Design free?
3D Modeling, Design is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SketchUp or 3D Modeling, Design?
SketchUp and 3D Modeling, Design are both rated 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, from 18K and 5.7K ratings respectively.
Do SketchUp or 3D Modeling, Design have ads?
Neither SketchUp nor 3D Modeling, Design shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SketchUp or 3D Modeling, Design?
SketchUp ships an update every 3 weeks, and 3D Modeling, Design every 10 days. Most recently, SketchUp was updated on October 17, 2026 and 3D Modeling, Design on October 16, 2026.

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