The biggest difference to me is the types of files that can be imported and exported from SketchUp Pro. After the initial license period, the cost is around $100 a year to keep up to date and receive technical support. I think the price for SketchUp Pro is a real bargain, especially when you compare it to the costs of similar programs. After that, it will automatically revert to SketchUp Make. After the download and installation you will be using SketchUp Pro until the trial period ends. If you’re not making money with your use of the program, you can use the free version, SketchUp Make.

Here is the deal in layman’s terms: If you’re going to use SketchUp to make money, you need to pay the license fee and invest in SketchUp Pro. The license agreement has also changed in recent years.

The process is straightforward from SketchUp, but they will try to steer you to the Pro version and you need to agree to the license terms. I’ve heard stories of people downloading from other sources and receiving all kinds of bloatware and malware along with the SketchUp download. The easiest, simplest and safest way is to go directly to the source: The other thing that confuses people (and it confuses me that people are confused by this) is where to go to download SketchUp. It’s understandable because SketchUp Pro is where the money is you can’t blame the company for pushing the product that supports the whole operation (as well as the millions of users of the free version). The policy has changed a few times since Trimble bought SketchUp. Back when Google owned SketchUp you could download either version. There is some confusion, mainly from new users because when you download and install SketchUp Make, it starts as a 30-day trial of SketchUp Pro. As an unrepentant smart-Alec I usually reply “$590 – the current cost of a SketchUp Pro license, SketchUp Make is free”. When I teach a class or talk to woodworkers about SketchUp, those two questions are almost always asked.

Cost of sketchup pro 2015