Brandwave

SketchUp vs ZBrush:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, SketchUp had more branded searches than ZBrush among 3D modelling software worldwide. SketchUp had about 1.5 million branded searches, while ZBrush had 90,500. SketchUp made up 13.4% of all 3D modelling software searches we track, and ZBrush accounted for 0.81%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about 3D modelling software, SketchUp appeared in four of the five answers and ZBrush in three. SketchUp and ZBrush were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.

Among 3D modelling software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

SketchUp, about 17 searches for every 1 for ZBrush

SketchUp 1.5M searchesZBrush 90.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

SketchUp, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, ZBrush in 3

SketchUp in 4 of 5ZBrush in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.

SketchUp first in 2ZBrush first in 2

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Top 3D modelling software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, SketchUp was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. ZBrush was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. SketchUp and ZBrush were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Fusion 3601st
  2. Blender2nd
  3. Autodesk Maya3rd
  4. ZBrush4th
  5. SketchUp5th
  6. Shapr3D6th
  7. Onshape7th
  8. Plasticity8th
  9. 3ds Max9th
  10. Tinkercad10th
  11. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Fusion 3605 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Blender5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • SketchUp4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Autodesk Maya4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • 3ds Max3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • ZBrush3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Tinkercad2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Onshape2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Cinema 4D2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Shapr3D2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers

+1 more

See every answer about 3D modelling software

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is SketchUp or ZBrush more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for SketchUp and ZBrush by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 3D modelling software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

SketchUp and ZBrush among 3D modelling software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for SketchUp, ZBrush. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthTinkercadSketchUpOnshapeFusion 360Blender3ds MaxZBrushCinema 4DShapr3DAutodesk MayaPlasticity
Oct 202568.4%13.7%9.1%4.1%1.2%0.82%1%0.55%0.55%0.45%0.05%
Nov 202565.2%15.9%8.7%4.8%1.4%0.96%0.96%0.64%0.79%0.53%0.06%
Dec 202563.9%15.7%8.6%5.7%1.7%0.94%1.1%0.77%0.94%0.52%0.07%
Jan 202659.6%17.8%9.7%6.5%2%1.1%1.1%0.72%0.88%0.59%0.06%
Feb 202665.4%16%8.7%4.8%1.4%0.79%0.96%0.53%0.79%0.43%0.06%
Mar 202664%15.6%10.4%4.7%1.4%0.94%0.94%0.63%0.77%0.52%0.06%
Apr 202665.4%16%8.7%4.8%1.4%0.79%0.79%0.65%0.79%0.53%0.05%
May 202666.1%16.2%8.8%4%1.5%0.8%0.8%0.53%0.8%0.44%0.06%
Jun 202666.3%16.2%7.3%4.9%1.5%0.8%0.98%0.66%0.8%0.54%0.07%
Jul 202659.9%17.9%8.1%6.6%2.4%1.1%1.3%0.89%1.1%0.72%0.08%
Aug 202663.6%15.5%8.6%5.7%2.1%0.94%1.2%0.77%0.94%0.63%0.07%
Sep 202666.8%13.4%10.9%4%1.5%0.81%0.81%0.66%0.66%0.44%0.06%

How has the SketchUp and ZBrush comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • SketchUp was ahead of ZBrush in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SketchUp’s share of searches among 3D modelling software worldwide moved from 13.7% to 13.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.8M to 1.5M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, ZBrush’s share of searches among 3D modelling software worldwide moved from 1% to 0.81%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 90.5K.

How did search popularity change for 3D modelling software worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, SketchUp lost share of searches among 3D modelling software worldwide, from 15.5% to 13.4%.

  2. In September 2026, ZBrush fell from 6th to 7th among 3D modelling software worldwide.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using SketchUp’s and ZBrush’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.

SketchUp

1 branded search term

  • sketchup

ZBrush

1 branded search term

  • zbrush

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among 3D modelling software

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