Software Alternatives & Reviews

FreeCAD VS LibreCAD

Compare FreeCAD VS LibreCAD and see what are their differences

FreeCAD logo FreeCAD

An open-source parametric 3D modeler

LibreCAD logo LibreCAD

An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.
  • FreeCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23
  • LibreCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18

FreeCAD

Categories
  • 3D
  • 3D Modeling
  • CAD
  • Architecture
Website freecad.org
Details $

LibreCAD

Categories
  • 3D
  • Architecture
  • 3D Modeling
  • CAD
Website librecad.org
Details $

FreeCAD videos

Is FreeCAD any good?

More videos:

  • Review - FreeCAD vs Fusion360 - What is the Best FREE CAD Program?
  • Review - FREECAD review | the best free cad software to download for free ! | mechanical modeling program

LibreCAD videos

FreeCAD vs. LibreCAD

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FreeCAD and LibreCAD)
3D
62 62%
38% 38
Architecture
61 61%
39% 39
CAD
56 56%
44% 44
3D Modeling
68 68%
32% 32

User comments

Share your experience with using FreeCAD and LibreCAD. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare FreeCAD and LibreCAD

FreeCAD Reviews

15 Best Sketchup Alternatives 2022
From the description “FreeCAD” you can decipher that this software is free to use. Hence, you can use it on Windows, Mac, and Linux amongst other operating systems.
9 Free CAD Software to Download
Although it is open source and free, FreeCAD is on par with other popular CAD programs due to its capability in creating real 3D solids, support for meshes, 2D drafting, right hand coordinate system plus many more features.
10 Free AutoCAD Alternatives
Its tools and concepts are quite similar to those of AutoCAD. So those who are already familiar with CAD will feel very comfortable using it. The FreeCAD source code can be downloaded, used and transformed as the user wants, because it is free. One of its most striking features is that by having a free source code, FreeCAD users have constantly changing software available...
Source: solidface.com

LibreCAD Reviews

15 Best Sketchup Alternatives 2022
Also, it is a CAD program so the created files can work on other CAD software programs, even if 3D based. Sketchup supports up to 11 languages, but LibreCAD beats that with support for more than 30 languages.
Alternatives to SketchUp: Check out 10 free programs
Just like Blender, you can help develop and enhance the platform by editing the code base and adding even more features to the software. So, if you’re looking for a more simple, perfect for beginners program, LibreCAD can be the best out of the alternatives to SketchUp for you. Being a fully free system, you can only gain.
Source: solidface.com
9 Free CAD Software to Download
Here’s another high quality 2D-CAD modeling platform, LibreCAD, an easy-to-use software with a lot of high quality features included in it. LibreCAD has features such as snap to grid for drawing, usage of layers, measurements inside your drawing and plenty others to make your life easier when you’re drawing on a 2D-CAD platform.
Looking for a SketchUp alternative? Check out the 10 best options
LibreCAD is a 2D CAD software that serves as a great way to learn and practice 2D modeling. It’s completely free and open-sourced, with a healthy user base around it to boot.
Source: all3dp.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, LibreCAD should be more popular than FreeCAD. It has been mentiond 19 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FreeCAD mentions (2)

  • SOLIDWORKS for Linux
    Important note[0] from author: > With the help of my script, You get a way to install Solidworks on your Linux system. > Certain packages and programs that are required will be set up for You, but it's important to know, that my script only helps You to get the program to run and nothing more! Personally I may recommend try & use SolveSpace[1,2] and FreeCAD[3] — free & open-source 2D/3D... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • STL to Gcode for CNC Router?
    Also FreeCAD has a gcode workbench for full 3D. I've used it a little and would describe it as "usable once you work out the quirks". Https://freecadweb.org/. Source: about 3 years ago

LibreCAD mentions (19)

  • Looking for a poor man's AutoCad
    LibreCAD, OpenSCAD (more script based and more for solids), FreeCAD. Source: 10 months ago
  • If I don't use Windows or Mac and only use Linux, will I run into a lot of compatibility issues?
    CAD options on Linux are more limited than windows or mac but they do exist. The industry standard for 2d CAD files is the .dxf file format. I use LibreCAD. https://librecad.org/ The UI is a little clunky and eccentric in places but it is feature complete for 2d CAD drawings. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Windows / MacOS - Home/garden design
    You could also try out free AutoCAD alternatives like libreCAD (2D), or brlCAD (2D&3D, I believe). Source: about 1 year ago
  • Everything you need to know about CAD humble bundle
    It seems like a low risk purchase for $1, however, there are free options available too such as https://librecad.org/ . Or see https://www.reddit.com/r/humblebundles/comments/117ki1c/comment/j9v0v37/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 for an older Autocad clone. Beckercad 2D seems like a niche product so I would probably invest my time learning something that is more mainstream. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Architectural Software
    For 2d stuff I tend to use Libra cad Https://librecad.org/. Source: over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing FreeCAD and LibreCAD, you can also consider the following products

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.

Autodesk AutoCAD - Autodesk AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application.

SolidWorks - Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. develops and markets 3D CAD design software, analysis software, and product data management software. SolidWorks is the leading supplier of 3D CAD product design engineering software.

DraftSight - Discover Dassault Systèmes®' DRAFTSIGHT™ Professional CAD software that lets you create, edit, view and markup any kind of 2D drawing. Learn more here.

QCAD - QCAD is an application for computer aided drafting in 2D.