FreeCAD AlternativesTop CAD Software & 3D Modelers like FreeCAD
FreeCAD is described as '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' 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 iPad apps. The best FreeCAD alternative is SketchUp, which is free. Other great apps like FreeCAD are OpenSCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD, Dune 3D and SOLIDWORKS.
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FreeCAD alternatives are mainly CAD Software but may also be 3D Modelers or Interior Design Apps. Other popular filters includes iPad + 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 FreeCAD.- CAD Software
- Free • Open Source
- 549 likes170 SketchUp alternatives
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 Features
- 3D Animation
- 3d sketching
- Built-in 3D model viewer
- Pencil
- 3d Drawing
- Cabinet design
- Image to 3D
- Mechanical Design
- Browser-based
SketchUp VS FreeCAD
Is SketchUp a good alternative to FreeCAD? - 79 likes47 OpenSCAD alternatives
OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
OpenSCAD Features
- Procedural Modeling
- Parametric Modeling
- Text Based Format
OpenSCAD VS FreeCAD
Is OpenSCAD a good alternative to FreeCAD? - 213 likes128 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives
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...
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
Autodesk AutoCAD Features
- DWG support
- Drawing 2D
- 3D Printing
- Batch plotting
- Ad-free
- Parametric Modeling
- Real time collaboration
- Support for scripting
- Cloud Sync
Autodesk AutoCAD VS FreeCAD
Is Autodesk AutoCAD a good alternative to FreeCAD?Comments about Autodesk AutoCAD as an Alternative to FreeCAD
Duncan LithgowIf 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.
0 - 15 likes55 Dune 3D alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
Dune 3D Features
- Lightweight
- Ad-free
- No registration required
- Portable
- Parametric Modeling
- Parametric
Dune 3D VS FreeCAD
Is Dune 3D a good alternative to FreeCAD? - 82 likes98 SOLIDWORKS alternatives
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.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
SOLIDWORKS Features
- Parametric Modeling
- Easy Measurements
- Drawing 2D
- 3D design
SOLIDWORKS VS FreeCAD
Is SOLIDWORKS a good alternative to FreeCAD?Comments about SOLIDWORKS as an Alternative to FreeCAD
SolidWorks is an industry standard software suite the automotive industry. While FreeCAD offers more functionality, SolidWorks has a smoother interface, and professional support.
1 - 30 likes71 SolveSpace alternatives
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.
SolveSpace Features
- User friendly
- Parametric Modeling
- Portable
- Lightweight
- 3D Sculpting
- Ad-free
- 3D design
- Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
SolveSpace VS FreeCAD
Is SolveSpace a good alternative to FreeCAD? - 163 likes113 LibreCAD alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
Top LibreCAD Features
- Digital Painting
- Portable
- Bim
- Construction layers
- No registration required
- Parametric Modeling
- Lightweight
- Support for Layers
- Customizable
- Isometric view
- Export to SVG
- QT Based
LibreCAD VS FreeCAD
Is LibreCAD a good alternative to FreeCAD?Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to FreeCAD
FreeCAD = 3D LibreCAD = 2D
6LibreCAD is 2D, FreeCAD is 3D
-1DarkRedmanThe major difference is that LibreCAD is 2D while FreeCAD is 3D
8LibreCAD is 2D, FreeCAD is 3D parametric modeler
13librecad is 2d and freecad is 3d
9 - 55 likes73 BRL-CAD alternatives
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...
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
BRL-CAD Features
- Image Processing
- Benchmark analytics
- Ray Tracing
BRL-CAD VS FreeCAD
Is BRL-CAD a good alternative to FreeCAD? - 25 likes39 Onshape alternatives
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.
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
Top Onshape Features
- Web-Based
- Parametric Modeling
- Real time collaboration
- Cloud Sync
- Parametric
- Cloud based
- Ad-free
- Drawing Board
- Mechanical Simulation
- Customizable
- 3D Renderer
- Rendering
Onshape VS FreeCAD
Is Onshape a good alternative to FreeCAD? - 41 likes31 Autodesk Fusion alternatives
Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE featuring collaborative editing and cloud-based computation. Free license available for students and hobbyists.
Autodesk Fusion Features
- Parametric Modeling
- Procedural Modeling
- Real time collaboration
- Cloud Sync
- Keyframe Animation
- 3D Sculpting
- Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
- 3D design
- CAE
- Surface Modelling
Autodesk Fusion VS FreeCAD
Is Autodesk Fusion a good alternative to FreeCAD?Comments about Autodesk Fusion as an Alternative to FreeCAD
Does not work offline, no guarantee that tomorrow you will still be able to open your design.
10alteer8Fusion360 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.
0Duncan LithgowThere are a lot of interesting discussions out there on the web comparing FreeCAD & Fusion. The behaviour of Autodesk against Fusion users has been a motivation for many to switch to FreeCAD.
1Aleksandr DikovRelatively 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".
0 - 4 likes20 Plasticity alternatives
Plasticity is a 3d modelling software for concept artists. Modelling in Plasticity is quick and efficient due to the unique gizmos, shortcuts, and thoughtful workflow.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Plasticity Features
- Lightweight
- Parametric Modeling
- Portable
Plasticity VS FreeCAD
Is Plasticity a good alternative to FreeCAD? - 28 likes49 Shapr3D alternatives
From design to manufacturing. Teams collaborate with more impact. Instinctive design meets multidevice capability and full interoperability for the ultimate 3D design workflow.
Shapr3D Features
- Augmented Reality
- Lightweight
- Dark Mode
- Ad-free
- Cloud Sync
- Mechanical Design
- Apple Pencil support
- Android Sync
- Sketching
Shapr3D VS FreeCAD
Is Shapr3D a good alternative to FreeCAD?
Comments about OpenSCAD as an Alternative to FreeCAD
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.
Assurance of code based parameters