SolidWorks Alternatives and Similar Software

FreeCAD

FreeCAD is a 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 engineering specialties. FreeCAD features tools similar to Catia, SolidWorks or Solid Edge, and therefore also falls into the category of MCAD, PLM, CAx and CAE.

• 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. Guest • Feb 2017 • 18 agrees and 13 disagrees Disagree   Agree

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

225 Like

SketchUp

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 version with additional functionality, SketchUp Pro. SketchUp comes with a 3D Gallery that lets you search for models and share yours.

• It doesn't have the same tools, short-cuts and general software. Guest • 5 days ago Disagree   Agree

Freemium $ $ $ Mac Windows Web

490 Like

Autodesk AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a software application for both 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting — available since 1982 as a desktop application and since 2010 as a mobile web- and cloud-based app, currently marketed as Autocad 360. AutoCAD is used across a range of industries, including architects, project managers and engineers, among other professions. AutoCAD's DWG file format has been widely adopted.

• The Function Differently under the hood. bobbwwj555 • Jul 2016 • 0 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree

Commercial $ $ $ Mac Windows Web Android iPhone ... iPad

161 Like

Onshape

Onshape is a professional CAD system – Parts, Assemblies, Drawings – with version control and collaboration built in. Each Onshape plan (Free for STUDENTS, Professional & Enterprise) gives you all of the CAD and data management functionality with no time limit. - Onshape is the first full-cloud 3D CAD system. It runs in a web browser and on any mobile device. - Onshape uses cloud-native Documents, not files.

• 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. thantik • May 2019 Disagree   Agree
• It's free (fully functional) , multiplatform (even on mobiles) Guest • May 2017 • 1 agrees and 6 disagrees Disagree   Agree
• 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. Guest • Feb 2017 • 3 agrees and 4 disagrees Disagree   Agree

Commercial $ $ $ Mac Windows Linux Web Android ... iPhone Android Tablet iPad

15 Like

Autodesk Fusion 360

Autodesk Fusion 360 Is an Integrated Form, Function and Fabrication Experience Quickly and easily explore product ideas in Fusion 360. Start by using simple free-form modeling tools to get just the right shape, or take a shortcut and seamlessly pull your existing data into your Fusion 360 project. Engineer and test it for function. Then prepare it for manufacturing by generating tool paths or using the 3D printing utility.

• Easy, great support, many tutorials, mobile showroom app, ezports to every format possible, CAD and CAM (very powerfull) Guest • Apr 2017 • 1 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree

Free Personal $ $ $ Mac Windows

20 Like

Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk® Inventor® products offer a comprehensive, flexible set of software for 3D mechanical design, product simulation, tooling creation, and design communication. Inventor takes you beyond 3D to Digital Prototyping by enabling you to design, visualize, and simulate your products. Design—Integrate all design data into a single digital model. Visualize—Create a virtual representation of your final product to market it before it’s built.

• 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. Guest • Jan 2019 Disagree   Agree
• 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!!! Guest • May 2017 Disagree   Agree

Commercial $ $ $ Windows

20 Like

SolveSpace

SolveSpace is an Open Source 2D and 3D CAD (computer-aided design) program. It is a constraint-based parametric modeler with simple mechanical simulation capabilities. It is developed by Jonathan Westhues.

• 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 sgtdre • Apr 2017 • 2 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

24 Like

DraftSight

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.* Based on advanced architecture, DraftSight has a small footprint, should take less than a few minutes to download, and runs on multiple operating systems, including Windows XP®, Windows Vista® and Windows® 7.

Commercial $ $ $ Mac Windows Linux

80 Like

BRL-CAD

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 robust geometric representation, with more than 20 years of active development.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

45 Like

BricsCAD

A powerful CAD platform, with features familiar to you from native .dwg applications. BricsCAD® unifies advanced 2D design with the intelligence of 3D direct modeling. For Windows, Linux, and Mac. It supports hundreds of third party applications based on .dwg, from all over the world and all this at a very fair price.

• It is an AutoCAD clone, not SolidWorks. Guest • Sep 2016 • 3 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree

Commercial Mac Windows Linux

37 Like

pCon.planner

The professional furnishing 2D-/3D-tool for everybody: The pCon.planner is a cost-free application allowing you to comfortably and professionally create complex furnishing concepts and to visualize them in a photo-realistic quality. File Formats: dwg, dxf, 3ds, skp, ... Languages: English, German, Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish;

Free Windows

20 Like

Designspark Mechanical

DesignSpark Mechanical is a 3D modeling software reported to be easy to use so that all engineers will be able to create and share models. Designs can be linked directly to RS/Allied off-the-shelf components for automatic bill of materials generation, part numbers, and costs for included components. DesignSpark Mechanical can export to DXF, SketchUp, ECAD, OBJ, STEP, and STL formats.

Commercial Windows

9 Like

QCAD

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. QCad uses the AutoCAD DXF file format internally and to save and import files. AutoCAD DWG support is available as a commercial plugin. QCAD is available in two versions: Community edition and Professional edition. QCAD Community Edition is free and open source.

Free Personal Mac Windows Linux

19 Like

SALOME

SALOME can be used as standalone application for generation of CAD models, their preparation for numerical calculations and post-processing of the calculation results. SALOME can also be used as a platform for integration of the external third-party numerical codes to produce a new application for the full life-cycle management of CAD models.

• Salome can solve some problems as SolidWork's COSMOS can. Also UI concept of Salome is very similar Guest • Mar 2017 • 0 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree

Free Open Source Windows Linux

7 Like

Open CASCADE

Open CASCADE Technology is a software development platform freely available in open source. It includes components for 3D surface and solid modeling, visualization, data exchange and rapid application development. Open CASCADE Technology can be best applied in development of numerical simulation software including CAD/CAM/CAE, AEC and GIS, as well as PDM applications. System requirements: http://www.opencascade.org/getocc/require/

Free Open Source Windows Linux

7 Like

Shapr3D

Shapr3D is a revolutionary 3D modeling software created exclusively for your iPad Pro and your Apple Pencil. Shapr3D is the only truly mobile CAD app - a quick but precise way to create 3D models for engineering, design, 3D prints, and more. COMPATIBILITY Shapr3D is compatible with ALL major CAD software. You can export your works into a STL, STEP, or an IGES file.

Freemium iPad

10 Like

Solid Edge

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 Edge guides projects toward an error free, accurate design solution.

Commercial Windows iPad

10 Like

iClone

Real-time animation evolves with 3D Video FX, motion paths, HDR and rapid drag & drop creation inside iClone. iClone combines video production with 3D real-time animation. The result is a powerful production tool for motion graphics, 3D animation and video compositing.

Commercial Windows

11 Like

Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros (Rhino) is a stand-alone, commercial NURBS-based 3-D modeling tool, developed by Robert McNeel & Associates. The software is commonly used for industrial design, architecture, marine design, jewelry design, automotive design, CAD / CAM, rapid prototyping, reverse engineering as well as the multimedia and graphic design industries. Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes.

Commercial Mac Windows

25 Like

nanoCAD

nanoCAD is a pro-grade 2D CAD system with native DWG support and full customizability. It is totally free, for business, professional, or personal purposes. It is fast, lightweight, capable, and , unlike most free CAD programs, completely uncrippled. nanoCAD includes: 1. Classic CAD interface. Any engineer could easily master nanoCAD since everything is in their right places: menu, button icons, panels, command line, and the commands theirselves are easily recognizable.

Commercial $ $ $ Windows

43 Like

KOMPAS-3D

KOMPAS-3D is for creating three-dimensional associative models for individual parts and assembly's containing both original and standardized elements. The parametric technology allows quickly obtaining models for typical products basing on a once designed prototype. Numerous service functions facilitate solving auxiliary designing and production maintenance problems.

Commercial Windows

8 Like

COMSOL Multiphysics

COMSOL Multiphysics is an engineering, design, and finite element analysis software environment for the modeling and simulation of any physics-based system.

Commercial Mac Windows Linux

13 Like

PTC Creo

Creo Elements/Pro – formerly Pro/ENGINEER – is the standard in 3D product design, featuring state-of-the-art productivity tools that promote best practices in design while ensuring compliance with your industry and company standards. Integrated, parametric, 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solutions allow you to design faster than ever, while maximizing innovation and quality to ultimately create exceptional products.

Commercial Windows

12 Like

Assetforge

Asset Forge allows anyone to create 3D models and 2D sprites using building blocks. Finished assets are compatible with most available game engines. You'll have access to a large library of pre-made blocks, they're each grouped in different categories. You can place an unlimited number of blocks in your creation after which it's possible to export and use in the game engine for your choice.

Commercial Mac Windows Linux

3 Like

Catia

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. Written in the C++ programming language, CATIA is the cornerstone of the Dassault Systèmes product lifecycle management software suite. CATIA competes in the high-end CAD/CAM/CAE market with Siemens NX.

Commercial Windows

7 Like