Best Mechanical Engineering Software with a Free Trial
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Compare the Top Mechanical Engineering Software with a Free Trial as of June 2026
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What is Mechanical Engineering Software with a Free Trial?
Mechanical engineering software enables mechanical engineers to design products with detailed accuracy and specifications for the manufacturing and engineering processes. Mechanical engineering software, also known as mechanical CAD (MCAD) or mechanical design automation (MDA), streamlines all aspects of the mechanical engineering and product design process of structures and mechanical parts and products. Compare and read user reviews of the best Mechanical Engineering software with a Free Trial currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
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1
PataBid Quantify
PataBid
PataBid Quantify is an AI-powered MEP/electrical estimating software designed to revolutionize how large-scale contractors manage project estimation and organizational efficiency. More than just a bidding tool, Quantify transforms complex electrical estimating into a strategic workflow solution for commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential projects. With a comprehensive 65,000-item database and advanced AI features, our platform enables multi-office teams to standardize processes, reduce financial risk, and drive predictable project outcomes. Key Features: -AI Automated Takeoff -Full Closeout Features -Custom ERP Software Integrations (Oracle, SAP, Viewpoint) -Multi-User Capabilities with Advanced Access Controls -Team Management/Permission Settings -Historical Bid Analytics -Dynamic Budgeting - Change Order Management -Seamless Workflow Across Offices and Regions Designed for MEP/electrical contracting companies managing complex, high-stakes projects.Starting Price: $2,460 USD/year -
2
CMS IntelliCAD
CAD-MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS INC
CMS IntelliCAD® is the intelligent, powerful and affordable full-featured CAD Software and is fully programmable with hundreds of third party solutions. CMS IntelliCAD also offers a full suite of 2D and 3D AutoCAD® compatible drawing tools! It is the smartest choice for engineers, architects and consultants, or anyone who communicates using CAD drawings. It is designed to give you the best unrivaled compatibility and a true CAD Software alternative to Autodesk® AutoCAD® software and is fully programmable with hundreds of third party solutions. CMS IntelliCAD also offers DWG file extension native support! And now also with Microstation DGN file support.Starting Price: $149.95/one-time/user -
3
MATLAB
The MathWorks
MATLAB® combines a desktop environment tuned for iterative analysis and design processes with a programming language that expresses matrix and array mathematics directly. It includes the Live Editor for creating scripts that combine code, output, and formatted text in an executable notebook. MATLAB toolboxes are professionally developed, rigorously tested, and fully documented. MATLAB apps let you see how different algorithms work with your data. Iterate until you’ve got the results you want, then automatically generate a MATLAB program to reproduce or automate your work. Scale your analyses to run on clusters, GPUs, and clouds with only minor code changes. There’s no need to rewrite your code or learn big data programming and out-of-memory techniques. Automatically convert MATLAB algorithms to C/C++, HDL, and CUDA code to run on your embedded processor or FPGA/ASIC. MATLAB works with Simulink to support Model-Based Design. -
4
AutoCAD
Autodesk
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.Starting Price: $1,268 per user per year -
5
SketchUp
Trimble
Design delightfully, collaborate clearly, and build better buildings. The joy of drawing by hand. The ease of super-smart 3D modeling software. Make sustainable buildings. Change the world, hundreds of professionally-developed extensions at your fingertips. Design in 3D. Document in 2D. Make work easier, bring efficiency to your team and the 3D community. A great idea can be its best with the right technology. Draw in 3D, analyze and improve your building’s performance, and creatively document and share your ideas with your class. Integrated with Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. Works on Chromebooks or any Internet-connected computer. Students have access to free and intuitive 3D modeling tools. Positioning-centric information is changing the way people, businesses and governments work throughout the world. By applying Trimble's advanced positioning solutions, productivity increases and safety improvements are being realized.Starting Price: $119 per year -
6
BricsCAD
Bricsys
BricsCAD the first all-in-one CAD design solution in .dwg that answers all your needs; 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and BIM. The BricsCAD® family of products brings a cost-effective, multi-platform CAD solution to Windows, macOS, and Linux. BricsCAD is available as a permanent/perpetual license, for networked or stand-alone computers. You can also add All-In Maintenance for ease of keeping up-to-date. • BricsCAD® is available on a rental (a.k.a. “Subscription”) plan if you wish. • Familiarity for other CAD users and full LISP support can help reduce a new BricsCAD® users’ learning curve to a day or less. • Advanced multi-threading takes advantage of today’s high-performance processor chips • Innovative machine learning tools increase drawing accuracy while saving time • The small install footprint and high performance of BricsCAD® point to our constant focus on quality and modern software design.Starting Price: $330/user/year -
7
Designcenter Solid Edge
Siemens
Designcenter Solid Edge is a Siemens product development portfolio that provides tools for mechanical design, electrical design, simulation, manufacturing, technical publications, data management, and collaboration. It combines the speed of direct modeling with the control of parametric design through synchronous technology. The software helps teams create 2D drawings, 3D models, electrical systems, simulations, manufacturing outputs, 3D printing workflows, and technical documentation. Designcenter Solid Edge is designed to be affordable, easy to learn, and scalable for different product development needs. It supports faster design changes, reuse of supplier CAD parts, realistic 3D modeling, and collaboration across engineering and manufacturing teams. With its complete portfolio of connected tools, Designcenter Solid Edge helps companies bring better products to market more efficiently.Starting Price: $75/month/user -
8
Autodesk Fusion
Autodesk
Autodesk Fusion is a cloud-based product design and manufacturing platform that combines CAD, CAM, CAE, PCB, and data management in one solution. It helps teams connect design, engineering, manufacturing, electronics, and collaboration workflows in a unified workspace. The software supports product development from concept to production with tools for modeling, simulation, machining, PCB design, and drawing automation. Autodesk Fusion also includes built-in PDM and PLM capabilities to reduce version conflicts, improve collaboration, and keep project data secure and up to date. Teams can choose from Fusion, Fusion for Manufacturing, and Fusion for Design depending on their needs for advanced manufacturing, simulation, generative design, and data management. With cloud collaboration, integrated workflows, and AI-powered assistance, Autodesk Fusion helps companies bring products to market faster.Starting Price: $495 per year -
9
Wolfram Mathematica
Wolfram
The world's definitive system for modern technical computing. For three decades, Mathematica has defined the state of the art in technical computing—and provided the principal computation environment for millions of innovators, educators, students, and others around the world. Widely admired for both its technical prowess and elegant ease of use, Mathematica provides a single integrated, continually expanding system that covers the breadth and depth of technical computing—and is seamlessly available in the cloud through any web browser, as well as natively on all modern desktop systems. With energetic development and consistent vision for three decades, Mathematica stands alone in a huge range of dimensions, unique in its support for today's technical computing environments and workflows.Starting Price: $1,520 per year -
10
TurboCAD
IMSI Design
TurboCAD® 2021 Platinum is a professional 2D Drafting and 3D Solid Modeling CAD Solution for engineers, architects, manufacturers and other design professionals. It comes fully equipped with a powerful drafting palette, ACIS® solid modeling, premium photorealistic rendering, advanced architectural and mechanical tool sets, AutoCAD®-like 2D drafting interface options, and extensive file support. TurboCAD® 2021 Platinum delivers a robust collection of professional 2D/3D CAD tools to design, modify, present, and document in an integrated fashion. It includes advanced mechanical design and modification tools, a powerful drafting palette, 2D geometric and dimensional constraints, and an ACIS® solid modeling engine. It includes a customizable Ribbon Interface with 4K monitor support to optimize productivity and readability on higher resolution displays.Starting Price: $69.99 -
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GeoHECRAS
CivilGEO, Inc.
