Autodesk AutoCAD Alternatives for Linux

    Autodesk AutoCAD is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is FreeCAD, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD are LibreCAD (Free, Open Source), BricsCAD (Paid), OpenSCAD (Free, Open Source) and BRL-CAD (Free, Open Source).

    This page was last updated Nov 5, 2021
    1. FreeCAD is a general purpose parametric 3D CAD modeler. The development is completely Open Source (LGPL License).
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      FreeCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
      Most users think FreeCAD is a great alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.
       all • positive • negative      relevance • date
      I use Freecad to design my 3D printing models.
      Top positive comment  about 6 years ago

      5
      Not bad for a free Software, but Workflow seems very antiquated and unneccessarily complicated. It lacks logic on available tools in different workbenches. There are much ways to get to your goal but every way takes really a lot of clicks and more of trial and error.
      Top positive comment  over 4 years ago

      2
      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
      Top negative comment  almost 5 years ago

      17
      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)
      Negative comment • almost 2 years ago

      -2
      Autocad is a 2d cad mostly. Freecad is a parametric design software. Different purposes different design paradigm.
      Negative comment • almost 2 years ago

      -1
      eduardoortiz1 Because is an user friendly software and is free to use.Autodesk Autocad is very expensive
      Positive comment • over 3 years ago

      8
      AutoCAD is a 2D drawing program, mostly used for architecture and structures. FreeCAD is 3D and aimed at mechanical engineers. They do different things.
      Negative comment • almost 4 years ago

      -6
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      7 of 11 comments

    2. LibreCAD

      • Free • Open Source
      • Mac
      • Windows
      • Linux
      • PortableApps.com
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      LibreCAD (originally QCad then CADuntu) 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.
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      LibreCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
      Most users think LibreCAD is a great alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.
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      umix 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 positive comment  almost 2 years ago

      4
      If you know Autocad, you will learn librecad lightning fast.
      Top positive comment  almost 4 years ago

      2
      LibreCAD is only a 2d Drafting software while AutoCAD also has 3d modelling capabilities
      Top negative comment  over 5 years ago

      0
      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.
      Negative comment • over 1 year ago

      2
      No open AutoCAD files, say need permissions.
      Negative comment • over 1 year ago

      -1
      Autocad is based on text command usage. But librecad totally lacks it. And in addition, Librecad cannot open dlg files, only native cad files.
      Negative comment • almost 2 years ago

      -2
      Ideal for preparing 2D drawings. Better than AutoCAD LT in some ways but can be a bit flaky.
      Positive comment • over 2 years ago

      7
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      7 of 9 comments
    4. BricsCAD the first all-in-one CAD design solution in .dwg that answers all your needs; 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and BIM. BricsCAD is a cost-effective, innovative, and familiar CAD solution.
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      BricsCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
      Almost everyone thinks BricsCAD is a great alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.
      BricaCAD runs most native AutoCAD programming interfaces, lisp, diesel, pgp, brx (modified arx).
      Positive comment • over 3 years ago

      5
      paulocoghi Fully compatible with AutoCAD and .dwg, provide a free version, multi-platform including Linux, Mac and Windows, 2D design, 3D modeling, mechanical design and BIM. It's for sure not only the best alternative, but for me, it's the new standard.
      Positive comment • almost 2 years ago

      -1
      svaa1982 Comes with Linux support.
      Positive comment • over 2 years ago

      0
    5. OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.
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      Most users think OpenSCAD is a great alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.
    6. 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...
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      BRL-CAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
      Most users think BRL-CAD is a great alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.
      BRLCAD doesn't even have mouse support... and CSG through commandline is awful, can't even fillet an edge.
      Negative comment • about 1 month ago

      0

    8. QCAD

      • Free Personal • Proprietary
      • Mac
      • Windows
      • Linux
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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.
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      QCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
      Most users think QCAD is a great alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.
      Easy to learn and quite similar to AutoCAD (same paradigm)
      Positive comment • almost 2 years ago

      1
      frankmcc Customizable, easy learning curve and much cheaper than AutoCad.
      Positive comment • almost 2 years ago

      2
      fredofredo 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.
      Negative comment • 28 days ago

      0
    9. Onshape is a professional CAD system – Parts, Assemblies, Drawings – with version control and collaboration built in. Each Onshape plan (Free for STUDENTS, Professional & Enterprise) gives you all of the CAD and data management functionality with no time limit.
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      Onshape vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
      Almost everyone thinks Onshape is a great alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.
      JohnSevier Cloud-based, faster and more modern.
      Positive comment • about 3 years ago

      2

    10. Open CASCADE

      • Free • Open Source
      • Windows
      • Linux
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      Open CASCADE Technology is a software development platform freely available in open source. It includes components for 3D surface and solid modeling, visualization, data exchange and rapid application development.
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    11. Asset Forge allows anyone to create 3D models and 2D sprites using building blocks. Finished assets are compatible with most available game engines.
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    12. MakerSCAD is a web-based parametric 3D design software with a block-based programming language to create objects for 3D printing, animations, games and websites.

      Discontinued

      Site certificate expired. Software itself hasn't been updated in a very long time, is incomplete, and doesn't function

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    Showing 10 of 21 alternatives