The Best SOLIDWORKS AlternativesTop CAD Software & 3D Modelers like SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS is described as 'Leading 3D CAD software facilitating design, analysis, and product data management. Boosts productivity and accelerates time to market through seamless integration' and is a popular CAD software in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 100 alternatives to SOLIDWORKS for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and iPad apps. The best SOLIDWORKS alternative is FreeCAD, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like SOLIDWORKS are Onshape, SketchUp, LibreCAD and Autodesk Fusion.

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SOLIDWORKS 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 Open Source, Free, Linux, Mac, Computer-Aided Design, Mac + Free and Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to SOLIDWORKS.
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Alternatives list

  1. FreeCAD icon

    FreeCAD

     469 likes
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    A powerful open-source parametric 3D modeler ideal for mechanical engineering, supporting Python scripting, running on Windows, Linux, and Mac, with modular architecture allowing extensive adaptability and use with scientific computing libraries.

    112 FreeCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    FreeCAD screenshot 1
     
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    101
    Comments about FreeCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Guest
    Positive
    8

    AS far as I have tried, FreeCAD is the only FOSS alternative to Solidworks/Catia/PTC that has a funtional workflow. It is the best of a poor bunch.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    5

    It's free for both personal and commercial use

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    jrmz
    Negative
    1

    Unfortunately not usable, after several years of using freecad, I quickly saw its limits. It is not a parametric software, indeed the topological naming problem makes this software fundamentally broken. The realthunder fork fixes some of these problems. fork or not, some advanced actions are still impossible and the different workbench are too isolated, some objects created with a workbench can't be modified by another one.

    Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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

    • Most users think FreeCAD is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative.

    • FreeCAD is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to SOLIDWORKS.

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

    • FreeCAD is Free and Open SourceSOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
  2. 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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    40
    Comments about Onshape as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    thantik
    Positive
    -1

    Fully cross platform parametric cad solution which runs in the browser. Includes any OS which can run a modern browser, including BSD, Linux, OS X, Android, and more. Not open source. Not free. But some of us need a professional-level solution regardless of those ideals.

    Guest
    Positive
    -2

    It's just like Solidworks, near same terminology, icons, placement, etc. Not to mention it's free (for the most basic version) and on the cloud.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -7

    It's free (fully functional) , multiplatform (even on mobiles)

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

    • Almost everyone thinks Onshape is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative.

    • Onshape is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to SOLIDWORKS.

    • Onshape is Free Personal and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
    • Onshape is CustomizableSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
  4. 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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    8
    Comments about SketchUp as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    It doesn't have the same tools, short-cuts and general software.

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

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

    • SketchUp is the most popular commercial alternative to SOLIDWORKS.

    • SketchUp is Paid and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is also Paid and Proprietary
  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. 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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    8
    Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Seth
    Negative
    0

    2D application, not 3D like Solidworks

    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    LibreCAD icon

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

    • LibreCAD is Free and Open SourceSOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
    • LibreCAD is Customizable and LightweightSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
  7. 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.

    44 Autodesk Fusion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Freeform modeling & sculpting
     
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    24
    Comments about Autodesk Fusion as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Easy, great support, many tutorials, mobile showroom app, ezports to every format possible, CAD and CAM (very powerfull)

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

    • Most users think Autodesk Fusion is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative.

    • Autodesk Fusion is Free Personal and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
  8. 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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    15
    Comments about Autodesk AutoCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    bobbwwj555
    Negative
    -1

    The Function Differently under the hood.

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

    • Some users think Autodesk AutoCAD is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative, some don't.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is Paid and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is also Paid and Proprietary
  10. Autodesk Inventor icon

    Autodesk Inventor

     22 likes
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    Software for 3D mechanical design, simulation, and visualization. Provides parametric, direct, and freeform design options, along with integrated simulation, CAM tools, and advanced rendering up to 16K resolution. Features include section views and customizable rendering environments.

    60 Autodesk Inventor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Autodesk Inventor screenshot 1
     
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    22
    Comments about Autodesk Inventor as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    You can find almost all features of SolidWorks inthis application. The most exciting feature is that all university students can get it free for 3 years!!!

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

    Autodesk Inventor has a very similar structure to SolidWorks, down to the Design Tree. You can import & export parts easily, perform assembly models, etc. with a very similar structure to SolidWorks; however, it is slightly less user friendly in my opinion. It is also not going to be the best cost-effective solution as Autodesk does not allow for perpetual licenses (meaning, you have to pay every year to use the software). After a couple of years, it's better to just purchase SolidWorks.

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

    • Almost everyone thinks Autodesk Inventor is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative.

    • Autodesk Inventor is Paid and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is also Paid and Proprietary
  11. 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
     
  12. 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
     
  13. 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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    14
    Comments about SolveSpace as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    sgtdre
    Positive
    2

    It shows that it can open .step files and I have a few GrabCad files that I want to check out and see it I can at least save to other file formats, ;ie .dwg

    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    SolveSpace icon

    • Most users think SolveSpace is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative.

    • SolveSpace is Free and Open SourceSOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
    • SolveSpace is LightweightSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
  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. Catia icon

    Catia

     10 likes
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    CATIA (Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application) (in English usually pronounced /k?'ti?/) is a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systèmes.

    56 Catia alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Real Toyota f1 designing
     
12 of 102 SOLIDWORKS alternatives