Free Autodesk AutoCAD Alternatives
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 BRL-CAD.
Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives are mainly CAD Software but may also be 3D Modelers or Interior Design Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Autodesk AutoCAD.- Paid • Proprietary
- CAD Software
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
FreeCAD
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- CAD Software
- 3D Modeler
- Interior Design App
103 alternatives to FreeCAD- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
FreeCAD is a general purpose parametric 3D CAD modeler. The development is completely Open Source (LGPL License). FreeCAD is aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits in a wider range of uses around engineering, such as architecture or other...
FreeCAD Features
FreeCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
I use Freecad to design my 3D printing models.
8webbeway takes really a lot of clicks
0Freecad 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
17FreeCAD is a 3D parametric CAD whereas AutoCAD is more oriented for 2D drawings. On the other hand, FreeCAD is still buggy and lacks of important workbenches (whereas others like a robot simulator are available even if they are not suitable for a professional use)
-1Autocad is a 2d cad mostly. Freecad is a parametric design software. Different purposes different design paradigm.
1LibreCAD
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- CAD Software
- 3D Modeler
- Interior Design App
110 alternatives to LibreCAD- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
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.
LibreCAD Features
LibreCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
If you know Autocad, you will learn librecad lightning fast.
3No blockeditor or creating dynamic blocks.
-1LibreCAD is only a 2d Drafting software while AutoCAD also has 3d modelling capabilities
2LibreCAD 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.
3No open AutoCAD files, say need permissions.
-2SketchUp
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- 3D Modeler
- Interior Design App
167 alternatives to SketchUp- Mac
- Windows
- Online
SketchUp (formerly Google Sketchup) is a 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film, and video game design—and available in a freeware version, SketchUp Make, and a paid...
SketchUp Features
SketchUp vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
Despite 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.
4Sketchup doesn't seem to be able to open .dwg files
-1Sketchup 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
1This is not as same as Autocad 2D
11you need to be really numb out of your mind to think SketchUp is an alternative, lets start with the fact that SketchUp cant even recognize any kind of vectors
2OpenSCAD
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- CAD Software
- 3D Modeler
41 alternatives to OpenSCAD- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.
OpenSCAD Features
OpenSCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
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.
0BRL-CAD
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- CAD Software
- 3D Modeler
71 alternatives to BRL-CAD- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
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...
BRL-CAD Features
BRL-CAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
BRLCAD doesn't even have mouse support... and CSG through commandline is awful, can't even fillet an edge.
0QCAD
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free Personal • Proprietary
- CAD Software
72 alternatives to QCAD- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
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.
QCAD Features
QCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
I Like something different.
0fredofredoGood 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.
0Easy to learn and quite similar to AutoCAD (same paradigm)
1frankmccCustomizable, easy learning curve and much cheaper than AutoCad.
3Onshape
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free Personal • Proprietary
- CAD Software
33 alternatives to Onshape- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
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.
Onshape Features
Onshape vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
JohnSevierCloud-based, faster and more modern.
2Shapr3D
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- 3D Modeler
- CAD Software
- 3D Printing Tool
46 alternatives to Shapr3D- iPad
- Windows
- Mac
Shapr3D is a revolutionary 3D modeling software created exclusively for your iPad Pro and your Apple Pencil.
Shapr3D Features
CAD Builder
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Proprietary
- CAD Software
- 3D Modeler
21 alternatives to CAD Builder- Windows
- Linux
For more than 20 years being always at the forefront of 3D, Open Cascade has gained considerable expertise in geometric modeling. In order to demonstrate software developing capabilities the company decided to come up with a sample of parametric CAD modeler — CAD Builder.
CAD Builder vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
pCon.planner
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Proprietary
- Interior Design App
- CAD Software
83 alternatives to pCon.planner- Windows
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.
pCon.planner Features
pCon.planner vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions