Software Alternatives & Reviews

GrabCAD Workbench VS FreeCAD

Compare GrabCAD Workbench VS FreeCAD and see what are their differences

GrabCAD Workbench logo GrabCAD Workbench

GrabCAD Workbench is a world’s most popular online community specially designed for mechanical engineers to share talent, expand knowledge and collaborate with the others.

FreeCAD logo FreeCAD

An open-source parametric 3D modeler
  • GrabCAD Workbench Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-06
  • FreeCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

GrabCAD Workbench videos

Grabcad Workbench Beta Review

More videos:

  • Review - GrabCAD Workbench
  • Tutorial - How to set up & use GrabCAD Workbench w/SolidWorks on the UW COE VDI

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 GrabCAD Workbench and FreeCAD)
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
3D
0 0%
100% 100
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Architecture
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

GrabCAD Workbench Reviews

We have no reviews of GrabCAD Workbench 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, GrabCAD Workbench should be more popular than FreeCAD. It has been mentiond 6 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.

GrabCAD Workbench mentions (6)

  • Importing Files made in Solidworks to Blender?
    This -might- work for you: create a (free) GrabCAD workbench account (not the community item though they seem to be linked): GrabCAD - Workbench and then upload your file into a project of some kind. It will take a little while, but the file should import properly (and show/be available as 3D), as an assembly. You should (I have not tried this with an assembly) then be possible to go to the file and "Download As"... Source: about 2 years ago
  • Idea for a PDM (sort of)
    Grabcad Workbench does this to some extent. It's not what I'd consider an elegant solution - all it does is save historical copies of your files - but it does work. My robotics team has used it for a while now, and it's free to sign up for. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Using SVN for revision control and PDM?
    I have been using grabCAD Workbantch (to share CAD files with my coworker). It has revision control and is free, but it comes with some quirks. GrabCAD Workbantch. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Airbrush STL?
    You can save files from GrabCAD as STLs. I assume you're aware that most of the parts can't be printed; O-ring seals, springs, the needle, screws, nozzle, etc. If you still want to download it, download GrabCAD Workbench and install it; download the Solidworks files (SLDASM and SLDPRT) to your PC, open them in GrabCAD Workbench, and save them from the 3D Viewer file menu. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Architectural Modeling, Any Tips?
    Grabcad is a great source of models and you can convert most models using a free Workbench account. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

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

What are some alternatives?

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

Cubit - Measure in augmented reality.

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

e-Builder - e-Builder is a construction program management solution that manages capital program cost, schedule, and documents.

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

RedTeam - RedTeam is a construction project management software specially designed for midsize commercial construction companies.

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