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ZWCAD vs GstarCAD: catalog facts
ZWCAD	GstarCAD
Best for: Drafters and firms that need DWG-compatible CAD without a subscription	Best for: Drafters and engineers who work with DWG drawings
Paid Perpetual licences start at $899, with a 30-day free trial.	Paid Paid licence, with a 30-day free trial.
Windows	Windows
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	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
Paid software with a high upfront cost Closed source	Paid software after the 30-day trial Specialised editions are separate products
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Not open source	Not open source
License not stated	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 ZWCAD zwsoft.com/zwcad Catalog checked September 23, 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.