Adam
AI CAD toolsAI CAD copilot for Onshape and Fusion, plus open-source CADAM
- Stars
- ★ 5.3k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Free alternatives to SolidWorks, AutoCAD and Altium
Open-source and free CAD, PCB, simulation and 3D-printing tools, plus an honest look at the new AI CAD tools. Built for makers, students and small engineering firms.
AI CAD tools View all →
Honest take: AI CAD is good for concept models, simple parametric parts, scan-to-CAD and engineering look-ups. It is not a replacement for a trained engineer. Generated geometry, tolerances and drawings still need checking by someone who knows the part's requirements. Most tools here are paid, with free tiers or trials.
Zoo Design Studio
AI CAD toolsCAD-as-code modeller with a built-in Text-to-CAD AI agent
- Stars
- ★ 1.3k
- Licence
- MIT
- Updated
Backflip
AI CAD toolsAI that turns 3D scans, sketches and prompts into CAD
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Paid (free trial credits)
Leo AI
AI CAD toolsAI assistant for mechanical engineers, grounded in engineering sources
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Paid (team plans)
All 36 tools Browse categories →
FreeCAD
3D & parametric CADOpen-source parametric 3D modeller for real-life objects
- Stars
- ★ 34.5k
- Licence
- LGPL-2.1+
- Updated
Alternative to SolidWorks, Fusion 360
Blender
Mesh & visualisationFree and open-source 3D creation suite
- Stars
- ★ 21k
- Licence
- GPL-2.0+
- Updated
O
OrcaSlicer
3D printing & CAMOpen-source slicer with built-in printer calibration tools
- Stars
- ★ 16k
- Licence
- AGPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to Simplify3D
OpenSCAD
Code CADThe programmers' solid 3D CAD modeller
- Stars
- ★ 10.5k
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Updated
Alternative to Fusion 360
PrusaSlicer
3D printing & CAMFeature-rich open-source slicer for FFF and resin printers
- Stars
- ★ 9.4k
- Licence
- AGPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to Simplify3D
UltiMaker Cura
3D printing & CAMPopular open-source 3D-printing slicer
- Stars
- ★ 7.1k
- Licence
- LGPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to Simplify3D
LibreCAD
2D draftingOpen-source 2D CAD application
- Stars
- ★ 6.5k
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Updated
Alternative to AutoCAD
CadQuery
Code CADPython library for building parametric 3D CAD models
- Stars
- ★ 6k
- Licence
- Apache-2.0
- Updated
Alternative to Fusion 360
MeshLab
Mesh & visualisationOpen-source system for processing and editing 3D meshes
- Stars
- ★ 5.9k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to Geomagic Design X
Adam
AI CAD toolsAI CAD copilot for Onshape and Fusion, plus open-source CADAM
- Stars
- ★ 5.3k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
S
SolveSpace
3D & parametric CADLightweight parametric 2D/3D CAD with a constraint solver
- Stars
- ★ 4.2k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to SolidWorks, Fusion 360
build123d
Code CADPythonic code-CAD framework on the OpenCascade kernel
- Stars
- ★ 3.5k
- Licence
- Apache-2.0
- Updated
Alternative to Fusion 360
KiCad
PCB & electronicsOpen-source electronics design automation suite
- Stars
- ★ 3k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to Altium Designer, Eagle
LibrePCB
PCB & electronicsBeginner-friendly open-source EDA suite
- Stars
- ★ 3k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to Altium Designer, Eagle
Bonsai (BlenderBIM)
Architecture & BIMNative IFC BIM authoring inside Blender
- Stars
- ★ 2.9k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to Revit
OpenFOAM
Simulation (FEA & CFD)Free, open-source computational fluid dynamics toolbox
- Stars
- ★ 2.3k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to ANSYS
Dune 3D
3D & parametric CADModern parametric 3D CAD built on SolveSpace's solver and OpenCascade
- Stars
- ★ 2.1k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to Fusion 360, SolidWorks
QCAD
2D draftingFree, open-source 2D CAD for technical drawings
- Stars
- ★ 1.9k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to AutoCAD
E
Elmer FEM
Simulation (FEA & CFD)Open-source multiphysics simulation software
- Stars
- ★ 1.7k
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Updated
Alternative to COMSOL
ParaView
