As an interior designer you may well already have a favourite interior design software program which is your go-to when designing new spaces for clients. But is it working the best it can for you and your business? Or are you in the market to upgrade?
If you’re in the process of searching for new software, you’ll quickly come across SketchUp. The design heavyweight is without a doubt an excellent tool for design and construction professionals, but it does come with a high price tag and steep learning curve which can lead interior designers to look for a SketchUp alternative.
SketchUp does have many benefits if you’re using it for interior design. However, it is primarily CAD software (computer-aided design) designed to assist with civil and mechanical engineering and product design through direct modeling or parametric modeling.
It still has excellent elements intended for interior and architectural design, however customers are often paying the software’s high price tag without using a wide range of its features.
This is where SketchUp alternatives come into play. Here we will look at the top features SketchUp offers to designers and how these top five SketchUp alternatives compare.
One key feature that makes SketchUp so popular is its 3D rendering capabilities. With the ability to bring your designs to life for your clients before they take the plunge, your business will exude professionalism from the get-go.
Three-dimensional designs will help you spot problems with ease and let you get ready for the next step of the design process in shorter time frames. They are also fantastic for helping your clients visualise and understand the plan, to keep the project running smoothly and on time.
Whilst 3D plans are fantastic, 2D renderings are also needed in whichever CAD software you choose. Essential for creating floor plans and for showing detailed sections of your designs, the 2D features in SketchUp can pull details from the 3D renderings and these elements work harmoniously together.
This is a key element to look for in any SketchUp alternative you are thinking of using.
Along with the key aesthetic details, SketchUp also lets you lay out the more practical aspects of your designs such as lighting and electrical plans for a well-rounded, finished plan. It’s essential to look for more than just aesthetic aspects when considering SketchUp alternatives.
When browsing for CAD software, you’ll want to look for programs that will help you design efficiently. Not having to model every detail of your design from scratch is a big draw for many of the top software tools and it’s again where SketchUp excels.
The SketchUp 3D Warehouse is a vast digital library filled with product models from top brands around the world which you can instantly add to your designs, so your clients can get a realistic look at the ideas you have for their project. This will in turn help them to visualise your plans.
Another key benefits the tool offers is that you can take your designs on the go, which is a key feature to consider when looking for a Sketchup alternative.
The Pro and Studio versions of the tool offer on-the-go capabilities (for example iPad or Chromebook functionality, or even a mobile device) which can be a much easier format to showcase your designs to clients rather than desktops.
There is also SketchUp Go which is solely for on-the-go designing, however, whilst this is a cheaper option, it might not be as suitable for big design projects with intricate details. We’ve seen that learning how to use the CAD software on desktop is easier and helps you to make more use of all the program’s features.
As we’ve mentioned above, SketchUp is at the top of the interior design software game, however, it’s a pricey tool for smaller design businesses to sign up to.
There are three main plans to choose from. They are SketchUp Go for £95 per year, SketchUp Pro for £245 and SketchUp Studio for £549. Each one offers more features than the last and there are also many extensions and plugins that can enhance your experience and designs too.
There is a basic free version which can be used for small or personal projects, but this is recommended for professionals.
There are many interior design software programs to choose from, each with their own unique pros and cons. But not all of them compare to the powerhouse which is SketchUp.
So we’ve done the research for you to bring you the five best SketchUp Alternatives that will still give you most of the key features known and loved by the popular software program.
A wonderfully affordable option, Planner 5D has a completely free version for personal use and for professionals, their Pro version is £5 a month or £59.99 for the whole year. This is a fantastic SketchUp alternative for small businesses or those just starting out and will really help you upgrade your designs for your clients.
Along with key architectural design elements like creating 2D floor plans and effortlessly turning these into 3D renderings in seconds. Planner 5D also lets you build a branded profile. This feature really lets your business speak for itself, showcase credibility and allow clients to reach out to you directly.
Not only can you turn any of your plans into 3D designs, but Planner 5D also offers 4K technology for truly realistic renderings. Along with these hyperrealistic renderings, you can also create 360° panoramas to really help your clients visualise the designs you are creating for them.
Whilst it may be a more basic software, they are constantly updating the tool, and new features coming soon will be the ability to chat with clients directly on the Planner 5D platform, walkthroughs to complement the panorama feature, and the ability to create mood boards.
Planner 5D already has many features that align with SketchUp like the ability to design in both 2D and 3D, designing on the go, and a vast design library, and the new features they’re continually adding will only bring this software even more in line with the software heavyweight.
Another fantastically affordable SketchUp alternative is Homestyler. Again free for the basic version, there are then two individual options (Pro at £4.90 per month and Master at £9.90 per month), for those businesses with a team of designers who will need to access the software there is the Team account for £19.60 per month.
They also have an Enterprise account which gives you all of the Team features plus even more branding and customisation opportunities. This account is also where you can access the 3D modeling software.
You have to contact Homestyler for custom pricing for this type of account but judging by the prices of the standard plans on their website, the Enterprise account is sure to still be a cheaper alternative to SketchUp.
With an easy step by step process to creating realistic renders to wow your clients, Homestyler has many key features that will impress you. The first step is to design your 2D floorplan which the software will build your 3D rooms from, this is then followed by simply dragging and dropping furniture into the room.
From here you can render your designs on the cloud so you have access to them everywhere. Once you have uploaded your design the Homestyle browser does the hard work and you can have photorealistic rendering, panoramas, VR virtual tours, and even create animations.
Homestyle offers a streamlined design workflow as one of its many advantages, allowing for easy visualisation for designers and clients. You never need to keep swapping between 2D floor planning and 3D modeling thanks to this all-in-one software.
Another fantastic feature Homestyler offers is a comprehensive library. With over 300,000 3D furniture and accessory pieces and 2D textures available in this 3D model library, you will easily be able to find the right elements to bring your designs to life.
Homestyler is a strong SketchUp alternative that offers many of the same software features for a lower price. The cloud-based interface gives you access to your designs on the go and the extensive library will assist your work at every turn.
The many different account types means you can trial the best version of Homestyler for you and your business, and you can work you way up to the Enterprise account if you aren’t sure you’re ready for that step just yet.
At roughly £480 when converted from USD, Chief Architect’s Home Designer Pro is at the pricier end for a SketchUp alternative however this all-singing, all-dancing software has professionalism at its core.
The Pro version is the most expensive of the three options, however, it has the most editable and customisable features that your designs will greatly benefit from.
As it’s created by Chief Architect, Home Designer Pro has architectural design at its heart which is fantastic for designers that will be getting involved with the plans from the ground up.
On top of the many structural engineering features which will assist architects and designers alike, there are also many of the classic design features we know and love from other CAD software.
All the features of this heavy-duty tool are too many to list, however smoothly switching between 2D and 3D renderings, extensive detail and model library, along with 80+ training videos and 500+ How To articles to help get you started are just a few that you can expect. But there is so much more this software offers too.
Probably as equally as extensive as SketchUp’s offering in terms of features available, Home Designer Pro, however, is arguably better suited to those designing homes with its copious building and interior features.
It may be too comprehensive for those businesses just looking at the interior aspect of design, however, so this is something to consider before taking the plunge. The software’s website has an in-depth comparison tool which is handy for scoping out the features you require in a tool and what may be surplus to requirement.
HomeByMe offers three pricing plans. The first is a free version, followed by the Premium version at £21 a month (£250 for the year), then there is an Unlimited+ version at £41 a month (£490 a year). Something to bear in mind with this software however is that even the Unlimited+ account does have its limitations, for example, you will only get 10 free 360° images. However, you can buy additional packs for a small fee.
One of HomeByMe’s main selling points is it advertises itself as the ‘easiest planner on the market’. Whether you create your floor plan from scratch or upload an existing 2D plan, the software’s ergonomic and intuitive interface lets you create detailed designs with ease in record time.
Along with the photorealistic 4K images and 3D virtual tours that we come to expect with the leading names in this type of software, you can also interact with your clients via the program and make real-time changes in your meetings with them.
Even if you find yourself without an internet connection, you can still access your designs on the go thanks to the mobile app.
We know that an extensive catalogue of furniture, accessories, and furnishings is important when looking for a SketchUp alternative. HomeByMe can easily compete with the big names thanks to its library of over 300 brands.
From La Redoute and Wayfair, to Ralph Lauren Home and Anthropologie, there are real-life brands in every price point to populate your designs with. Which will give your clients a realistic feel for exactly what you can do for them and their homes.
The Unlimited+ package not technically being unlimited is a slight drawback for this software. However, its ease of use, a comprehensive library of real-life brands that you can easily purchase from, and great on-the-go facilities make HomeByMe a strong competitor for SketchUp.
Cedreo is a firm front-runner in the interior design software game, however, it is the priciest of the bunch (even more than SketchUp). There is a free basic version and a Personal version for roughly £105 per project. These options aren’t really suitable for businesses, however.
The Pro version which is their most popular account is roughly £88 per month (£1055 per year), but if you want unlimited access for multiple users then you will need to go with the Enterprise account which is roughly £110 per month (£1321 per year).
Now this SketchUp alternative does come with a higher price tag, so if the price is what’s making you want to look elsewhere, then this may not be the software for you. However. if you’re looking for more purely interior design-led features, Cedreo could be a fantastic option.
Boasting a much easier to use but more in-depth interface than SketchUp, Cedreo is made exclusively for passionate remodelers, home builders and especially interior design professionals. Because of this, every feature has been streamlined to help with the home designing process.
The level of detail you can create in the 2D floor plans, fully furnished 3D floor plans, and photorealistic 3D renderings and walkthroughs are second to none. You also have access to 7,000+ pieces of furniture, decor and materials, and this database is updated every month, so the features you can add to your designs are only growing.
The cloud-based interface means you are never far away from your designs, and you can log in and start working in moments from anywhere thanks to this. The cloud-based interface also means you can work with your clients in real-time to update their designs when you’re with them. Saving on the time-consuming toing and froing that can often happen with interior design projects.
Whilst it may not compete in price, Cedreo definitely goes toe to toe with SketchUp in terms of useability and dedicated interior features that can make the lives of interior designers much, much easier.
It is a big splurge, but we urge you to give this software a demo if you are looking for a superbly sleek program that will woo and wow your clients at every turn.
SketchUp is the frontrunner of the design software market, however, that doesn’t always mean it’s the best for your business. The five programs we have shared above all offer some, if not all, (and in some cases, more) of the same features with less of the technical learning required to start using them.
You might not be able to get stuck into parametric modeling or high-tech animation software like you can with SketchUp, but if it’s just interior design software you’re looking for, these are excellent SketchUp alternatives.
Now that winter has melted away and the sun is shining, it’s time to capture the beauty of the outdoors. You can’t go wrong with the vibrant colors and stunning natural landscapes of spring and summer. From vivid sunsets to fields of blooming wildflowers, the possibilities are endless.
Plus, this is the perfect opportunity to upgrade your gear and take advantage of seasonal promotions. One company offering great deals is Tamron, with instant savings on their top lenses. We’ve compiled a guide to help you choose the right lens for your photography style and make the most of these discounts. So, get ready to capture the magic of the seasons with your new Tamron lens.
Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (model A058)
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD is the world’s first all-in-one zoom with an f2 aperture for mirrorless full-frame system cameras with a design that is as elegant as it is robust. An outstanding lens in every respect, it is suitable for all typical shooting situations in travel photography – from landscapes and architecture to portraits, group shots and everyday snapshots, even in low-light scenes. The design of the 35-150mm f2-2.8 is trend-setting. The focus and zoom rings have a better grip thanks to a new ribbing. The glossy surface is particularly resistant to scratches and dirt. With the fast VXD autofocus, every moment is captured sharply with excellent contrast and color rendition. The wide focal length range from 35mm wide-angle to 150mm telephoto, the very high speed and the advanced technology make this lens for Sony E Mount a unique workhorse.
Price: $1899 (check Tamron’s website for Instant Savings)
Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD (model A071)
The Tamron 28-200mm f2.8-5.6 for Sony E Mount is an ideal lens for travel and delivers superb optical performance. Whether landscape panoramas, portraits or telephoto shots full of details – with its wide zoom range, the 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD captures any subject in excellent image quality. Special elements and the high speed of f/2.8-5.6 ensure sharp and brilliant photos even in low light. The special elements minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure uniformly high imaging performance in both the wide-angle and telephoto ranges. It features Moisture-Resistant Construction and a hydrophobic Fluorine Coating that repels fingerprints and dirt. Despite the large zoom range and sophisticated optical design, the lens is only 4.6” long and weighs just 20.3 oz.
Price: $729 (check Tamron’s website for Instant Savings)
Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD (model A046)
The Tamron 17-28mm for Sony E Mount offers a large f2.8 aperture throughout the entire zoom range and delivers high-resolution and contrast edge-to-edge. The combination of ultra wide-angle focal length, large constant f2.8 aperture and a Minimum Object Distance of 7.5” at the wide end encourages richly expressive and creative photography in a multitude of scenarios. The zoom’s AF drive system is powered by the RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) stepping motor unit that enables it to deliver high-speed, high-precision and superbly quiet operation, making it suitable for shooting virtually noise-free video as well as still photographs. It features Moisture-Resistant Construction and a hydrophobic Fluorine Coating that repels fingerprints and dirt. Plus, the 17-28mm is fully compatible with various camera-specific features including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF. High performance, combined with exceptional portability, make the 17-28mm zoom ideal for daily use.
Price: $899 (check Tamron’s website for Instant Savings)
Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (model A063)
The 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A063), a fast-aperture standard zoom lens for Sony E Mount full-frame mirrorless cameras, delivers outstanding resolution and superb overall performance in a lightweight and compact zoom lens. Optimized for the latest full-frame mirrorless cameras, the lens provides exceptional optical performance with the soft, beautiful bokeh effects that are distinctive to fast-aperture lenses. The exciting 28-75mm f2.8 G2 is equipped with a new, groundbreaking Tamron Lens Utility that lets users to easily perform customization and firmware updates. Tamron’s new VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism delivers excellent quietness and agile performance. The enhanced features of this G2 lens create a potent, everyday zoom lens befitting the very latest generation of mirrorless cameras, a lens that draws you a giant step closer to maximizing your enjoyment of photography.
Price: $899 (check Tamron’s website for Instant Savings)
Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD (model A057)
The Tamron 150-500mm VC for Sony E Mount and FUJIFILM X Mount features a very compact design and superb image quality. This amazing zoom lens achieves a 500mm focal length while retaining a compact size with a length of just 8.3.” And on a crop-sensor camera, the lens provides the full-frame equivalent of 225mm to 750mm. With VC image stabilization, it’s easy to carry and comfortable to shoot handheld. The design places major emphasis on image quality with an optical construction that features 25 elements in 16 groups and utilizes special lens elements and hybrid aspherical lens elements to control chromatic aberrations. BBAR-G2 Coating is used to suppress ghosting and flare, which could otherwise occur under backlit conditions. The 150-500mm f5-6.7 is a highly versatile lens that lets you capture a wide array of subjects ranging from landscapes and birds to sports and wildlife.
Price: $1299 Sony E Mount / $1399 Fujifilm X Mount (check Tamron’s website for Instant Savings)
Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (model A067)
The Tamron 50-400mm is the unprecedented, next-level ultra-telephoto zoom lens for Sony E Mount. Featuring an 8x zoom ratio, it provides a wide range of focal lengths that covers a range from standard all the way to ultra-tele to offer an unmatched level of versatility. With its wide 50mm starting focal length, subjects like wildlife can be captured in their surroundings, and the lens is particularly useful for side-line sports and other subjects that move closer as you are shooting, allowing you to continue photographing without the need to change lenses. Despite its high resolving power and extraordinary reach, the 50-400mm is incredibly compact at just 7.2″ and 40.7 oz. It is equipped with Tamron’s VXD linear motor focus mechanism and proprietary VC image stabilization mechanism. Users can enjoy the world of half-macro photography with its 9.8″ MOD at the 50mm end, and a 1:2 maximum magnification ratio. And select functions can be customized and the firmware can be updated with the dedicated TAMRON Lens Utility. This one lens captures a lively world with all the clarity you desire and can guide you to exhilarating new photographic experiences.
