Freedom251 › Engineering CAD Software
QCAD Professional
What QCAD Professional is
QCAD Professional is 2D CAD software for drafting technical drawings, including building plans, mechanical parts, and diagrams. Its tools cover layers, blocks, construction and modification, object snaps, and measurement, with options for scaled and multipage printing. It reads and writes DWG and DXF files through version R32, and supports PDF, SVG, bitmap, DWF, and DGN formats as well. The QCAD Library Browser provides access to more than 5,000 CAD parts as free add-ons. For customization, an ECMAScript (JavaScript) interface can create and modify drawing entities and build interactive CAD tools. Professional also includes command-line utilities for batch conversion to PDF, SVG, bitmap, and other formats. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The maker offers trial packages of Professional and a free, open-source Community Edition. The listed download plan costs $48, paid once for a single-user perpetual license, with one year of updates included. One user may install the license on multiple computers and operating systems. QCAD Professional is made by QCAD Professional, based in Sarnen, Switzerland; technical questions are directed to its user forum.
Who it suits
QCAD Professional suits people creating 2D plans and technical drawings, including building plans, mechanical parts, and diagrams. Its maker says prior CAD experience is not needed to get started, and the JavaScript interface and batch conversion tools also suit users who want to automate drawing tasks.
What it does well
- Reads and writes DWG and DXF through version R32.
- Includes scaled and multipage printing tools.
- Offers over 5,000 CAD parts as free add-ons.
- JavaScript interface supports custom interactive CAD tools.
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Single-user license permits installation on multiple computers and operating systems.
What to know first
- The listed download costs $48, paid once.
- New-version updates are included for one year after purchase.
- Technical questions are directed to the user forum.
Limits
The listed QCAD Professional download includes new-version updates for one year after purchase. Updates may be extended yearly at a 30% discount.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| QCAD Professional | 1 user | On request |
| QCAD Professional (Download) | Single user perpetual license; includes one year of updates. · One user · Windows, macOS, Linux · updates may be extended yearly at a 30% discount | $48, paid once |
As qcad.org lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the QCAD website.
- Choose a QCAD Professional trial package or the listed download plan.
- Install it on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
- Use the single-user license on your computer; it can be installed on multiple computers and operating systems.
- For a no-cost option, choose the free, open-source Community Edition.
Verdict
Choose QCAD Professional for cross-platform 2D drafting with DWG and DXF support, a large parts library, and command-line conversion tools. Its one-time listed download price is 48.00 USD, and the included new-version updates last one year; buyers seeking a free option can consider the Community Edition.
Questions
How much does QCAD Professional cost?
The QCAD Professional download is $48, paid once for a single-user perpetual license. Another listed Professional plan has no price shown.
Is there a free version or trial?
Yes. The maker offers trial packages of QCAD Professional and a free, open-source Community Edition.
Which operating systems does it support?
QCAD Professional runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What file formats does it support?
It reads and writes DWG and DXF through version R32. The feature list also includes PDF, SVG, bitmap, DWF, and DGN support.
What does the license allow?
The perpetual single-user license is not time limited and allows installation on multiple computers and operating systems, provided there is only one user. One year of new-version updates is included.
Facts from QCAD Professional's own pages
- Automation
- QCAD provides an ECMAScript (JavaScript) interface for creating and modifying entities and building interactive CAD tools. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Command line
- Professional includes command-line tools for batch conversion of drawings to PDF, SVG, bitmaps, and other formats. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Drawing tools
- Features include layers, blocks, construction and modification tools, object snaps, measuring tools, and scaled and multipage printing. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- File formats
- QCAD Professional supports reading and writing DWG and DXF, with support for versions through R32 (2018–2026). · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · qcad.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Sarnen, Switzerland · qcad.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Import and export
- The feature list includes PDF, SVG, bitmap, DWF, and DGN support alongside DWG and DXF. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- License terms
- A single-user license permits installation on multiple computers and operating systems provided there is only one user. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Parts library
- The QCAD Library Browser lists over 5,000 CAD parts available as free add-ons. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The product page lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported platforms. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- QCAD is 2D CAD software for creating technical drawings such as building plans, mechanical parts, and diagrams. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- RibbonSoft says it has technical and organizational measures to protect personal data processed through its website, while noting that internet transmissions cannot be guaranteed absolutely secure. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Technical support
- The maker directs technical questions to its user forum. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Trial and free edition
- The maker offers trial packages of QCAD Professional and a free, open-source Community Edition. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Update period
- The perpetual license is not time limited, and new-version updates are included for one year after purchase. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- The maker describes QCAD as a 2D drafting system for plans and technical drawings, and says users do not need prior CAD experience to get started. · qcad.org, 9 Oct 2026
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