AutoCAD vs. FreeCAD vs. SOLIDWORKS Comparison


AutoCAD Autodesk	FreeCAD	SOLIDWORKS Dassault Systèmes	+
Learn More Update Features	Learn More Update Features	Learn More Update Features	Add To Compare


			Related Products MicroStation MicroStation is the trusted CAD software purpose-built for the design, modeling, and management of global infrastructure projects. Known for its extreme scalability, MicroStation empowers engineering professionals to deliver precise 2D and 3D deliverables for projects of any size or complexity. A key differentiator is its industry-leading interoperability; users can integrate a massive variety of data types, including DWG, IFC, and SHP, without the need for risky data conversions or translations. By providing a single environment for various project elements, it ensures secure and effective deliverables across the entire project lifecycle. Whether you are an engineer, architect, or GIS professional, MicroStation provides the flexibility and power needed to turn a vision into a sustainable reality while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity. 592 Ratings Visit Website ActCAD Software ActCAD is a native dwg/dxf cad software suitable for professional 2D drafting and 3D modeling projects. ActCAD is trusted by over 30000 users in over 103 countries for more than 10 years. The interface, commands, icons, dialogs, shortcuts etc. are very much similar to other popular cad software tools available in market. Flexible license types available even for single license. There is no learning for existing cad users while saving 80% of the costs. ActCAD offers free email technical support without any limitations. ActCAD can be fully customized and programs can be developed using our free API toolkit. It supports popular programming languages like , lisp dcl, .net, C++ etc. Apart from all regular commands, ActCAD offers many productive tools like pdf to cad converter, Block libraries, Image to Cad converter, handling point sets between Cad and Excel and many more. ActCAD is suitable for any high end professional projects in the domains of Architecture, Civil, Mechanical,Automotive 401 Ratings Visit Website SmartDraw SmartDraw makes professional drawings and diagrams accessible to everyone. Non-technical users can quickly create floor plans, while professionals get the precision and scale they require. With industry-leading floor planning tools and an intuitive interface for traditional diagramming like flowcharts and organizational charts, SmartDraw delivers enterprise-ready power without unnecessary complexity. Key features: - Large collection of symbols and templates - Ability to create custom shapes - Import PDFs, images, Google Maps, Visio files, Visio stencils - Draw to any scale - Enrich drawings with data - Generate manifest and bills of materials - Generate diagrams from data automatically like org charts, AWS, Azure, PI Boards, and more - Use natural language text prompts to generate diagrams with AI - Save files directly to OneDrive, SharePoint, or Google Drive, or other preferred provider - Integrations with the Microsoft and Google enterprise stack plus Confluence and Jira 551 Ratings Visit Website Newforma Newforma empowers over 4M professionals and 1,500 AECO firms worldwide by revolutionizing Project Information Management. We transform vast amounts of project data into a meticulously organized, easily accessible, and fully searchable resource—all from a single, centralized platform. From pre-construction to years after completion, Newforma ensures you have the critical information you need at every stage of your projects. With over 50 integrations with the industry's most widely used applications and two decades of expertise, Newforma is your trusted partner in elevating project delivery through unparalleled information management. 174 Ratings Visit Website Altium Develop Altium Develop is a multidisciplinary product creation platform that breaks down silos and empowers teams to design collaboratively without limits. Built on Altium Designer and Altium 365, it unifies electrical, mechanical, software, sourcing, and manufacturing teams in a shared environment. Every comment, change, and decision is captured in real time, giving collaborators visibility without the need for constant check-ins. The platform enhances project outcomes by aligning requirements, supply chain data, and design context in one ecosystem. Manufacturing engineers and suppliers can provide feedback early, avoiding costly rework and delays. By transforming collaboration into true co-creation, Altium Develop helps organizations innovate faster, smarter, and with greater alignment across disciplines. 1,359 Ratings Visit Website Clearooms The way we work has changed and Clearooms puts you in complete control of your hybrid workspace. Both meeting rooms and hot desk booking can be easily managed to ensure flexible and safe working, however big or small your organization. Our pricing model is based on the number of desks and rooms you wish to control, not the number of employees. This simple point of difference means that Clearooms is always great value, and can be scaled up and down as you need. If you need it for one bank of desks or just two meeting rooms - that’s fine. Our price banding gives you lots of options to save. Our simple traffic light system gives you instant information on the state of rooms and desks, and our reports help you gain greater insight into who and how it’s all working. We will help as much as you need to get you going as quickly as possible. 