Alternatives to FreeCAD
A parametric 3D modeller for real objects: design by sketching constrained 2D shapes, then change the parameters later. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
FreeCAD
A parametric 3D modeller for real objects: design by sketching constrained 2D shapes, then change the parameters later.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as FreeCAD.
Autodesk Fusion 360
Cloud-connected parametric CAD, CAM, and CAE platform with a free personal tier.
Autodesk Fusion 360 combines CAD, CAM and simulation in one closed-source cloud-connected product with a free personal tier, on Windows and macOS only.
SolidWorks
Industry-standard parametric CAD software for 3D design and product development.
SolidWorks is paid Windows-only industry-standard parametric CAD with broad training resources and deep assembly features.
Onshape
Fully browser-based parametric CAD platform with real-time collaboration.
Onshape runs in the browser with real-time collaboration, needs a stable connection, and makes free-tier projects public.
Autodesk Inventor
Parametric 3D CAD software for mechanical design, simulation and engineering documentation.
Autodesk Inventor is subscription-only Windows software for parametric mechanical design with simulation and documentation tools, closed source and without a free tier.
Solid Edge
Mainstream parametric CAD software with a free Community edition.
Solid Edge is Windows-only parametric CAD with a free Community edition and paid tiers for the full feature set.
SolveSpace
A tiny parametric 2D and 3D CAD program built around a constraint solver, for designing real parts.
SolveSpace is a much smaller free parametric CAD program with a constraint solver, suited to small parts rather than complex assemblies.
Dune 3D
Design constrained 3D parts with a parametric CAD editor.
Dune 3D is a free GPL-3.0 constrained parametric editor for Windows and Linux with STEP exchange, chamfers and fillets.
OpenSCAD
A 3D modeller you write rather than draw: a script describes the object, and the program compiles it into a solid.
OpenSCAD replaces sketching with scripts that compile into solids, which suits parametric 3D printing parts but gives up interactive modelling.
Also worth comparing
These listings name FreeCAD as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Alibre Atom3D
Design mechanical parts and assemblies with a desktop CAD application.
FreeCAD is free and open source under LGPL-2.1, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and adds FEM and CAM workbenches, with a longer learning curve.
Alibre Design
Parametric 3D CAD software for designing mechanical parts and assemblies, with optional CAM add-ons.
FreeCAD is free, open-source parametric CAD for Windows, macOS and Linux with workbenches for FEM and CAM, though polish varies and large assemblies can be slow.
Bonsai
Free, open-source Blender add-on for authoring and analysing native IFC building models.
FreeCAD is a free, open-source parametric modeller with an architecture workbench among others, running standalone on Windows, macOS and Linux, though workbench polish varies.
BRL-CAD
Constructive solid geometry modelling system with ray tracing and analysis.
FreeCAD provides interactive parametric modeling, production drawings and FEM under LGPL-2.1, with a more conventional CAD workflow.
CQ-editor
Build parametric CAD models with Python scripts in CQ-editor.
FreeCAD offers interactive sketch-based parametric modeling with a broad Python API, so scripting remains available alongside mouse-driven design.
DesignSpark Mechanical
A direct-modelling 3D CAD program with push-pull tools, aimed at engineers and makers without deep CAD experience.
FreeCAD is free, open-source parametric CAD on Windows, macOS and Linux with production drawings and FEM and CAM workbenches, but a longer learning curve than push-pull modelling.
IronCAD
Commercial 3D and 2D mechanical CAD software with drag-and-drop design and hybrid modelling.
FreeCAD is free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux, offering parametric modelling and a Python API, though large assemblies can be slow.
Rhinoceros
Create and edit precise freeform 3D models for design and fabrication.
FreeCAD is free, open-source parametric CAD for Windows, macOS and Linux with production drawings and a Python API, but it is history-based rather than a freeform surface modeler.
SALOME
An open-source platform for CAD modeling, meshing and visualizing results of numerical simulations.
FreeCAD is a free, open-source parametric modeller with a FEM workbench, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and puts more weight on general part design than on simulation pipelines.
SelfCAD
Browser-based 3D modeler that combines mesh editing with basic slicing tools.
FreeCAD is a free, open-source parametric desktop modeller for Windows, macOS and Linux aimed at parts for machining or 3D printing, with a longer learning curve.
Shapr3D
Touch-first parametric CAD app originally built for iPad, now on desktop.
FreeCAD is free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux with parametric sketches and production drawings, but it has no iPad version and a long learning curve.
Siemens NX
High-end CAD, CAM, and CAE suite used in aerospace and automotive design.
FreeCAD is free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux with FEM and CAM workbenches, though workbench polish varies and large assemblies can be slow.
SketchUp Free
Browser-based 3D modeler that offers an easy start into 3D design.
FreeCAD is free open source parametric desktop CAD with an architecture workbench and production drawings, trading SketchUp's easy start for a long learning curve.
TurboCAD
Commercial 2D and 3D CAD software for drafting and mechanical and architectural design on Windows and Mac.
FreeCAD is free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux, with parametric 3D modelling and architecture workbenches instead of traditional drafting editions.
VariCAD
A 3D and 2D CAD program for mechanical engineering design on Windows and Linux.
FreeCAD is free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux, with parametric modelling, production drawings and workbenches for FEM and CAM.
Zoo Design Studio
A mechanical CAD application on Zoo's own geometry engine, with a built-in conversational CAD agent.
FreeCAD is free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux, with sketch-based parametric modelling and workbenches for FEM and CAM, but no built-in AI agent.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
LibreCAD
A 2D CAD program for DXF and DWG drawings, built from the free edition of QCAD.
Gmsh
An open-source 3D finite element mesh generator with a built-in CAD engine and post-processor.
Elmer FEM
Open-source multiphysics simulation software based on the finite element method.
Mayo
An open-source 3D CAD viewer and converter for STEP, IGES, STL and other formats.
