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SolidWorks Alternatives and Similar Software

Alternatives to SolidWorks for Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad, Web and more. Filter by license to discover only free or Open Source alternatives. This list contains a total of 25+ apps similar to SolidWorks.

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. develops and markets 3D CAD design software, analysis software, and product data management software. If your looking for more info about SolidWorks like screenshots, reviews and comments you should visit our info page about it. Below you find the best alternatives.

The list of alternatives was last updated: 8/28/2018 11:39:00 AM

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Alternatives to SolidWorks for all platforms with any license

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.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux
Parametric Modeling Windows XP Compatibility Drawing 2D DWG support Add a feature

195 Like
- 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 • 11 agrees and 10 disagrees
LibreCAD

LibreCAD (originally QCad then CADuntu) 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. LibreCAD can read DWG files (and others) as of the latest Nightly build. It writes DXF files, but can also export SVG, JPG, PNG, PDF and other files.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux PortableApps.com
Construction layers Portable Add a feature

100 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.

Commercial $ $ $ Mac Windows Web Android iPhone ... iPad
Batch plotting DWG support Add a feature

151 Like
Onshape

Onshape is a professional CAD system – Parts, Assemblies, Drawings – with version control and collaboration built in. Each Onshape plan (Free, 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.

Commercial $ $ $ Web Android iPhone Android Tablet iPad
Web-Based Cloud sync Customizable Drawing Board ... Parametric Modeling Real time collaboration Version and Source control Add a feature

13 Like
- 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 • 2 agrees and 1 disagrees
- It's free (fully functional) , multiplatform (even on mobiles) Guest • May 2017 • 0 agrees and 1 disagrees
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.

Commercial $ $ $ Windows
Parametric Modeling Vector strokes Add a feature

20 Like
- 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
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.

Free Personal $ $ $ Mac Windows
Parametric Modeling Cloud sync Extrude Real time collaboration Add a feature

19 Like
- Easy, great support, many tutorials, mobile showroom app, ezports to every format possible, CAD and CAM (very powerfull) Guest • Apr 2017
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.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux
Parametric Modeling Computer-aided machining (CAM) Portable Add a feature

21 Like
- 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
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
No features added Add a feature

9 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.

Commercial Mac Windows Linux
No features added Add a feature

34 Like
NaroCAD

NaroCAD is a fully fledged and extensible 3D parametric modeling CAD application. The goal of this project is to develop a fully fledged and extensible 3D CAD software based on the concept of parametric modeling of solids, comparable to well known solutions. These functionalities are interrelated through Model Associativity and are exposed through a GUI. The general usability specifications like saving, importing are described in General functionality specifications .

Free Open Source Windows
Parametric Modeling Add a feature

14 Like
- Discontinued The project is no longer developed. Last version, 1.8.8, released in December 2014, can be still downloaded from the official website.
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
No features added Add a feature

16 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
No features added Add a feature

10 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
No features added Add a feature

12 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.

Freemium Windows
DWG support Add a feature

42 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.

Free Open Source Windows Linux
No features added Add a feature

7 Like
- 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
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
No features added Add a feature

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
No features added Add a feature

6 Like
123D

Autodesk 123D is a suite of hobbyist CAD and modelling tools created by Autodesk. As well as the more basic drawing and modelling capabilities it also has assembly and constraint support and STL export. Available for the software is also a library of ready-made blocks and objects. The 123D suite consists of: 123D Catch, 123D Sculpt, 123D Make, 123D Design, 123D Creature, 123D Circuits.

Free Personal Mac Windows iPad
No features added Add a feature

12 Like
- Discontinued Autodesk has discontinued their line of 123d apps.
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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
No features added Add a feature

11 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.

Freemium Windows
No features added Add a feature

9 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
Android Sync Apple Pencil support Add a feature

9 Like
Cycas

CYCAS architectural CAD software for Linux and Windows. CYCAS is a piece of architectural software for drafting and design in 2 + 3 dimensions. In addition to typical CAD functions, CYCAS offers special elements and techniques for architectural design. Therefore, you can easily design and draft your ideas. Developing professional 2D presentation of your design is worked out as fast as and as effective as illustrating your design 3 dimensional.

Freemium Windows Linux
No features added Add a feature

1 Like
- Discontinued This software had been discontinued since 2012.
TurboCAD

TurboCAD is a CAD software suite, with several different feature levels. It is a competitor to the likes of Autodesk's AutoCAD program, and is used by engineers, architects and hobbyists.

Commercial Mac Windows
No features added Add a feature

9 Like
VARKON

Varkon is a very powerful parametric 2D/3D CAD, modeling and application development tool for engineering, design, architecture, etc. It does 2D drafting, 2D and 3D modeling, sculptured surface modeling, and even animations. Varkon is a free CAD system and high level development tool for Engineering, Computer Aided Design and Product Modeling applications.

Free Open Source Windows Linux
Parametric Modeling Add a feature

2 Like
- Discontinued Last Update: 2012-11-18. See https://sourceforge.net/projects/varkon/
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
No features added Add a feature

7 Like