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 LibreCAD, DraftSight, BricsCAD and SketchUp.

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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.
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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 Sep 25, 2024
  1. FreeCAD icon
     432 likes

    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...

    110 FreeCAD alternatives
    FreeCAD screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft

    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 iconAutodesk AutoCAD Icon

    FreeCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD

    Is FreeCAD a good alternative to 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.
    Guest

    I use Freecad to design my 3D printing models.

    Top positive commentOct 24, 2015
    9
    Guest

    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 commentJan 18, 2017
    20
    webb bes

    way takes really a lot of clicks

    Positive commentJan 24, 2023
    1
    Show more comments
    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
     163 likes

    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.

    111 LibreCAD alternatives
    On Mac

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    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 iconAutodesk AutoCAD Icon

    LibreCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD

    Is LibreCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?
     
    Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
     
       
    U U

    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 commentJan 20, 2020
    6
    Guest

    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.

    Top negative commentJun 16, 2020
    4
    Guest

    No open AutoCAD files, say need permissions.

    Negative commentMay 29, 2020
    -1
    Show more comments
    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
  3. DraftSight icon
     86 likes

    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.*

    90 DraftSight alternatives
    DraftSight screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    DraftSight Features

    1.  Drawing 2D
    2.  3d sketching
    DraftSight iconAutodesk AutoCAD Icon

    DraftSight VS Autodesk AutoCAD

    Is DraftSight a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?
     
    Comments about DraftSight as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
     
       
    Guest

    Because i'ts equal in 2D part. Very good, has free version, and multiplatform.

    Top positive commentFeb 11, 2017
    10
    Guest

    Good compatibility and excellent 2D drafting tools

    Positive commentNov 20, 2018
    2
    Guest

    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.

    Positive commentJun 26, 2018
    1
    Show more comments
    3 of 11 comments
    Autodesk AutoCAD Icon
    DraftSight icon
    • Most users think DraftSight is a great Autodesk AutoCAD alternative.

    • DraftSight is the most popular commercial alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.

    • DraftSight is Paid and ProprietaryAutodesk AutoCAD is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. BricsCAD icon
     49 likes

    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.

    89 BricsCAD alternatives
    BricsCAD Dark and light mode

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    BricsCAD Features

    1.  DWG support
    2.  Drawing 2D
    3.  Mechanical Simulation
    4.  Bim
    5.  Mechanical Design
    6.  BIM import
    7.  Rendering
    BricsCAD iconAutodesk AutoCAD Icon

    BricsCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD

    Is BricsCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?
     
    Comments about BricsCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
     
       
    Guest

    BricaCAD runs most native AutoCAD programming interfaces, lisp, diesel, pgp, brx (modified arx).

    Positive commentApr 7, 2018
    6
    Guest

    If you know how to draw in Autocad, you can also draw in Bicscad. It is identical.

    Positive commentAug 11, 2022
    1
    Paulo Coghi

    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 commentFeb 6, 2020
    -1
    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Autodesk AutoCAD Icon
    BricsCAD icon
    • Almost everyone thinks BricsCAD is a great Autodesk AutoCAD alternative.

    • BricsCAD is Paid and ProprietaryAutodesk AutoCAD is also Paid and Proprietary
  5. SketchUp icon
     550 likes

    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...

    168 SketchUp alternatives
    Main UI

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online

    SketchUp Features

    1.  3D Animation
    2.  3d sketching
    3.  Built-in 3D model viewer
    4.  Pencil
    5.  3d Drawing
    6.  Cabinet design
    7.  Image to 3D
    8.  Mechanical Design
    9.  Browser-based
    SketchUp iconAutodesk AutoCAD Icon

    SketchUp VS Autodesk AutoCAD

    Is SketchUp a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?
     
    Comments about SketchUp as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
     
       
    Guest

    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.

    Top positive commentAug 26, 2019
    4
    Guest

    This is not as same as Autocad 2D

    Top negative commentAug 2, 2019
    11
    Guest

    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

    Negative commentNov 12, 2020
    1
    Show more comments
    3 of 8 comments
    Autodesk AutoCAD Icon
    SketchUp icon
    • Some users think SketchUp is a great Autodesk AutoCAD alternative, some don't.

    • SketchUp is the most popular Web-based alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD.

    • SketchUp is Freemium and ProprietaryAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
  6. OpenSCAD icon
     79 likes

    OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.

    46 OpenSCAD alternatives
    Rendering a model

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    OpenSCAD Features

    1.  Procedural Modeling
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Text Based Format
    OpenSCAD iconAutodesk AutoCAD Icon

    OpenSCAD VS Autodesk AutoCAD

    Is OpenSCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?
     
    Comments about OpenSCAD as an Alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD
     
    Guest

    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.

    Negative commentMar 29, 2023
    0
    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
  7. Dune 3D icon
     16 likes

    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.

    54 Dune 3D alternatives
    Dune 3D screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Portable
    4.  Parametric Modeling
    5.  Parametric
    Dune 3D iconAutodesk AutoCAD Icon

    Dune 3D VS Autodesk AutoCAD

    Is Dune 3D a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?
     
7 of 40 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives