FreeCAD Alternatives

What is FreeCAD?

FreeCAD is a customizable 3D tool which can be used to make designs related to mechanical engineering. Users can also use the tool for product design. Architectural and electrical design functions can be managed through this tool. FreeCAD comes with a lot of features like geometry kernels, sketcher, robot simulation, modular architecture, and many more.

Why FreeCAD alternatives?

• Users need to learn the software before start working

• Limited features and functionalities

• User interface is complex

• Slow performance

• Import of large file freeze the app

How to choose a FreeCAD Alternative?

• The software is available for free

• The app can be installed on many devices with different operating systems

• Users can customize tools as per the requirement

• Files from other Cad applications are also supported

If you want to choose an alternative. Look for these features along with others.

Top 10 FreeCAD Alternatives

FreeCAD has many alternatives and we will discuss some of them in detail.

Alternative 1 – OneShape

OneShape is a CAD system which engineers can use to make different types of designs. OneShape consists of advanced modeling tools and that is the reason it is considered as one of the best alternatives to FreeCAD. Data management can be done over the cloud workspace. Many companies all over the world have adopted this tool because of its features.

Alternative 2 – SketchUP

SketchUP was previously known as Google SketchUP. The tool can be used for making different types of designs related to architecture, civil design, mechanical design, interior design, and many more. The tool has a free and paid version. A 3D gallery is available where users can upload and share their models.

Alternative 3 – LibreCAD

LIbreCAD is another excellent alternative to FreeCAD. LibreCAD is a 2D CAD application which can be installed on many operating systems like Apple, Windows, and Linux. The app has the ability to work on DWG files along with others. The files in LibreCAD are saved in DXF format but it can also recognize other file formats like PDF, JPG, PNG, SVG, and many more. The tool also consists of layers, blocks, shapes, and other elements to make a perfect design.

Alternative 4 – Fusion 360

Fusion 360 is a CAD software which is popular among thousands of users and especially engineers. The app is available in free and paid versions. Free version has less features but the most essential ones are available. If you want to use the advanced features of the app, you have to pay a fee of $70 per month. The tool is easy to use for beginners as well as advanced users. Menus available in the tool can be customized.

Alternative 5 – Tinkercad

Tinkercad is an online CAD application which can be used to design simple 3D models. The tool is considered as one of the best alternatives to FreeCAD and can be used for free. You cannot make complex designs but simple designs can be easily made. As Tinkercad has been developed by Autodesk so all forms of integrations and file formats will be supported.

Alternative 6 – Foyr Neo

Foyr Neo is an alternative to FreeCAD and can be used to make 2D plans and 3D designs. Users can either make a new one or upload an existing 3D model. There is no need to download and install the software as it can be used in any web browser. It is a cloud-based software so the storage problem is also not there.

Alternative 7 – Inventor

Inventor is a CAD software from Autodesk and it is a great alternative to FreeCAD. Engineers, professionals, and designers can use this software to make different types of designs. 2D and 3D data can be easily integrated in this software. Inventor consists of powerful tools like direct edit, freeform modeling, multiCAD translation ability, and many more features.

Alternative 8 – AutoCAD

AutoCAD is another excellent alternative to FreeCAD. The software can be used to make different types of designs related to engineering, architecture, and other industries. The software is now available to the users through subscription. This subscription allows users to store their work on the cloud. So that they can be accessed from any device and from anywhere.

Alternative 9 – OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is a CAD software which is compatible with different operating systems like Windows, Unix, Linux, and Mac. The tool can be used to create 3D images of different parts of a machine. The software reads a script file and generates the 3D image according to the information in the file. Designers can change any step through the script file to make an image perfectly.

Alternative 10 – Vectary

Vectary is another CAD software and an alternative to FreeCAD. The software has free and paid versions. The free version cannot be used for business purposes. The tool can be used to make different types of designs. It is easy to use and free for students under the free Starter plan.

Conclusion

FreeCAD is a software which can be used to make 3D models. Engineers and professionals can use the app to make designs of different types as per the requirements. It is a tough software and users need to learn it before using it. Its performance is slow and the user interface is complicated. There are many alternatives to FreeCAD which come with advanced features.