Side by side

IRONCAD vs MEDUSA4 (now M4 DRAFTING)

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.

IRONCAD

Free trial Windows

IRONCAD offers a hybrid CAD workflow with extensive format support and manufacturing-oriented tools. Buyers should account for its Windows requirement, lack of cloud collaboration, paid licensing, and pricing available only through a representative or reseller.

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MEDUSA4 (now M4 DRAFTING)

Free trial Windows

M4 DRAFTING covers broad CAD, modelling, specialist design, and file-conversion needs on Windows. The free personal and educational option differs from quote-based commercial packages, while trial restrictions matter for evaluation.

Visit MEDUSA4 (now M4 DRAFTING)

The facts

	IRONCAD	MEDUSA4 (now M4 DRAFTING)
Free plan	A free trial	A free trial
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Windows	Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Free or on request
Plans published	1	2
Maker	Not published	MEDUSA4 (now M4 DRAFTING)
Website	ironcad.com	cad-schroer.com
On 3d cad software	#47 of 79	#51 of 79

IRONCAD: what it does well

Combines parametric and direct modeling
Includes assembly, sheet-metal, and surface tools
Supports broad 2D and 3D file exchange
Provides TriBall positioning and catalog components
Includes Python API support in the 2027 release

What to know first

Windows desktop only
Cloud collaboration is unavailable
No free plan
Pricing requires contacting IronCAD or a reseller

MEDUSA4 (now M4 DRAFTING): what it does well

Supports parametric 2D and 3D design
Includes sheet-metal and P&ID tools
Opens and converts DWG and DXF
Offers single-user and network licences
Provides ERP, PDM, and PLM interfaces

What to know first

Runs on Windows 10 and 11
Trial exports are disabled
Trial prints carry a watermark
Commercial pricing requires a quote

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