# FreeCAD vs SketchUp

**Leader by Vioscale score:** FreeCAD

| Attribute | FreeCAD | SketchUp |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 67.1 (35% (low)) | 44.1 (34% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 4 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 33,079 | - |
| deployment.options | `{"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true,"hybrid":true}` |
| description.long | FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeling application that enables users to design real-world objects with precise dimensions and parameters. It supports bidirectional 2D-to-3D workflows, includes specialized workbenches for various domains (mechanical design, architecture, CAM), and seamlessly integrates with numerous file formats. | 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 | `{"iso_27001":false,"soc2_type_ii":false,"pricing_model":"completely_free_oss","deployment_model":"native_desktop_local","authoring_vs_coordination":"model_authoring","3d_parametric_object_modeling":true,"ifc_openbim_standard_compliance":true,"point_cloud_lidar_scan_ingestion":true,"fea_stress_and_thermal_simulation":true,"parametric_history_based_timeline":true,"pcb_electrical_circuit_design_sync":false,"cam_toolpath_generation_cnc_milling":true,"dwg_dxf_autocad_standard_file_import":true,"bim_architectural_information_modeling":true,"2d_drafting_and_dimensioning_blueprints":true,"automated_hard_and_soft_clash_detection":false,"nurbs_and_surface_mathematical_modeling":true,"stl_export_for_standardized_3d_printing":true,"4d_time_scheduling_and_5d_cost_estimation":false,"mep_mechanical_electrical_plumbing_detailing":false,"structural_steel_and_concrete_rebar_detailing":false}` | `{"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 | 8 | - |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"STEP"},{"name":"IGES"},{"name":"STL"},{"name":"SVG"},{"name":"DXF"},{"name":"OBJ"},{"name":"IFC"},{"name":"DAE"}]` | - |
| language.primary | C++ | - |
| license.spdx | LGPL-2.1 | - |
| market.availability | - | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | `{"ios":true,"mac":true,"web":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.freecad.org","retrievedAt":"2026-08-18T12:19:47.465Z"}` | `{"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 | commercial | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | free | low |
| pricing.transparent | yes | no |
| release.cadence_days | 6 | - |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.26","date":"2026-08-26T01:46:26Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.26"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.20","date":"2026-08-20T05:32:11Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.20"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.12","date":"2026-08-12T06:16:55Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.12"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.05","date":"2026-08-05T00:46:24Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.05"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.29","date":"2026-07-29T00:48:02Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.29"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/1.1.3","date":"2026-07-25T04:53:36Z","type":"stable","version":"1.1.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/1.1.2","date":"2026-07-23T15:01:22Z","type":"stable","version":"1.1.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.22","date":"2026-07-22T00:48:07Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.22"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.15","date":"2026-07-15T00:44:04Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.15"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.09","date":"2026-07-09T19:33:50Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.09"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.08","date":"2026-07-08T00:50:11Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.08"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.01","date":"2026-07-01T01:16:24Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.01"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.06.24","date":"2026-06-24T10:15:42Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.06.24"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.06.20","date":"2026-06-20T04:06:02Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.06.20"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.06.17","date":"2026-06-17T01:20:27Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.06.17"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.06.10","date":"2026-06-10T01:15:28Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.06.10"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.06.03","date":"2026-06-03T01:24:13Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.06.03"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.05.27","date":"2026-05-27T01:12:20Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.05.27"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.05.20","date":"2026-05-20T01:11:44Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.05.20"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.05.13","date":"2026-05-13T01:06:25Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.05.13"}]` | - |
| security.iso27001 | - | yes |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=conda&package_name=freecad&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` | - |

## Capabilities (CAD Software)

| Capability | FreeCAD | SketchUp |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | Native desktop local | 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 | Completely free oss | Flat monthly subscription |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T16:51:51.170Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*