Sketch Up Free vs. Shop vs. Pro

[rjboch]

Aside from price, is there any difference or benefit upgrading to Sketch Up SHOP ($119/yr) or Pro ($299/yr). I have used the free version for many years and keep getting emails asking me to upgrade, but I can't clearly figure out what paying adds or upgrades from the free version.

Thanks!

 

[harry_]

I can't say either, but if you are using the free version and haven't screamed 'dammit I need to upgrade' to use some particular feature, I would say why upgrade?

 

[nclemmons]

I use the 2017 free version and it's fine for me.  The current free version and the paid 'Shop' version are cloud based, not as software downloads for Mac or Windows.  Neither support plug-ins, which is a big limitation.  And the interface on those versus the 2017 version and pro version is not as easy to use.

To get the plug-ins, you have to either stick with the 2017 version or go Pro.
https://www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pricing#for-personal

 

[madjalapeno]

Links to downloads:https://help.sketchup.com/en/downloading-older-versions

Nice tutorial for anyone interested:=2s

 

[squall_line]

It's unfortunate that you more or less have to be on Windows to be able to use the older versions.  Either that, or have a really old Mac.  I updated my mid-2012 MacBook Pro beyond their "supported" OS version, and it crashes any time I do something it doesn't like.  I have a ton of old plans and drawings locked away in Sketchup but I don't use it nearly enough to justify paying a subscription model for the "Pro" version; especially irritating because it used to be completely free.

 

[VirTERM]

It's unfortunate that you more or less have to be on Windows to be able to use the older versions.  Either that, or have a really old Mac.  I updated my mid-2012 MacBook Pro beyond their "supported" OS version, and it crashes any time I do something it doesn't like.  I have a ton of old plans and drawings locked away in Sketchup but I don't use it nearly enough to justify paying a subscription model for the "Pro" version; especially irritating because it used to be completely free.

I am using Sketchup 2017 under BigSur macos running it on 2019 MacBook Pro without any problem. Also used it on my MacBook 2016 and iMac 2019 without issues.