SOLIDWORKS AlternativesOnly apps categorised as CAD Software

The best CAD alternative to SOLIDWORKS is FreeCAD, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to SOLIDWORKS and loads of them are CAD Software so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting CAD Software alternatives to 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. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to SOLIDWORKS.
SOLIDWORKS iconSOLIDWORKS
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Leading 3D CAD software facilitating design, analysis, and product data management. Boosts productivity and accelerates time to market through seamless integration.

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SOLIDWORKS alternatives page was last updated Oct 11, 2024
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  1. FreeCAD icon

    FreeCAD

     445 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.

    109 FreeCAD alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    FreeCAD screenshot 1

    Top FreeCAD Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Drawing 2D
    3.  Interior Design
    4.  FEM
    5.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    6.  Parametric
    7.  3d Drawing
    8.  DWG support
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Procedural Modeling
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Dark Mode

    FreeCAD VS SOLIDWORKS

     
    Comments about FreeCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive •Feb 21, 2017
    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.

    Guest
    Positive •Nov 20, 2019
    5

    It's free for both personal and commercial use

    jrmz
    Negative •Dec 13, 2022
    0

    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)

    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

     27 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.

    38 Onshape alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Onshape screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Web-Based
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  Cloud based
    5.  Cloud Sync
    6.  Parametric
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Drawing Board
    9.  Mechanical Simulation
    10.  3D Renderer
    11.  Rendering

    Onshape VS SOLIDWORKS

     
    Comments about Onshape as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Most Recent Comment
    thantik
    Positive •May 3, 2019
    -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 •Feb 19, 2017
    -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.

    Guest
    Positive •May 17, 2017
    -7

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

    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
  4. SketchUp icon

    SketchUp

     553 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.

    164 SketchUp alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Main UI

    SketchUp Features

    1.  3D Animation
    2.  3d sketching
    3.  Built-in 3D model viewer
    4.  Pencil
    5.  3d Drawing
    6.  Cabinet design
    7.  Image to 3D
    8.  Mechanical Design
    9.  Browser-based

    SketchUp VS SOLIDWORKS

     
    Comments about SketchUp as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Guest
    Negative •Sep 17, 2019
    1

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

    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    SketchUp icon

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

    • SketchUp is Freemium and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Autodesk Inventor icon
    Autodesk Inventor

    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 includ...

    https://www.autodesk.com
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  6. LibreCAD icon

    LibreCAD

     165 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.

    109 LibreCAD alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    On Mac

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Bim
    3.  Construction layers
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Parametric Modeling
    6.  Support for Layers
    7.  Isometric view
    8.  Export to SVG
    9.  QT Based
    10.  Export to PDF

    LibreCAD VS SOLIDWORKS

     
    Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Seth
    Negative •May 10, 2019
    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 LightweightSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
  7. 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.

    126 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Autodesk AutoCAD screenshot 1

    Autodesk AutoCAD Features

    1.  DWG support
    2.  Drawing 2D
    3.  3D Printing
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Batch plotting
    6.  Parametric Modeling
    7.  Real time collaboration
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Support for scripting
    10.  Cloud Sync

    Autodesk AutoCAD VS SOLIDWORKS

     
    Comments about Autodesk AutoCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    bobbwwj555
    Negative •Jul 1, 2016
    -1

    The Function Differently under the hood.

    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    Autodesk AutoCAD icon

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

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is the most popular commercial alternative to SOLIDWORKS.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is Paid and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is also Paid and Proprietary
  8. Autodesk Fusion icon

    Autodesk Fusion

     42 likes
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    A comprehensive CAD, CAM, and CAE solution that supports collaborative editing and cloud computation. It offers free-form modeling, data import, and toolpath generation. Free licenses are available for students, hobbyists, and startups, with seamless transition to commercial entitlements.

    38 Autodesk Fusion alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Freeform modeling & sculpting

    Autodesk Fusion Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Procedural Modeling
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  Keyframe Animation
    6.  3D Sculpting
    7.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    8.  3D design
    9.  CAE
    10.  Surface Modelling

    Autodesk Fusion VS SOLIDWORKS

     
    Comments about Autodesk Fusion as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Guest
    Positive •Apr 23, 2017
    0

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

    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
  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.

    61 Autodesk Inventor alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Autodesk Inventor screenshot 1

    Autodesk Inventor Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Mechanical Design
    3.  Assembly files
    4.  3D design
    5.  Vector strokes
    6.  Extruding sketches

    Autodesk Inventor VS SOLIDWORKS

     
    Comments about Autodesk Inventor as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Guest
    Positive •May 12, 2017
    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!!!

    Guest
    Positive •Jan 4, 2019
    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.

    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. 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.

    54 Dune 3D alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Dune 3D screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Portable
    4.  Parametric Modeling
    5.  Parametric

    Dune 3D VS SOLIDWORKS

     
  12. OpenSCAD icon

    OpenSCAD

     80 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.

    46 OpenSCAD alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • AT flagAustria
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    OpenSCAD screenshot 1

    OpenSCAD Features

    1.  Procedural Modeling
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Text Based Format

    OpenSCAD VS SOLIDWORKS

     
9 of 80 SOLIDWORKS alternatives