Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Inventor VS LibreCAD

Compare Inventor VS LibreCAD and see what are their differences

Inventor logo Inventor

Inventor is a 3D CAD software that lets you quickly create 3D models with embedded intelligence, intuitive workflows, and optimized performance.

LibreCAD logo LibreCAD

An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.
  • Inventor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-22
  • LibreCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18

Inventor features and specs

  • Comprehensive 3D Modeling
    Autodesk Inventor offers powerful, extensive 3D modeling capabilities, including parametric, direct, and freeform modeling, which allow for intricate and detailed designs.
  • Advanced Simulation Features
    The software features robust simulation and analysis tools, allowing users to perform stress tests, dynamic simulations, and optimize designs for performance and durability.
  • Integrated Collaboration
    Inventor facilitates seamless team collaboration with tools that support data sharing, version control, and integration with other Autodesk products, enhancing workflows and reducing errors.
  • High Customizability
    Users can highly customize their interface and workflow in Inventor to suit specific project needs, improving user efficiency and project management.
  • Extensive Documentation and Support
    Autodesk provides comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and customer support for Inventor, helping users to quickly learn the software and troubleshoot issues.

Possible disadvantages of Inventor

  • High Cost
    Autodesk Inventor is a premium software with a high subscription cost, which may not be feasible for small businesses or independent designers working on a tight budget.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    The software's extensive features and capabilities can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring significant time and training to master.
  • Resource Intensive
    Inventor demands high computing resources, which can slow down performance on less powerful hardware and increase the cost of maintaining suitable workstations.
  • Complex Licensing
    Autodesk's licensing and subscription models can be complex and difficult to navigate, which can be frustrating for users trying to ensure compliance or manage expenditures.
  • Update Issues
    New versions and updates can sometimes introduce bugs or compatibility issues, which can disrupt workflows and potentially cause project delays.

LibreCAD features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    LibreCAD is completely free to use, and its open-source nature allows users to modify and improve the software according to their needs.
  • Cross-Platform
    The software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring that users on different operating systems can utilize it without compatibility issues.
  • Lightweight
    LibreCAD is not resource-heavy, making it suitable for older computers and systems with limited hardware capabilities.
  • 2D CAD Focus
    Specialized for 2D design, making it easier for users who specifically need 2D drafting tools as it avoids the complexities associated with 3D modeling.
  • Customizable Interface
    Users can tailor the interface to better suit their workflow, enhancing productivity and ease of use.
  • Active Community Support
    An active community provides support, documentation, and forums for troubleshooting and advice, making it easier for users to solve problems and learn new features.

Possible disadvantages of LibreCAD

  • Limited 3D Capabilities
    LibreCAD is primarily a 2D CAD software and does not support 3D modeling, which can be a limitation for users needing advanced spatial design tools.
  • Steeper Learning Curve for Beginners
    While powerful, the software can be challenging for new users unfamiliar with CAD software, requiring a significant amount of time to learn.
  • Fewer Advanced Features
    Compared to some professional CAD packages, LibreCAD lacks some of the more advanced features and tools, which can limit its use in complex projects.
  • Limited File Format Compatibility
    LibreCAD primarily supports DXF format, and while it can read/write other formats, the compatibility is not as comprehensive as some other CAD software.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Some users have reported crashes and bugs, which can be problematic for those working on time-sensitive projects.
  • Sparse Documentation
    While there is community support, the official documentation can be lacking in detail, making it difficult for users to find thorough guidance on complex tasks.

Analysis of Inventor

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Autodesk Inventor is considered a good software for 3D mechanical design and engineering. It delivers powerful modeling capabilities, excellent performance with large projects, and supports efficient collaboration across various teams.

Why this product is good

  • Autodesk Inventor is a professional-grade 3D CAD software that is widely used by engineers and designers for creating accurate 3D models and complex assemblies. It offers advanced simulation tools, a robust set of parametric modeling features, and seamless integration with other Autodesk products, making it suitable for intricate design tasks.

Recommended for

  • Mechanical engineers looking for precise and comprehensive design tools
  • Product designers needing to test and simulate their models
  • Companies that require integration with other Autodesk software such as AutoCAD
  • Users who need to work with large and complex assemblies

Inventor videos

Fusion 360 vs inventor which is Better

More videos:

  • Review - Autodesk Inventor Overview - What is Autodesk Inventor?
  • Review - Autodesk Inventor Overview

LibreCAD videos

FreeCAD vs. LibreCAD

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Inventor and LibreCAD)
3D
36 36%
64% 64
Technical Computing
100 100%
0% 0
Architecture
0 0%
100% 100
Numerical Computation
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

Inventor Reviews

Alternatives to SketchUp: Check out 10 free programs
Seen as a rich-featured system, Inventor has both 2D and 3D mechanical design software and provides a large amount of post-modeling tools for rendering, simulation, visualization, and documentation of projects. The program works with direct, parametric, and free-form modeling, meeting the needs of professionals in the area. Even though it doesn’t have SketchUp’s simplicity,...
Source: solidface.com
Looking for a SketchUp alternative? Check out the 10 best options
Rhino is a CAD program that sits in the middle of artistry and engineering. Unlike Fusion 360 or Inventor which are best suited for parametrically described models, Rhino allows more flexibility in the shapes you can create with curves and organic patterns. Many users prefer to model with its Grasshopper tool, which defines each model with commands and programs to create...
Source: all3dp.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 seems to be more popular. 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.

Inventor mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Inventor yet. Tracking of Inventor recommendations started around Jan 2022.

LibreCAD mentions (19)

  • Looking for a poor man's AutoCad
    LibreCAD, OpenSCAD (more script based and more for solids), FreeCAD. Source: almost 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years 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: over 2 years ago
  • Architectural Software
    For 2d stuff I tend to use Libra cad Https://librecad.org/. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

Autodesk Fusion 360 - Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE featuring collaborative editing and cloud-based computation.

FreeCAD - An open-source parametric 3D modeler

Solid Edge - Solid Edge is an industry-leading mechanical design system with exceptional tools for creating and...

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming

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