Best AutoCAD Alternatives: Free and Paid CAD Software

AutoCAD is still the standard for 2D drafting and 3D design, but it is sold only as a subscription. Autodesk offers a 15-day free trial, and eligible students and educators can get it free through Autodesk's education program. Old versions like AutoCAD 2011 or 2014 are not legally available as free downloads, and "free setup" sites often bundle malware.

If you need CAD without the AutoCAD subscription, these are the alternatives worth trying.

Free AutoCAD alternatives

FreeCAD

FreeCAD is a free, open-source parametric 3D modeler for Windows, Mac and Linux, with no licensing fees. It reads and writes many open formats, including STEP, IGES, STL, SVG and DXF, so it fits mechanical design, product design and architecture work. It is the strongest free option if you need 3D.

Download FreeCAD

LibreCAD

LibreCAD is a mature, free and open-source 2D CAD program for Windows, Mac and Linux, released under the GPLv2 license. There are no trials or subscriptions. It is a good fit for floor plans, schematics and other 2D drafting.

Download LibreCAD

QCAD

QCAD is a 2D CAD system for Windows, Mac and Linux that reads and writes both DXF and DWG files, which makes it useful when you exchange drawings with AutoCAD users. Its core is open source.

Download QCAD

Paid AutoCAD alternatives

DraftSight

DraftSight, from Dassault Systèmes, is a 2D CAD desktop application built around DWG files. It used to have a free edition, but it is now paid only, with Professional, Premium and Enterprise plans and named-user, network or perpetual licenses. There is a 30-day full-featured trial of DraftSight Premium.

Try DraftSight

SketchUp

SketchUp, now owned by Trimble, is popular for architectural and interior 3D modeling. It is sold as paid plans, from the web and iPad based Go plan up to Pro and Studio. The only free version is SketchUp for Schools, for K-12 classrooms.

See SketchUp plans

Which one should you pick?

• 2D drafting on a budget: LibreCAD, or QCAD if you need DWG files.
• 3D and mechanical design for free: FreeCAD.
• A paid tool that works like AutoCAD with DWG: DraftSight.
• Architectural 3D models: SketchUp.
• You need AutoCAD itself: start with the official 15-day trial, or the free education license if you qualify.