Simulation (FEA & CFD)Open-source data analysis and visualisation for simulation results
- Stars
- ★ 1.7k
- Licence
- BSD-3-Clause
- Updated
Alternative to Tecplot
Q
Qucs-S
PCB & electronicsCircuit simulator GUI using ngspice, Xyce and other engines
- Stars
- ★ 1.4k
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Updated
Alternative to OrCAD
Horizon EDA
PCB & electronicsModern EDA package for schematics and PCB layout
- Stars
- ★ 1.3k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Alternative to Altium Designer, Eagle
Zoo Design Studio
AI CAD toolsCAD-as-code modeller with a built-in Text-to-CAD AI agent
- Stars
- ★ 1.3k
- Licence
- MIT
- Updated
Kiri:Moto
3D printing & CAMBrowser-based slicer and CAM for 3D printers, CNC and lasers
- Stars
- ★ 921
- Licence
- MIT
- Updated
Alternative to Simplify3D, Fusion 360
Gmsh
Simulation (FEA & CFD)3D finite-element mesh generator with a built-in CAD engine
- Stars
- ★ 125
- Licence
- GPL-2.0+
- Updated
Alternative to ANSYS
C
code_aster
Simulation (FEA & CFD)Structural and thermomechanical FEA solver developed by EDF
- Stars
- ★ 32
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Backflip
AI CAD toolsAI that turns 3D scans, sketches and prompts into CAD
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Paid (free trial credits)
BRL-CAD
3D & parametric CADConstructive solid geometry modelling system with decades of history
- Licence
- LGPL-2.1
- Status
- Open source
Alternative to CATIA
C
CalculiX
Simulation (FEA & CFD)Free three-dimensional structural finite-element program
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Status
- Open source
EasyEDA
PCB & electronicsFree browser-based schematic and PCB design
- Licence
- Freeware
- Status
- Free (proprietary)
Alternative to Altium Designer, Eagle
Leo AI
AI CAD toolsAI assistant for mechanical engineers, grounded in engineering sources
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Paid (team plans)
N
ngspice
PCB & electronicsOpen-source mixed-signal SPICE circuit simulator
- Licence
- BSD-3-Clause
- Updated
Alternative to OrCAD
Onshape Free
3D & parametric CADFree plan of PTC's browser-based professional CAD
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Free (proprietary)
Alternative to SolidWorks, Fusion 360
SALOME
Simulation (FEA & CFD)Open-source platform for simulation pre- and post-processing
- Licence
- LGPL-2.1
- Updated
Alternative to ANSYS
Solid Edge Community Edition
3D & parametric CADFree edition of Siemens' professional CAD for hobbyists and makers
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Free (proprietary)
Alternative to SolidWorks, Inventor
Sweet Home 3D
Architecture & BIMFree interior design and floor-plan app with 3D preview
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Updated
Alternative to SketchUp
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Collections All collections →
AI CAD tools4 tools
AI tools that generate or assist with CAD models. Most are paid, with free tiers or trials.
Best free SolidWorks alternatives5 toolsEvery tool we list as an alternative to SolidWorks, open source and free proprietary.
Free AutoCAD alternatives for 2D drafting2 toolsOpen-source 2D drafting tools that work with DXF drawings.
From design to 3D print8 toolsA free toolchain for hobby and prototype parts: model, fix the mesh, then slice.
CAD tools for Mac23 toolsTools in this directory with a native macOS version.
CAD in the browser8 toolsTools you can use from a web browser without installing anything.
Categories All categories →
Simulation (FEA & CFD) (7)3D & parametric CAD (6)PCB & electronics (6)AI CAD tools (4)3D printing & CAM (4)Code CAD (3)2D drafting (2)Architecture & BIM (2)Mesh & visualisation (2)
Why free CAD software? More →
Commercial CAD seats commonly cost hundreds or thousands of pounds per user per year. That's a lot for a hobbyist, a student whose education licence runs out at graduation, or a five-person engineering shop.
Free and open-source tools have matured fast. FreeCAD reached version 1.0 in late 2024, and KiCad is used for professional PCB work. Your files stay in open formats you control, and the licence can't be withdrawn.
Some listings are free-to-use proprietary tools with limits (for example non-commercial use only, or public documents only). Each listing says which, so you can check it suits your work.