FreeCAD AlternativesOnly apps categorised as CAD Software

The best CAD alternative to FreeCAD is SketchUp, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to FreeCAD and loads of them are CAD Software so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting CAD Software alternatives to FreeCAD are Autodesk AutoCAD, OpenSCAD, SOLIDWORKS and SolveSpace.

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FreeCAD alternatives are mainly CAD Software but may also be 3D Modelers or 3D Printing 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 FreeCAD.
FreeCAD iconFreeCAD
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A versatile open-source 3D CAD modeler with modular architecture, suitable for engineering applications across multiple platforms, supporting Python scripting.

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FreeCAD alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. SketchUp icon
     552 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

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online

    SketchUp Features

    1.  3D Animation
    2.  3d sketching
    3.  Built-in 3D model viewer
    4.  Pencil
    5.  3d Drawing
    6.  Cabinet design
    7.  Image to 3D
    8.  Mechanical Design
    9.  Browser-based

    SketchUp VS FreeCAD

     
    • 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 free alternative to FreeCAD.

    • SketchUp is Freemium and ProprietaryFreeCAD is Free and Open Source
  2. Autodesk AutoCAD icon
     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.

    126 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

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

    Autodesk AutoCAD Features

    1.  DWG support
    2.  Drawing 2D
    3.  3D Printing
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Batch plotting
    6.  Parametric Modeling
    7.  Real time collaboration
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Support for scripting
    10.  Cloud Sync

    Autodesk AutoCAD VS FreeCAD

     
    Comments about Autodesk AutoCAD as an Alternative to FreeCAD
    Duncan Lithgow
    Mar 5, 2023
    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 the most popular commercial alternative to FreeCAD.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is Paid and ProprietaryFreeCAD is Free and Open Source
  3. OpenSCAD icon
     80 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.

    46 OpenSCAD alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • AT flagAustria
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    OpenSCAD Features

    1.  Procedural Modeling
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Text Based Format

    OpenSCAD VS FreeCAD

     
    Comments about OpenSCAD as an Alternative to FreeCAD
    alteer8
    Positive Mar 8, 2023
    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 Oct 10, 2017
    1

    Assurance of code based parameters

    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 alternative to FreeCAD.

    • OpenSCAD is Free and Open SourceFreeCAD is also Free and Open Source
  4. SOLIDWORKS icon
     83 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.

    99 SOLIDWORKS alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows

    SOLIDWORKS Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Easy Measurements
    3.  Drawing 2D
    4.  3D design

    SOLIDWORKS VS FreeCAD

     
    Comments about SOLIDWORKS as an Alternative to FreeCAD
    Guest
    Positive May 19, 2018
    1

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

    FreeCAD Icon
    SOLIDWORKS icon
    • Most users think SOLIDWORKS is a great FreeCAD alternative.

    • SOLIDWORKS is Paid and ProprietaryFreeCAD is Free and Open Source
  5. SolveSpace icon
     31 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.

    70 SolveSpace alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  User friendly

    Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Portable
    3.  3D Sculpting
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  3D design
    6.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)

    SolveSpace VS FreeCAD

     
  6. Dune 3D icon
     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.

    54 Dune 3D alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Portable
    4.  Parametric Modeling
    5.  Parametric

    Dune 3D VS FreeCAD

     
  7. Onshape icon
     27 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.

    38 Onshape alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalProprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Web-Based
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  Cloud based
    5.  Cloud Sync
    6.  Parametric
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Drawing Board
    9.  Mechanical Simulation
    10.  3D Renderer
    11.  Rendering

    Onshape VS FreeCAD

     
  8. BRL-CAD icon
     56 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...

    73 BRL-CAD alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    BRL-CAD Features

    1.  Image Processing
    2.  Benchmark analytics
    3.  Ray Tracing

    BRL-CAD VS FreeCAD

     
  9. Autodesk Fusion icon
     42 likes
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    A comprehensive CAD, CAM, and CAE solution that supports collaborative editing and cloud computation. It offers free-form modeling, data import, and toolpath generation. Free licenses are available for students, hobbyists, and startups, with seamless transition to commercial entitlements.

    38 Autodesk Fusion alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalProprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Autodesk Fusion Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Procedural Modeling
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  Keyframe Animation
    6.  3D Sculpting
    7.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    8.  3D design
    9.  CAE
    10.  Surface Modelling

    Autodesk Fusion VS FreeCAD

     
    Comments about Autodesk Fusion as an Alternative to FreeCAD
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative Apr 29, 2020
    10

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

    alteer8
    Negative Mar 8, 2023
    0

    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.

    Duncan Lithgow
    Positive Mar 5, 2023
    1

    There 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.

    Show more comments
    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
  10. Rhinoceros icon
     31 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.

    62 Rhinoceros alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Nurb Surfacing
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Support for scripting
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Procedural Modeling
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  3D Sculpting
    8.  Portable
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)

    Rhinoceros VS FreeCAD

     
  11. BricsCAD icon
     49 likes
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    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

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • BE flagBelgium
    • European Union flagEU

    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 VS FreeCAD

     
  12. PTC Creo icon
     16 likes
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    With Creo Parametric, and its extensions, you can create, analyze, view, and share designs downstream using 2D CAD, 3D CAD, and parametric and direct modeling capabilities.

    81 PTC Creo alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows

    PTC Creo Features

    1.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    2.  3D design
    3.  Parametric
    4.  CAE

    PTC Creo VS FreeCAD

     
12 of 87 FreeCAD alternatives