Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Goxel VS FreeCAD

Compare Goxel VS FreeCAD and see what are their differences

Goxel logo Goxel

Goxel is a simple, but powerful voxel graphic editor with 24-bit color support, unlimited scene...

FreeCAD logo FreeCAD

An open-source parametric 3D modeler
  • Goxel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-05
  • FreeCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

Goxel features and specs

  • Open Source
    Goxel is freely available for download, use, and customization under an open-source license. This makes it accessible to hobbyists, students, and professionals without cost barriers.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Goxel supports multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, ensuring that users can work on their voxel models regardless of their preferred platform.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software features an intuitive user interface that lowers the learning curve for new users, making it easier for them to get started with voxel art and design.
  • Frequent Updates
    The active development and frequent updates mean that users often benefit from new features, bug fixes, and improvements.
  • Community Support
    Being open-source, Goxel has an active community of users and developers who contribute to its growth and are available for support and collaboration.

Possible disadvantages of Goxel

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to some specialized or commercial voxel editors, Goxel may lack some advanced features, tools, or integrations that power users might need.
  • Performance
    On lower-end hardware, performance can lag when dealing with complex or large models, as voxel editing can be resource-intensive.
  • Learning Resources
    Compared to more popular software, Goxel has fewer tutorials and learning resources available, which can make it a bit challenging for newcomers to master advanced aspects of the tool.
  • Export Options
    While Goxel supports several file formats, its export capabilities might be limited compared to other professional voxel editing tools, possibly requiring additional steps for full compatibility with other software.
  • Mobile Device Constraints
    Although Goxel is available on mobile devices, the smaller screen size and touchscreen interface can limit the precision and ease of use compared to desktop versions.

FreeCAD features and specs

  • Open Source
    FreeCAD is free to use and its source code is open to the public, allowing for customization and extension by the community.
  • Cross-Platform
    FreeCAD is available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Parametric Modeling
    Users can create models with parameters that can be adjusted on-the-fly, offering a high degree of flexibility and ease of use.
  • Modular Architecture
    FreeCAD's modular design allows users to add or remove functionality through modules and extensions, catering to specific needs.
  • Community Support
    An active community of users and developers offers a wealth of tutorials, documentation, and forums for support.
  • Multi-Domain
    FreeCAD supports a wide range of engineering domains, including architecture, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

Possible disadvantages of FreeCAD

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The software can be challenging for new users due to its complex interface and extensive features.
  • Performance Issues
    FreeCAD can be slower in terms of performance, especially when handling large or complex models.
  • Limited Documentation
    While community support is strong, official documentation can sometimes be lacking or incomplete.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users may encounter bugs and stability issues, especially when using less stable versions or experimental features.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    Although FreeCAD covers many basics, it may not offer all the advanced features available in commercial CAD software.
  • Not Industry Standard
    FreeCAD might not be accepted as an industry standard in many professional environments, which could limit its use for certain projects.

Analysis of Goxel

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Goxel is considered a good tool for voxel art creation. Its cross-platform availability, ease of use, and robust features make it a valuable tool for both beginners and experienced users.

Why this product is good

  • Goxel is a versatile open-source voxel editor that provides an intuitive interface for creating 3D models. It supports multiple platforms, which means you can use it on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Its features include an easy-to-use painting tool, multiple export options, and support for various voxel file formats, making it a favorite among artists and game developers who work with voxel art.

Recommended for

    Artists and developers interested in voxel art creation, game developers working on stylized and retro 3D games, and anyone looking for an open-source voxel model editor with a low learning curve.

Analysis of FreeCAD

Overall verdict

  • FreeCAD is considered a good choice for users who want a versatile and cost-effective tool for 3D modeling and design, particularly where open-source flexibility and community support are valued. However, it may not be on par with professional, high-end CAD software in terms of specific advanced features and intuitive interface, which could lead to a steeper learning curve for some users.

Why this product is good

  • FreeCAD is a popular open-source parametric 3D modeler that is highly valued for its flexibility and wide range of applications in engineering and product design. Being open-source, it benefits from a community-driven development approach that continually adds new features and improvements. It supports a wide range of file formats and is compatible with many operating systems, enhancing its accessibility. It's particularly appreciated among hobbyists, makers, and those working in engineering fields who need a cost-effective CAD solution.

Recommended for

  • Hobbyists
  • Small business owners
  • Engineering students
  • Freelancers in design and engineering fields
  • Anyone looking for a cost-effective, open-source CAD solution

Goxel videos

GOXEL workflow

More videos:

  • Review - Goxel - VoxelArt - SpeedArt
  • Review - Goxel editor tour 01: Mouse basics

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Goxel and FreeCAD)
3D
16 16%
84% 84
Game Development
100 100%
0% 0
Architecture
0 0%
100% 100
Digital Drawing And Painting

User comments

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Reviews

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

Goxel Reviews

We have no reviews of Goxel yet.
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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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FreeCAD should be more popular than Goxel. It has been mentiond 2 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.

Goxel mentions (1)

  • Magicavoxel ...
    Goxel exist, tho the UI isn't that nice and resource usage is high asf. Source: about 2 years ago

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 3 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 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

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

MagicaVoxel - A free lightweight GPU-based voxel art editor and interactive path tracing renderer.

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

VoxelShop - VoxelShop is an extremely intuitive and powerful software for OSX, Windows and Linux to modify and...

LibreCAD - An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.

Cubik Studio - Model in a unique cubic style. Start modelization with boxes. Move, rotate and scale cuboids.

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