GeoHECRAS is a river modeling software used to compute water surface profiles for steady and unsteady flow models, bridge and culvert roadway crossings, FEMA floodplain encroachments, stream restorations, inline reservoir structures, off-channel storage areas, and much more. GeoHECRAS offers: • Quickly Build 1D & 2D HEC-RAS Models • Automatic Assignment of Land Cover as Manning’s Roughness • Digital Terrain Cross Section Cutting • Automated Bridge & Culvert Sizing and Designing • Automated FEMA Floodplain Encroachments • LiDAR Elevation Terrain Processing • Automated Model Calibration • AutoCAD, MicroStation & ESRI ArcGIS Compatible • 100% Compatible with US Army Corps of Engineers HEC-RAS GeoHECRAS provides an easy-to-use, single graphical platform to rapidly create stunning HEC-RAS models and 3D visualizations from a variety of different data sources like AutoCAD, MicroStation, ArcGIS, Google Maps, and more. -
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Cimatron
Cimatron
Cimatron develops and distributes CAD/CAM software for the manufacturing industry. Cimatron caters to all manufacturing sectors, offering specialized solutions for mold and die makers, as well as solutions for 2.5-5-Axis production milling and turning. Ranked among the top six CAD/CAM suppliers in every global region, Cimatron has subsidiaries in Asia, North America and Europe, and works with certified independent service providers in over 40 countries worldwide. Cimatron service providers offer responsive and effective sales and technical support, helping businesses use Cimatron software to maximize their potential. Cimatron's full solutions use the most advanced technology available to speed up productivity and shorten delivery times. Designed and developed by manufacturers and toolmakers with a wealth of experience on the shop floor, both of Cimatron's product lines are easy to learn and intuitive for the manufacturing professionals who use them. -
13
Onshape
PTC
Onshape is a cloud-native CAD and PDM system designed to help product development teams design, collaborate, and manage data from any device. It runs in a browser or mobile app, eliminating the need for installations, upgrades, or local hardware requirements. The platform includes professional CAD tools, built-in product data management, real-time collaboration, branching and merging, version control, and a complete audit trail. Onshape helps teams avoid common desktop CAD issues such as crashes, corrupted files, file syncing problems, and outdated software versions. It supports distributed engineering teams by allowing users to work securely from different locations without emailing files or managing duplicate copies. With frequent updates, education options, startup programs, and integrations such as the Onshape Altium Connector, Onshape gives designers and manufacturers a modern way to build products faster.Starting Price: $125.00/month/user -
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Designcenter NX CAD
Siemens
Designcenter NX CAD is a Siemens computer-aided design solution built to help product teams improve design efficiency, quality, collaboration, and innovation. It provides scalable CAD capabilities for startups, growing teams, and global enterprises across browser and desktop workflows. The software helps users create illustrations, 3D models, mechanical designs, electrical designs, and immersive engineering experiences. Designcenter NX CAD supports multiple modeling approaches, including solid, surface, parametric, direct, and facet-based modeling. It also includes AI-enabled capabilities, automation tools, data management, Teamcenter integration, and interoperability across Siemens Xcelerator products. With flexible deployment, scalable solution tiers, and support for digital twin development, Designcenter NX CAD helps organizations reduce costs and accelerate product development.Starting Price: $287 per month -
15
AutoCAD LT
Autodesk
Precision 2D drafting and documentation software includes AutoCAD web and mobile apps. AutoCAD LT® is computer-aided design (CAD) software that architects, engineers, construction professionals, and designers rely on to produce 2D drawings and documentation. Design, draft, and document with 2D geometry, access a comprehensive set of editing, design, and annotation tools, and work faster in an intuitive user interface. Design and draft in the web browser on any computer; view, edit, annotate, and create CAD drawings in a simplified user interface. Take the power of AutoCAD with you wherever you go—even offline; view, edit, annotate, and create CAD drawings in real time, and work on any mobile device, including smartphone or tablet. Work anywhere with the included AutoCAD web app. Use AutoCAD LT on the go with the included AutoCAD mobile app.Starting Price: $55 per month -
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PTC Mathcad
PTC
Engineering calculations are at the heart of product design. They are essential to every step of the design process. To achieve excellence in engineering, teams need a comprehensive yet intuitive application that performs calculations with accuracy and precision, enables traceability, protects intellectual property, and shows their work. PTC Mathcad has all your engineering notebook’s ease-of-use and familiarity with live mathematical notation and units intelligence. Most importantly, the calculation capabilities produce far more accurate results than a spreadsheet can provide. Using PTC Mathcad’s rich array of mathematical functionality, you can document your most critical engineering calculations as easily as you can write them. Show your work using rich formatting options alongside plots, text, and images in a single, professionally formatted document. Nobody needs specialized skills to create or consume PTC Mathcad data.Starting Price: $230 -
17
Inventor CAM
Autodesk
