SOLIDWORKS AlternativesOnly apps categorised as 3D Modelers

The best 3D Modeler 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 loads of them are 3D Modelers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting 3D Modeler alternatives to SOLIDWORKS are Onshape, SketchUp, LibreCAD and Autodesk Fusion.

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

    FreeCAD

     519 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.

    125 FreeCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    • Docker
    • Steam
    Part Design WB
     
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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.

    Guest
    Positive
    5

    It's free for both personal and commercial use

    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
    • FreeCAD is Privacy focusedSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
  2. Onshape icon

    Onshape

     35 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.

    48 Onshape alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Onshape screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Onshape vs SOLIDWORKS Comments
    thantik
    Positive
    -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
    -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
    -7

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

    • Onshape is Free Personal and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
    • Onshape is CustomizableSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
  4. SketchUp icon

    SketchUp

     556 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.

    176 SketchUp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Main UI
     
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    1
    SketchUp vs SOLIDWORKS Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    1

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

    • SketchUp is Paid and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is also Paid and Proprietary
    • SketchUp is a 3D Modeler SOLIDWORKS is a CAD Software
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Autodesk Fusion icon
    Autodesk Fusion

    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 pri...

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

    LibreCAD

     178 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.

    118 LibreCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    On Mac
     
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    1
    LibreCAD vs SOLIDWORKS Comments
    Seth
    Negative
    0

    2D application, not 3D like Solidworks

    • LibreCAD is Free and Open SourceSOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
    • LibreCAD is Customizable and LightweightSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
  8. Autodesk Fusion icon

    Autodesk Fusion

     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.

    53 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)

    • Autodesk Fusion is Free Personal and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
    • Autodesk Fusion is a 3D Modeler SOLIDWORKS is a CAD Software
  9. Autodesk AutoCAD icon

    Autodesk AutoCAD

     216 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.

    139 Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Autodesk AutoCAD screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Autodesk AutoCAD vs SOLIDWORKS Comments
    bobbwwj555
    Negative
    -1

    The Function Differently under the hood.

    • Autodesk AutoCAD is Paid and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is also Paid and Proprietary
  10. Autodesk Inventor icon

    Autodesk Inventor

     23 likes

    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.

    66 Autodesk Inventor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Autodesk Inventor screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Autodesk Inventor vs SOLIDWORKS Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    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
    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.

    • Autodesk Inventor is Paid and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is also Paid and Proprietary
  11. OpenSCAD icon

    OpenSCAD

     85 likes

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

    56 OpenSCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    • BSD
    • Docker
    • Homebrew
    OpenSCAD screenshot 1
     
  12. SolveSpace icon

    SolveSpace

     33 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
    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
  13. Dune 3D icon

    Dune 3D

     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.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Dune 3D screenshot 1
     
  14. FluidCAD icon

    FluidCAD

     6 likes

    Parametric 3D CAD in browser using JavaScript scripting, fully interactive viewport editing, non-destructive feature tree control, direct geometry referencing, rapid prototyping, STEP import/export, smart defaults, minimal math, and open source availability.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Visual Studio Code
    • JavaScript
    • Neovim
    • Typescript
    • Node.JS
    • npm
    FluidCAD screenshot 1
     
  15. BricsCAD icon

    BricsCAD

     49 likes

    BricsCAD the first all-in-one CAD design solution in .dwg that answers all your needs; 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and BIM. BricsCAD is a cost-effective, innovative, and familiar CAD solution.

    84 BricsCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    BricsCAD Dark and light mode
     
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    1
    BricsCAD vs SOLIDWORKS Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    5

    It is an AutoCAD clone, not SolidWorks.

    • BricsCAD is Paid and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is also Paid and Proprietary
12 of 53 SOLIDWORKS alternatives