Alternatives to Solid Edge

Mainstream parametric CAD software with a free Community edition. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Solid Edge.

  • SolidWorks

    Industry-standard parametric CAD software for 3D design and product development.

    PaidProprietaryWindows

    SolidWorks is industry-standard Windows parametric CAD with broad training resources and plugins, but it has no free community edition and costly commercial licensing.

  • Autodesk Fusion 360

    Cloud-connected parametric CAD, CAM, and CAE platform with a free personal tier.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOS

    Autodesk Fusion 360 adds macOS support and integrated CAM and simulation, with a free personal tier, but it depends on a cloud connection for full functionality.

  • Onshape

    Fully browser-based parametric CAD platform with real-time collaboration.

    FreemiumProprietaryWeb

    Onshape runs in a browser on any platform with real-time collaboration, but it needs an internet connection and its free tier makes projects publicly viewable.

  • Siemens NX

    High-end CAD, CAM, and CAE suite used in aerospace and automotive design.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsLinux

    Siemens NX is the high-end Siemens CAD, CAM and CAE suite for aerospace and automotive work, with enterprise pricing and complexity to match.

  • FreeCAD

    A parametric 3D modeller for real objects: design by sketching constrained 2D shapes, then change the parameters later.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    FreeCAD is free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux with no paid tiers, though its workbenches vary in polish and large assemblies can be slow.

  • Shapr3D

    Touch-first parametric CAD app originally built for iPad, now on desktop.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSiOS

    Shapr3D offers touch and stylus-first parametric CAD on iPad, Windows and macOS, with a free tier limited compared to its paid plans.

  • Alibre Atom3D

    Design mechanical parts and assemblies with a desktop CAD application.

    PaidProprietaryWindows

    Alibre Atom3D is paid Windows parametric part and assembly CAD aimed at hobby fabrication and 3D printing, with advanced features in other Alibre editions.

  • SolveSpace

    A tiny parametric 2D and 3D CAD program built around a constraint solver, for designing real parts.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    SolveSpace is a tiny free open source parametric CAD program for all three desktop platforms, but it is not suited to large or complex assemblies.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.