254 Ratings Visit Website 3D Cloud 3D Cloud is the enterprise 3D product visualization platform trusted by leading furniture and home improvement retailers and manufacturers worldwide. The platform delivers a comprehensive suite of 3D commerce applications, including product configurators, room planners, WebAR, and 3D asset management — purpose-built for highly configurable products at scale. Now with patented AI-powered conversational configuration, 3D Cloud moves beyond the hype to deliver AI with real ROI. Businesses use 3D Cloud to efficiently manage, deploy, and measure 3D content across massive product catalogs, increasing AOV and closing more deals. 42 Ratings Visit Website Bidtracer Bidtracer has been built specifically for the MEP/BAC industry for both construction and service side including but not limited to CRM, Bid Management, Invitation to Bid, BAC Estimating, BAC Engineering, Project Management, Service Agreement, Service Work Orders, Service Repair, Service Projects all built natively in the cloud. Estimating/engineering established live pricing with numerous manufacturers such as JCI, Distech Controls, ABB, Carrier, ALC and many peripheral distributors such as Kele, Alps, Belimo, Siral, Bray. If you haven’t imported it yet, we can import it multiple times throughout the year. Our system caters to businesses of all sizes and accommodates users from various roles such as: estimators, engineers, PMs, sales, executive, and field workers. It includes rich reporting features with customizable reports, charts, and graphs to enable companies to analyze their data in real-time. 39 Ratings Visit Website Yodeck Next-generation technology for professional Digital Signage. Yodeck is an unbeatably easy cloud-based digital signage platform that powers your screen with dynamic content which instantly engages your target viewers. With Yodeck you can create, design and schedule content easily from the web, no matter how far away you are from your screens. Use attention-grabbing media like videos, images, PDF files, Office docs, data dashboards and social media to get your message across to the people that matter most to your business. It offers enterprise-grade security & control. Yodeck also features a drag-and-drop zone editing feature that enables users to get creative in organizing content in interesting layouts. Yodeck prides itself on providing an exceptional digital signage solution to businesses of all sizes, from local diners to global leaders who already trust us, including Delta Airlines, Autodesk, Adobe, Domino’s, Deloitte and Swissport. 7,730 Ratings Visit Website InEight InEight offers integrated project controls software built for capital construction. The modular platform is integrated to support flexible implementation and is architected for scalability. Purpose-built applications manage all project phases, from accurate pre-planning to predictable execution and completion. By connecting cost, schedule, contracts, and project information in one platform, teams gain real-time visibility and advanced analytics to make smarter decisions. Trusted by 850+ companies and used to manage over $1 trillion in projects worldwide, InEight supports industries including infrastructure, transportation, mining, water, power and renewables, nuclear, oil, gas, and chemical. With InEight, teams can improve project delivery, modernize operations, standardize best practices, manage budgets and forecasts, control scope changes, enhance collaboration, and gain the clarity to keep even the most complex capital projects on track. 127 Ratings Visit Website
About Autodesk AutoCAD is the world’s leading 2D and 3D CAD software, trusted by millions of architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It provides precision tools to design, draft, and document complex projects across industries. The 2026 version introduces Autodesk AI, enabling automated drafting, smart block recognition, and real-time collaboration through Autodesk Docs. With customizable workspaces, AutoLISP automation, and access to over 1,000 apps, users can streamline every stage of their design workflow. AutoCAD also offers seven specialized industry toolsets that boost productivity by up to 63%, from architecture to electrical and mechanical design. Available on desktop, web, and mobile, AutoCAD empowers professionals to design anywhere with confidence and efficiency.	About FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters. FreeCAD allows you to sketch geometry constrained 2D shapes and use them as a base to build other objects. It contains many components to adjust dimensions or extract design details from 3D models to create high quality production ready drawings. FreeCAD is a multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), highly customizable and extensible software. It reads and writes to many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others, making it possible to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow. FreeCAD is designed to fit a wide range of uses including product design, mechanical engineering and architecture. Whether you are a hobbyist, a programmer, an experienced CAD user, a student or a teacher, you will feel right at home with FreeCAD.	About SOLIDWORKS is the industry-standard 3D CAD and product development solution, trusted by millions of designers and engineers worldwide. For over 30 years, SOLIDWORKS has empowered innovators to transform ideas into real, manufacturable products through intuitive modeling, simulation, and collaboration tools. The 2026 release introduces groundbreaking capabilities including AI-powered drawing automation, fastener recognition, and the AURA AI virtual companion. Integrated with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, it enables seamless cloud collaboration and data-driven decision-making. From startups to global manufacturers, users rely on SOLIDWORKS to accelerate design cycles, improve accuracy, and reduce time to market. It’s the complete ecosystem for taking any product from concept to production.
