The Best Open Source AutoCAD AlternativesTop CAD Software & 3D Modelers like AutoCAD

Alternatives list

1. 

   

   LibreCAD

    180 likes

   LibreCAD is an open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. It is based on Qt, which is a leading cross-platform application and UI development framework.

   119 LibreCAD alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • CAD
   • 3D Modeler

   Origin

   • Netherlands
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • BSD
   • PortableApps.com
   • Flathub

   • Netherlands
   • EU

   

   

   

   +1

   

   More about LibreCAD  

   

   Good alternative?Is LibreCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

    

   |

   9comments

   ExpandCollapse

   LibreCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD Comments

   Top Positive Comment by U U · Jan 20, 2020

   A lightweight, AutoCAD-like 2D CAD program. Feature set is smaller than AutoCAD, but is sufficient to work with 2D drawings. A command line is available, as well as a built-in scripting language. If you have experience in AutoCAD, then there will be no problems with working in LibreCAD. There is a support forum and wiki.

   Top Negative Comment by Guest · Jun 16, 2020

   LibreCAD can't reliably open .dwg files, which are an industry standard in construction. This means it is not a viable alternative for many people.

   LibreCAD does not support XRefs, although fewer people use that functionality.

   Negative comment by Guest · May 29, 2020

   No open AutoCAD files, say need permissions.

   3 of 9 comments

   

   

   • LibreCAD is Free and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
   • LibreCAD is Customizable and LightweightAutodesk AutoCAD is not according to our users
2. 

   

   FreeCAD

    524 likes

   A powerful open-source parametric 3D modeler ideal for mechanical engineering, supporting Python scripting, running on Windows, Linux, and Mac, with modular architecture allowing extensive adaptability and use with scientific computing libraries.

   129 FreeCAD alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (LGPL-2.1)

   Application typeApplication types

   • CAD
   • 3D Modeler

   Origin

   • Germany
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • BSD
   • Snapcraft
   • Flathub
   • PortableApps.com
   • Flatpak
   • Docker
   • Steam

   • Germany
   • EU

   

   

   

   +9

   

   More about FreeCAD  

   

   Good alternative?Is FreeCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

    

   |

   12comments

   ExpandCollapse

   FreeCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD Comments

   Top Positive Comment by Guest · Oct 24, 2015

   I use Freecad to design my 3D printing models.

   Top Negative Comment by Guest · Jan 18, 2017

   Freecad is (as mentioned in the description) for 3D parametric CAD, and has no drafting functionality worth speaking of. Not a bad program, but certainly not an AutoCAD replacement. It has much more similarity to SolidWorks than AutoCAD

   Positive comment by webb bes · Jan 24, 2023

   way takes really a lot of clicks

   3 of 12 comments

   

   

   • FreeCAD is Free and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
   • FreeCAD is Privacy focusedAutodesk AutoCAD is not according to our users
4. 

   

   OpenSCAD

    85 likes

   OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.

   59 OpenSCAD alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • CAD
   • 3D Modeler

   Origin

   • Austria
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Flathub
   • Flatpak
   • Snapcraft
   • BSD
   • Docker
   • Homebrew

   • Austria
   • EU

   

   

   

   +3

   

   More about OpenSCAD  

   

   Good alternative?Is OpenSCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

    

   |

   2comments

   ExpandCollapse

   OpenSCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD Comments

   Negative comment by Guest · Sep 14, 2026

   Has no 2D drafting functionality.

   Negative comment by Guest · Mar 29, 2023

   AutoCAD is after sketcher, drawer and modeller the tool to produce drawing part of documentation. OpenSCAD has different abilities, approach and philosophy to produce other results which does not includes technical drawings. My appologize for my poor English.

   2 of 2 comments

   

   

   • OpenSCAD is Free and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
   • OpenSCAD is LightweightAutodesk AutoCAD is not according to our users
5. 

   

   BRL-CAD

    56 likes

   BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for...

   79 BRL-CAD alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • CAD
   • 3D Modeler

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • BSD

   • United States

   

   

   

   More about BRL-CAD  

   

   Good alternative?Is BRL-CAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

    

   |

   1comment

   ExpandCollapse

   BRL-CAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD Comments

   Negative comment by Guest · Nov 3, 2021

   BRLCAD doesn't even have mouse support... and CSG through commandline is awful, can't even fillet an edge.

   1 of 1 comments

   

   

   • BRL-CAD is Free and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
6. 

