FreeCAD vs SketchUp:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, SketchUp had more branded searches than FreeCAD among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand. SketchUp had about 13,100 branded searches, while FreeCAD had 1,300. SketchUp made up 24.9% of all CAD and 3D design software searches we track, and FreeCAD accounted for 2.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about CAD and 3D design software, SketchUp appeared in all five answers and FreeCAD in three. SketchUp was mentioned before FreeCAD in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
SketchUp, about 10 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 3 of 5 answers
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Top CAD and 3D 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 three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. SketchUp was listed before FreeCAD in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Fusion 3601st- SketchUp2nd
SolidWorks3rd- AutoCAD4th
- Revit5th
FreeCAD6th
Blender7th
Onshape8th
Tinkercad9th
Cadpro10th
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
- Fusion 3605 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- SolidWorks5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Onshape4 of 5Named in 2 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
- Blender4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Revit3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- FreeCAD3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Cadpro3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Tinkercad1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about CAD and 3D design software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which CAD or 3D design tool should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best CAD and 3D design tools in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best CAD or 3D design tool in New Zealand for design work?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cad software nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“3d design software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 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 ten CAD and 3D design software we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for SketchUp, FreeCAD. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Tinkercad | SketchUp | Onshape | Fusion 360 | AutoCAD | Revit | FreeCAD | SolidWorks | Blender | Cadpro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 54.5% | 21.5% | 7.2% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 2.7% | 2.1% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 0.64% |
| Dec 2025 | 43.2% | 19.5% | 8.5% | 8.1% | 5.1% | 4.7% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 2.4% | 0.74% |
| Jan 2026 | 26.6% | 21.8% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 8.7% | 6.1% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 3.1% | 1% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.2% | 19.1% | 11.9% | 6.4% | 4.1% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.58% |
| Mar 2026 | 49.9% | 24% | 9.9% | 4.5% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 2% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 0.48% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.4% | 23.9% | 10.5% | 6.2% | 4.3% | 3.9% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 0.62% |
| May 2026 | 45.2% | 27% | 11% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.43% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.1% | 25.2% | 10.2% | 3.9% | 2.8% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0.33% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.8% | 26.8% | 13.3% | 6.5% | 5.2% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 0.52% |
| Aug 2026 | 45.3% | 27.2% | 11% | 4.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.29% |
| Sep 2026 | 49.9% | 24% | 9.9% | 4.2% | 3.6% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.48% |
| Oct 2026 | 42.5% | 24.9% | 10.3% | 6.2% | 5.7% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.5% |
How has branded search for FreeCAD and SketchUp changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- SketchUp was ahead of FreeCAD in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, FreeCAD’s share of searches among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand moved from 2.1% to 2.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, SketchUp’s share of searches among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand moved from 21.5% to 24.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 13.1K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand CAD and 3D design software in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, SketchUp gained share of searches among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand, from 24% to 24.9%.
In October 2026, FreeCAD gained share of searches among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand, from 1.9% to 2.5%.
How are FreeCAD’s and SketchUp’s branded searches counted?
16 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.
FreeCAD
1 branded search term
- freecad
SketchUp
15 branded search terms
- 3dwarehouse sketchup
- edu sketchup
- sketchup
- sketchup 3d modelling
- sketchup 3d warehouse
- sketchup cad
- sketchup design software
- sketchup education
- sketchup for schools
- sketchup modeling
- sketchup pro
- sketchup view
- sketchup warehouse
- sketchup web
- trimble sketchup
Other head-to-heads among CAD and 3D design software
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