SketchUp
Free, with limitsPowerful free web 3D modeler, but personal-use only and export is gated to skp/png/stl.
Free tier & pricing
SketchUp Free is free for personal, non-commercial use in the browser only; you can model and download skp/png/stl, but DWG/DXF/OBJ/PDF export, the desktop app, and extensions all require a paid plan.
Last verified Jun 23, 2026. Report a change →
The short answer
SketchUp Free is a genuinely capable browser 3D modeler that's free for personal projects. The limits: it's web-only, non-commercial, and you can only get .skp, .png, and .stl out. Any DWG/OBJ/PDF export, a desktop app, or photoreal rendering means paying for Go, Pro, or Studio.
The facts
- Pricing
- $129/yr · Free, with limits
- Free tier
- Yes
- Runs in browser
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Windows, macOS, iPadOS
- 2D / 3D
- Basic 3D
- Learning curve
- Moderate
- Export formats
- SKP, PNG, STL, DWG, DXF, OBJ, PDF
The catch
- Browser only — no offline app.
- The free tier is personal, non-commercial use only.
- You must create an account to save or export.
- Your projects live in their cloud; you can lose them if you stop paying.
- The paid plan is annual billing only.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Free web version is genuinely powerful for hobby 3D modeling with no install
- Massive 3D Warehouse component library available to everyone
- Industry standard with an enormous tutorial and community ecosystem
- Free tier exports STL, which is great for 3D printing
Cons
- Free tier is non-commercial and browser-only
- No DWG/OBJ/PDF export without paying for Go ($129/yr) or higher
- No real photorealistic rendering until Studio ($819/yr, Windows-only V-Ray)
- Prices increased in mid-2025; desktop app requires Pro ($399/yr)
Best for
Hobbyists, students, and makers doing personal 3D models or 3D-printing in the browser for free.
Not for
Commercial users or anyone needing DWG/CAD interoperability or photoreal renders without committing to $129/yr or more.
Alternatives to SketchUp
Sweet Home 3D
Truly freeCompletely free and open-source for personal and commercial use with no feature paywall; the only real limit is that the online and mobile versions can't import custom 3D models or export OBJ, which the desktop app handles.
Planner 5D
Free, with limitsFree to design unlimited 2D/3D projects, but about half the furniture catalog is locked, you get no proper renders, and DWG/DXF export plus custom 3D import require the Professional plan.
Live Home 3D
Free, with limitsThe free version limits you to one active project at a time, watermarks all image and video exports, and disables 3D-model export entirely; a one-time Standard purchase removes those limits.
See all SketchUp alternatives compared →