SOLIDWORKS Alternatives
For 3D computer-aided design, SolidWorks is one of the leading pieces of CAD software. Though it also supports 2D designs, there are alternatives that support 2D designs that have more robust functionality in that regard.
SolidWorks is only available for Windows, but there are several alternatives available on devices that run macOS, Linux-based operating systems, Android's Google Play Store, and the App Store (with CAD applications that are specifically optimized for iPad as well).
SOLIDWORKS alternatives are mainly CAD Software but may also be 3D Modelers or Interior Design Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of SOLIDWORKS.- Free • Open Source
- CAD Software
- 3D Modeler
- Interior Design App
101 alternatives to FreeCAD- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
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...
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FreeCAD vs SOLIDWORKS opinions
jrmzUnfortunately 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.
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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.
It's free for both personal and commercial use
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...
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SketchUp vs SOLIDWORKS opinions
It doesn't have the same tools, short-cuts and general software.
- Free Personal • Proprietary
- CAD Software
31 alternatives to Onshape- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
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.
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Onshape vs SOLIDWORKS opinions
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.
It's free (fully functional) , multiplatform (even on mobiles)
thantikFully 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.
- Free • Open Source
- CAD Software
- 3D Modeler
- Interior Design App
111 alternatives to LibreCAD- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
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.
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LibreCAD vs SOLIDWORKS opinions
Seth2D application, not 3D like Solidworks
Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE featuring collaborative editing and cloud-based computation. Free license available for students and hobbyists.
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Autodesk Fusion 360 vs SOLIDWORKS opinions
Easy, great support, many tutorials, mobile showroom app, ezports to every format possible, CAD and CAM (very powerfull)
- Paid • Proprietary
- CAD Software
- 3D Modeler
118 alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
AutoCAD is a leading CAD (computer-aided design) software used professionally throughout architectural, electrical, mechanical and other engineering and design industries. It was once available under a perpetual license but is now accessed solely through a subscription.
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Autodesk AutoCAD vs SOLIDWORKS opinions
bobbwwj555The Function Differently under the hood.
OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.
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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...
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Autodesk Inventor vs SOLIDWORKS opinions
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!!!
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.
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...
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.
SolveSpace vs SOLIDWORKS opinions
sgtdreIt 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