DesignCAD AlternativesOnly apps categorised as CAD Software

The best CAD alternative to DesignCAD is FreeCAD, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to DesignCAD and many of them are CAD Software so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting CAD Software alternatives to DesignCAD are LibreCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD, DraftSight and BricsCAD.

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DesignCAD alternatives are mainly CAD Software but may also be 3D Modelers or Digital Painting Tools.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of DesignCAD.
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Easy-to-use 2D/3D CAD tool that’s perfect for novice designers, but powerful enough to create high-quality designs, models and animations.

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DesignCAD alternatives page was last updated Aug 26, 2024
  1. FreeCAD icon
     429 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

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required

    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.  Windows XP Compatibility
    10.  Procedural Modeling
    11.  Bim
    12.  Dark Mode
    13.  Portable Linux
    14.  Support for Layers
    15.  Portable
    FreeCAD iconDesignCAD Icon

    FreeCAD VS DesignCAD

    Is FreeCAD a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
    • FreeCAD is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to DesignCAD.

    • FreeCAD is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to DesignCAD.

    • FreeCAD is Free and Open SourceDesignCAD 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.

    112 LibreCAD alternatives
    On Mac

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Digital Painting
    2.  Portable
    3.  Bim
    4.  Construction layers
    5.  Parametric Modeling
    6.  Isometric view
    7.  Support for Layers
    8.  Export to SVG
    9.  QT Based
    10.  Export to PDF
    LibreCAD iconDesignCAD Icon

    LibreCAD VS DesignCAD

    Is LibreCAD a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
  3. Autodesk AutoCAD icon
     213 likes

    Leading CAD software known for its robust 2D and 3D modeling capabilities, facilitating intricate designs in architecture, engineering, and construction across Mac, PC, and web. Features include a dynamic API for customization, cloud access, and subscription-based service for continual updates and collaborat...

    126 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives
    Autodesk AutoCAD screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free

    Features

    1.  DWG support
    2.  Drawing 2D
    3.  3D Printing
    4.  Batch plotting
    5.  Parametric Modeling
    6.  Real time collaboration
    7.  Support for scripting
    8.  Cloud Sync
    Autodesk AutoCAD iconDesignCAD Icon

    Autodesk AutoCAD VS DesignCAD

    Is Autodesk AutoCAD a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
    • Autodesk AutoCAD is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to DesignCAD.

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

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is Paid and ProprietaryDesignCAD is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. 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.*

    92 DraftSight alternatives
    DraftSight screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    DraftSight Features

    1.  Drawing 2D
    2.  3d sketching
    DraftSight iconDesignCAD Icon

    DraftSight VS DesignCAD

    Is DraftSight a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
  5. 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.

    90 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 iconDesignCAD Icon

    BricsCAD VS DesignCAD

    Is BricsCAD a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
  6. QCAD icon
     29 likes

    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.

    75 QCAD alternatives
    QCAD screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free PersonalOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Drawing 2D
    QCAD iconDesignCAD Icon

    QCAD VS DesignCAD

    Is QCAD a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
  7. CADdirect icon
     Like this app

    Artificial Intelligence CAD for DWG Files. Fully AutoCAD compatible. Easy to learn for AutoCAD users. The best AutoCAD alternative.

    30 CADdirect alternatives
    CADdirect screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    CADdirect Features

    1.  Built-in AI Assistant
    2.  DWG support
    CADdirect iconDesignCAD Icon

    CADdirect VS DesignCAD

    Is CADdirect a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
  8. nanoCAD icon
     44 likes

    nanoCAD is a pro-grade 2D CAD system with native DWG support and full customizability. It is totally free, for business, professional, or personal purposes. It is fast, lightweight, capable, and , unlike most free CAD programs, completely uncrippled. nanoCAD includes:

    93 nanoCAD alternatives
    nanoCAD 3 main window

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  DWG support
    2.  Convert DWG to PDF
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Convert PDF to DWG
    nanoCAD iconDesignCAD Icon

    nanoCAD VS DesignCAD

    Is nanoCAD a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
  9. LiteCAD icon
     3 likes

    Create, edit, view, and print 2D CAD drawings using the file formats: dxf, dwg, shp ;Download-Size only 3.10 MB; language: only english;

    55 LiteCAD alternatives
    Example for an architectural drawing

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    LiteCAD iconDesignCAD Icon

    LiteCAD VS DesignCAD

    Is LiteCAD a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
  10. GstarCAD icon
     13 likes

    GstarCAD is well-known alternative CAD software of high compatibility with ACAD. With 27 years of continuous improvement and innovation, today GstarCAD is far ahead in performance, stability and becomes leading CAD software in the world.

    86 GstarCAD alternatives
    Concise User Interface

    License model

    Platforms

    • Windows
    GstarCAD iconDesignCAD Icon

    GstarCAD VS DesignCAD

    Is GstarCAD a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
  11. ZWCAD icon
     14 likes

    Developed by ZWSOFT, which has helped 900,000 users from 90 countries create amazing things, ZWCAD is a powerful, reliable and DWG-compatible CAD solution for worldwide users. Available in 15 languages, it provides innovative, collaborative and customizable features to designers...

    60 ZWCAD alternatives
    ZWCAD screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dwg compatible
    2.  Mechanical Design
    ZWCAD iconDesignCAD Icon

    ZWCAD VS DesignCAD

    Is ZWCAD a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
  12. JTS IntelliCAD Software icon
     1 like

    JTS IntelliCAD is an economical 2D Drafting and 3D Wireframe Modeling CAD software meant for Engineers, Architects and other technical consultants. JTS IntelliCAD works in native DWG & DXF CAD software to create and edit drawings.

    34 JTS IntelliCAD Software alternatives
    JTS IntelliCAD 11 Standard

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    JTS IntelliCAD Software Features

    1.  IntelliCAD
    JTS IntelliCAD Software iconDesignCAD Icon

    JTS IntelliCAD Software VS DesignCAD

    Is this a good alternative to DesignCAD?
     
12 of 30 DesignCAD alternatives