SketchUp Free vs Go vs Pro vs Studio (2026): What to Choose -and what’s “between” Pro and Studio?

If you’ve ever looked at SketchUp’s plans and thought, “Okay… but what do I actually get in each one?” you’re not alone.

In this guide, I’ll break down the SketchUp tiers in simple terms, then zoom in on the part most people miss: the specialist subscription upgrades between SketchUp Pro and SketchUp Studio for workflows that need Revit interoperability and point cloud / scan-to-model capability.

What’s the usual lineup? SketchUp’s core subscription path is:

1. SketchUp Free (web)

2. SketchUp Go (web and iPad)

3. SketchUp Pro (desktop, plus professional documentation workflows)

4. SketchUp Studio (advanced visualisation and BIM/data workflows)

If you want the SketchUp Africa plan pages, start here: https://www.sketchupafrica.com/sketchup-shop/

The “between” step: specialist upgrade paths

Some workflows don’t jump cleanly from Pro to Studio. Instead, SketchUp offers specialist upgrades that target specific needs, mainly around two things:

• Working with Revit models inside a SketchUp workflow

• Using point clouds / real-world scan data as workflow context

On SketchUp Africa, these specialist upgrade paths are presented as:

• Pro Scan

• Pro Advanced Workflows

1) SketchUp Free (web)

Best for: learning, exploring, and quick concept modelling without installing desktop software.

Go here: https://www.sketchupafrica.com/products/sketchup-free/

2) SketchUp Go (web + iPad)

Best for: working on mobile or on-site. If you want a web + iPad-first workflow, Go is usually the smoother starting point than jumping straight into Pro.

Go here: https://www.sketchupafrica.com/product/sketchup-go/

3) SketchUp Pro (desktop + LayOut)

Best for: professional desktop modelling and professional documentation.

Go here: https://www.sketchupafrica.com/product/sketchup-pro/

4) Pro Scan (scan-to-model focus)

Best for: laser scan and point cloud workflows where scan-to-model accuracy is a core requirement.

This is the “upgrade your Pro workflow for scans” path, positioned around point cloud capability via Scan Essentials.

Go here: https://www.sketchupafrica.com/sketchup-pro-scan-vs-pro-advanced-workflows/

5) Pro Advanced Workflows (Revit interoperability + point cloud context)

Best for: teams that need Revit interoperability plus point cloud context (so you can work across BIM models and real-world scan data without losing structure and workflow speed).

Go here: https://www.sketchupafrica.com/sketchup-pro-scan-vs-pro-advanced-workflows/

6) SketchUp Studio (advanced all-in-one bundle)

Best for: advanced visualisation plus BIM and real-world data workflows packaged together.

Go here: https://www.sketchupafrica.com/product/sketchup-studio/

A simple decision rule (so you don’t overbuy)

• Use SketchUp Free if you’re exploring.

• Use SketchUp Go if you want web and iPad mobility.

• Use SketchUp Pro if you need the professional desktop foundation and documentation workflows.

• Use Pro Scan if your starting point is laser scans and point clouds, and you want scan-to-model capability.

• Use Pro Advanced Workflows if you need Revit interoperability along with point cloud context.

• Use Studio if you want the broader advanced bundle in one subscription.

Education (South Africa)

https://www.sketchupafrica.com/educational-subscriptions/

Students: https://www.sketchupafrica.com/product/sketchup-students/

Educators: https://www.sketchupafrica.com/product/sketchup-educators/

Quick question

Which workflow are you closest to right now?

Revit interoperability, point clouds / scan-to-model, or full advanced visualisation and BIM workflows?

Reply with what you’re working on, and I’ll help you pick the best-fit plan path