   

   FluidCAD

    6 likes

   Parametric 3D CAD in browser using JavaScript scripting, fully interactive viewport editing, non-destructive feature tree control, direct geometry referencing, rapid prototyping, STEP import/export, smart defaults, minimal math, and open source availability.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (MIT)

   Application typeApplication types

   • CAD
   • 3D Modeler

   Platforms

   • Visual Studio Code
   • JavaScript
   • Neovim
   • Typescript
   • Node.JS
   • npm

   

   

   

   +1

   

   More about FluidCAD  

   

   Good alternative?Is FluidCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

    
8. 

   

   Dune 3D

    16 likes

   Dune 3D operates as a parametric 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. It provides users with the capability to sketch and constrain both in 2D and 3D dimensions. Furthermore, it allows for the addition of chamfers and fillets to designs.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

   Application typeApplication types

   • CAD
   • 3D Modeler

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Flathub

   

   More about Dune 3D  

   

   Good alternative?Is Dune 3D a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

    
9. 

   

   Open CAD Studio

    7 likes

   Open CAD Studio: a modern, Open Source 2D + 3D CAD application that reads and writes DWG and DXF natively built in Rust, with GPU-accelerated rendering.

   8 Open CAD Studio alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

   Application type

   • CAD

   Origin

   • Türkiye

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Online

   • Türkiye

   

   

   More about Open CAD Studio  

   

   Good alternative?Is Open CAD Studio a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

    

   |

   1comment

   ExpandCollapse

   Open CAD Studio vs Autodesk AutoCAD Comments

   Positive comment by HakanSeven8125 · Jun 15, 2026

   It supports DWG/DXF files natively. It can read and write XREF, layouts and viewport.

   1 of 1 comments

   

   

   • Open CAD Studio is Free and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
   • Open CAD Studio is LightweightAutodesk AutoCAD is not according to our users
10. 

    

    CADAM

     5 likes

    The open source text to CAD web app.

    55 CADAM alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application typeApplication types

    • CAD
    • 3D Modeler

    Origin

    • United States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted

    • United States

    

    More about CADAM  

    

    Good alternative?Is CADAM a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

     
11. 

    

    QCAD

     27 likes

    QCAD is an application for computer aided drafting in 2D. With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schemas and diagrams.

    81 QCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • CAD

    Origin

    • Germany
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    • Germany
    • EU

    

    

    More about QCAD  

    

    Good alternative?Is QCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

     

    |

    4comments

    ExpandCollapse

    QCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD Comments

    Negative comment by fredofredo · Nov 5, 2021

    Good for very basic drawing, but not really AutoCAD compatible and no XRef functionality. Very cheap.

    It messed up some features in an AutoCAD drawing I worked on (leaders & text) so I wouldn't consider it a suitable alternative to AutoCAD unless you're only using very basic functionality and don't need compatibility.

    Positive comment by Frank McCourry · Jan 7, 2020

    Customizable, easy learning curve and much cheaper than AutoCad.

    Positive comment by Guest · Feb 29, 2020

    Easy to learn and quite similar to AutoCAD (same paradigm)

    3 of 4 comments

    

    

    • QCAD is Free Personal and Open SourceAutodesk AutoCAD is Paid and Proprietary
    • QCAD is LightweightAutodesk AutoCAD is not according to our users
12. 

    

    CAD Sketcher

     10 likes

    CAD Sketcher is a free and open-source project looking to enhance precision workflows in Blender by bringing CAD like tools, features and usability to Blender.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application typeApplication types

    • CAD
    • 3D Modeler

    Origin

    • Germany
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Blender
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    • Germany
    • EU

    

    

    

    More about CAD Sketcher  

    

    Good alternative?Is CAD Sketcher a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

     
13. 

    

    Archimedes CAD

     7 likes

    Archimedes is a free and open source CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. It is a robust system built over Eclipse’s Rich Client Java Platform fully based on plug ins. This means it is easily extensible but also has a pretty thin core that allows you to select the features you...

    50 Archimedes CAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • CAD

    Origin

    • Brazil

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    • Brazil

    

    

    

    More about Archimedes CAD  

    

    Good alternative?Is Archimedes CAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?

     
14. I

    I

    ImplicitCAD

     2 likes

    ImplicitCAD is a programmatic CAD program, implemented in Haskell. Unlike traditional CAD programs, programmatic CAD programs use text descriptions of objects, as in programming. Concepts like variables, control structures and abstraction are used, just as in programming.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • CAD

    Origin

    • United States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    • United States

    

    More about ImplicitCAD  

    I

    

    Good alternative?Is ImplicitCAD a good alternative to Autodesk AutoCAD?