Diaz Editor vs SketchUp Pro
$1,995 over 5 years — or €99 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 founding spot — €99 → 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 — Founding Beta€99
one-time · 100 spots · 3 seats
5-year total: €99

Difference over 5 years: ~€1,500 stays in your pocket. After the 100 founding spots, regular price is €997 once — 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 founding 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 founding lifetime is €99 once; the regular Pro price is €997 once. Even at full price, 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 30+ trade-specific items (panels, framing, furniture, inverters, fixtures) out of the box, with no per-extension purchase. For most tradespeople the built-in library is sufficient.

Try Diaz Editor — €99 lifetime

100 founding spots. No subscription. 3 device seats. No credit card needed to view the feature overview.

Claim founding spot — €99

Other comparisons

What you get for €99

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

Diaz Editor Pro — lifetime license for your full workday ~~€997~~
3 seats — you + your foreman + your work-prep ~~+€600~~
All trades in one tool — building, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, solar 4 tools saved
DXF + IFC import — 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
Founding-member feedback board — your voice on the roadmap Exclusive

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

Regular price (after founding):

~~€997~~ €99 today

Become a founding member — €99 →

100 spots total. Stripe checkout. Instant download after payment.