Revit vs SketchUp vs Revizto

Introduction

Architectural software comes in various forms and encompasses a wide range of solutions. It serves as an umbrella term that includes different types of software. Moreover, there is often significant overlap among these solutions, leading to occasional confusion between BIM software and CAD software, for example. Additionally, the architectural software market is highly competitive, offering diverse solutions from various companies and platforms.

Given these factors, selecting a specific software solution for individuals or companies can be a daunting task. Before delving into the actual comparison, it is advisable to first understand the main differences between BIM software and CAD software, as both fall under the category of architectural software.

CAD, which stands for Computer-Aided Design, is a process that involves utilizing workstations to create or enhance various designs. It can be employed for both 2D sketches and 3D models, and it has a longer history than BIM as a term, tracing back to the mid-1960s. CAD solutions have long been utilized as the primary software for project visualization, and they typically offer more extensive and specialized customization tools compared to BIM software.

BIM, an acronym for Building Information Modeling (Building Information Management), is a process that involves creating comprehensive and information-rich models. These models are utilized to enhance the entire lifecycle of a construction project, starting from the design phase and extending to ongoing post-construction maintenance and eventual disassembly.

In BIM, elements of a model are referred to as “objects” rather than parts of a design. For instance, while a CAD software sketch is constructed using lines of varying shapes and sizes, a BIM solution operates with objects and elements such as walls, windows, doors, roofs, and more.

BIM is often mistaken for CAD because some BIM software may possess basic CAD-like capabilities. However, this is not always the case, and there are numerous BIM solutions that lack the ability to modify BIM models altogether. For instance, any solution involved in BIM data management, regardless of limited or nonexistent modeling capabilities, can still be considered a BIM solution.

Researching BIM or CAD solutions can be time-consuming, and no single resource can answer all of your questions. To address this, our approach is to gather information about various architectural/BIM solutions and provide comprehensive details for each one, including direct comparisons, customer reviews, benefits, shortcomings, and more. In this article, our primary objective is to compare Revit, SketchUp, and Revizto to determine their best and worst use cases.

Revit

Autodesk Revit is a BIM-centric software designed to enhance the work of construction professionals worldwide, leading to the creation of higher-quality and energy-efficient buildings. It offers a wide range of features for structural engineering, MEP, architectural design, and construction, making it a versatile solution that benefits all participants involved in a construction project.

Revit facilitates the creation of information-rich models, enabling architects, engineers, and constructors to make well-informed decisions and collaborate effectively throughout the project. This helps eliminate miscommunication, reduces the need for rework, and improves overall build quality. The entire model remains consistent and up-to-date, instantly reflecting any design changes made by stakeholders.

Revit Main Features

• Streamlined project management with the ability to instantly revise schedules, sheets, plans, sections, elevations, and more.
• Incredible precision and accuracy of model structures, shapes and systems in three dimensions
• Countless abilities for collaboration between different project teams in order to improve communication, improve efficiency, and influence the end result of any project in a positive way

Revit Technical Details

• Autodesk Revit works with two of the latest Windows operating systems – Windows 10 and Windows 11
• Autodesk Revit does not have a dedicated mobile app for iOS or Android

Revit Price

• Autodesk Revit can offer two different pricing models – a subscription-based one and Autodesk Flex.
• Autodesk Revit subscription can be purchased in three different packs:
  • $350 for one month
  • $2,805 for one year
  • $8,415 for three years
• Autodesk Flex is a pay-as-you-go pricing model that uses tokens to provide access to some of Autodesk’s features, including Autodesk Revit. Autodesk Revit’s price in tokens is 10 tokens per day, and there are several different token packages that a user can purchase on Autodesk website:
  • $300 for 300 tokens
  • $1,500 for 1500 tokens
  • A custom token amount

Revit Customer Ratings (original spelling)

• Capterra – 4.6/5 points rating based on 384 customer reviews
• G2 – 4.5/5 points rating based on 795 customer reviews
• TrustRadius – 8.7/10 points rating based on 189 customer reviews

