8 Best FREE CAD Software & Programs

CAD software enables engineers and designers to create 2D and 3D models. The best free options offer user-friendly interfaces, basic and advanced tools, and extensive 3D model libraries. After over 120 hours of research, we've curated a list of top free CAD software for Windows and Mac 2024, including both open-source and commercial options, with features and website links for review.

Best Free CAD Software Programs for Windows PC & Mac

1) ZWCAD

2) Adobe Substance 3D

3) Planner 5d

4) AutoCAD

5) FreeCAD

6) Open SCAD

7) QCAD

8) LibreCAD

1) ZWCAD

ZWCAD stands as a pinnacle among CAD software, offering unparalleled precision in both 2D and 3D drafting. Catering to diverse sectors like architecture, engineering, construction, and automotive, its mobile application extends flexibility, enabling seamless viewing of drawings on the go. From novices to seasoned professionals, ZWCAD guarantees an intuitive journey, facilitating mastery of its extensive features with ease.

Features:

• Preferences Migration: Easily transfer preferences and settings from previous CAD applications, including command aliases and hatch patterns.
• Auto-generate Surface Table: Automatically generates surface tables with simple settings and highlights differences between drawings for easy comparison.
• 3D Measurements: Accurately captures comprehensive 3D measurement results from real-world objects and seamlessly integrates them into CAD projects for precise modeling and design.
• Faster Communication: Activate frequently used commands with mouse gestures on the workspace and add annotations for faster and easier communication.
• Effective Configuration: Utilizes multi-core CPU acceleration to significantly enhance efficiency in reading and saving DWG files.

Pros:

• User-Friendly Interface: Offers a friendly interface with common and advanced commands and aliases.
• Third-Party Application Support: Supports third-party application development through APIs such as LISP, VBA, and . NET.
• Quick Properties Panel: Obtain information with a single click on the drawing using the Quick Properties panel.

Cons:

• Point Cloud is Not Available in the Standard Version.

Pricing:

• Provides a 30-day free trial version with access to all features.

2) Adobe Substance 3D

Adobe Substance 3D embodies a suite of innovative applications such as Painter, Designer, and Sample app. These versatile tools provide users with a vast array of customizable models, lighting effects, and materials curated by esteemed artists worldwide. Renowned for its accessibility and functionality, Adobe Substance 3D empowers users to craft both simple and intricate designs, mimicking the tactile experience of a physical workshop. With features enabling asset management, material manipulation, lighting adjustments, and virtual photography, it facilitates seamless creation and visualization processes.

Features:

• Augmented Reality (AR) Experience Creation: Design AR experiences using assets from other applications.
• Real-time Texture Addition: Seamlessly include materials into 3D meshes and apply textures in real time.
• Smooth Integration: Requires 16GB RAM for seamless integration with Salesforce, ServiceNow, Box, MasterCard, and Veeva.
• Wide Format Support: Supports multiple file formats such as TIFF, IFF, JPEG, PNG, MOV, and AAC.
• Sculpting Tools: Offers sculpting tools like clay, undo/redo, move, rotate, pinch, zoom, and resize.
• Auto UV Unwrapping: Provides automatic UV unwrapping, smart materials, subsurface scattering, and more.
• 3D Model Sculpting: Enables sculpting of 3D models using virtual reality and desktop environments.
• Additional Features: Noise sculpting, virtual reality compatibility, and easy object manipulation.

Pros:

• 100GB Free Storage.
• Versatile Tools: Includes prims, stamps, and brush tools.
• Design Flexibility: Create 3D assets, models, and materials effortlessly.

Cons:

• Complex Interface: Interface may be confusing for new users.

Pricing:

• 30-day free trial available for Adobe Substance 3D.

3) Planner 5d

Planner 5D stands out as a transformative design platform, offering users the capability to craft detailed home layouts and decor in both 2D and 3D perspectives. This accessible software demands minimal system resources, with a basic requirement of just 2GB RAM, and accommodates a variety of file types, including JPEG and PNG. It distinguishes itself by providing an intuitive interface where designers can effortlessly toggle between dimensions to perfect every angle, customize textures, and select materials for furnishings. Leveraging AI-driven design suggestions, Planner 5D simplifies the creative process, enhancing client collaboration and efficiency in project execution.

