Comparison
Maquete vs Rendair
Both are browser-based AI rendering tools for architects. The practical difference is the SketchUp plugin — Maquete renders directly from your active viewport; Rendair requires you to export and upload. Here is when each fits.
Overview
Rendair (rendair.ai) is a browser-based AI rendering tool that produces photorealistic images from uploaded architectural images. It uses general diffusion models driven by user-written prompts and accepts uploads from any 3D tool. There is no native CAD plugin — you export an image from your modelling software, upload it to the browser dashboard, then write prompts to control the render.
Maquete is an AI rendering platform with a native SketchUp plugin and direct image upload from Archicad, Revit, Rhino, and Blender. Geometry fidelity is the engineering priority: prompts and validators aim to reduce visible drift in walls, openings, proportions and structural elements. The result remains generative and needs source-model review. Paid plans include AI video walkthroughs and public client sharing links.
If you use SketchUp as your primary tool, the plugin difference alone is decisive. If you want a paste-image-and-go workflow without prompt engineering, Maquete is built for that. If you want a broad browser toolkit (text-to-render, floor plans, landscapes, CAD-to-render) and enjoy steering each render with prompts, Rendair is a reasonable fit.
Methodology
We compare workflow fit, geometry fidelity, setup time, hardware needs, output format, pricing model, and how quickly an architect can move from model view to client-ready image.
Last checked
Updated 26 September 2026. Competitor pricing and feature names can change, so verify the current vendor page before buying.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Maquete | Rendair |
|---|---|---|
| SketchUp integration | Native plugin — one-click viewport render | Browser upload only — no native CAD plugin |
| Architect-built workflow | Guided render — AI walks through scene decisions; built by a licensed architect | Generic prompt + chat editing — not architect-specific |
| Prompts & model selection | None — specialised architectural prompts pre-tuned by us; best-in-class model picked automatically | User writes prompts to drive each render |
| Geometry fidelity | Tuned to reduce visible drift; source-model review required | Generative output; source-model review required |
| Render time | about a minute per 4K still | 30–90 seconds typical |
| Output resolution | Up to 4K | Up to 4K |
| Pricing (entry paid) | Free trial; paid from $9/mo | Starter $19/mo; Pro $49/mo |
| Client sharing | Public share links + inline client feedback | Download and share manually |
| Video walkthroughs | AI walkthrough videos on paid plans | Video included on all paid tiers (~25–375/mo by tier) |
| Lighting presets | 15+ named presets (golden hour, blue hour, overcast, etc.) | Prompt-controlled via natural language |
| Target audience | Architects & interior designers | Architects, designers, general visualization |
When to choose which
Choose Maquete if you use SketchUp
Rendair has no SketchUp plugin; Maquete renders directly from your active viewport in one click. No export step, no browser switch, no upload — the rendered image appears in your dashboard in about a minute without leaving SketchUp.
Choose Maquete for architect-specific controls
Maquete was built by a licensed architect for architectural workflows: guided render walks you through lighting, materials, window treatment, and context decisions; Rendair leans on a generic prompt + AI-chat editing model that works for anyone but isn't tuned for the precise architectural choices in a real project.
Choose Maquete if you don't want to write prompts
Architects demand precision but shouldn't have to faff with prompts and model selection to get it. Maquete does the work for you — specialised architectural prompts are pre-tuned in the background, and the best image model is selected automatically per scene type. You paste the image and go. Rendair is prompt-driven: you write the instruction, you iterate the wording until it lands.
Choose Rendair if you want a broad browser toolkit
Rendair bundles text-to-render, floor plan, landscape and CAD-to-render tools in one browser app, and unused credits never expire while your subscription is active, which suits uneven workloads. If you don't need the SketchUp plugin and prefer chat-style editing, Rendair works. On price, Maquete starts lower ($9/mo vs Rendair's $19/mo Starter), and Rendair lists its commercial license from Pro ($49/mo).
Choose Maquete for client collaboration
Maquete's share links let clients view and comment inline — no account required on their end. Rendair requires exporting and emailing files. For studios doing async client review, Maquete's collaboration layer saves significant back-and-forth.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maquete a Rendair alternative?+
Yes. Both are browser-based AI rendering tools that produce photorealistic stills from architectural inputs. The main practical difference is the SketchUp plugin — Maquete renders directly from your active viewport; Rendair requires you to export and upload. If you use SketchUp as your primary modelling tool, that difference alone makes Maquete the better fit.
How does Maquete compare to Rendair on geometry fidelity?+
Maquete preserves your modelled walls, openings, proportions, and structural elements without scene reinterpretation. Rendair uses general diffusion where some style drift is common. For client-facing deliverables where the render must match what you actually designed, Maquete's fidelity-first approach is the differentiator.
Which is cheaper — Maquete or Rendair?+
Maquete is cheaper at entry level. Maquete's paid plans run from $9/mo (Starter) to $99/mo (Business), with commercial rights on paid plans and a 7-day Pro trial for eligible new users. Rendair has no ongoing free plan: new users get 20 free credits, then plans run from Starter ($19/mo, 500 credits) and Pro ($49/mo, 1,500 credits) to Studio Pro ($190/mo, 7,500 credits), with 2 months free on yearly billing. Beyond price, the deciding factor is product capability (SketchUp plugin, architect-built workflow, client sharing).
Does Rendair have a SketchUp plugin?+
No — Rendair is browser-upload only. You export an image from SketchUp and upload it to Rendair's browser dashboard. Maquete ships a native SketchUp plugin that renders directly from your current viewport with one click, without leaving SketchUp.
Can both tools generate walkthrough videos?+
Yes — both Maquete and Rendair support AI walkthrough videos on paid plans. Rendair includes about 25 videos a month on Starter, about 75 on Pro and about 375 on Studio Pro. Maquete includes video credits on paid plans as part of the standard quota.