Side by side
OpenVSP 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+1
OpenVSP provides parametric aircraft modeling with broad scripting, automation, and file-format support at no cost. Check the Python version requirement and platform compatibility before building it into a workflow.
Visit OpenVSP 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
| OpenVSP | SolveSpace | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | OpenVSP | Not published |
| Website | openvsp.org | solvespace.com |
| On 3d cad software | #19 of 79 | #15 of 79 |
OpenVSP: what it does well
- Free open-source aircraft geometry software
- Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Ubuntu
- Offers C++, Python, MATLAB, and scripting APIs
- Includes headless analysis and optimization automation
- Imports and exports several engineering formats
What to know first
- Python API version must match the compiled version
- License provides no warranty
- No free trial is listed
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 OpenVSP Alternatives to SolveSpace The whole list