Software Alternatives & Startups

LibreCAD VS SOLIDSO

Compare LibreCAD VS SOLIDSO and see what are their differences

LibreCAD

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

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
SOLIDSO

Affordable, professional 3D CAD for Linux: a SolidWorks-style workflow as a native Linux program, no Wine, no virtual machine. Free edition, one licence code unlocks everything.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium Free trial €35 / Annually (1 User)

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, LibreCAD seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 19 times since March 2021.

social mentions
19 vs 0
3D popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
221 vs 3

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

LibreCAD
SOLIDSO
Website librecad.org solidso.com
Pricing
Open source
Freemium Free trial €35 / Annually (1 User) Official pricing
Company — Startup from Hong Kong · 2026
Listed in

About LibreCAD and SOLIDSO

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

LibreCAD
SOLIDSO

No description of LibreCAD yet.

Engineers who want to work on Linux have only a few native 3D CAD systems to choose from. SOLIDSO closes that gap: the parametric system runs natively on Linux, for example on Linux Mint, and concentrates on what is actually needed in everyday design work. SOLIDSO covers the usual workflow:...

Read more about SOLIDSO

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

LibreCAD 6 features
SOLIDSO 0 features
  • 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

  • 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.

No features have been listed yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

LibreCAD 3 videos + Add
SOLIDSO 1 video + Add

FreeCAD vs. LibreCAD

More videos

  • - LibreCad CAD
  • - LibreCAD Tutorial: Drawing a Bolt

Why SOLIDSO?

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
LibreCAD
SOLIDSO
100% 100%
3D
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
96% 96%
CAD
4% 4%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing LibreCAD and SOLIDSO.

What makes your product unique?

SOLIDSO's answer:

SOLIDSO is a parametric 3D CAD built exclusively for Linux. It is simple, affordable and developed together with its users, with sketches, 3D parts, sheet metal, assemblies and drawings in one tool. A free edition is available.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

SOLIDSO's answer:

Choose SOLIDSO if you work on Linux and want CAD that gets out of your way. Most designers use only a small part of what large CAD suites offer, yet they pay for all of it, often with costly maintenance contracts. SOLIDSO concentrates on the everyday workflow: parametric sketches with dimensions and relations, 3D parts, sheet metal, assemblies and drawings with an editable title block.

Native on Linux: built only for Linux, so you can work without Windows or a cloud account. Affordable: low launch prices, fixed until the end of each licence term, even if prices rise later. Easy to try: a free edition is available. Shaped by users: a small team from Germany and Austria develops it with user feedback, so your needs can influence the next versions.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

SOLIDSO's answer:

SOLIDSO’s primary audience is people who design physical parts and work on Linux, or want to switch to it: mechanical designers and small engineering offices, small manufacturers and workshops, makers and 3D-printing enthusiasts, and students and educators. They need a reliable tool for everyday work (parts, sheet metal, assemblies and drawings), not a large suite with advanced simulation or product-lifecycle features. Many of them care about low cost, independence from US cloud services and security, which Linux offers. SOLIDSO is built for them: simple to learn, affordable, and shaped by user feedback.

What's the story behind your product?

SOLIDSO's answer:

SOLIDSO grew out of a practical problem: engineers who work on Linux have only a few native 3D CAD systems to choose from, and the large Windows systems come with high licence costs and maintenance contracts.

So a small team from Germany and Austria set out to build a CAD system for Linux only: simple, affordable and focused on what most designers need every day. The company behind it is SolidTechnics Ltd., based in Hong Kong.

SOLIDSO is developed together with its users. Prices are intentionally low at launch to attract active users and to fund further development. Prices will probably be adjusted in the future, but every order placed at today’s price stays fixed until the end of its term.

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

LibreCAD no reviews yet
SOLIDSO no reviews yet
  • 15 Best Sketchup Alternatives 2022
    rigorousthemes.com · Jan 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
    solidface.com · Jul 2021

    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...

  • 9 Free CAD Software to Download
    www.hongkiat.com · Jul 2020

    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,...

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We have no reviews of SOLIDSO yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

LibreCAD 19 mentions
SOLIDSO 0 mentions
  • Looking for a poor man's AutoCad
    LibreCAD, OpenSCAD (more script based and more for solids), FreeCAD. Source: over 3 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... Source: over 3 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: over 3 years ago

View more

Tracking SOLIDSO since Oct 2026.

Alternatives to LibreCAD and SOLIDSO

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