Price: $1299 (check Tamron’s website for Instant Savings)
Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (model B061)
The Tamron 18-300mm is the world’s first lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras with a 16.6x zoom ratio, covering wide-angle to an ultra-telephoto range (27mm to 450mm full-frame equivalent). Designed for Fujifilm X-Mount and Sony E-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras, the lens includes special lens elements arranged precisely to maintain high resolution performance from edge-to-edge and provide high image quality making it the best of all all-in-one zoom lenses. Moreover, with an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 5.9″ at 18mm, and a remarkable maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, this lens performs astonishingly well when shooting up close. The lens is equipped with Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism, effectively reducing image blur caused by camera shake in low-light conditions or in the ultra-telephoto range at slower shutter speeds. The Tamron VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism provides superior quietness and agile performance. With a wide variety of other features for comfortable shooting, this is a highly versatile lens that allows you to easily enjoy high image quality from wide-angle to ultra-telephoto and paves the way for exciting new photographic experiences.
Price: $699 (check Tamron’s website for Instant Savings)
Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD (model B060)
The Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 ultra wide-angle zoom lens for Sony E and FUJIFILM X Mounts is the ideal lens for everyday photo and video use with its full-frame equivalent zoom range of 16.5-30mm. Even with its fast f2.8 aperture, the lens is very small and feels perfectly balanced on a compact APS-C mirrorless camera body. And at 11mm, the lens provides stunning close-range shooting performance with its MOD of 5.9” and maximum magnification ratio of 1:4. This feature invites creative wide-angle macro shooting that exploits the unique perspective that only ultra wide-angle lenses can provide. Additionally, the quiet RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) stepping motor AF drive is perfect for both still and video use. This zoom lens is protected by Moisture-Resistant Construction and durable Fluorine Coating that provide extra protection when shooting outdoors. The compact size, fast f2.8 aperture, practical zoom range and superb image quality make the 11-20mm zoom an ideal choice for travel, landscape, street, and general photography.
Price: $829 (check Tamron’s website for Instant Savings)
Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (model B070)
Tamron’s SP 150–600mm Di VC USD G2 ultra tele lens features outstanding optical performance and Tamron’s lauded VC system for handheld shooting with remarkable definition. It provides excellent resolution from corner to corner and is optimized for use with today’s higher pixel-density cameras. With its MOD of 7.2’, the lens provides a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.9 for real macro images at 600mm. Fast and precise AF speed, three VC modes, new Flex Zoom Lock, plus Arca-Swiss type removable tripod mount, fluorine coating, Tap-In Console compatibility, and two optional teleconverters round out the SP 150-600mm G2.
Price: $699 Sony E Mount / $799 Fujifilm X Mount (check Tamron’s website for Instant Savings)
Tamron 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (model A022)
Tamron’s SP 150–600mm Di VC USD G2 ultra tele lens for Canon and Nikon DSLR lenses or mirrorless with the camera manufacturer adapter features outstanding optical performance and Tamron’s lauded VC system for handheld shooting with remarkable definition. It provides excellent resolution from corner to corner and is optimized for use with today’s higher pixel-density cameras. With its MOD of 7.2’, the lens provides a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.9 for real macro images at 600mm. Fast and precise AF speed, three VC modes, new Flex Zoom Lock, plus Arca-Swiss type removable tripod mount, fluorine coating, and Tap-In Console compatibility round out the SP 150-600mm G2.
Price: $1399 (check Tamron’s website for Instant Savings)
