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, SketchUp, OpenSCAD and Dune 3D.
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Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives are mainly CAD Software but may also be 3D Modelers or 3D Printing Tools. Other popular filters includes Mac + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Autodesk AutoCAD.- CAD Software
- Paid • Proprietary
- 109 FreeCAD alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Snapcraft
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
- Flatpak
Top FreeCAD Features
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 CommentTop Negative CommentFreecad 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
Most Recent Commentwebb besway takes really a lot of clicks
- 109 LibreCAD alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Netherlands
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
Top Positive CommentU UA 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 CommentLibreCAD 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.
Most Recent CommentNo open AutoCAD files, say need permissions.
- 165 SketchUp alternatives
Comprehensive 3D modeling software ideal for architecture, engineering, film, and gaming. It includes features like easy-to-use interface, sun and shadow analysis, color experimenting, and mock-up creation. Available in freeware and professional versions for diverse needs.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
SketchUp Features
Comments about SketchUp as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
Top Positive CommentDespite Sketchup not being a "True CAD" tool, it's a viable alternative for a similar real life goals, at least for planning hobbyist home renovations.
Top Negative CommentThis is not as same as Autocad 2D
Most Recent CommentSketchup is considered as a 3d model programme but not a CAD programme, had downloaded the software before when first came across it being label as a CAD. Upon after setup it proven that it only serve the purpose of 3D sketching, modeling and other 3d functions. Had to uninstall it and had to find another programme which does CAD
- 46 OpenSCAD alternatives
OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Austria
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
OpenSCAD Features
Comments about OpenSCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
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.
- 54 Dune 3D alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
- 38 Onshape alternatives
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.
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
Comments about Onshape as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
Jorisits 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
John SevierCloud-based, faster and more modern.
- 73 BRL-CAD alternatives
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...
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
BRL-CAD Features
Comments about BRL-CAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
BRLCAD doesn't even have mouse support... and CSG through commandline is awful, can't even fillet an edge.
I use Freecad to design my 3D printing models.