Software Alternatives & Reviews

OpenSCAD VS FreeCAD

Compare OpenSCAD VS FreeCAD and see what are their differences

OpenSCAD logo OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects.

FreeCAD logo FreeCAD

An open-source parametric 3D modeler
  • OpenSCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-19

We recommend LibHunt OpenSCAD for discovery and comparisons of trending OpenSCAD projects.

  • FreeCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

OpenSCAD

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

FreeCAD

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

OpenSCAD videos

Tutorial: Using OpenSCAD To Make Your Wife Happy

More videos:

  • Tutorial - OpenSCAD Tutorial - Beginners Quickstart

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 OpenSCAD and FreeCAD)
3D
26 26%
74% 74
Architecture
25 25%
75% 75
3D Modeling
26 26%
74% 74
CAD
25 25%
75% 75

User comments

Share your experience with using OpenSCAD and FreeCAD. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

OpenSCAD Reviews

11 KiCad Alternatives
OpenSCAD is a worldwide 3D CAD modeler that allows skilled programmers and designers to create solid 3D CAD objects in the shortest time feasible. The software works with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems. This CAD application's distinguishing feature is that it is based on programming that includes 3D modelling, ready-to-use items and designs, and the ability...
9 Free CAD Software to Download
For those who want to work on the specifics, especially engineers, OpenSCAD is your ideal 3D modeling platform. It does not have interactive modeling for you to design your model, but instead relies more on what you defined in the parameters through the script files.

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, OpenSCAD seems to be a lot more popular than FreeCAD. While we know about 95 links to OpenSCAD, we've tracked only 2 mentions of FreeCAD. 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.

OpenSCAD mentions (95)

  • Ask HN: What Underrated Open Source Project Deserves More Recognition?
    There's OpenSCAD, but I don't think it's exactly what you mean https://openscad.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 20 days ago
  • Help for the mentally challenged! I am trying to find easy software to create this drawing and export it as a 3d printer file. And going slightly mad as 3d software is different... Any advice welcome please.
    For something this simple you can use OpenSCAD (https://openscad.org). It's free and pretty easy to learn. Below are the two commands required to produce the solid object indicated by the picture. The application can export anything you create as an STL. Source: 4 months ago
  • code to design
    Are you asking about something like https://openscad.org which allows you to code your model? An example of its use can be seen in the OpenFlexure project. Source: 4 months ago
  • Free 3D Modeling Software not web-based?
    I use OpenSCAD. https://openscad.org - it's what the Thingiverse Customizer is based on (and if you upload .scad files to Thingiverse, the Customizer works for your design too). Source: 9 months ago
  • Generative AI for 3D Modeling and Printing
    One tool many people use for parametric modeling is OpenSCAD which is very utilitarian and has methods for constructing 3d and 2d geometry (and 3d from 2d such as extrusion). - Source: dev.to / 9 months 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 OpenSCAD and FreeCAD, you can also consider the following products

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

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

BRL-CAD - BRL-CAD: Open Source Solid Modeling

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

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.

nanoCAD - nanoCAD is a pro-grade 2D CAD system with native DWG support and full customizability.