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ZWCAD vs Design: catalog facts
ZWCAD	Design
Best for: Drafters and firms that need DWG-compatible CAD without a subscription	Best for: Linux users who need a free 2D drafting tool that exchanges DXF files
Paid Perpetual licences start at $899, with a 30-day free trial.	Free Free and open source under the GPL-3.0-or-later licence.
Windows	Linux, Web
Native DWG compatibility for sharing with AutoCAD users Perpetual licence option instead of a subscription All 4 strengths for ZWCAD Native DWG compatibility for sharing with AutoCAD users Perpetual licence option instead of a subscription Covers both 2D drafting and 3D work Supports add-on applications and custom development	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
Paid software with a high upfront cost Closed source	Desktop version is Linux only 2D drafting only, no 3D modelling
Downloadable app	Downloadable app, Web application
Not open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-3.0-or-later
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 ZWCAD zwsoft.com/zwcad Catalog checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Design design-app.readthedocs.io Catalog checked October 1, 2026

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