Features:

• User-Friendly Interface: Planner 5D simplifies the design experience with its intuitive layout, eliminating the need for extensive tutorials.
• Customization Options: Users can personalize their designs with unique patterns, materials, and colors for floors, walls, and furniture, tailoring each project to specific style preferences.
• High-Definition Rendering: Achieve lifelike visualizations with HD rendering that brings designs to life through vibrant colors, detailed shadows, and realistic lighting effects, including 4K options.
• Expansive Project Gallery: Access an extensive collection of over 5,000 items within the Project Gallery, providing a broad array of design choices catered to all Planner 5D users.
• Advanced Features: Planner 5D enhances design workflows with features like automatic room generation, AI-driven plan recognition, smart furniture arrangement, and solutions tailored to enterprise needs.

Pros:

• Versatile Design Tools: Enables detailed customization of materials and patterns for a bespoke design outcome.
• Snapshot Feature: Offers the ability to capture and share designs as high-quality, realistic images.
• Comprehensive Design Capabilities: Supports 3D modeling and printing, intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, and immersive VR experiences.

Cons:

• Limited Free Features: The free version restricts users to only five textures, which may limit design flexibility.

Pricing:

• Trial Access: Planner 5D invites new users to explore its capabilities with a 3-day free trial, providing a glimpse into the full range of features.
• Customized Plans: For extended access and advanced functionalities, Planner 5D offers personalized paid plans, with quotes available upon request from their sales team.

4) AutoCAD

AutoCAD stands as a premier drafting application, enabling architects, engineers, and construction experts to craft detailed 2D and 3D designs seamlessly. This versatile tool supports editing and drafting on almost any device, offering cloud-based access to DWG files. It enhances user experience with features like automatic measurement displays, advanced 2D and 3D modeling capabilities, and virtual reality integrations alongside visual enhancements to minimize eye strain.

Features:

• AutoCAD dynamically generates, alters, and manages CAD drawings, streamlining the process of substituting old blocks with new ones based on prior arrangements.
• The software's drawing comparison tool allows for the side-by-side evaluation of different drawing iterations, highlighting modifications and suggesting efficiencies.
• Multi-display capability: AutoCAD facilitates the simultaneous viewing of various drawing windows, either side by side or across multiple screens.
• Enhanced teamwork functionality: Drawings can be effortlessly shared with colleagues for review or further modifications.
• Additional utilities: AutoCAD enhances productivity through streamlined workflows, ensuring accuracy and compatibility, tracking drawing histories, offering a block palette for collaboration, and integrating sculpting and brush tools for detailed work.

Pros:

• Simplifies the removal of numerous objects with an intuitive selection and preview feature.
• Integrates flawlessly with platforms like Airtable, Asana, 360Sync, Box, and Basecamp.
• Supports a wide array of file types, including CAD, DWG, DWF, DXF, and DGN formats.

Cons:

• Encounters limitations with the handling of overlapping lines.

Pricing:

• AutoCAD provides a complimentary Basic Plan, available indefinitely as a free trial.

5) FreeCAD

FreeCAD stands as a premier open-source CAD application, empowering users to craft detailed real-world objects regardless of scale. Renowned for its versatility, this tool facilitates seamless alterations to your creations. It bridges the gap between two-dimensional sketches and three-dimensional models, enriched by expandable workbenches that support diverse file formats. Additionally, its integration with a Python console enhances its functionality, albeit demanding 8 GB of RAM for optimal performance.

Features:

• 2D to 3D Transition: This empowers you to draw 2D shapes and elevate them into intricate 3D models with adjustable dimensions.
• Versatile Applications: Tailored for a wide array of disciplines such as mechanical engineering, architecture, and product design.
• Adaptable Interface: Offers a customizable and scriptable user interface, with functionality extending to command-line operations.
• Advanced 2D Sketcher: Features a cutting-edge Sketcher for crafting geometry-constrained 2D figures, serving as the foundation for further 3D development.
• Rich Functionality: Boasts a suite of features, including a constraints-based 2D sketcher and a dynamic parametric modeling environment.

Pros:

• Intuitive Design Manipulation: Facilitates drag-and-drop in 3D modeling and texturing.
• Extensive Format Compatibility: Supports a variety of formats, including STEP, IGES, OBJ, STL, DWG, DXF, SVG, and SHP.
• Planar Geometry Design: Enables graphical creation of planar shapes for precise modeling.

Cons:

• Lack of Cloud Support: Currently does not offer cloud-based access or storage options.

Pricing:

• Free Access: Offers an indefinitely free Basic Plan, providing comprehensive access to its core features without cost.

Link: https://www.freecadweb.org

6) Open SCAD

Open SCAD stands as a distinctive software, paving the way for the crafting of robust 3D designs across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. Uniquely, this cost-free CAD solution allows for instantaneous visualization of object components. It boasts a user-friendly interface, facilitating the creation of intricate models while offering capabilities for importing and exporting SVG, AMF, and 3MF file formats, alongside comprehensive shortcut support for efficiency.

