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, iPad and Web-based apps. The best FreeCAD alternative is SketchUp, which is free. Other great apps like FreeCAD are Autodesk AutoCAD, OpenSCAD, SOLIDWORKS and BRL-CAD.

FreeCAD alternatives are mainly CAD Software but may also be 3D Modelers or Interior Design Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of FreeCAD.

FreeCAD alternatives page was last updated

FreeCAD

387

Free • Open Source
CAD Software

FreeCAD is a general purpose parametric 3D CAD modeler. The development is completely Open Source (LGPL License). FreeCAD...

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SketchUp
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
3D Modeler
Interior Design App
Mac
Windows
Online
167 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 is the most popular Web-based, Windows & Mac alternative to FreeCAD.
- - SketchUp is the most popular free alternative to FreeCAD.
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SketchUp Features
3d sketching
Built-in 3D model viewer
Pencil
3d Drawing
Cabinet design
Image to 3D
Mechanical Design
Browser-based
Opinions about SketchUp as a Alternative to FreeCAD
Some users think SketchUp is a great FreeCAD alternative, some don't.
Autodesk AutoCAD
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
CAD Software
3D Modeler
Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
119 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives
AutoCAD is a leading CAD (computer-aided design) software used professionally throughout architectural, electrical, mechanical and other engineering and design industries. It was once available under a perpetual license but is now accessed solely through a subscription.
- - Autodesk AutoCAD is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to FreeCAD.
- - Autodesk AutoCAD is the most popular commercial alternative to FreeCAD.
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Autodesk AutoCAD Features
1. Ad-freeAutodesk AutoCAD doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Support for scriptingAutodesk AutoCAD supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
3. Parametric ModelingAutodesk AutoCAD can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
4. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Autodesk AutoCAD simultaneously.
5. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
DWG support
Drawing 2D
Batch plotting
Comments about Autodesk AutoCAD as a Alternative to FreeCAD
Most users think Autodesk AutoCAD is a great FreeCAD alternative.
Duncan Lithgow
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.
Comment•
0
OpenSCAD
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
CAD Software
3D Modeler
Mac
Windows
Linux
41 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.
- - OpenSCAD is the most popular Linux alternative to FreeCAD.
- - OpenSCAD is the most popular Open Source alternative to FreeCAD.
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OpenSCAD Features
1. Procedural ModelingOpenSCAD can create or modify 3D models and textures based on a sequence of rules.
2. Parametric ModelingOpenSCAD can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
Text Based Format
Comments about OpenSCAD as a Alternative to FreeCAD
Almost everyone thinks OpenSCAD is a great FreeCAD alternative.
alteer8
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.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Assurance of code based parameters
Positive comment•
1
SOLIDWORKS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
CAD Software
3D Modeler
Windows
95 SOLIDWORKS alternatives
SOLIDWORKS is a leading 3D CAD software for design, analysis and product data management. SOLIDWORKS solutions can help boost productivity, harness intelligence, foster innovation, and facilitate collaboration.
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SOLIDWORKS Features
1. Parametric ModelingSOLIDWORKS can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
Easy Measurements
3D design
Drawing 2D
Comments about SOLIDWORKS as a Alternative to FreeCAD
Most users think SOLIDWORKS is a great FreeCAD alternative.
Guest
SolidWorks is an industry standard software suite the automotive industry. While FreeCAD offers more functionality, SolidWorks has a smoother interface, and professional support.
Positive comment•
1
BRL-CAD
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
CAD Software
3D Modeler
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
71 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...
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BRL-CAD Features
Image Processing
Benchmark analytics
Ray Tracing
SolveSpace
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
CAD Software
Mac
Windows
Linux
68 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.
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SolveSpace Features
1. PortableSolveSpace can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. Parametric ModelingSolveSpace can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
User friendly
3D design
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
Opinions about SolveSpace as a Alternative to FreeCAD
Almost everyone thinks SolveSpace is a great FreeCAD alternative.
BricsCAD
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
CAD Software
3D Modeler
Mac
Windows
Linux
86 BricsCAD alternatives
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.
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BricsCAD Features
DWG support
Drawing 2D
Mechanical Simulation
Bim
Mechanical Design
BIM import
Rendering
Opinions about BricsCAD as a Alternative to FreeCAD
Almost everyone thinks BricsCAD is a great FreeCAD alternative.
Onshape
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
CAD Software
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
33 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.
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Onshape Features
1. Parametric ModelingOnshape can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
2. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Onshape simultaneously.
3. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Web-Based
Parametric
Cloud based
Drawing Board
Mechanical Simulation
Customizable
3D Renderer
Rendering
Opinions about Onshape as a Alternative to FreeCAD
Almost everyone thinks Onshape is a great FreeCAD alternative.
QCAD
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
CAD Software
Mac
Windows
Linux
72 QCAD alternatives
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.
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QCAD Features
1. Support for scriptingQCAD supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. Parametric ModelingQCAD can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
3. LightweightQCAD consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Drawing 2D
Comments about QCAD as a Alternative to FreeCAD
Almost everyone thinks QCAD is a great FreeCAD alternative.
Guest
Easy to use, well maintained and regularly updated - rock stable
Positive comment•
2
DraftSight
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
CAD Software
Mac
Windows
88 DraftSight alternatives
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.*
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DraftSight Features
Drawing 2D
3d sketching
Shapr3D
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
3D Modeler
CAD Software
3D Printing Tool
Mac
Windows
iPad
46 Shapr3D alternatives
Shapr3D is a revolutionary 3D modeling software created exclusively for your iPad Pro and your Apple Pencil.
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Shapr3D Features
1. Augmented RealityShapr3D makes use of augmented reality to interact with one or more of its services.
2. LightweightShapr3D consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Mechanical Design
Apple Pencil support
Android Sync
Sketching
Opinions about Shapr3D as a Alternative to FreeCAD
Most users think Shapr3D is a great FreeCAD alternative.
Rhinoceros
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
CAD Software
Mac
Windows
62 Rhinoceros alternatives
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.
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Rhinoceros Features
1. Parametric ModelingRhinoceros can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
2. Procedural ModelingRhinoceros can create or modify 3D models and textures based on a sequence of rules.
Nurb Surfacing
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)