Open Source ChemDraw Alternatives
The best open source alternative to ChemDraw is JChemPaint. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 10 alternatives to ChemDraw and seven of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to ChemDraw are XDrawChem, Molsketch, ChemCanvas and BKchem.
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ChemDraw alternatives are mainly Vector Graphic Apps 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 ChemDraw.- Paid • Proprietary
JChemPaint (or JCP for short here) is the editor and viewer for 2D chemical structures developed using the Chemistry Development Kit (CDK).
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
- Flatpak
JChemPaint Features
XDrawChem is a free software program for drawing chemical structural formulas, available for Unix and Mac OS. It is distributed under the GNU GPL. In Microsoft Windows this program is called WinDrawChem.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
DiscontinuedLast release (1.10.2-1) was in January 2017.
Comments about XDrawChem as an Alternative to ChemDraw
A 2D molecular editing tool for GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows. Its goal is to help you draw molecules quick and easily. Of course your creations can be exported afterwards in high quality in a number of vector and bitmap formats.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Country of Origin
India
Platforms
- Linux
- Flathub
- Flatpak
- Raspberry Pi
- Windows
- Python
BKChem is a free (as in free software :o) chemical drawing program. It was conceived and written by Beda Kosata and is currently maintained by Reinis Danne.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Czechia
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
DiscontinuedThe last release was in 2010.
BKchem Features
Comments about BKchem as an Alternative to ChemDraw
John FastmanBKchem is an old attempt at replacing some of ChemDraw's functionality. It succeeded partially in providing some of ChemDraw's very core chemical structure drawing features. Unfortunately, BKchem has seen no new development since 2010, leaving it in limbo.
Very usefull software. You can paste images created with BKChem in a text processor or another open source graphical software like InkScape.
The Gnome Chemistry Utils include six chemistry related programs:
- GChemPaint, a 2D chemical formula editor.
- a chemical calculator (computes raw formule, molar weight, mass composition and isotopic pattern).
- a molecule 3d viewer using OpenGL to display molecular models. .
License model
- Free • Open Source
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Linux
MollyCule is a completely free Open Source Chemistry visualisation program for MacOS, Linux and Windows. MollyCule is designed to be a nice, easy to use program to help ordinary people who want to explore Chemistry.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
DiscontinuedLast update appears to be August 2011.
More simply for use in class