FreeCAD
3D & parametric CADOpen-source parametric 3D modeller for real-life objects
- Stars
- ★ 34.5k
- Licence
- LGPL-2.1+
- Updated
- Commercial OK
- STEP
- STL
Alternative to SolidWorks, Fusion 360
Free alternatives to SolidWorks
Last updated · 5 options
Quick answer: FreeCAD has the most stars on its repository of the 5 options here (★ 34.5k), followed by SolveSpace (★ 4.2k). Stars show popularity, not fit, so check formats, platforms and licence for your own work.
Dassault Systèmes' parametric 3D CAD package for mechanical design. Here are 5 free options, most-starred first.
S
SolveSpace
3D & parametric CADLightweight parametric 2D/3D CAD with a constraint solver
- Stars
- ★ 4.2k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
- Commercial OK
- DXF
- STEP
Alternative to SolidWorks, Fusion 360
Dune 3D
3D & parametric CADModern parametric 3D CAD built on SolveSpace's solver and OpenCascade
- Stars
- ★ 2.1k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
- Commercial OK
- STEP
- STL
Alternative to Fusion 360, SolidWorks
Onshape Free
3D & parametric CADFree plan of PTC's browser-based professional CAD
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Free (proprietary)
- Non-commercial only
Alternative to SolidWorks, Fusion 360
Solid Edge Community Edition
3D & parametric CADFree edition of Siemens' professional CAD for hobbyists and makers
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Free (proprietary)
- Non-commercial only
Alternative to SolidWorks, Inventor
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Format and fit filters only use details we found in each project's own documentation. A tool that isn't shown may still support it.
FAQ
Is there a free alternative to SolidWorks?
Yes. CADAlts lists 5 options: FreeCAD, SolveSpace, Dune 3D, Onshape Free and Solid Edge Community Edition.
Which SolidWorks alternatives are open source?
FreeCAD (LGPL-2.1+), SolveSpace (GPL-3.0) and Dune 3D (GPL-3.0). The others are free or freemium but not open source.
Which SolidWorks alternatives run on a Mac?
FreeCAD, SolveSpace and Dune 3D. The others listed here aren't listed for macOS.
Which of these can open STEP files?
FreeCAD and Dune 3D, according to each project's own documentation (linked under “Fit” on its page). We haven't found it documented for the others.
Related categories: 3D & parametric CAD
Check file compatibility before switching. Free tools import STEP, DXF and other neutral formats well, but native SolidWorks, Altium or Revit files, drawing standards and PDM workflows may not carry over cleanly.