Side by side
CadQuery vs SolveSpace
Both stand on 3d cad software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxMac+2
CadQuery provides a free, script-first route to parametric CAD with assemblies, surfaces, visualization, and extensive file exchange. Its no-GUI operation makes it usable in automated and engineering environments.
Visit CadQuery Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1
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.
Visit SolveSpaceThe facts
| CadQuery | SolveSpace | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | cadquery.readthedocs.io | solvespace.com |
| On 3d cad software | #11 of 79 | #15 of 79 |
CadQuery: what it does well
- Script-based parametric model customization
- Supports assemblies and surface modeling
- Runs without a graphical interface
- Broad import and export format support
- Works on Linux, macOS, and Windows
What to know first
- Python dependency support may lag on bleeding-edge releases
- Conda is described as better tested than pip
- No free trial is offered
SolveSpace: 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.
Alternatives to CadQuery Alternatives to SolveSpace The whole list