Inventor® CAM software simplifies the machining workflow with CAD-embedded 2.5-axis to 5-axis milling, turning, and mill-turn capabilities. The Product Design & Manufacturing Collection provides the tools you need for the design and manufacturing of your products. Create toolpaths with powerful technology, such as 3D adaptive clearing, and the industry’s most complete package of finishing toolpaths. Simultaneous 4- and 5-axis features for machining complex models include tilt, multi-axis contour, and swarf. Improve productivity with traditional turning, facing, grooving, and boring functions. Includes support for live tooling mill-turning. Generate 2D profile cutting paths quickly with the ability to add all contours in the same plane, add tabs, and specify quality settings. Automatically avoid collisions between your part and tool holders during CNC calculations.Starting Price: $355 per month -
18
AutoCAD Mechanical
Autodesk
Design faster with an industry-specific toolset for mechanical engineering, including 700,000+ intelligent parts and features. Isolate and restore layer groups and specify linetypes and lineweights. Update geometry automatically when changes occur. Minimize manual redraws. Produce accurate drawings with standard components. Efficiently analyze designs, including shaft, spring, belt, chain, and cam generators. Detail native Inventor part and assembly models. Use intelligent drafting tools made for mechanical design. Custom content library and publishing. Create and save custom content. Preview fillet, chamfer, and offset commands. Take the power of AutoCAD® wherever you go. Smart mechanical engineering dimensions. Create dimensions using abbreviated dialog boxes. 2D DWG with a view of the standards tab on the open options panel. Support for international drafting standards. Deliver standards-based design documentation.Starting Price: $220 per month -
19
Inventor
Autodesk
Professional-grade 3D CAD software for product design and engineering. Inventor® CAD software provides professional-grade 3D mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation tools. Work efficiently with a powerful blend of parametric, direct, freeform, and rules-based design capabilities. Work with anyone, anywhere no matter what CAD software they use. Use cloud-based design reviews to collect feedback from key stakeholders wherever they are. Follow the entire product development lifecycle with one data model. Design efficiently using specialized tools for sheet metal, frame design, and tube and pipe. Enable design, documentation, and process automation powered by iLogic. Access Inventor API to create your own add-ins. Go further by investigating Forge Design Automation API for running your job processes in the cloud.Starting Price: $2,190 per year -
20
ODOP:Spring
SpringDesignSoftware
More than a Spring Calculator. ODOP:Spring is a spring design application of the problem-independent Open Design Optimization Platform (ODOP) software. It finds solutions for demanding spring application requirements in mechanical engineering and machine design. Most coil spring calculators require users to manually input values – such as wire diameter, coil diameter, free length and number of coils – and then repeatedly re-analyze until an acceptable solution is reached. ODOP’s ability to invert formula relationships removes that guesswork. Spring design equations are backsolved to meet constraints placed on the problem variables. Need to identify the lightest-possible material weight? Ensure a long spring life and low risk of failure? Our helical coil spring design software can find the constrained extreme of any variable, whether independent or dependent. -
21
Ansys Motor-CAD
Ansys
Ansys Motor-CAD is a dedicated electric machine design tool for fast multiphysics simulation across the full torque-speed operating range. Motor-CAD enables design engineers to evaluate motor topologies and concepts across the full operating range, to produce designs that are optimized for performance, efficiency and size. Motor-CAD software’s four integrated modules—EMag, Therm, Lab, Mech—enable multiphysics calculations to be performed quickly and iteratively, so users can get from concept to final design in less time. Fast calculations and streamlined data input processes leave time for Motor-CAD users to explore more motor topologies and fully assess the impact of advanced loss effects in the initial stages of an electromechanical design. The release includes powerful new features for design optimization, multi-physics analysis and system modelling for electric motors. Fast multiphysics simulation across a full torque-speed operating range. -
22
Ansys Rocky
Ansys
Ansys Rocky is a particle dynamics simulation software that uses the discrete element method (DEM) to model and analyze the behavior of granular materials and particle flows. The platform enables engineers to simulate realistic particle shapes, including non-spherical particles, fibers, shells, and complex material interactions. Ansys Rocky leverages multi-GPU processing technology to accelerate large-scale simulations while maintaining high levels of accuracy. The software includes advanced capabilities such as wear prediction, particle breakage modeling, cohesion analysis, CFD coupling, FEA coupling, and multibody dynamics simulation. Engineers can use the platform to study particle movement, material handling, mixing, separation, and equipment performance across a wide range of industries. -
23
Simcenter Inspire
Siemens
Simcenter Inspire is a Siemens simulation-driven design platform that helps users generate, optimize, validate, and manufacture innovative parts in one environment. It brings CAE capabilities into a CAD-like workspace so designers can explore concepts, test performance, and assess manufacturability earlier in the design process. The software combines geometry modeling, generative design, manufacturing simulation, and GPU-enhanced rendering to support faster product development. Simcenter Inspire includes advanced hybrid modeling tools that allow users to work with BRep, PolyNURBS, facets, and implicit geometry. It also provides embedded solvers for structural, motion, and fluid performance exploration while reducing or automating meshing. With optimization tools for lightweighting, material efficiency, and structural refinement, Simcenter Inspire helps teams move from early design ideas to manufacturable products with greater confidence. -
24
Moldflow
Autodesk
