Autodesk AutoCAD Alternatives for Mac
There are many alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac 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 Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD are DraftSight, LibreCAD, SketchUp and BricsCAD.
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
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
FreeCAD is a general purpose parametric 3D CAD modeler. The development is completely Open Source (LGPL License).
FreeCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
I use Freecad to design my 3D printing models.
eduardoortiz1Because 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
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)
Autocad is a 2d cad mostly. Freecad is a parametric design software. Different purposes different design paradigm.
AutoCAD is a 2D drawing program, mostly used for architecture and structures. FreeCAD is 3D and aimed at mechanical engineers. They do different things.
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.
DraftSight is a professional-grade, open 2D CAD product for users who want a better way to read, write and share DWG files. DraftSight is easy to use and is available for professional CAD users, students and educators to download and activate for free.*
DraftSight vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
Because i'ts equal in 2D part. Very good, has free version, and multiplatform.
Despite my continuous research, I have never found anything else closer and compatible to autocad. I say this with a critical spirit, because compatibility is good, not perfect ...Unfortunately.
Good compatibility and excellent 2D drafting tools
It is almost the same as Autocad for 2D drawings. It is very good for small size drawings but no so good graphical performace for more complex drawings.
This is the closest program in functionality to Autocad, It could use some stability improvements.
rbadillarxthe free version really read/write autocad files.
One of the better, if not the best CAD for Linux. Works on Fedora, would recommend this program.
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
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.
LibreCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
If you know Autocad, you will learn librecad lightning fast.
No blockeditor or creating dynamic blocks.
LibreCAD is only a 2d Drafting software while AutoCAD also has 3d modelling capabilities
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.
No open AutoCAD files, say need permissions.
umixA 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.
Autocad is based on text command usage. But librecad totally lacks it. And in addition, Librecad cannot open dlg files, only native cad files.
- Freemium • Proprietary
- 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 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.
Sketchup doesn't seem to be able to open .dwg files
Sketchup 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
This is not as same as Autocad 2D
you 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
Sketchup doesn't write DWG
Sketchup is a 3D modelling package, not a CAD package.
- Paid • Proprietary
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
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.
BricsCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
BricaCAD runs most native AutoCAD programming interfaces, lisp, diesel, pgp, brx (modified arx).
paulocoghiFully 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.
svaa1982Comes with Linux support.
OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.
- Free • Open Source
- 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 vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
BRLCAD doesn't even have mouse support... and CSG through commandline is awful, can't even fillet an edge.
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 vs Autodesk AutoCAD opinions
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.
Easy to learn and quite similar to AutoCAD (same paradigm)
frankmccCustomizable, easy learning curve and much cheaper than AutoCad.
ArchiCAD offers computer aided solutions for handling all common aspects of aesthetics and engineering during the whole design process of the built environment — buildings, interiors, urban areas, etc.
Enhance your visual communication expertise with the precision of superior 2D drafting and 3D design tools available in CorelCAD. It’s the smart, affordable solution for drawing detailed elements in technical design. With native .