FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Compare

Side by side

Garment Designer vs GRAFIS CAD Apparel

Both stand on fashion design software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Garment Designer

Paid MacWindows

Choose Garment Designer if you want to create sewing or knitting patterns from standard sizing or detailed body measurements, with editable points and print-ready output. Look elsewhere if size grading is essential; the software does not include it.

Visit Garment Designer

GRAFIS CAD Apparel

Free trial Windows

Choose GRAFIS CAD Apparel if you need apparel pattern construction, grading, and marker tools, with optional VStitcher data transfer for 3D simulation. Look elsewhere if you need a permanent GRAFIS CAD 25 license, a free plan, or payment by PayPal or installments.

Visit GRAFIS CAD Apparel

The facts

Garment DesignerGRAFIS CAD Apparel
Free planNoA free trial
Open sourceNot publishedNot published
Runs onMac, WindowsWindows
Lowest paid planMacintosh Garment Designer Basic: $199, paid onceGRAFIS CAD Basic annual license: €1,165 a year
Plans published44
MakerNot publishedNot published
Websitecochenille.comgrafis.com
On fashion design software#14 of 30#10 of 30

Garment Designer: what it does well

  • Builds sewing and knitting patterns from standard sizes or body measurements.
  • Supports Simple-Fit with 12 measurements and Refined-Fit with up to 36.
  • Includes garment details such as collars, pockets, darts and seam allowances.
  • Generates shaping instructions from gauge or sett.
  • Prints patterns at full, half or quarter scale.

What to know first

  • There is no free plan.
  • Size grading is not included.
  • The software is limited to Windows and macOS.

GRAFIS CAD Apparel: what it does well

  • Construction steps can be reused with different measurement charts.
  • Automatic and grade-rule grading are supported.
  • Dependent pieces update when a development pattern changes.
  • A professional marker program is included with the license.
  • Exports include AAMA/DXF, Gerber AccuMark, HPGL, and more.

What to know first

  • There is no free plan.
  • GRAFIS CAD 25 requires Windows 11 and a USB-A dongle.
  • Licenses require prepayment by bank transfer.
  • Permanent licenses are not offered for GRAFIS CAD 25.

Alternatives to Garment Designer Alternatives to GRAFIS CAD Apparel The whole list