Graphic design and all it encompasses is becoming more and more popular on both a personal level and professional level. There are a multitude of programs that work to assist individuals in the graphic design process, a well-known option being SketchUp.

SketchUp is a software that allows users to bring their creativity to life on many different devices including laptops, desktops, and iPads. This program offers an abundance of plans and services designed to fit your graphic design needs on every level. While SketchUp may fit the needs of many graphic designers, there are plenty of other programs that might be a better fit for you or your business. The following list mentions worthy alternatives to SketchUp.

Top 7 Best SketchUp Alternatives and Competitors

  1. Fusion 360 – Most Detail-Oriented Alternative
  2. Art of Illusion – Most User-Friendly Alternative
  3. Revit – Most Interior Design-Oriented Alternative
  4. Blender – Most All-Encompassing Alternative
  5. Tinkercad – Most Beginner-Friendly Alternative
  6. Shapr3D – Most Travel-Friendly Alternative
  7. MicroStation – Most Professional Alternative

1. Fusion 360 – Most Detail-Oriented Alternative

PRICING: starts at $60/month

This program was developed with the serious graphic designer in mind. It offers many detailed features that may take a beginner a while to fully understand. However, once familiar with the interface, Fusion 360 can provide you or your business with a more powerful option when it comes to digital design and modeling.

One highlight of this software is its ability to provide data management across digital projects. This allows you to keep track of your work in an organized manner. There is also a large inventory of online resources to help aid in familiarizing yourself with this program.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Highly detailed modeling capabilities
  • In-depth resources
  • Flexible
  • Data management
  • Animation
  • 3D display

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Best for slightly experienced individuals
  • System allows for extensive detail
  • Product design for businesses
  • Seamless modeling/rendering

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Possibly too advanced for a beginner
  • Developed with businesses in mind

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2. Art of Illusion – Most User-Friendly Alternative

PRICING: Free

Art of Illusion is a free software designed for beginner graphic designers. It offers a simple interface that allows for basic 3D rendering and model design. Originally developed in 1999, this program has remained popular within certain digital design communities because of its many user-friendly features offered at no cost.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Plug-ins
  • Built-in rendering
  • Simplicity

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Very user-friendly
  • Simple interface
  • Developed for for the hobbyist

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Might be too basic for business use
  • Outdated features

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3. Revit – Most Interior Design-Oriented Alternative

PRICING: starts at $335/month

This program is a highly complex architecture and interior design option. Revit is suited for both personal and business use, and has several different paid plans depending on your desired use. You can choose between paying $335/month, $2,675/year, or $7,625/3 years for this software’s long list of architectural design features.

They also offer a “pay-as-you-go” option for day-to-day use. This payment plan, called “Flex”, uses a digital coin system. Users purchase packs of coins and redeem them for daily Revit use. This option is best suited for those requiring personal use of the program.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Detailed design capabilities
  • Seamless project integration
  • CAD and BIM
  • Advanced structural engineering

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Highly detailed
  • Developed for architectural and interior designers

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Costly for personal use
  • Complex
  • Takes time to understand the software

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4. Blender – Most All-Encompassing Alternative

PRICING: Free

Blender is a modern digital design software that allows for advanced 3D modeling and animation. This program focuses on being a quick, easy-to-use solution for all your graphic design and animation needs.

Due to its open sourcing option, Blender might seem more suited for the hobbyist and personal user, however, it remains popular within the professional community as well.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Program integration
  • Detailed 3D sculpting option
  • Open source software

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Many features
  • No cost
  • Open sourcing provides opportunity for customization
  • Diverse
  • Very popular within the 3D design and animation communities

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Might not be the best option for business use
  • Higher chance of bugs

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5. Tinkercad – Most Beginner-Friendly Alternative

PRICING: Free

Tinkercad is a free, web-based 3D design option for beginners looking to familiarize themselves with the world of graphic design. It was originally developed as a simple digital design option for individuals with no prior experience in the field. This website can also serve as a way to familiarize yourself with CAD modeling.

KEY FEATURES:

  • CAD modeling
  • Many tutorials

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Beginner-friendly
  • Browser-based/No downloads necessary
  • Simple interface
  • Easy to navigate

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Not very complex
  • Might not be suited for the advanced graphic designer
  • Not professional

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6. Shapr3D – Most Travel-Friendly Alternative

PRICING:

  • Free for two users
  • Free for those with educational licenses
  • $240/year for the Pro option

Shapr3D started as an app designed for iPad/Apple Pencil users and has since been rendered for use on Mac computers. This CAD application allows for on-the-go 3D modeling and is geared more toward the avid hobbyist. Shapr3D includes a clean interface and very common modeling functions.

KEY FEATURES:

  • iPad/Apple Pencil suited
  • Allows for import of outside CAD extensions

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Simple interface
  • Common functions
  • Available as an iPad application
  • Allows for extensions
  • CAD

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Not made for business use
  • Steep price for hobby use

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7. MicroStation – Most Professional Alternative

PRICING: $2,560/year after a free 14-day trial

MicroStation is Windows software used by professionals in the architectural and engineering fields. This system is very advanced, in that its features are made for professional use and not for the general hobby designer.

The cost of this program is relatively high, however MicroStation’s abilities can be well worth the price. The hyperrealistic interface and design and analysis features are two of many things that might make this software a quality fit for your business needs.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Realistic interface
  • Design and analysis features

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Fit for professional work
  • Advanced features
  • Seamless design and development

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Not suited for beginners/hobbyists
  • Hard to navigate
  • Steep price

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References and Links

  • https://www.sketchup.com/
  • https://all3dp.com/2/best-sketchup-alternative/
  • https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview?term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription
  • http://www.artofillusion.org/index
  • https://www.g2.com/products/art-of-illusion/reviews
  • https://www.autodesk.com/products/revit/overview?term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription
  • https://www.sculpteo.com/en/3d-learning-hub/3d-printing-software/sketchup-alternatives/
  • https://www.epidemicsound.com/blog/blender-software/?
  • https://www.tinkercad.com/
  • https://www.shapr3d.com/
  • https://www.getapp.com/construction-software/a/shapr3d/reviews/
  • https://www.bentley.com/en/products/brands/microstation