Compare software

Design vs DraftSight: catalog facts
Design	DraftSight
Best for: Linux users who need a free 2D drafting tool that exchanges DXF files	Best for: Drafters and engineers maintaining DWG drawings on a smaller budget
Free Free and open source under the GPL-3.0-or-later licence.	Paid Paid software with a free trial.
Linux, Web	Windows
Reads and writes the standard DXF format Command line prompts guide each operation All 4 strengths for Design Reads and writes the standard DXF format Command line prompts guide each operation Dimensions with full dimension style support Desktop and in-browser versions	Full DWG file support Interface familiar to users of other CAD programs All 3 strengths for DraftSight Full DWG file support Interface familiar to users of other CAD programs Handles both 2D drafting and 3D DWG files
Desktop version is Linux only 2D drafting only, no 3D modelling	Paid after the trial Focused mainly on 2D drafting All 3 limitations for DraftSight Paid after the trial Focused mainly on 2D drafting Closed source
Downloadable app, Web application	Downloadable app
Open source	Not open source
License: GPL-3.0-or-later	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Design design-app.readthedocs.io Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for DraftSight draftsight.com Catalog checked September 23, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.