Platforms Supported Windows Mac Linux Cloud On-Premises iPhone iPad Android Chromebook	Platforms Supported Windows Mac Linux Cloud On-Premises iPhone iPad Android Chromebook	Platforms Supported Windows Mac Linux Cloud On-Premises iPhone iPad Android Chromebook
Audience Architects, engineers, designers, and construction professionals seeking AI-enhanced 2D and 3D CAD software for faster drafting, collaboration, and automation in precision-driven projects	Audience Engineering Professionals in search of a professional 3D parametric modeler software solution for their models	Audience Engineers, designers, manufacturers, educators, and product development teams seeking powerful, intuitive 3D CAD software with advanced AI-driven automation, real-time collaboration, and simulation tools for faster, smarter product creation
Support Phone Support 24/7 Live Support Online	Support Phone Support 24/7 Live Support Online	Support Phone Support 24/7 Live Support Online
API Offers API	API Offers API	API Offers API
Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos	Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos	Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos
Pricing $1,268 per user per year Free Version Free Trial	Pricing No information available. Free Version Free Trial	Pricing No information available. Free Version Free Trial
Reviews/Ratings Overall 4.4 / 5 ease 4.6 / 5 features 4.6 / 5 design 4.4 / 5 support 4.6 / 5 Read all reviews	Reviews/Ratings Overall 5.0 / 5 ease 4.0 / 5 features 4.0 / 5 design 4.0 / 5 support 5.0 / 5 Read all reviews	Reviews/Ratings Overall 2.0 / 5 ease 2.0 / 5 features 2.2 / 5 design 1.8 / 5 support 2.0 / 5 Read all reviews
Training Documentation Webinars Live Online In Person	Training Documentation Webinars Live Online In Person	Training Documentation Webinars Live Online In Person
Company Information Autodesk Founded: 1982 United States www.autodesk.com	Company Information FreeCAD Founded: 2011 sourceforge.net/projects/free-cad/	Company Information Dassault Systèmes Founded: 1981 France www.solidworks.com
Alternatives MicroStation Bentley Systems	Alternatives MicroStation Bentley Systems	Alternatives Kenesto Kenesto Corporation
SmartDraw	iC3D Creative Edge Software	iC3D Creative Edge Software
ActCAD Software Jytra Technology Solutions	BeckerCAD SoftMaker	AutoCAD Autodesk
SOLIDWORKS Dassault Systèmes	Autodesk Fusion Autodesk	Autodesk Fusion Autodesk
Autodesk Fusion Autodesk View All	CATIA Dassault Systèmes View All	Creo PTC View All
Categories 3D Architecture 3D Modeling AI CAD Architectural CAD Architecture CAD Civil Engineering Construction Design Electrical Design Floor Plan Industrial Design Interior Design Irrigation Design Land Survey Mechanical Engineering Product Design Site Plan Surface Modeling	Categories 3D Viewers CAD CAD Viewers Engineering Mechanical Engineering Parametric Modeling Product Design	Categories 3D Modeling AI CAD Architecture CAD CAD Data Exchange CAD Libraries Civil Engineering Engineering Furniture Design Industrial Design Mechanical Engineering Parametric Modeling Product Design Surface Modeling
