SketchUp alternative
The free SketchUpalternative for rooms.
SketchUp Free is a real 3D modeler, and modeling a sofa is not how you want to spend a Saturday. Cona hands you the sofa, at the right size, with a price on it. Free, in your browser, no CAD to learn.
Free · works in your browser · no design experience needed
You do not need an account to start a room. Here is what works with no sign-up.
In a hurry? Start from a furnished room template or read how the free home planner works.
Japandi Studio
Cozy Minimalist
Free ✦Warm Nordic
The honest comparison
Where Cona is different
SketchUp is a powerful, industry-standard 3D modeler, and pros rely on it for good reason. That power comes with a learning curve, the free version is browser-only and non-commercial, photoreal rendering needs paid extensions, and the 3D Warehouse models are not shoppable. If you just want to design a room without learning CAD, Cona works differently.
No learning curve
Cona is built for first-timers: drag in furniture and the room comes together in minutes. SketchUp is powerful, but getting comfortable takes weeks, and it is a general 3D modeler, not a room tool.
Real furniture you can buy
Cona's catalog is real pieces from brands like IKEA, CB2 and Herman Miller you can shop. SketchUp's 3D Warehouse has millions of free models, but they are generic and not for sale.
Free, and nothing to set up
Cona is free for real use and shows realistic 3D in your browser. SketchUp's free tier is browser-only and non-commercial, and photoreal renders need paid extensions.
Side by side
Cona vs SketchUp
| Feature | cona | SketchUp |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No project cap, no credits, no watermarks, no import cap. Imagine, the photoreal polish, needs a free account. | Browser only, for personal non-commercial use. No LayOut, no extensions, no DWG or OBJ import, and file size limits. |
| Where it runs | Your browser. Nothing to install. | Browser (free) or desktop (paid). |
| Furniture catalog | Real pieces from brands like IKEA, CB2 and Herman Miller. | 3D Warehouse: millions of free generic models. |
| Buy what you place | Yes. Shop the real pieces in your design. | No. Models are for modeling, not shopping. |
| Design in 3D | Yes, live, and made for rooms. | Yes, full general-purpose 3D modeling. |
| Renders | Realistic 3D you design in real time. | Photoreal via paid extensions (V-Ray, Enscape). |
| Learning curve | First-timers, minutes. | Hours to start, weeks to get comfortable. |
| Best for | Regular people designing a room. | Pros and modelers who need precision and power. |
SketchUp free-tier details as listed on sketchup.com, 3 September 2026. Plans and features can change, so check their site for the latest.
How Cona works
Your room, designed in minutes
Recreate your room
Set up your space to its real dimensions, or start from an empty room and shape the walls to match.
Design it in 3D
Drag in furniture and move it around. See your room from any angle as you go, so the layout actually works.
Shop the look
Add real pieces from brands you know, check the fit in 3D, and buy the ones you love when you're ready.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Cona really free?+
Yes. Cona is free to use in your browser, for real, with no commercial-use catch. Design as many rooms as you like, no watermark, no trial that bills you later. The one thing that asks for a free account is Imagine, the photoreal polish.
Is Cona a good alternative to SketchUp?+
For designing a room, yes. SketchUp is a powerful, general-purpose 3D modeler with real depth. Cona is the faster path if you just want to lay out and furnish a room without learning CAD.
Is SketchUp free?+
SketchUp has a free browser version at app.sketchup.com, but it is for personal, non-commercial use and leaves out LayOut, extensions and DWG or OBJ import, with limits on file size. Cona is free for real use.
Do I need to learn CAD or 3D modeling?+
Not with Cona. It is built for first-timers: drag in furniture and the room updates in 3D as you go. SketchUp is approachable for its class, but getting comfortable still takes weeks.
Can I shop the furniture I place?+
Yes. Cona's catalog is real furniture from brands like IKEA, CB2 and Herman Miller. SketchUp's 3D Warehouse has millions of free models, but they are for modeling, not shopping.
Do I need to install anything or set up rendering?+
No. Cona runs in your browser and shows realistic 3D as you design. SketchUp's photoreal rendering needs paid extensions like V-Ray or Enscape.
by Nikita Losenco · Founder & CEO, Cona
Free tiers checked 3 September 2026
Design your room,for free.
Recreate your space in 3D and fill it with furniture you can actually buy. No download, no experience needed.
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