Revit Customer Reviews

• Alma R. – “It’s a great software, and it’s one of the programs I’ve used and still use the most in architecture. It has everything you need for the realisation of a project and you just come to love it the more you learn and use it. If you get to use it enough you will start to feel that you don’t need any other software to work with, but you should always keep in mind that there are complementary programs that will make the use of the program even easier and you shouldn’t close yourself to the idea that it is bad to make use of them even if Revit can do it. In general it is a program that is constantly updated and really adapts to the evolution of architecture and the complexity of it; and it plans to continue to do so for many years to come.”
• Santiago H. – “The benefits I have achieved with Revit are many. From creating 3D models to generating construction drawings, Revit has allowed me to work more efficiently and accurately, which translates to higher quality projects and customer satisfaction. In addition, thanks to the ability to generate bills of materials, I have been able to reduce errors and improve decision making in terms of materials management.”
• Piotr L. – “We have 6 licenses, a mix o Revit LT and Revit. With Revit we are able to save time by creating a 3d models along with flat drawings. Basic views (in Revit LT) with reliastic materials are ok to present to our clients. In complete Revit (sans LT) you can do realistic renderings. Thats a great advantage to be able to use one software instead of 3.”

Revit Benefits

• A large library of add-ons that can expand Revit’s functionality even more than the original software is capable of.
• As an Autodesk product, Revit has plenty of native integrations with other Autodesk software, such as Navisworks or AutoCAD – two of the biggest software offerings in their respective fields.
• Photorealistic renders and animations are two of many capabilities of Revit, making it easier to imagine what the end product would look like at the earliest project design phases.

Revit Shortcomings

• The solution itself is rather complex and has a steep learning curve, making it difficult to pick up and use by an inexperienced customer.
• As a rather comprehensive software, Revit’s system requirements are somewhat high – although it is more or less normal for CAD software and other solutions that are similar to CAD (BIM solutions also fit under that umbrella term).
• Autodesk Revit is one of the most prominent solutions on the market, and Autodesk itself is a well-known software provider in multiple industries, which is why a higher-than-average price is not particularly unexpected – but it is still a problem for smaller businesses that may not be able to afford Revit’s subscription fees.

SketchUp

SketchUp is a renowned 3D modeling software that strikes a balance between simplicity and power. It is widely recognized as one of the most popular modeling tools available. Architects and designers highly appreciate its capabilities, and it often serves as the introductory software for architecture students entering the industry. Initially created in 2000, SketchUp underwent transformative changes with its acquisitions by Google in 2006 and later by Trimble in 2012, resulting in notable feature enhancements.

SketchUp stands out as an excellent sketching and modeling tool, empowering users to create a wide range of objects and models from scratch. Alternatively, users can utilize the vast library of ready-made models in the 3D Warehouse as a starting point for their projects. The software prioritizes user-friendliness and offers an extensive toolset for creating and modifying models, encouraging limitless creativity and ensuring the best possible results.

SketchUp Main Features

• Extreme user-friendliness, with the existence of an easy-to-use interface and a free version makes SketchUp one of the most accessible 3D modeling solutions on the market.
• SketchUp’s original functionality can be greatly expanded with the help of Extensions Warehouse – a community-driven extension platform that includes a wealth of different extensions and add-ins for SketchUp users to choose from.
• SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse is another community-driven initiative that works in a similar fashion, providing all SketchUp users with an extensive library of models and objects to work with, including the ones made by professional companies and industry experts.

SketchUp Technical Details

• SketchUp supports Windows and macOS devices, and it also has a separate web version that works in most web browsers
• SketchUp does have a dedicated mobile application for iPad devices that can perform most of the features the desktop counterpart is capable of. There is also the Android version of the solution, but that one only supports viewing models and sketches, not modifying them in any way

SketchUp Price

• SketchUp has four different pricing plans it can offer:
  • “Free” is, as the name suggests, a pricing plan that costs $0 and offers basic 3D modeling features in the web version of the software, with limited access to 3D warehouse, limited Trimble connect cloud storage capacity, and basic file import/export capabilities
  • “Go” – $119 per year, all of the previous features with the addition of a dedicated iPad app, advanced exporting, access to Live Components, and an unlimited Trimble Cloud storage capacity/3D warehouse access
  • “Pro” – $299 per year, the most popular paid pricing plan of SketchUp with access to all previously mentioned features, as well as a desktop SketchUp Pro app, 2D documentation, Extension Warehouse, PreDesign, ability to view models using AR/VR headsets, and more
  • “Studio” – $699 per year, the complete feature set of SketchUp, includes everything above, as well as Revit-to-SketchUp file importing, photorealistic visualizations, Scan Essentials, and so on

SketchUp Customer Ratings

• Capterra – 4.5/5 points rating based on 962 customer reviews
• G2 – 4.5/5 points rating based on 896 customer reviews
• TrustRadius – 8.3/10 points rating based on 176 customer reviews

SketchUp Customer Reviews (original spelling)

• Prince B. – “SketchUp enables me to create 3D models of spaces, helping me to plan and visualize room layouts, furniture placement, lighting, and material choices. It aids in communicating design ideas to clients and streamlining the design process.”
• Quinn F. – “All in all, Sketchup’s purpose is for modeling subjects that pertain to architecture and structures, and to do so quickly. It can go into finer modeling subjects and it can do much, much more than just modeling, but not nearly as good as other programs can. If your needs are under a time constraint (such as most real-world job requirements) and you need to consistently model structures that don’t need a photo-realistic feel, Sketchup is the perfect tool for you.”
• Amy B. – “I have designed multiple properties with this software. I don’t know how I could have done it without this software. I have used it for site planning, 3D modeling of homes, geolocation and proper orientation. This has allowed me to be able to be creative without having to employ someone else (and wait for them) to draw up my designs. Really a game changer for me. I absolutely love this product.”

SketchUp Benefits

• The sheer versatility of SketchUp’s toolset is praise-worthy, with plenty of different features for 3D modeling, such as precision tools, freehand drawing, materials, colors, textures, styles, etc.
• All of your models in SketchUp can be easily grouped, structured, organized, and shared whenever necessary – to facilitate better collaboration, better access to past and current models, and so on.
• SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse is a great help when it comes to creating somewhat basic 3D models or presenting ideas in the model form, allowing for all objects to be generated exactly as the author intends for them to be.

SketchUp Shortcomings

• Some of the more complex or large-scale projects could cause general slowness of the solution, especially when there are plenty of detailed objects and models on the screen, such as vegetation.
• Even though SketchUp’s initial price is $0, it also tends to scale up extremely fast, and bigger enterprise-oriented versions of the solution are quite expensive on their own.
• The pricing information can be somewhat confusing, since it is not exactly obvious that the “Free” version of the software is only free for a set period of 30 days, and a paid subscription is required to continue using the solution past that point.

Revizto

Revizto is an advanced BIM data management solution that places a strong emphasis on collaboration and cooperation among teams and team members. It serves as a centralized hub for all BIM data, ensuring effective communication and preventing conflicts or misunderstandings. The software’s robust issue tracking and clash detection capabilities help maintain error-free project progress. Additionally, Revizto offers a unique approach to project review and design analysis through the integration of Virtual Reality hardware, enabling immersive exploration of models.

With its versatile feature set, Revizto caters to a wide range of professions, including architects, engineers, contractors, and owners. It seamlessly integrates with various construction software, including CAD solutions, BIM solutions, and more. Moreover, Revizto supports models in multiple formats, ranging from industry-standard formats to less conventional ones like BCF or Faro. This flexibility allows users to work with diverse data sources and collaborate effectively within their preferred workflows.

