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cycleCAD vs RapCAD

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.

cycleCAD

Free plan Web

cycleCAD offers a broad set of sketch, solid-modeling and assembly tools in a free browser app. Its current limitations include no cloud collaboration and several enterprise or storage features remaining on the roadmap.

Visit cycleCAD

RapCAD

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

RapCAD offers a source-friendly, procedural approach to rapid-prototype modeling with 2D, 3D and Boolean geometry support. Its workflow is aimed at users comfortable defining models as text rather than through graphical CAD tools.

Visit RapCAD

The facts

cycleCADRapCAD
Free planYesYes
Open sourceNot publishedNot published
Runs onWebLinux, Mac, Windows
Lowest paid planFree or on requestFree or on request
Plans published11
MakerNot publishedNot published
Websitecyclecad.comrapcad.org
On 3d cad software#24 of 79#28 of 79

cycleCAD: what it does well

  • Free and open source under the MIT license.
  • Runs in a browser without an account.
  • Assembly workspace includes seven joint types.
  • Supports STEP, IGES and GLB round-tripping.
  • Offers a 55-command JSON-RPC Agent API.

What to know first

  • Cloud collaboration is not supported.
  • Cloud storage is listed as a later roadmap item.
  • Engineering analysis is in progress.
  • No security certifications or compliance are stated.

RapCAD: what it does well

  • Free GPLv3 software
  • Text designs suit source control
  • 2D and 3D objects together
  • Boolean 3D geometry operations
  • Windows, Ubuntu Linux and macOS

What to know first

  • Uses a scene language instead of graphical CAD
  • Ubuntu support lists specific distributions
  • Rendering converts to floating-point precision

Alternatives to cycleCAD Alternatives to RapCAD The whole list