Features:

• Robust Geometry Engine: OpenSCAD excels with its CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry) capability, enabling the crafting of intricate shapes optimized for systems with 8 GB RAM.
• Versatile File Format Compatibility: Offers extensive support for various file formats, including AMF, STL, PRT, and OFF, enhancing flexibility in design projects.
• Comprehensive Toolset: Equipped with a graphical user interface, stamping tools, model preview options, and a CSG geometry engine, it also provides extensive customization for parametric designs.
• Design Flexibility: Capable of extracting DXF files, interpreting design parameters from OFF and STL formats, and facilitating the creation of 3D models.
• Parametric Design Capability: Facilitates parametric designing by allowing adjustments to object parameters, with a hull modifier to unify outer elements into a cohesive object.

Pros:

• High Customizability: OpenSCAD can be tailored to individual needs.
• Notification System: Features sound alerts upon rendering completion.
• GIT Integration: Offers smooth integration with GIT for version control.

Cons:

• Edge Viewing Issues: Occasional malfunctions in the edge viewing feature.

Pricing:

• Complimentary Access: The Basic Plan is available at no cost.
• Premium Options: For information on advanced plans, contacting customer support is recommended.

Link: https://www.openscad.org/

7) QCAD

QCAD stands as a versatile open-source tool tailored for 2D CAD drafting, enabling users to craft precise technical sketches, including architectural blueprints, intricate mechanical components, and detailed interior layouts. Boasting an extensive catalog of over 4800 pre-designed CAD parts, QCAD is optimized for accessibility, requiring a minimum of 2 GB RAM, and features a user-friendly JavaScript interface for customization and automation.

Features:

• Versatile File Compatibility: QCAD supports a wide array of file formats, including BMP, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, ICO, PPM, and XBM, along with crucial CAD standards like DXF and DWG for both importing and exporting.
• Robust Design Tools: Equipped with layers, blocks, 35 unique CAD fonts, a selection of metric and imperial measurements, object snaps, comprehensive brush and measuring instruments, plus a convenient drag-and-drop functionality for adding components.
• Comprehensive Construction Kit: Features an expansive suite of over 40 tools for drawing and modifying geometric shapes such as lines, ellipses, points, and arcs, alongside capabilities for editing raster images, applying fills, setting dimensions, creating hatches, and more.
• User-Friendly Interface: QCAD is designed with an intuitive and powerful interface, ensuring ease of use while supporting extensibility, portability, and modularity.

Pros:

• Advanced Manipulation Tools: Includes sophisticated tools for moving, zooming, and rotating objects to refine your designs.
• Multi-Page Printing Capability: Enables seamless printing across multiple pages for comprehensive project outputs.
• TrueType Font Support: Offers compatibility with TrueType fonts, enhancing text integration in designs.

Cons:

• No Refund Policy: QCAD does not provide a refund option for its paid versions.

Pricing:

• Free Basic Plan: QCAD offers its Basic Plan for free, granting lifetime access.
• Paid Plans: For detailed pricing on advanced features, contact the Sales Support team for a personalized quote.

Link: https://www.qcad.org/en/

8) LibreCAD

LibreCAD, an open-source and cost-free 2D CAD software, emerged from an initiative to enhance CAM functionalities. It's crafted by skilled developers and bolstered by an engaging community, offering tools for producing top-notch CAD projects.?

Features:

• GitHub Synchronization: Offers effortless GitHub integration, supporting over 30 languages and optimal performance with 8 GB RAM.
• Enhanced Drawing Capabilities: Includes a variety of drawing tools, an advanced snapping feature, customizable toolbars, menus, and a user interface that can be tailored to your needs.
• Versatile Export Options: This enables users to export their designs in various formats, such as images, CAM files, or PDFs.
• Comprehensive 2D Drafting: Provides extensive 2D drafting tools, facilitates 2D to 3D conversion, and allows for output enhancement through various VR options.

Pros:

• DWG File Compatibility: Fully supports DWG files for comprehensive design tasks.
• Robust Design Tools: Equipped with essential sculpting tools, including rotate, zoom, move, undo, and redo for intricate 2D drawing creation.

Cons:

• Printing Precision: Falls short in delivering accurate printouts, needing improvements in printing accuracy.

Pricing:

• Completely Free: As an open-source platform, LibreCAD is available at no cost, offering full access to all its features without any financial commitment.

Link: https://librecad.org/

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