Compare software

Design vs GstarCAD: catalog facts
Design	GstarCAD
Best for: Linux users who need a free 2D drafting tool that exchanges DXF files	Best for: Drafters and engineers who work with DWG drawings
Free Free and open source under the GPL-3.0-or-later licence.	Paid Paid licence, with a 30-day 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	Works directly in the .dwg file format Covers both 2D drafting and 3D design All 4 strengths for GstarCAD Works directly in the .dwg file format Covers both 2D drafting and 3D design Industry editions for mechanical and architectural work Related viewer, cloud and BIM products from the same developer
Desktop version is Linux only 2D drafting only, no 3D modelling	Paid software after the 30-day trial Specialised editions are separate products
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 GstarCAD gstarcad.net Catalog checked September 24, 2026

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