SolveSpace

Free plan LinuxMacWebWindows

What SolveSpace is

SolveSpace is a free GPLv3 parametric CAD tool for making 2D drawings and 3D parts. Its 3D modeling operations include extrudes, revolves, helixes, and Boolean operations. Sketches can contain lines, circles, arcs, Bezier segments, interpolating splines, and TrueType text. Geometric constraints and dimensions can be applied in 2D projections and 3D, with metric or inch units and arithmetic expressions.

Parts can be linked into parametric associative assemblies, where edits to a part propagate through the assembly. For 2D work, the software exports parts as DXF, PDF, and SVG, and 3D assemblies can be used to verify fit. For 3D printing it exports STL or other triangle meshes; CAM workflows can use vector art or STEP/STL exports. Additional formats include EPS, HPGL, G code, and Wavefront OBJ. Its constraint solver can simulate planar or spatial linkages with pin, ball, or slide joints. Stable desktop builds are listed for Windows, Linux, and Mac, and an experimental browser version is available. The web version has no network dependencies after loading, and users can build and host a copy as static web content.

Who it suits

SolveSpace suits people designing constrained 2D sketches, 3D parts, assemblies, or mechanisms. It also fits workflows that need CAD exports for drawings, 3D printing, or third-party CAM software.

What it does well

Free software licensed under GPLv3.
Creates 3D parts using several modeling operations.
Associative assemblies propagate part changes.
Exports formats for drawings, 3D printing, and CAM.
Constraint solver can simulate planar and spatial linkages.

What to know first

The browser version is experimental, with speed penalties and remaining bugs.
The stable desktop build is listed for Windows, Linux, and Mac.
GPLv3 generally prevents linking the constraint-solver library with proprietary software.

Limits

The browser version has a speed penalty, remaining bugs, and issues not found in desktop targets. The constraint-solver library is available with source, but GPLv3 generally forbids linking it with proprietary software.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
SolveSpace	Free software · GPLv3	Free

As solvespace.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the SolveSpace website.
Choose a desktop build for Windows, Linux, or Mac, or open the experimental browser version.
On Linux, install through a package manager or Snap Store, build from source, or use the listed build.
Create a sketch and apply geometric constraints or dimensions.
Export the drawing, part, or mesh in a format supported by your next workflow.

Verdict

Choose SolveSpace for free parametric CAD with constrained sketches, associative assemblies, mechanism simulation, and a broad set of export formats. Consider the desktop build for a stable target; the browser version is experimental and has speed and bug limitations.

Questions

How much does SolveSpace cost?

The listed plan is free. SolveSpace is GPLv3 software.

Is there a free trial?

No. SolveSpace has a free plan.

Which platforms can I use?

Stable desktop builds are listed for Windows Vista–11, Linux, and Mac. An experimental browser version is also available.

Can SolveSpace export files for 3D printing and CAM?

Yes. It exports STL or other triangle meshes for 3D printers, and vector art or STEP/STL for CAM software.

Can I use it in a browser or host my own copy?

An experimental browser version is available. After loading, the web version has no network dependencies, and users can build and host a copy as static web content.

What does the GPLv3 license mean for the constraint-solver library?

The library is available with source, but GPLv3 generally forbids linking it with proprietary software. The maker invites commercial licensing inquiries.

Facts from SolveSpace's own pages

2D drawings: It can export 2D parts as DXF, PDF, and SVG, and use 3D assembly to verify fit. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
3D modeling: It creates 3D parts with extrudes, revolves, helixes, and Boolean operations. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
3D printing and CAM: It exports STL or other triangle meshes for 3D printers, and exports vector art or STEP/STL for CAM software. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Assemblies: Parts can be linked into parametric associative assemblies, where changes to parts propagate automatically. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Browser availability and limits: An experimental browser version is available, but the maker says it has a speed penalty, remaining bugs, and issues not found in desktop targets. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Constraints: It supports geometric constraints and dimensions in 2D projections and 3D, with metric or inch units and arithmetic expressions. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Exports: Export formats include DXF, EPS, PDF, SVG, HPGL, STEP, G code, STL, and Wavefront OBJ. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · solvespace.com, 21 Sept 2026
Integrations: The site describes exporting files for third-party CAM software and use of 3Dconnexion six-degree-of-freedom controllers. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Library licensing limit: The constraint-solver library is available with source, but GPLv3 generally forbids linking it with proprietary software; commercial licensing inquiries are invited. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Mechanism design: Its constraint solver can simulate planar or spatial linkages with pin, ball, or slide joints. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Offline/self-host option: The web version has no network dependencies after loading, and the maker says users can build and host their own copy as static web content. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Parametric modeling: Yes · solvespace.com, 21 Sept 2026
Platform access: both · solvespace.com, 21 Sept 2026
3D print export: Yes · solvespace.com, 21 Sept 2026
Render engine: built-in · solvespace.com, 21 Sept 2026
Sketching: Sketch entities include lines, circles, arcs, Bezier segments, interpolating splines, and TrueType text. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Support: The maker directs questions to its user forum and bug reports or feature requests to its issue tracker. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
Supported desktop platforms: The listed stable 3.2 build supports Windows Vista–11, Linux, and Mac; Linux users can also build from source or install via a package manager or Snap Store. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026
What it does: SolveSpace is a free GPLv3 parametric 2D/3D CAD tool. · solvespace.com, 9 Oct 2026