The Best Open Source AutoCAD AlternativesTop CAD Software & 3D Modelers like AutoCAD

The best open source alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD is FreeCAD. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD and 12 is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD are LibreCAD, OpenSCAD, Dune 3D 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 Mac + 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.
Autodesk AutoCAD iconAutodesk AutoCAD
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Versatile CAD software offering 2D and 3D modeling, visualization, and cloud access for architectural and engineering design professionals.

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Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives page was last updated Mar 21, 2025
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  1. FreeCAD icon

    FreeCAD

     448 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.

    110 FreeCAD alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    FreeCAD screenshot 1

    Top FreeCAD Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Drawing 2D
    3.  Interior Design
    4.  FEM
    5.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    6.  Parametric
    7.  3d Drawing
    8.  DWG support
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Procedural Modeling
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Dark Mode

    FreeCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD

     
    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
    Oct 24, 2015
    10

    I use Freecad to design my 3D printing models.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Jan 18, 2017
    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

    Most Recent Comment
    webb bes
    Positive Jan 24, 2023
    1

    way takes really a lot of clicks

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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

     166 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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    On Mac

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Bim
    3.  Construction layers
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Parametric Modeling
    6.  Support for Layers
    7.  Isometric view
    8.  Export to SVG
    9.  QT Based
    10.  Export to PDF

    LibreCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD

     
    Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
    Top Positive Comment
    U U
    Jan 20, 2020
    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
    Jun 16, 2020
    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.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative May 29, 2020
    -1

    No open AutoCAD files, say need permissions.

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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 LightweightAutodesk AutoCAD is not according to our users
  4. OpenSCAD icon

    OpenSCAD

     81 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.

    47 OpenSCAD alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • AT flagAustria
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    OpenSCAD screenshot 1

    OpenSCAD Features

    1.  Procedural Modeling
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Text Based Format

    OpenSCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD

     
    Comments about OpenSCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
    Guest
    Negative Mar 29, 2023
    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.

    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
  5. 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.

    55 Dune 3D alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Dune 3D screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Portable
    4.  Parametric Modeling
    5.  Parametric

    Dune 3D VS Autodesk AutoCAD

     
  6. BRL-CAD icon

    BRL-CAD

     56 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...

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    PA-63 Extractor

    BRL-CAD Features

    1.  Image Processing
    2.  Benchmark analytics
    3.  Ray Tracing

    BRL-CAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD

     
    Comments about BRL-CAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
    Guest
    Negative Nov 3, 2021
    2

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

    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

    License model

    • Free Personal • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    QCAD screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Drawing 2D

    QCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD

     
    Comments about QCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
    Most Recent Comment
    fredofredo
    Negative Nov 5, 2021
    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.

    frankmcc
    Positive Jan 7, 2020
    3

    Customizable, easy learning curve and much cheaper than AutoCad.

    Guest
    Positive Oct 28, 2022
    0

    I Like something different.

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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. CAD Sketcher icon

    CAD Sketcher

     5 likes
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    CAD Sketcher is a free and open-source project looking to enhance precision workflows in Blender by bringing CAD like tools, features and usability to Blender.

    52 CAD Sketcher alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Blender
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    CAD Sketcher screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Parametric Modeling
    5.  No Tracking
    6. Blender icon  Blender Integration

    CAD Sketcher VS Autodesk AutoCAD

     
7 of 12 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives