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 AutoCAD.

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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, Mac, Linux, Computer-Aided Design, Mac + Free and Android. 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
     493 likes

    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.

    116 FreeCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
     
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    3
  2. Onshape icon
     32 likes

    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.

    44 Onshape alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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    3
  3. SketchUp icon
     555 likes

    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.

    169 SketchUp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
     
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    1
  4. LibreCAD icon
     172 likes

    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.

    110 LibreCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
     
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    1
  5. Autodesk AutoCAD icon
     215 likes

    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.

    132 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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    1
  6. Autodesk Fusion icon
     45 likes

    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.

    47 Autodesk Fusion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
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    1
  7. 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.

    62 Autodesk Inventor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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    2
  8. OpenSCAD icon
     83 likes

    OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.

    52 OpenSCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    • BSD
    • Docker
    • Homebrew
     
  9. SolveSpace icon
     32 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
     
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    1
  10. Dune 3D icon
     16 likes

    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.

    60 Dune 3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
     
  11. Solid Edge icon
     13 likes

    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...

    44 Solid Edge alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • iPad
     
  12. Catia icon
     10 likes

    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.

    58 Catia alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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