The Best Free AutoCAD AlternativesTop CAD Software & 3D Modelers like AutoCAD

The best free alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD is FreeCAD, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD and many of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD are LibreCAD, OpenSCAD, Onshape and BRL-CAD.

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Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives are mainly CAD Software, but if you're looking for 3D Modelers or 3D Printing Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Free, Open Source, Linux, Windows, Android, Mac and Windows + Free. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD.
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Alternatives list

  1. FreeCAD icon

    FreeCAD

     470 likes
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    A powerful open-source parametric 3D modeler ideal for mechanical engineering, supporting Python scripting, running on Windows, Linux, and Mac, with modular architecture allowing extensive adaptability and use with scientific computing libraries.

    112 FreeCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    FreeCAD screenshot 1
     
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    220
    Comments about FreeCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
    Comment summary: Users highlight that FreeCAD and AutoCAD serve different purposes; FreeCAD is a 3D parametric design software with various workbenches, suitable for 3D printing and engineering but lacks drafting features that AutoCAD offers. FreeCAD is praised for being free and user-friendly but criticized for bugs and complex workflows, making it less professional compared to AutoCAD—a primarily 2D drawing tool used in architecture and structures.
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    10

    I use Freecad to design my 3D printing models.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    22

    Freecad is (as mentioned in the description) for 3D parametric CAD, and has no drafting functionality worth speaking of. Not a bad program, but certainly not an AutoCAD replacement. It has much more similarity to SolidWorks than AutoCAD

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    webb bes
    Positive
    1

    way takes really a lot of clicks

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 12 comments
    Autodesk AutoCAD Icon
    FreeCAD icon

    • Most users think FreeCAD is a great Autodesk AutoCAD alternative.

    • FreeCAD is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.

    • FreeCAD is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.

    • FreeCAD is Free and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
  2. LibreCAD icon

    LibreCAD

     170 likes
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    LibreCAD is an open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. It is based on Qt, which is a leading cross-platform application and UI development framework.

    108 LibreCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    On Mac
     
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    9
    105
    Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
    Top Positive Comment
    U U
    8

    A lightweight, AutoCAD-like 2D CAD program. Feature set is smaller than AutoCAD, but is sufficient to work with 2D drawings. A command line is available, as well as a built-in scripting language. If you have experience in AutoCAD, then there will be no problems with working in LibreCAD. There is a support forum and wiki.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    6

    LibreCAD can't reliably open .dwg files, which are an industry standard in construction. This means it is not a viable alternative for many people.

    LibreCAD does not support XRefs, although fewer people use that functionality.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -1

    No open AutoCAD files, say need permissions.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 9 comments
    Autodesk AutoCAD Icon
    LibreCAD icon

    • Most users think LibreCAD is a great Autodesk AutoCAD alternative.

    • LibreCAD is Free and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
    • LibreCAD is Customizable and LightweightAutodesk AutoCAD is not according to our users
  4. OpenSCAD icon

    OpenSCAD

     83 likes
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    OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.

    50 OpenSCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    • BSD
    • Docker
    • Homebrew
    OpenSCAD screenshot 1
     
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    1
    25
    Comments about OpenSCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    AutoCAD is after sketcher, drawer and modeller the tool to produce drawing part of documentation. OpenSCAD has different abilities, approach and philosophy to produce other results which does not includes technical drawings. My appologize for my poor English.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Autodesk AutoCAD Icon
    OpenSCAD icon

    • Most users think OpenSCAD is a great Autodesk AutoCAD alternative.

    • OpenSCAD is Free and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
    • OpenSCAD is LightweightAutodesk AutoCAD is not according to our users
  5. Onshape icon

    Onshape

     31 likes
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    Onshape is a professional CAD system – Parts, Assemblies, Drawings – with version control and collaboration built in. Each Onshape plan (Free, Education, Professional, and Enterprise) gives you all of the CAD and data management functionality with no time limit.

    42 Onshape alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Onshape screenshot 1
     
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    2
    14
    Comments about Onshape as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
    Joris
    Positive
    0

    its free for personal use. Its far more modern and you can import custom features. Only issue for me is that its cloud based and you cannot run it locally. Otherwise its the best option

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    John Sevier
    Positive
    2

    Cloud-based, faster and more modern.

    Autodesk AutoCAD Icon
    Onshape icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Onshape is a great Autodesk AutoCAD alternative.

    • Onshape is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.

    • Onshape is Free Personal and ProprietaryAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
    • Onshape is CustomizableAutodesk AutoCAD is not according to our users
  6. BRL-CAD icon

    BRL-CAD

     57 likes
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    BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for...

    74 BRL-CAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    PA-63 Extractor
     
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    1
    22
    Comments about BRL-CAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    BRLCAD doesn't even have mouse support... and CSG through commandline is awful, can't even fillet an edge.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Autodesk AutoCAD Icon
    BRL-CAD icon

    • Most users think BRL-CAD is a great Autodesk AutoCAD alternative.

    • BRL-CAD is Free and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
  7. QCAD icon

    QCAD

     29 likes
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    QCAD is an application for computer aided drafting in 2D. With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schemas and diagrams.

    74 QCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    QCAD screenshot 1
     
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    4
    25
    Comments about QCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
    fredofredo
    Negative
    2

    Good for very basic drawing, but not really AutoCAD compatible and no XRef functionality. Very cheap.

    It messed up some features in an AutoCAD drawing I worked on (leaders & text) so I wouldn't consider it a suitable alternative to AutoCAD unless you're only using very basic functionality and don't need compatibility.

    Frank McCourry
    Positive
    3

    Customizable, easy learning curve and much cheaper than AutoCad.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    I Like something different.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Autodesk AutoCAD Icon
    QCAD icon

    • Most users think QCAD is a great Autodesk AutoCAD alternative.

    • QCAD is Free Personal and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
    • QCAD is LightweightAutodesk AutoCAD is not according to our users
  9. Dune 3D icon

    Dune 3D

     16 likes
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    Dune 3D operates as a parametric 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. It provides users with the capability to sketch and constrain both in 2D and 3D dimensions. Furthermore, it allows for the addition of chamfers and fillets to designs.

    58 Dune 3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Dune 3D screenshot 1
     
  10. Shapr3D icon

    Shapr3D

     30 likes
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    From design to manufacturing. Teams collaborate with more impact. Instinctive design meets multidevice capability and full interoperability for the ultimate 3D design workflow.

    44 Shapr3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad
    Sketch to model. Mastered in hours.
     
  12. Rayon Design icon

    Rayon Design

     5 likes
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    Rayon is a web-based collaborative architectural design tool. It supports various file formats, including PDF, CAD documents, and image files, allowing for diverse uses like image-based surface styling.

    50 Rayon Design alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Collaborative Space Design
     
  13. CADAM icon

    CADAM

     3 likes
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    The open source text to CAD web app.

    51 CADAM alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    CADAM screenshot 1
     

    • CADAM is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.

    • CADAM is Free and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
  14. pCon.planner icon

    pCon.planner

     31 likes
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    The professional furnishing 2D-/3D-tool for everybody: The pCon.planner is a cost-free application allowing you to comfortably and professionally create complex furnishing concepts and to visualize them in a photo-realistic quality. File Formats: dwg, dxf, 3ds, skp, ... Language.

    84 pCon.planner alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    new Interface UI with Ribbon
     
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