FreeCAD AlternativesTop CAD Software & 3D Modelers like FreeCAD

FreeCAD is described as 'A versatile open-source 3D CAD modeler with modular architecture, suitable for engineering applications across multiple platforms, supporting Python scripting' and is a very popular CAD software in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 100 alternatives to FreeCAD for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and SaaS apps. The best FreeCAD alternative is SketchUp. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try OpenSCAD or Onshape. Other great apps like FreeCAD are Autodesk AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, SolveSpace and BRL-CAD.

filter to find the best alternatives

FreeCAD alternatives are mainly CAD Software, but if you're looking for 3D Modelers or 3D Printing Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, iPad, Open Source, Android Tablet, Mac, iPad + Free and Android + 3D Modelling. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to FreeCAD.
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Alternatives list

  1. SketchUp icon

    SketchUp

     555 likes
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    Comprehensive 3D modeling software ideal for architecture, engineering, film, and gaming. It includes features like easy-to-use interface, sun and shadow analysis, color experimenting, and mock-up creation. Available in freeware and professional versions for diverse needs.

    165 SketchUp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Main UI
     
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    19

    • Some users think SketchUp is a great FreeCAD alternative, some don't.

    • SketchUp is the most popular Web-based, Windows & Mac alternative to FreeCAD.

    • SketchUp is the most popular commercial alternative to FreeCAD.

    • SketchUp is Paid and ProprietaryFreeCAD is Free and Open Source
  2. OpenSCAD icon

    OpenSCAD

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

    50 OpenSCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    • BSD
    • Docker
    • Homebrew
    OpenSCAD screenshot 1
     
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    23
    Comments about OpenSCAD as an Alternative to FreeCAD
    alteer8
    Positive
    0

    Both can do parametric modelling. While OpenSCAD focuses on your whole design being described in code, FreeCAD allows you to draw a sketch and add parameters as needed.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Assurance of code based parameters

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    FreeCAD Icon
    OpenSCAD icon

    • Almost everyone thinks OpenSCAD is a great FreeCAD alternative.

    • OpenSCAD is the most popular Linux alternative to FreeCAD.

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

    • OpenSCAD is Free and Open SourceFreeCAD is also Free and Open Source
    • OpenSCAD is LightweightFreeCAD is not according to our users
  4. Autodesk AutoCAD icon

    Autodesk AutoCAD

     214 likes
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    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 collaborations.

    129 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Autodesk AutoCAD screenshot 1
     
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    22
    Comments about Autodesk AutoCAD as an Alternative to FreeCAD
    Duncan Lithgow
    0

    If you're looking for 2D CAD (as most AutoCAD users are) then FreeCAD is probably not the best solution. QCAD & LibreCAD are probably more relevant FLOSS solutions.

    FreeCAD Icon
    Autodesk AutoCAD icon

    • Most users think Autodesk AutoCAD is a great FreeCAD alternative.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to FreeCAD.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is Paid and ProprietaryFreeCAD is Free and Open Source
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Autodesk AutoCAD icon
    Autodesk AutoCAD

    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, c...

    https://www.autodesk.com
    Learn More
  6. SOLIDWORKS icon

    SOLIDWORKS

     88 likes
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    Leading 3D CAD software for design, analysis, and product data management, developed by Dassault Systèmes. Enhances productivity, fosters collaboration, and accelerates time to market. Features include parametric modeling, photorealistic rendering, and strong PLM process support.

    102 SOLIDWORKS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    SOLIDWORKS screenshot 1
     
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    8
    Comments about SOLIDWORKS as an Alternative to FreeCAD
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    SolidWorks is an industry standard software suite the automotive industry. While FreeCAD offers more functionality, SolidWorks has a smoother interface, and professional support.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    FreeCAD Icon
    SOLIDWORKS icon

    • Most users think SOLIDWORKS is a great FreeCAD alternative.

    • SOLIDWORKS is Paid and ProprietaryFreeCAD is Free and Open Source
  7. Onshape icon

    Onshape

     31 likes
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    Onshape is a professional CAD system – Parts, Assemblies, Drawings – with version control and collaboration built in. Each Onshape plan (Free, Education, Professional, and Enterprise) gives you all of the CAD and data management functionality with no time limit.

    42 Onshape alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Onshape screenshot 1
     
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    10
  8. SolveSpace icon

    SolveSpace

     32 likes
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    SolveSpace is a parametric 3D CAD program with extrude, revolve, union and difference functions. Save/Export as DXF, PDF, SVG, STL, STEP. Mesh generation expected by most 3d printers. Constraint solver point tracing for motion analysis.

    71 SolveSpace alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    SolveSpace screenshot 1
     
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    12
  10. BRL-CAD icon

    BRL-CAD

     57 likes
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    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...

    74 BRL-CAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    PA-63 Extractor
     
  11. Autodesk Fusion icon

    Autodesk Fusion

     44 likes
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    Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE suite offering cloud modeling, simulation, and manufacturing tools with collaborative editing, free-form and parametric design, licensing for students, hobbyists, and startups, plus support for 3D printing and CNC machining.

    43 Autodesk Fusion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Freeform modeling & sculpting
     
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    4
    6
    Comments about Autodesk Fusion as an Alternative to FreeCAD
    alteer8
    Negative
    1

    Fusion360 has forced account requirement, forced online, forced auto-updates, forced cloud-first saving, forced limits, forced feature adds and removals, forced Autodesk ecosystem integration, forced ads in different parts of UI, forced analytics.

    If you don't want to be forced, you better invest your learning time in open source, offline and cross-platform FreeCAD, though it's harder to learn.

    Guest
    Negative
    10

    Does not work offline, no guarantee that tomorrow you will still be able to open your design.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Aleksandr Dikov
    Positive
    0

    Relatively cheap solution for CAD modeling which give a lot of options to construct. Good for education and small production, feels like https://alternativeto.net/software/autodesk-inventor/ "lite".

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    3 of 4 comments
    FreeCAD Icon
    Autodesk Fusion icon

    • Some users think Autodesk Fusion is a great FreeCAD alternative, some don't.

    • Autodesk Fusion is Free Personal and ProprietaryFreeCAD is Free and Open Source
  12. LibreCAD icon

    LibreCAD

     170 likes
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    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.

    108 LibreCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    On Mac
     
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    6
    28
    Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to FreeCAD
    Top Negative Comment
    DarkRedman
    9

    The major difference is that LibreCAD is 2D while FreeCAD is 3D

    Guest
    Negative
    7

    FreeCAD = 3D LibreCAD = 2D

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    LibreCAD is 2D, FreeCAD is 3D

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 6 comments
    FreeCAD Icon
    LibreCAD icon

    • Some users think LibreCAD is a great FreeCAD alternative, some don't.

    • LibreCAD is Free and Open SourceFreeCAD is also Free and Open Source
    • LibreCAD is Customizable and LightweightFreeCAD is not according to our users
  13. Dune 3D icon

    Dune 3D

     16 likes
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    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.

    58 Dune 3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Dune 3D screenshot 1
     
  14. Solid Edge icon

    Solid Edge

     13 likes
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    Solid Edge is an industry-leading mechanical design system with exceptional tools for creating and managing 3D digital prototypes. With superior core modeling and process workflows, a unique focus on the needs of specific industries, and fully integrated design management, Solid...

    43 Solid Edge alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • iPad
    Solid Edge with ST4 offers a working environment with ground plane reflections and shadows.
     
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    10
  15. Rhinoceros icon

    Rhinoceros

     33 likes
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    Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware.

    59 Rhinoceros alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Rhinoceros screenshot 1
     
12 of 112 FreeCAD alternatives