SOLIDWORKS Alternatives Filtered by 'Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)'

The best alternative to SOLIDWORKS is FreeCAD, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to SOLIDWORKS and 11 are so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting alternatives to SOLIDWORKS are Autodesk Fusion, SolveSpace, Siemens NX and PTC Creo.

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SOLIDWORKS alternatives are mainly CAD Software, but if you're looking for 3D Modelers or Interior Design Apps 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

    FreeCAD

     473 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.

    113 FreeCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    FreeCAD screenshot 1
     
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    3
    FreeCAD vs SOLIDWORKS Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    5

    It's free for both personal and commercial use

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    jrmz
    Negative
    1

    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)

    • FreeCAD is Free and Open SourceSOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
  2. Autodesk Fusion icon

    Autodesk Fusion

     44 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.

    46 Autodesk Fusion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Freeform modeling & sculpting
     
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    1
    Autodesk Fusion vs SOLIDWORKS Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Autodesk Fusion is Free Personal and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
  4. SolveSpace icon

    SolveSpace

     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. Constraint solver point tracing for motion analysis.

    71 SolveSpace alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    SolveSpace screenshot 1
     
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    1
    SolveSpace vs SOLIDWORKS Comments
    sgtdre
    Positive
    2

    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

    • SolveSpace is Free and Open SourceSOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
    • SolveSpace is LightweightSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
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  6. Siemens NX icon

    Siemens NX

     3 likes

    Siemens NX software is an integrated product design, engineering and manufacturing solution that helps you deliver better products faster and more efficiently.

    21 Siemens NX alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Siemens NX screenshot 1
     
  7. PTC Creo icon

    PTC Creo

     16 likes

    With Creo Parametric, and its extensions, you can create, analyze, view, and share designs downstream using 2D CAD, 3D CAD, and parametric and direct modeling capabilities.

    82 PTC Creo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Machinery design capabilities within ProEngineer
     
  8. Rhinoceros icon

    Rhinoceros

     33 likes

    Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware.

    61 Rhinoceros alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Rhinoceros screenshot 1
     
  10. Cimatron icon

    Cimatron

     Like

    Since 1982, Cimatron® has provided toolmakers with an end-to-end solution for designing and manufacturing tools including molds, dies, and electrodes, as well as programming any CNC and EDM machine for molds, dies, plates, and discrete manufacturing.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cimatron screenshot 1
     
  11. TopSolid icon

    TopSolid

     Like

    TopSolid is a fully integrated CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design & Computer Aided Manufacturing) software which is developed by the France company Missler Software.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    TopSolid screenshot 1
     
  12. Alibre icon

    Alibre

     7 likes

    The worlds most affordable 3D CAD, CAM, FEA, Rendering, and Document Management software. Professional alternative to SolidWorks, Inventor, Pro/ENGINEER, and AutoCAD.

    45 Alibre alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  13. gCAD3D icon

    gCAD3D

     2 likes

    gCAD3D is a 3D CAD CAM application that features an integrated 3D OpenGL viewer, a program interpreter for geometry and NC-commands in 3D, an integrated NC-processor, and a programming interface for user programs.

    60 gCAD3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    gCAD3D screenshot 1
     
  14. LiteCAD icon

    LiteCAD

     3 likes

    Create, edit, view, and print 2D CAD drawings using the file formats: dxf, dwg, shp ;Download-Size only 3.10 MB; language: only english;

    54 LiteCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Example for an architectural drawing
     
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