SOLIDWORKS Alternatives for Linux

SOLIDWORKS is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is FreeCAD, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to SOLIDWORKS and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to SOLIDWORKS are LibreCAD, OpenSCAD, Dune 3D and SolveSpace.

filter to find the best alternatives

SOLIDWORKS alternatives are mainly CAD Software, but if you're looking for 3D Modelers or 3D Printing Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Free, Mac, Linux, Computer-Aided Design, Mac + Free and Android. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to SOLIDWORKS.
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Alternatives list

  1. FreeCAD icon

    FreeCAD

     472 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.

    113 FreeCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    FreeCAD screenshot 1
     
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    101
    Comments about FreeCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Guest
    Positive
    8

    AS far as I have tried, FreeCAD is the only FOSS alternative to Solidworks/Catia/PTC that has a funtional workflow. It is the best of a poor bunch.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    5

    It's free for both personal and commercial use

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    jrmz
    Negative
    1

    Unfortunately not usable, after several years of using freecad, I quickly saw its limits. It is not a parametric software, indeed the topological naming problem makes this software fundamentally broken. The realthunder fork fixes some of these problems. fork or not, some advanced actions are still impossible and the different workbench are too isolated, some objects created with a workbench can't be modified by another one.

    Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    FreeCAD icon

    • Most users think FreeCAD is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative.

    • FreeCAD is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to SOLIDWORKS.

    • FreeCAD is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to SOLIDWORKS.

    • FreeCAD is Free and Open SourceSOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
  2. LibreCAD icon

    LibreCAD

     170 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.

    109 LibreCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    On Mac
     
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    1
    8
    Comments about LibreCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Seth
    Negative
    0

    2D application, not 3D like Solidworks

    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    LibreCAD icon

    • Some users think LibreCAD is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative, some don't.

    • LibreCAD is Free and Open SourceSOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
    • LibreCAD is Customizable and LightweightSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
  4. OpenSCAD icon

    OpenSCAD

     83 likes

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

    50 OpenSCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    • BSD
    • Docker
    • Homebrew
    OpenSCAD screenshot 1
     
  5. Dune 3D icon

    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.

    58 Dune 3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Dune 3D screenshot 1
     
  6. SolveSpace icon

    SolveSpace

     32 likes

    SolveSpace is a parametric 3D CAD program with extrude, revolve, union and difference functions. Save/Export as DXF, PDF, SVG, STL, STEP. Mesh generation expected by most 3d printers. Constraint solver point tracing for motion analysis.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    SolveSpace screenshot 1
     
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    1
    14
    Comments about SolveSpace as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    sgtdre
    Positive
    2

    It shows that it can open .step files and I have a few GrabCad files that I want to check out and see it I can at least save to other file formats, ;ie .dwg

    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    SolveSpace icon

    • Most users think SolveSpace is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative.

    • SolveSpace is Free and Open SourceSOLIDWORKS is Paid and Proprietary
    • SolveSpace is LightweightSOLIDWORKS is not according to our users
  7. BRL-CAD icon

    BRL-CAD

     57 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...

    74 BRL-CAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    PA-63 Extractor
     
  9. BricsCAD icon

    BricsCAD

     49 likes

    BricsCAD the first all-in-one CAD design solution in .dwg that answers all your needs; 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and BIM. BricsCAD is a cost-effective, innovative, and familiar CAD solution.

    80 BricsCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    BricsCAD Dark and light mode
     
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    1
    8
    Comments about BricsCAD as an Alternative to SOLIDWORKS
    Guest
    Negative
    5

    It is an AutoCAD clone, not SolidWorks.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    SOLIDWORKS Icon
    BricsCAD icon

    • Some users think BricsCAD is a great SOLIDWORKS alternative, some don't.

    • BricsCAD is Paid and ProprietarySOLIDWORKS is also Paid and Proprietary
  11. Plasticity icon

    Plasticity

     7 likes

    Plasticity is a 3d modelling software for concept artists. Modelling in Plasticity is quick and efficient due to the unique gizmos, shortcuts, and thoughtful workflow.

    21 Plasticity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Plasticity screenshot 1
     
  12. QCAD icon

    QCAD

     29 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.

    74 QCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    QCAD screenshot 1
     
  13. GstarCAD icon

    GstarCAD

     13 likes

    GstarCAD is well-known alternative CAD software of high compatibility with ACAD. With 27 years of continuous improvement and innovation, today GstarCAD is far ahead in performance, stability and becomes leading CAD software in the world.

    84 GstarCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Mac
    Concise User Interface
     
12 of 24 SOLIDWORKS alternatives