Moldflow® simulation software lets you troubleshoot problems with plastic injection and compression molding. Advanced tools and a simplified user interface help you address manufacturing challenges, such as part warpage, cooling channel efficiency, and cycle time reduction. Connect product design teams, minimizing delays and rework costs. Autodesk Drive and shared view enable content collaboration. In-product Fusion 360 push for quick geometry changes. Automation tools reduce setup and post-processing. Expand solver flexibility to improve capacity. Minimize solver hardware limitations by using Moldflow Insight. Mesh and solve Insight jobs with local, remote, and secured cloud server options. Run multiple simulations concurrently with remote server and cloud solving. Securely store, preview, and share design data. Quickly and securely share work with stakeholders. Upload a .csv file to add and assign a large number of users at once. -
25
Ansys Vista TF
Ansys
2D throughflow simulation is a critical step in the rotating machinery design process. Vista TF provides you with quick answers and can grant a better insight to your design or expose unexpected issues. Perform initial design iterations in 2D before moving to detailed 3D analysis to reduce development time and engineering resources. Achieve stronger insight to your rotating machinery design with Ansys Vista TF. This software provides detailed 2D flow simulation and enables you to refine product performance in early design stages. A high-performance turbocharger is a critical component for engine performance. The engineers at PCA were looking for a way to optimize turbocharger performance while simultaneously finding the most efficient approach to their problems. Ansys Vista TF quickly proved to be the best answer, as it offered fast, high-quality answers contained in a streamlined workspace. -
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Artura
Artura
Artura is a new, innovative, continuously evolving product that solves a problem that all system integrators, project managers, and system designers know very well. To engineer, design and propose technical systems (AV, IT, Security, Lightning, etc.), different people work with various tools that are often not designed to do what you want to do, resulting in time-consuming and repeating tasks, no central overview, and an inefficient documentation flow. As a result, there is no single source of truth where modifications in design and scope are united while the project is full of operational inefficiencies. Artura solves that. It is a collaborative design, engineering, and proposal-generating tool for AV, IT, and Security system integration companies in commercial, residential, and maritime space. Artura is an online, modern, and easy-to-use web application for system design, engineering, and creating proposals. For your team, your client, and other stakeholders. -
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VCLAVIS
VCLAVIS
VCLAVIS is innovative web-based software for pressure vessel and heat exchanger design, developed by a team of experienced engineers. Designed to revolutionize the industry, it provides a totally new web based platform that enhances accessibility, efficiency, and compliance in pressure vessel engineering.Starting Price: $250 -
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Creo
PTC
Imagine, design, create, and innovate your products better with Creo, 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software, and solutions for product design and development. Now, more than ever, product design and manufacturing teams are expected to create products more efficiently and cost effectively, without sacrificing innovation or quality. Fortunately, Creo delivers the most scalable range of 3D CAD product development packages and tools in today’s market. Creo 7.0 has breakthrough innovations in the areas of generative design, real-time simulation, multibody design, additive manufacturing, and others! Take your products from concept to digital prototype efficiently, precisely, and intuitively with Creo—on the cutting edge of CAD for more than 30 years. With Creo 7.0, PTC amply demonstrates its skill at adding compelling new features to an already robust tool-set using smart partnerships to extend its capabilities even further. -
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CADdy++
DataSolid
All the needs of professional designers. A professional 2D/3D-Mechanical Design solution for the highest requirements. All basics for the CAD-beginner or semi-professional user for an unbeatable price. All three performance levels are based on the identical data structure and so the user is certain that there will always be an unbroken link between 3D models and 2D drawings when they are worked on and processed. Even at the lowest performance level CADdy++ Mechanical Design basic the further processing of fully parametric 3D models and 2D drawings completed either with the economy or the professional version, is guaranteed without loss of data or information. Shaded 3D models can be displayed more quickly in CADdy++ Mechanical Design by using a high-performance graphics card with Open GL interface 1280 x 1024 pixels and 32768 colours, for example the PNY graphic boards. -
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Direct modeling allows you to quickly and easily create one-off designs or radically repurpose existing designs—even if you don’t know how they were made. In fact, most companies add 3D modeling to their product design process to help them shorten time to market, meet customer demands for new products, and satisfy increasingly complex customer requirements. With direct modeling, even those who are infrequent CAD users can make changes to geometry quickly and easily, while CAD experts appreciate the direct modeling flexibility to design large assemblies in record time. Creo Elements/Direct Modeling is the most comprehensive direct modeling system on the market, with a full range of extensions to meet your specialized needs. So, bring on your most radical design change or that one-off product: the software is intuitive, robust, and up to the task even with massive assemblies. Moreover, you or anyone on your team can pick up and work on a direct 3D product with minimal ramp-up time.
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