Software Alternatives & Reviews

QCAD VS FreeCAD

Compare QCAD VS FreeCAD and see what are their differences

QCAD logo QCAD

QCAD is an application for computer aided drafting in 2D.

FreeCAD logo FreeCAD

An open-source parametric 3D modeler
  • QCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-23
  • FreeCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

QCAD

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

FreeCAD

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

QCAD videos

Noobs guide to QCAD

More videos:

  • Review - Getting Started with QCAD

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 QCAD and FreeCAD)
3D
16 16%
84% 84
Architecture
17 17%
83% 83
CAD
19 19%
81% 81
3D Modeling
13 13%
87% 87

User comments

Share your experience with using QCAD and FreeCAD. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

QCAD Reviews

9 Free CAD Software to Download
Since it is open source, QCAD’s focus is more towards modularity, extensibility and portability. Its 2D CAD platform is powerful but yet easy to use even for a beginner who has little to no experience in CAD applications.

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, QCAD should be more popular than FreeCAD. It has been mentiond 4 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.

QCAD mentions (4)

  • Pattern Making Software Recommendations?
    The best software for your situation is to work with a basic 2D CAD program. You would still need to learn the software but they are pretty basic. I'm not an expert in what is free but googling I found this open source one https://qcad.org/en/. Source: about 1 year ago
  • What's the most accomplished CAD software for Linux?
    QCAD has a free community version and professional and CAM versions for reasonable prices. Check out the features list to see which version you will need, although make sure the community version works on your system before committing to a paid version. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Free alternatives to AutoCAD?
    I'm no longer a user of CAD programs so this might be a bit outdated. But for 2D take a look at QCAD. For 3D modeling and lots of other functionality you have FreeCAD. Source: over 2 years ago
  • New to laser, How to designe?
    If you are looking for something free that can handle dimensions I would recommend QCAD. https://qcad.org/en/ It only supports 2D drawings, but I find it works well for laser cutting / engraving work. The free windows versions is also a bit trashy/unusable in free mode. But the Linux version works great if you want to try booting Linux off a USB stick. Source: about 3 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 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 QCAD 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

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

DraftSight - Discover Dassault Systèmes®' DRAFTSIGHT™ Professional CAD software that lets you create, edit, view and markup any kind of 2D drawing. Learn more here.

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

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