Free and open first

Best Engineering CAD Software in 2026

Engineering CAD products may provide capabilities such as parametric modeling, 2D drafting, simulation, generative design, and engineering file handling. This list is for people choosing a tool for design or documentation on a budget.

27 apps
Research read 7 Oct 2026
How the order is worked out

1

KiCad

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

KiCad covers schematic capture, PCB layout, checking, routing, and 3D viewing in a free suite. Check the stable Linux release's x86-64 limitation if choosing that platform.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
2

FreeCAD
by FreeCAD
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Choose FreeCAD if you need a free, open-source desktop modeler with parametric editing, broad open-format support, and technical simulation tools. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
3

LibreCAD

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

LibreCAD offers core 2D drawing tools and a multilingual interface at no listed cost. Its limited DWG support and stated warranty exclusions are worth considering when choosing it for project work.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
4

Rhino 3D
by Rhino 3D
Free plan APIiPhoneLinux+3

Rhino 3D lists modeling and related tools alongside several permanent-license options and a 90-day evaluation.

7.2 From $995 · 90-day trial Visit site
5

Onshape
by Onshape
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Onshape combines parametric CAD with collaboration and built-in design-data management. Check the plan terms carefully if you need private documents or commercial use.

7.1 Free plan · paid from $1,500/user/yr Visit site
6

QCAD Professional
by QCAD Professional
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Choose QCAD Professional for cross-platform 2D drafting with DWG and DXF support, a large parts library, and command-line conversion tools.

7.1 Visit site
7

Solid Edge
by Solid Edge
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb+1

7.1 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
8

SOLIDWORKS
by SOLIDWORKS
Free plan MacWebWindows

SOLIDWORKS combines locally installed design tools with cloud collaboration options and browser-based xDesign tools.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $2,820/user/yr Visit site
9

Shapr3D
by Shapr3D
Free plan MacWindows

Shapr3D combines 3D CAD modeling, offline work, and broad file-format support. Review the Free plan limit and Pro trial billing terms before choosing a plan.

6.8 Free plan · paid from $299/user/yr · 14-day trial Visit site
10

DipTrace

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

6.7 Free plan · paid from $75 · 30-day trial Visit site
11

T-FLEX CAD

Free plan LinuxWindows

T-FLEX CAD covers mechanical modeling, drafting, assemblies, manufacturing features, and extensive file translation.

6.7 Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
12

Alibre Design
by Alibre Design
Free trial APISelf-hostedWindows

Alibre Design combines mechanical modeling, drawings, sheet-metal tools, rendering, and automation, with a 30-day Design Expert trial.

6.5 From $999 · 30-day trial Visit site
13

Altium Designer

Free trial WebWindows

Altium Designer brings board design, simulation, collaboration, supply-chain data, and integration into one environment.

6.3 30-day trial Visit site
14

DraftSight

Free trial APIMacWindows

DraftSight provides desktop 2D drafting tools, with 3D capabilities in some versions and multiple license options. The edition matters: PDF Import is limited to Premium and Enterprise Plus.

6.3 From $299/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
15

GstarCAD
by GstarCAD
Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+4

GstarCAD combines 2D and 3D drafting with DWG and DXF support, a large toolset, and developer interfaces.

6.3 From $299/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
16

CADian

Free trial Windows

CADian provides Windows CAD drafting with broad DWG compatibility and separate Classic and Professional capabilities.

6.1 From $260 · 30-day trial Visit site
17

IRONCAD

Free trial Windows

IRONCAD offers a hybrid CAD workflow with extensive format support and manufacturing-oriented tools.

5.8 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
18

OrCAD X

Free trial WebWindows

OrCAD X combines PCB design with simulation and mechanical-design collaboration, while higher tiers add Live BOM and other capabilities.

5.8 30-day trial Visit site
19

CATIA

Paid WebWindows

CATIA brings parametric modeling together with assembly, sheet-metal, and surface capabilities.

5.7 Pricing on request Visit site
20

Siemens NX

Free trial WebWindows

Choose Siemens NX if your design work calls for assembly, sheet-metal, or surface modeling and you want Windows desktop or NX X browser access.

5.7 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
21

ZWCAD Professional
by ZWCAD Professional
Free trial AndroidiPhoneWindows

ZWCAD Professional combines drafting, modeling, conversion and API tools with standalone and network licensing.

5.7 From $1,399/user · 30-day trial Visit site
22

VariCAD Viewer
by VariCAD Viewer
Free trial LinuxWindows

VariCAD Viewer brings file viewing, conversion, printing and display controls together for supported CAD formats. The 30-day trial offers a way to evaluate it before the annual English one-user plan.

5.6 30-day trial Visit site
23

EPLAN Electric P8

Paid Windows

Choose Eplan Electric P8 for Windows based engineering and documentation that includes schematic automation, fluid power circuits, and engineering data flows.

5.4 Pricing on request Visit site
24

KOMPAS-3D

Paid LinuxWindows

KOMPAS-3D combines parametric modeling with assembly, sheet-metal, surface, and broad file-format support. Check operating-system compatibility and licensing needs before choosing it.

5.4 30-day trial Visit site
25

CAXA CAD

Paid Windows

4.5 Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare free plans, paid starting prices, trial terms, deployment options, supported platforms, and file formats. If you need to read or change code, check the licence for the tool you choose; a free plan and an open-source licence are different things.

Questions

Which engineering CAD products include a free plan?

DipTrace and KiCad are marked as having free plans. FreeCAD is listed as free. Check the current terms before relying on a plan for your project.

Which tools offer a free trial?

Altium Designer, CADian, DipTrace, DraftSight, and IRONCAD each show a 30-day trial. Confirm the trial terms with the vendor.

What platforms are covered?

Across this category, products are available on Windows, Linux, macOS, the web, iOS, or via an API. Platform availability depends on the individual product.

How should I compare CAD software pricing?

Compare free-plan terms, paid starting prices, trial length, and pricing-on-request offers. Also check whether the price applies to the deployment and capabilities you need.

What design features should I compare?

Judge parametric modeling, 2D drafting, simulation, generative design, and file-format support against your project's needs.

Questions

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