CAD Features 2 1/2-Axis Milling 2D Drawing 3-Axis Milling 3D Modeling 4-Axis Milling 5-Axis Milling Civil Collaboration Database Connectivity Design Analysis Design Export Document Management Electrical Hole Making Mechanical Mechatronics Presentation Tools Simulate Cycles Spiral Output Structural Engineering Toolpath Simulation User Defined Cycles Show More Features 3D Architecture Features 2D Drawing Animation BIM Modeling Component Library Data Import / Export Landscape Design Virtual Tour 3D Modeling Features 2D Drawing Animation Annotations Bill of Materials Character Modeling Collaboration Tools Component Library Data Import / Export For 3D Printing For Architects For Manufacturers Reference Management Simulation Architectural CAD Features 2D Drawing 3D Modeling Architectural Symbol Library Automatic Formatting BIM Modeling Comparison View Design Templates Drafting Architecture Features 2D Drawing 3D Modeling Bills of material BIM Modeling Building Information Modeling Client Management Contact Management Contract Management Document Management Drafting Manufacturing Design Data Presentation Tools Project Management Proposal Management Quotes/Proposals Visualization / Presentation Electrical Design Features CAD Tools Change Management Collaboration Compliance Management Document Generation Drag & Drop Electrical Parts Catalog Functions / Calculations One Line Diagram PLC Tools Reusable Designs Symbol Library	CAD Features 2 1/2-Axis Milling 2D Drawing 3-Axis Milling 3D Modeling 4-Axis Milling 5-Axis Milling Civil Collaboration Database Connectivity Design Analysis Design Export Document Management Electrical Hole Making Mechanical Mechatronics Presentation Tools Simulate Cycles Spiral Output Structural Engineering Toolpath Simulation User Defined Cycles Show More Features Engineering Features 2D Drawing 3D Modeling Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Collaboration Design Analysis Design Export Document Management Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mechatronics Presentation Tools Structural Engineering	CAD Features 2 1/2-Axis Milling 2D Drawing 3-Axis Milling 3D Modeling 4-Axis Milling 5-Axis Milling Civil Collaboration Database Connectivity Design Analysis Design Export Document Management Electrical Hole Making Mechanical Mechatronics Presentation Tools Simulate Cycles Spiral Output Structural Engineering Toolpath Simulation User Defined Cycles Show More Features Engineering Features 2D Drawing 3D Modeling Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Collaboration Design Analysis Design Export Document Management Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mechatronics Presentation Tools Structural Engineering
Integrations MeshCAM Virtofy CADMATIC Outfitting CADbro EMWorks Epicor CPQ FactWork Genius ERP HiveDrive K-Display View Land F/X Mercura Morro Data CloudNAS PDF Conversion SDK ProSteel RAVEL Orchestrate Siberson Veriket Data Classification ThinkDesign VisualCAM Show More Integrations View All 225 Integrations	Integrations MeshCAM Virtofy CADMATIC Outfitting CADbro EMWorks Epicor CPQ FactWork Genius ERP HiveDrive K-Display View Land F/X Mercura Morro Data CloudNAS PDF Conversion SDK ProSteel RAVEL Orchestrate Siberson Veriket Data Classification ThinkDesign VisualCAM Show More Integrations View All 4 Integrations	Integrations MeshCAM Virtofy CADMATIC Outfitting CADbro EMWorks Epicor CPQ FactWork Genius ERP HiveDrive K-Display View Land F/X Mercura Morro Data CloudNAS PDF Conversion SDK ProSteel RAVEL Orchestrate Siberson Veriket Data Classification ThinkDesign VisualCAM Show More Integrations View All 113 Integrations
Claim AutoCAD and update features and information Claim AutoCAD and update features and information	Claim FreeCAD and update features and information Claim FreeCAD and update features and information	Claim SOLIDWORKS and update features and information Claim SOLIDWORKS and update features and information