The Best Free SOLIDWORKS AlternativesTop CAD Software & 3D Modelers like SOLIDWORKS

The best free alternative to SOLIDWORKS is FreeCAD, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to SOLIDWORKS and many of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to SOLIDWORKS are SketchUp, Onshape, LibreCAD and Autodesk Fusion.

filter to find the best alternatives

SOLIDWORKS alternatives are mainly CAD Software but may also be 3D Modelers or Interior Design Apps.  Other popular filters includes Mac + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of SOLIDWORKS.
SOLIDWORKS iconSOLIDWORKS
  83
  • ...

Leading 3D CAD software facilitating design, analysis, and product data management. Boosts productivity and accelerates time to market through seamless integration.

More about SOLIDWORKS
More about SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS alternatives page was last updated Oct 11, 2024
  Suggest Alternatives
  1. FreeCAD icon
    FreeCAD icon

    FreeCAD

     439 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
    FreeCAD screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    FreeCAD screenshot 1
    FreeCAD screenshot 2
    +5
    FreeCAD screenshot 3

    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 iconSOLIDWORKS Icon

    FreeCAD VS SOLIDWORKS

    Is FreeCAD a good alternative to SOLIDWORKS?
     
    Comments about FreeCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
     
    Guest

    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.

    Positive comment •Feb 21, 2017
    8
    Guest

    It's free for both personal and commercial use

    Positive comment •Nov 20, 2019
    5
    jrmz

    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)

    Negative comment •Dec 13, 2022
    0
    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. SketchUp icon
    SketchUp icon

    SketchUp

     551 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
    Main UI

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    SketchUp screenshot 1

    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 iconSOLIDWORKS Icon

    SketchUp VS SOLIDWORKS

    Is SketchUp a good alternative to SOLIDWORKS?
     
    Comments about SketchUp as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
     
    Guest

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

    Negative comment •Sep 17, 2019
    1
    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    SketchUp icon

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

    • SketchUp is the most popular Web-based alternative to SOLIDWORKS.

    • SketchUp is Freemium and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
  4. Onshape icon
    Onshape icon

    Onshape

     25 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    37 Onshape alternatives
    Onshape screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Onshape screenshot 1
    Working in an assembly to visualize a room layout making use of assembly configurations.
    +3
    Creating an advanced 3D sheet metal part, including the simultaneous sheet metal flat pattern and bend table.

    Top Onshape 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 iconSOLIDWORKS Icon

    Onshape VS SOLIDWORKS

    Is Onshape a good alternative to SOLIDWORKS?
     
    Comments about Onshape as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
     
    thantik

    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.

    Positive comment •May 3, 2019
    -1
    Guest

    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.

    Positive comment •Feb 19, 2017
    -2
    Guest

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

    Positive comment •May 17, 2017
    -7
    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    Onshape icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Onshape is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative.

    • Onshape is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to SOLIDWORKS.

    • Onshape is Free Personal and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Autodesk Fusion icon

    Autodesk Fusion

    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 st...

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

    LibreCAD

     163 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
    On Mac

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    LibreCAD screenshot 1
    On windows 7
    +1
    On windows 7

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    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 iconSOLIDWORKS Icon

    LibreCAD VS SOLIDWORKS

    Is LibreCAD a good alternative to SOLIDWORKS?
     
    Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
     
    Seth

    2D application, not 3D like Solidworks

    Negative comment •May 10, 2019
    0
    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 Fusion icon
    Autodesk Fusion icon

    Autodesk Fusion

     42 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
    Freeform modeling & sculpting

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Solid modeling
    Parametric modeling
    +9
    Mesh modeling

    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 iconSOLIDWORKS Icon

    Autodesk Fusion VS SOLIDWORKS

    Is Autodesk Fusion a good alternative to SOLIDWORKS?
     
    Comments about Autodesk Fusion as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
     
    Guest

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

    Positive comment •Apr 23, 2017
    0
    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
  8. OpenSCAD icon
    OpenSCAD icon

    OpenSCAD

     79 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
    Rendering a model

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    OpenSCAD Features

    1.  Procedural Modeling
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Text Based Format
    Example1
    Example2
    OpenSCAD iconSOLIDWORKS Icon

    OpenSCAD VS SOLIDWORKS

    Is OpenSCAD a good alternative to SOLIDWORKS?
     
  10. Dune 3D icon
    Dune 3D icon

    Dune 3D

     16 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
    Dune 3D screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Portable
    4.  Parametric Modeling
    5.  Parametric
    Dune 3D iconSOLIDWORKS Icon

    Dune 3D VS SOLIDWORKS

    Is Dune 3D a good alternative to SOLIDWORKS?
     
  11. SolveSpace icon
    SolveSpace icon

    SolveSpace

     31 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    70 SolveSpace alternatives
    SolveSpace screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    SolveSpace screenshot 1
    SolveSpace screenshot 2
    +8
    SolveSpace screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Parametric Modeling
    2.  Portable
    3.  3D Sculpting
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  3D design
    6.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    SolveSpace iconSOLIDWORKS Icon

    SolveSpace VS SOLIDWORKS

    Is SolveSpace a good alternative to SOLIDWORKS?
     
    Comments about SolveSpace as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
     
    sgtdre

    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

    Positive comment •Apr 22, 2017
    2
    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    SolveSpace icon

    • Most users think SolveSpace is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative.

    • SolveSpace is Free and Open SourceSOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
    • SolveSpace is LightweightSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
  12. BRL-CAD icon
    BRL-CAD icon

    BRL-CAD

     56 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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...

    73 BRL-CAD alternatives
    PA-63 Extractor

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    BRL-CAD Features

    1.  Image Processing
    2.  Benchmark analytics
    3.  Ray Tracing
    Ronja quad-view mged screenshot
    Stryker ICV w/ Slat Armor rendered with ADRT/RISE
    BRL-CAD iconSOLIDWORKS Icon

    BRL-CAD VS SOLIDWORKS

    Is BRL-CAD a good alternative to SOLIDWORKS?
     
9 of 37 SOLIDWORKS alternatives