# Altium Designer vs SketchUp

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Altium Designer

| Attribute | Altium Designer | SketchUp |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 57.6 (43% (low)) | 44.1 (34% (low)) |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"hybrid":true}` | `{"cloud":true,"hybrid":true}` |
| description.long | Altium Designer is a comprehensive electronics design platform that combines schematic capture, PCB layout, circuit simulation, and manufacturing preparation. It integrates with Altium 365's cloud workspace to enable secure real-time collaboration, version control, and design data management for electronics development teams. | Software for creating and visualizing 3D models used by architects, builders, and designers, with AI-powered features for generating realistic renderings and 3D objects. |
| features.capabilities | - | `{"pricing_model":"flat_monthly_subscription","deployment_model":"cloud_processing_hybrid","fea_stress_and_thermal_simulation":false,"parametric_history_based_timeline":false,"pcb_electrical_circuit_design_sync":false,"cam_toolpath_generation_cnc_milling":false,"dwg_dxf_autocad_standard_file_import":true,"bim_architectural_information_modeling":true,"2d_drafting_and_dimensioning_blueprints":true,"nurbs_and_surface_mathematical_modeling":false,"stl_export_for_standardized_3d_printing":true}` |
| integrations.count | 15 | - |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Altium 365"},{"name":"EAGLE"},{"name":"KiCad"},{"name":"OrCAD"},{"name":"PADS"},{"name":"Zuken CR-5000"},{"name":"Siemens NX"},{"name":"Autodesk Inventor"},{"name":"Onshape"},{"name":"Arena"},{"name":"Duro"},{"name":"Jira"},{"name":"Slack"},{"name":"SiliconExpert"},{"name":"Z2Data"}]` | - |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"US","primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"web":true,"windows":true}` | `{"ios":true,"mac":true,"web":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Altium Develop","summary":"$995/year for 1 author; add authors at $995/year each up to 5 total","features":["Altium Designer desktop license","Altium 365 workspace","Unlimited workspace viewers","ECAD-MCAD co-design","Version control","Real-time design collaboration","Review and feedback tracking"],"minSeats":1,"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"author","amount":995,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Individual designer or small team with desktop design and cloud collaboration","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Advanced MCAD CoDesigner","summary":"$499/user/year","features":["MCAD tool synchronization"],"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":499,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Mechanical CAD integration add-on","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Assembly Assistant","summary":"From $999/user/year","features":["Assembly workflow guidance"],"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":999,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Manual assembly optimization application","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"BOM Portal","summary":"$1999/user/year","features":["Supply chain monitoring","Part health tracking"],"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":1999,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Bill of Materials and supply chain risk platform","contactSales":false}],"addOns":[{"name":"Design Review"},{"name":"Process Workflows","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":999,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"Requirements & Systems Portal","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":999,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"Secure Collaboration (Organizational Security Package)","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":1500,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"SiliconExpert Integration","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":5000,"period":null,"currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"Z2Data Integration","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":5000,"period":null,"currency":"USD"}]}],"summary":"From $995/year for individual designer. Free 30-day trial. Team and enterprise editions available with additional applications priced per-user or per-organization.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.altium.com/in/platform/pricing","retrievedAt":"2026-08-18T12:23:14.812Z","freeTrialDays":30,"startingPrice":{"amount":499,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["year"]}` | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Free","description":"Web-based version with basic modeling and AI assistant access","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Go","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Pro","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Studio","description":"For higher education","contactSales":false}],"addOns":[{"name":"SketchUp AI","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":11.99,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}]}],"summary":"Free web version available; paid subscriptions at monthly or annual rates; AI add-on at $11.99/month","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://sketchup.trimble.com/fr/plans-and-pricing/sketchup-ai","retrievedAt":"2026-08-25T08:33:46.252Z","freeTrialDays":7,"billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | freemium | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | high | low |
| pricing.transparent | yes | no |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |
| security.iso27001 | - | yes |
| security.soc2 | yes | - |

## Capabilities (CAD Software)

| Capability | Altium Designer | SketchUp |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | - | Cloud processing hybrid |
| Parametric history based timeline | - | ✗ |
| Nurbs and surface mathematical modeling | - | ✗ |
| 2d drafting and dimensioning blueprints | - | ✓ |
| Cam toolpath generation cnc milling | - | ✗ |
| Bim architectural information modeling | - | ✓ |
| Fea stress and thermal simulation | - | ✗ |
| Pcb electrical circuit design sync | - | ✗ |
| Stl export for standardized 3d printing | - | ✓ |
| Dwg dxf autocad standard file import | - | ✓ |
| SOC2 type ii | - | - |
| ISO 27001 | - | - |
| Pricing model | - | Flat monthly subscription |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T16:34:07.798Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*