As a certified engineer, I’ve had the opportunity to experience and utilize different open-source CAD software for various projects. These software have become more versatile and competitive than ever. The advanced functionalities in these tools have given me a unique perspective on what makes them stand out from their counterparts.
Okay, let’s face it. Finding the right CAD software for your industry or business can feel like a treasure hunt. With so many available options, choosing the best free CAD software might be tough.
I’ll burst your curiosity bubbles by sharing some of the best open-source CAD software I’ve encountered and highlighting what makes it worth checking out.
Building on that, one powerful tool to consider is Edraw.AI. While not open-source, Edraw.AI is a viable alternative to AutoCAD for drafting engineering diagrams. It offers a free trial, allowing users to explore its versatile features without commitment.
With an intuitive interface and AI-powered drawing capabilities, Edraw.AI simplifies the creation of engineering diagrams, floor plans, flowcharts, and more. For those seeking a straightforward and efficient CAD solution, Edraw.AI is definitely worth exploring.
In this article
What You Should Look For In a CAD Software?
It is pivotal to choose the right CAD software as it can significantly impact the quality of your work. Here are some key factors when choosing CAD software:
Functionalities & Features
The functionalities and features depend on the type of work. Make sure the software has 2D capabilities, 3D modeling, and all the features related to it. Consider software that fulfills all your required necessities for drafting and modeling.
Formats and Compatibility
The software must support file formats such as DWG, DXF, STEP, and STL. This is vital to collaborate with other tools.
Cost & Licensing
CAD software is generally open-source and free. Make sure to check the licensing of the software and choose the one which offers the best value. Be sure to understand the licensing terms, such as whether the license is perpetual, requires regular renewal, or is cloud-based.
List of Open-Source CAD Software in 2024
Here is the list of the top open-source CAD software, which are cost-effective and offer different features for 2D and 3D modeling.
LibreCAD
The first on my list is LibreCAD. It is easy to use 2D best CAD free software with all the fundamental tools. Because it's lightweight, it literally took me less than one minute to set up this software on my laptop. It takes up only 30 MBs of your hard drive.
This software's interface is quite user-friendly. I didn’t find any complex options as it displays all the necessary objects and elements on your screen to modify your models and designs. It can only work for 2D designs and models. It is open-source software, so you can customize it for your 3D modeling needs.
This software is ideal for beginners who don’t care about 3D rendering. Its large community provides documentation and guides to clarify any confusion. Due to its affordability, I found it a surprisingly capable alternative to many paid CAD solutions, especially for users who focus on 2D drafting.
If you care about your workspace personally, like me, LibreCAD allows you to tailor toolbars, widgets, and layouts. It is available for Linux, Windows, and Mac in over 30 languages.
However, I think that LibreCAD still has room for improvement. For example, it lacks advanced tools, which are available in other premium CAD tools. Another minor drawback I noticed is that the software’s interface could benefit from a modern refresh, although it is still functional.
Features
- Tools: All necessary drawing tools, such as circles, arcs, polylines, and more.
- Wide Range of Formats: Import and export in different formats such as DXF, SVG, and DWG.
- Intuitive Interface: Clean, user-friendly, and easy-to-operate interface.
- Personalized Workspace: Customizable capabilities for personalizing workspace.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free with different sets of 2D drawing tools.
- Open-source for customization.
- Personalized workspace for users.
Cons
- Outdated tools and options.
- Premium tools are missing.
Pricing
Free
Ratings
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is a free 3D CAD open-source software to design real-life objects with 2D functionality. The best part I like about this software is that you don’t have to pay a penny. As I usually have a good grip on my Mac device, the software works completely fine. It has the capability to run on Windows and Linux as well.
If you are a beginner, the software interface might sound daunting to you. However, it allows you to customize it for your personal workspace. Whether you are a student or belong to any other engineering field, this software is an ideal combo pack for 2D and 3D design modeling. You can also get an idea from its already-designed models and customize them with ease.
The best I experienced from this software is its advanced tools, such as FEA (Finite Elements Analysis) tools, CAM/CNC, and other engineering modern tool kits. You can find helpful documentation, blogs, and community support to help you get started with FreeCAD.
Features
- Advanced Tools: Modern simulation and engineering tool kits.
- Supports Multiple Formats: Read and customize by importing in different formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and DAE.
- Active Community: The software has an active team of developers and users who are always contributing to its development.
- Navigating Styles: Switch to different navigating styles such as Blender, OpenSAD, Revit, and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable with premium tools.