Revizto Main Features

• A highly collaborative environment with a single source of truth and real-time task management
• An improved project management efficiency achievable via cross-team collaboration, with easier issue management and enforceable accountability
• Vast automation capabilities such as reporting, file versioning, and model delivery, as well as the ability to monitor task status from anywhere and streamlined data exchange between departments
• Better communication with owners by integrating them more into the project realization process, giving them access to critical information about current and upcoming tasks, and driving accountability for tasks performed

Revizto Technical Details

• Revizto works with both Windows and macOS operating systems
• Revizto has a dedicated iPad app, a dedicated Android tablet app, and a separate fully functional Android smartphone app, as well

Revizto Customer Ratings

• Capterra – 4.3/5 points rating based on 31 customer reviews
• G2 – 4.2/5 points rating based on 21 customer reviews

Revizto Customer Reviews (original spelling)

• Bill M. – “Our project collaboration efficiency increased, as did our quality and confidence with our designs as a result of the “single source of truth” approach that Revizto provides.”
• Steven B. – “We are now only using this software for as-built purposes and we are trying to enforce it that the subs sign in to be able to do shop drawing changes that come in from out in the field. We want our superintendents more involved in the coordination process and this is how we plan to get them in there.”
• seiya o. – “fast, easy, and accurate visual coordination at ease by using Revizto. We were able to have our client provide positive feedback. customer service was great. I especially thank to rep for all the help that he provided in the early days of Revizto.”

Revizto Benefits

• Impressive 3D rendering performance across the board, creating detailed environments faster than most solutions on the market
• Cloud-based issue tracking is incredibly useful and makes it extremely easy to locate and track issues across the board
• Being able to assign specific issues or clashes to specific teams or team members is an extremely useful approach to issue tracking

Revizto Shortcomings

• May struggle with larger file sizes and more complex models
• Revizto’s 2D interface needs some work
• Some of the integrations with other BIM/CAD solutions are somewhat basic and not that creative

Revit vs SketchUp vs Revizto

Now that we have gathered substantial information about each of these solutions, including their benefits, shortcomings, and use cases, it is time to explore the capabilities and possibilities offered by each one individually. Let’s delve into what can be accomplished with each of these software solutions.

Why Revit?

Autodesk Revit is a full-fledged BIM platform with a wealth of different features. The solution in question can create and modify information-rich models that act as a single source of truth for all project participants to eliminate miscommunication and greatly reduce the number of reworks. Revit also has two different pricing models, native integration with other Autodesk products, and an extensive library of add-ons to expand Revit’s already impressive feature set even more.

Why SketchUp?

SketchUp is a wonderful 3D modeling tool often considered one of the best on the market. It has various tools for precise modeling and sketching, and it is also possible to use pre-made models or objects in your projects. This advantage is made possible by SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse, a collection of community-made 3D models available for all SketchUp users. Another similar feature is the Extension Warehouse, which allows for a broader range of features compared to the original SketchUp through hundreds of extensions.

Why Revizto?

Revizto is an outstanding BIM collaboration solution that places significant emphasis on issue tracking and clash detection. It offers immense value across various fields, and its focus on conducting virtual tours using VR headsets provides a unique and immersive experience not commonly found in the industry. The mobility aspect of Revizto is also a major advantage, as it offers dedicated mobile apps for iPad, Android tablets, and recently introduced a fully functional mobile app for Android smartphones.

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Use cases for each solution

Revit is a highly regarded BIM platform developed by a well-known software provider. It offers comprehensive capabilities for creating and managing BIM models, seamless integration with other software, and the option to implement addons. However, it is important to note that Revit can be expensive, has a steep learning curve, and requires higher hardware specifications compared to average software.

SketchUp is a prominent 3D modeling solution known for its user-friendly interface. It offers a limited free version and a vast library of integrations and ready-made models. However, it’s worth mentioning that SketchUp’s pricing tends to escalate quickly as projects become larger and more complex, and it may experience performance slowdowns when handling such models.

Revizto is a versatile BIM intelligence management solution with a strong focus on collaboration and clash detection. It provides extensive collaboration capabilities, facilitating seamless interaction among stakeholders. Revizto excels in issue tracking and ensures early resolution of potential clashes. However, its integrations with other BIM/CAD solutions are somewhat basic, and larger models may impact the solution’s performance.

Ultimately, determining the “best” solution depends on the specific needs of a business in the near future. Revizto is particularly valuable for companies facing challenges in issue tracking and collaboration, as it improves communication, streamlines clash management, and fosters a more conducive environment among project participants.