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 13 is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD are LibreCAD, OpenSCAD, BRL-CAD and Dune 3D.
filter to find the best alternatives
Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives are mainly CAD Software but may also be 3D Modelers or Interior Design Apps. 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
110 FreeCAD alternativesFreeCAD 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...
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
Top FreeCAD Features
- Parametric Modeling
- Drawing 2D
- Interior Design
- FEM
- Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
- Parametric
- 3d Drawing
- DWG support
- Ad-free
- Procedural Modeling
- No registration required
- Dark Mode
FreeCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD
Is FreeCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?
111 LibreCAD alternativesLibreCAD 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
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
Top LibreCAD Features
- Digital Painting
- Portable
- Bim
- Construction layers
- No registration required
- Parametric Modeling
- Lightweight
- Support for Layers
- Customizable
- Isometric view
- Export to SVG
- QT Based
LibreCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD
Is LibreCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
U 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.
6Ideal for preparing 2D drawings. Better than AutoCAD LT in some ways but can be a bit flaky.
7LibreCAD 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.
4No open AutoCAD files, say need permissions.
-1Autocad is based on text command usage. But librecad totally lacks it. And in addition, Librecad cannot open dlg files, only native cad files.
-2
46 OpenSCAD alternativesOpenSCAD 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
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
OpenSCAD Features
- Procedural Modeling
- Parametric Modeling
- Text Based Format
OpenSCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD
Is OpenSCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?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.
0
72 BRL-CAD alternativesBRL-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
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
BRL-CAD Features
- Image Processing
- Benchmark analytics
- Ray Tracing
BRL-CAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD
Is BRL-CAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?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.
1
54 Dune 3D alternativesDune 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
Dune 3D Features
- Lightweight
- Ad-free
- No registration required
- Portable
- Parametric Modeling
- Parametric
Dune 3D VS Autodesk AutoCAD
Is Dune 3D a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?
75 QCAD alternativesQCAD 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.
License model
- Free Personal • Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
QCAD Features
- Lightweight
- Support for scripting
- Parametric Modeling
- Drawing 2D
QCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD
Is QCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?Comments about QCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
fredofredoGood 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.
2frankmccCustomizable, easy learning curve and much cheaper than AutoCad.
3I Like something different.
0Easy to learn and quite similar to AutoCAD (same paradigm)
1
18 Ondsel alternativesOndsel is a fork of FreeCAD that is aimed at the prosumer market, and is open source (GitHub).
Ondsel VS Autodesk AutoCAD
Is Ondsel a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?
Comments about FreeCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
I use Freecad to design my 3D printing models.
Because is an user friendly software and is free to use.Autodesk Autocad is very expensive
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
way takes really a lot of clicks
FreeCAD 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)