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FreeCAD vs Solid Edge: catalog facts
FreeCAD	Solid Edge
Free Free and open source, funded by donations and sponsorship.	Freemium Free Community edition available; commercial tiers are paid.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Parametric: change a dimension and the model updates through its history Sketch constrained 2D geometry and build 3D objects on top of it	Free Community edition lowers the barrier for students and hobbyists Backed by Siemens, giving it an integration path with NX and other Siemens tools
Workbenches vary a lot in polish and consistency CAD concepts plus FreeCAD’s own conventions make for a long learning curve	Windows-only, unlike some competitors that support macOS or Linux Full feature set is reserved for paid commercial tiers
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License: LGPL-2.1	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.