- Customizable workspace.
- Easily design 2D and 3D models.
Cons
- Improvement needed for interface.
- Not suitable for beginners.
Pricing
Free
Ratings
OnShape
Yes, I know it sounds irritating to download the software, pay for the subscription, and other nitty-gritty processes. That’s why I chose OnShape for my models and machine drafting. It is a web-based affordable CAD software, which means you don’t need to worry about compatibility issues of your PC. It has an attractive and user-friendly interface. It leverages cloud technology making it a great option for all engineering professions.
If you aren’t familiar with 3D designs like me, you can simply draw a 2D design and stretch it with exclusive OnShape standard tools. One of the things that sets this software apart is its collaborative feature. You can easily invite your work colleagues and work on the same project, with changes being updated in real time.
OnShape offers different plans. If you are a student or a beginner, I strongly recommend you prefer the free version. It contains all the necessary tools required for 2D and 3D modeling.
Features
- Collaborative Tools: Group together and work on the same project with collaborative tools.
- Cloud-based: It can handle heavy computational tasks due to its cloud-based environment.
- 3D CAD Modeling: Robust tools for 3D modeling such as solid modeling, surface modeling, sheet metal design, etc.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable and runs smoothly on web-browser.
- User-friendly interface with advanced tools.
- Community support.
- Educational content, blogs, and ebooks.
Cons
- It cannot work without the internet.
- Missing premium tools.
Pricing
Free
Standard plan – $1,500/year.
Professional plan - $2,500/year.
Ratings
BRL-CAD
BRL-CAD is the oldest software on my list with history dating back to the 1980s. Despite being that old, the software has unique capabilities; however, the interface is not impressive compared to current CAD software.
BRL-CAD shines in its ability to handle complex geometric modeling tasks with a high level of precision. The software uses a Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) approach, which allows users to create models by combining primitive shapes like spheres, cones, and cylinders using Boolean operations (union, difference, intersection).
It is a 3D open-source CAD software, which can take up to 3GB of your hard drive. So, make sure you have that available before using this.
Features
- Simulations: Great support for geometric simulations.
- Efficient: Easily handles large and complex models.
- Capability: The software can run on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No subscription required.
- Custom workflow.
- Dedicated community.
Cons
- Outdated software.
- No premium tools found in other CAD software.
Pricing
Free
Ratings
QCAD
Love drawing interior, building, and mechanical part designs? Then, QCAD is a great choice. I’ve been using it for a while now, I found it to be a pretty intuitive and efficient tool. It has a user-friendly interface, which is easy to navigate, even if you are a beginner. On the left side, you can explore multiple tools such as modifying tools, dimension tools, and more.
Moreover, QCAD offers different plans. You can download either the paid professional version or leverage the free version. It's an affordable 2D CAD software offering scripting capabilities with an ECMAScript (JavaScript) interface. The software can handle large architectural designs and plans without lagging or crashing.
The software does not contain any advanced or premium tools available in other 3D CAD drawing tools. However, it excels in 2D drafting and technical drawings.
Features
- Lightweight: The software does not take much space on your PC and runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Reliability: No crashes during work.
- Support for other formats: It supports files in other formats such as DWG and DXF files.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easily handles large files.
- No lags and crashes.
- Affordable with 2D tools.
Cons
- Missing advanced premium tools.
Pricing
Free version.
QCAD Professional - $45 (forever).
QCAD Professional with USB flash drive - $69 (forever).
QCAD E-book - $39.
Ratings
Edraw.AI – A Creative Way to Enhance Productivity
Edraw.AI is a powerful and creative AI tool for creating AI summaries, designs, diagrams, and brainstorming. Furthermore, it has proper user guides for each of its functionality. You can easily create mind maps, project plans, and more with AI features.
Key Features
- Templates: Hundreds of customizable templates for mind maps, business management, product planning, and a lot more.
- Organized Tools: Set of different tools to save time such as AI flowchart, AI Mind Map, and AI File analysis.
- User-Guides: Organized user guides to help users with every difficulty.
- AI Tokens: AI token, a digital Edraw.AI currency, to unlock certain features. Free plan users still receive these tokens.
Final Thoughts
The open-source CAD software I’ve mentioned is ideal for drafting 2D and 3D models. These are inexpensive, with all the functionalities available and a supportive community for any confusion.
If you are a beginner or just starting, I would highly suggest you try QCAD and Edraw.AI. Explore Edraw.AI to keep your workflow efficient.
