FreeCAD vs SketchUp:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, SketchUp had more branded searches than FreeCAD among architectural design software worldwide. SketchUp had about 1.5 million branded searches, while FreeCAD had 450,000. SketchUp made up 37.1% of all architectural design software searches we track, and FreeCAD accounted for 11.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about architectural design software, SketchUp appeared in all five answers and FreeCAD in four. SketchUp was mentioned before FreeCAD in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
SketchUp, about 3 searches for every 1 for FreeCAD
Who does AI mention more?
SketchUp, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
SketchUp, named ahead of FreeCAD in every answer
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Top architectural design software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, SketchUp appeared in all five answers. FreeCAD was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. SketchUp was listed before FreeCAD in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Revit1st- SketchUp2nd
ArchiCAD3rd
Chief Architect4th- AutoCAD5th
FreeCAD6th
Vectorworks–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- SketchUp5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Revit5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- AutoCAD4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- FreeCAD4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- ArchiCAD4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Chief Architect4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Vectorworks0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about architectural design software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which architectural design software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best architectural design software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best architectural design software for building plans?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“architectural design software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bim software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is FreeCAD or SketchUp more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for FreeCAD and SketchUp by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven architectural design software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for SketchUp, FreeCAD. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | AutoCAD | SketchUp | FreeCAD | Revit | ArchiCAD | Vectorworks | Chief Architect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 34% | 41.5% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.55% |
| Nov 2025 | 34.2% | 41.8% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.55% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.8% | 41.5% | 12.5% | 6.8% | 3% | 1.7% | 0.66% |
| Jan 2026 | 30.2% | 45.3% | 11.1% | 7.5% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.72% |
| Feb 2026 | 30.2% | 45.4% | 11.2% | 7.5% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 34.2% | 41.8% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.55% |
| Apr 2026 | 30.2% | 45.4% | 11.2% | 7.5% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.6% |
| May 2026 | 31% | 46.5% | 9.4% | 7.7% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 0.51% |
| Jun 2026 | 34.1% | 41.9% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.56% |
| Jul 2026 | 32.6% | 39.8% | 12% | 9.8% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 0.65% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.9% | 36.9% | 11.1% | 9.1% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.74% |
| Sep 2026 | 37.1% | 37.1% | 11.1% | 9.1% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.49% |
How has the FreeCAD and SketchUp comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- SketchUp was ahead of FreeCAD in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, FreeCAD’s share of searches among architectural design software worldwide moved from 10.2% to 11.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 450K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SketchUp’s share of searches among architectural design software worldwide moved from 41.5% to 37.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.8M to 1.5M.
How did search popularity change for architectural design software worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for SketchUp worldwide fell 18% over 12 measured months, from 1.8M to 1.5M in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using FreeCAD’s and SketchUp’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among architectural design software
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