Diaz Editor vs SketchUp Pro
$1,995 over 5 years — or €197 once.

Honest comparison for self-employed builders, carpenters, contractors, and work-preparers. When SketchUp wins. When Diaz Editor fits better. Worldwide: one-time payment vs $399/year subscription.

Get the licence — €197 → Read comparison ↓

Last updated: 15 May 2026 · By Juan Diaz, founder Diaz Atlas · 5 min read

TL;DR

SketchUp Pro is an established 3D modeling platform with a deep extension library (since 2000). Diaz Editor is built for self-employed tradespeople and small construction firms who don't want to keep paying $399/year and prefer everything in one tool (3D + 2D + PDF + DXF + component library). Doing paid construction, installation, or work-preparation? Diaz Editor saves ~€1,500 over 5 years and never expires.

When SketchUp Pro is the right choice

You already use a SketchUp workflow with invested extensions and a project archive.
You work mostly on complex organic 3D modeling (architecture presentations, concept design).
You need SketchUp Studio for VR presentation or LayOut 2D.
A $399/year subscription fits in your margin and you accept the subscription model.

When Diaz Editor fits better

You're self-employed or in a small construction firm (1-25 people) — carpenter, contractor, installer, or work-preparer.
You want no recurring fees. Pay once, use forever.
Your workflow is: sketch building → place components → export PDF + DXF. Built-in, no plugin purchases needed.
You have client data that shouldn't go to the cloud (GDPR or professional discretion).
You work partly offline (on site, mid-construction, in the van).

Side-by-side: features that matter

Feature	Diaz Editor	SketchUp Pro
3D building editor	✓ hierarchical	✓ free-form
2D CAD module (DXF)	✓ built-in	— (LayOut: Studio only)
Works offline	✓ (desktop)	✓ (desktop)
Cloud account required	— (none)	✓ (Trimble ID)
Component library	30+ trade-specific	3D Warehouse (uncurated)
PDF report export	✓ built-in	— (LayOut: Studio only)
DXF import + export	✓	✓
Multi-language UI (NL/ES/DE)	EN/NL/ES/DE	15+ languages
No subscription	✓ one-time	— ($399/yr)
Telemetry	— (none)	opt-out via Trimble

Source: SketchUp public documentation and pricing page + Diaz Editor v0.3 changelog. Updated May 2026.

Pricing over 5 years — concrete numbers

SketchUp Pro

$399/yr

subscription · 1 seat

5-year total: $1,995

Diaz Editor€197
one-time · 3 seats
5-year total: €197

Difference over 5 years: ~€1,500 stays in your pocket. At €99 once, that is still 40% cheaper than SketchUp over 5 years.

Honest verdict

For self-employed builders, carpenters, contractors, installers

Diaz Editor wins on price and all-in-one. €99 versus $1,995 over 5 years isn't a close call. PDF + DXF + component library is built-in — with SketchUp you need Studio ($819/yr) or LayOut. Missing the 3D Warehouse? The curated library in Diaz covers 90% of trade-specific items.

For architects and 3D concept designers

SketchUp Pro stays strong. 20+ years of polish, Studio features (VR, LayOut), 3D Warehouse. Diaz Editor doesn't target this segment — and that's a feature, not a bug.

Frequently asked questions

Is Diaz Editor cheaper than SketchUp Pro over 5 years?

Yes. SketchUp Pro at $399/year = $1,995 over 5 years. Diaz Editor lifetime licence is €197 once. Even so, Diaz Editor is roughly 40% cheaper over 5 years and never expires.

Does Diaz Editor have the same 3D modeling depth as SketchUp?

Diaz Editor's 3D building editor uses hierarchical selection (site → building → level → walls → components) and snap-to-grid. SketchUp has 20+ years of polish and a deeper extension ecosystem. For tradespeople doing buildings, installations, and PDF-ready deliverables, Diaz Editor is purpose-built and faster.

Can I open my SketchUp .skp files in Diaz Editor?

Not directly. SketchUp can export to DXF and STL, both of which Diaz Editor reads. A native .skp importer is on the v0.5 roadmap. For most projects, exporting key geometry as DXF and re-tracing in Diaz Editor takes 10-15 minutes.

Is SketchUp Free enough for small jobs?

SketchUp Free is browser-only, lacks DXF/PDF export, and forbids commercial use. For occasional hobby work it is fine. For paid jobs you need Pro ($399/yr) or Studio ($819/yr). Diaz Editor's one-time price avoids the subscription decision entirely.

What about extensions and the SketchUp Warehouse?

SketchUp's extension ecosystem is unmatched for niche 3D modeling. Diaz Editor's component library covers 122 3D objects out of the box, twelve of them energy components, with no per-extension purchase. For most tradespeople the built-in library is sufficient.

Try Diaz Editor — €197 lifetime

€197 one-time. No subscription. 3 device seats. No credit card needed to view the feature overview.

Get the licence — €197

Other comparisons

What you get for €197

One-time. Lifetime. 3 seats. No subscription.

Diaz Editor Pro — lifetime license for your full workday
3 seats — you + your foreman + your work-prep ✓
All trades in one tool — building, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, solar 4 tools saved
DXF export — works with any architect, contractor, or installer Included
1-click PDF export — quote, work-drawing, and BOM in one pack Included
DXF + CNC export for the workshop — cut lists, sheet layouts, mill paths Included
All future updates — v0.4, v0.5, v0.6... Included
Feedback form that reaches the developer directly Included

Built for self-employed tradespeople + small teams (1-10 people). Not for architects or utility-scale engineering — AutoCAD and Aurora are better at those.

Introductory price — goes up at v0.5:

€197 today

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