VariCAD
What VariCAD is
VariCAD is a paid 3D and 2D CAD system for mechanical design on 64-bit Windows and Linux. Its hybrid modeling workflow supports parts, assemblies, subassemblies, and technical drawings created from 3D models. Tools include geometric constraints, sheet-metal development, piping, shells, interference checks, and mechanical-part calculations. Standard-part and symbol libraries support design work, while calculations cover 3D objects and 2D areas. The software can generate bills of materials and title blocks automatically. VariCAD imports STEP, DWG, and DXF files and exports formats including STEP, STL, IGES, 3D PDF, Collada, ACIS, 3D PRC, BMP, DWG, and DXF. VariCAD Viewer can view, convert, and print supported files, including batch operations. A full-featured trial is free for 30 days. Professional licenses include one year of upgrades, with technical support during that period. All product functions come in one package rather than separate modules. The maker is headquartered in Liberec, Czech Republic.
Who it suits
It is aimed at mechanical designers working on Windows or Linux systems. It also suits users needing assembly, sheet-metal, drawing, and broad CAD file-format support.
What it does well
- 3D modeling and 2D drawing
- Assembly and subassembly support
- Sheet-metal and interference-check tools
- Imports STEP, DWG, and DXF
- Full-featured 30-day trial
What to know first
- No free plan after trial
- Trial limited to 30 days
- Minimum requirements include OpenGL 4 hardware
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| VariCAD trial | Free for 30 days · full functionality · Windows and Linux | Free |
| VariCAD Professional for Windows | Single-user license · one year of upgrades | On request |
| VariCAD Professional for Linux | Single-user license · one year of upgrades | On request |
| VariCAD Viewer | Annual fee · One user | On request |
As varicad.de lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
VariCAD combines mechanical modeling, drawings, assemblies, analysis, and file conversion in a desktop CAD package. The 30-day full-function trial allows evaluation before selecting a paid Professional or Viewer license.
Facts from VariCAD's own pages
- Assemblies
- VariCAD supports assemblies and subassemblies, including assembly-tree checks for missing names, attributes, and links. · varicad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Design features
- Its listed features include 3D modeling, 2D drawing, assemblies, geometric constraints, sheet metal development, and interference checks. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- File compatibility
- VariCAD supports importing STEP, DWG, and DXF, and exporting formats including STEP, STL, IGES, DWG, and DXF. · varicad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The manual documents STEP import and export, DWG and DXF import and export, and STL and IGES export. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Liberec, Czech Republic · varicad.de, 28 Sept 2026
- Installer integrity
- The maker says VariCAD RPM installation packages are signed and provides a public GPG key for verifying package integrity. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker presents VariCAD as a system for mechanical design and recommends stronger hardware for large assemblies of approximately thousands of parts. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Libraries and analysis
- The product page lists standard-part and symbol libraries, calculations and analyses of 3D objects and 2D areas, and automatic bills of materials and title blocks. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Linux package integrity
- The download page says RPM installation packages must be signed and provides a public GPG key for installation. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Mechanical design tools
- The product includes tools for sheet-metal development, piping, shells, interference checks, and mechanical-part calculations. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Modeling and drawings
- The product supports 3D modeling and 2D drawing, and can create drawing files from a 3D model. · varicad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The maker provides 64-bit Windows and Linux downloads for VariCAD Professional and VariCAD Viewer. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Package scope
- The maker says all product functions are included in one package, with no separate module purchases. · varicad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The download page lists 64-bit VariCAD Professional and Viewer packages for Windows and Linux. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- VariCAD is 3D/2D CAD software primarily intended for mechanical engineering design. · varicad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The product navigation lists a manual, discussion forum, training, knowledge base, remote desktop support, and a questions page. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The maker lists Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) and Linux (64-bit), 4 GB RAM, and hardware support for OpenGL 4 graphics as minimum requirements. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The maker describes a free 30-day trial with the full feature set, limited to 30 days of use. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Trial limit
- The free trial has the full feature set but is limited to 30 days. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Update and support period
- The store describes Professional licenses as including one year of upgrades; a separate one-year upgrade item is available, and the maker says technical support is free during that period. · test.varicad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Viewer
- VariCAD Viewer can view, convert, and print listed 2D DXF/DWG, 3D STEP, and VariCAD formats, including batch conversion and printing. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Viewer and conversion
- VariCAD Viewer can view, convert, and print supported 2D and 3D CAD formats, including batch conversion and printing. · varicad.de, 12 Oct 2026
Where VariCAD stands on Freedom251
- 3D CAD Software#64 of 79