The right free CAD software depends on what you're drawing: 2D drafting programs suit floor plans and technical drawings, parametric 3D modellers suit parts you'll make or print, and browser tools suit beginners. Free plans often come with conditions such as non-commercial use or public files, so read them before you design anything you plan to sell.
CAD used to mean specialist licences and a powerful workstation. Now you can draw a shelf bracket, a replacement part or a full floor plan with free software, and some of it runs in a browser tab.
Below are ten free CAD programs in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from small open-source projects to well-known names. Each description comes from the program's own website, re-checked today. If you're designing something to sell, my product launch tips are worth reading alongside your first prototype.
Before you start, decide whether you need 2D or 3D. A kitchen layout or a laser-cut sign is a 2D job, while a part for a 3D printer is a 3D job, and the tools for each feel very different.
Free CAD programs at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the program's own site describes free use or a free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Some free plans are for non-commercial or public work only.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRL-CAD | Open-source solid modelling | Technical solid modelling projects | Yes |
| Dune 3D | Open-source 3D CAD | Simple parametric parts on desktop | Yes |
| FreeCAD | Open-source parametric 3D CAD | Parametric parts and assemblies | Yes |
| Fusion | 3D CAD, personal use version | Hobby projects with pro-grade tools | Yes |
| LibreCAD | Open-source 2D CAD | 2D drafting and floor plans | Yes |
| Onshape | Cloud-based 3D CAD | Browser CAD for open projects | Yes |
| OpenSCAD | Script-based 3D CAD | Precise parts written as code | Yes |
| QCAD | 2D CAD | Clean technical drawings | Yes |
| SolveSpace | Parametric 2D and 3D CAD | Lightweight constraint-based modelling | Yes |
| Tinkercad | Browser 3D design app | Beginners and 3D printing | Yes |
Ten free CAD programs to try
BRL-CAD
Best for: Technical users who want a long-running open-source solid modelling system for engineering-style projects.
Dune 3D
Best for: Makers on Linux or Windows who want a modern open-source 3D CAD program for parts and exports to STEP or STL.
FreeCAD
Best for: Makers and small engineering firms who want a free parametric modeller for parts, assemblies and technical drawings.
Fusion
Best for: Hobbyists working on personal, non-commercial projects who want a cut-down version of a professional CAD and CAM program.
LibreCAD
Best for: Anyone who needs free 2D drafting for floor plans, layouts and technical drawings.
Onshape
Best for: Makers and learners who want professional cloud CAD in the browser and are happy for their designs to be public.
OpenSCAD
Best for: Programmers and makers who'd rather describe a 3D model in code than draw it with a mouse.
QCAD
Best for: Small firms and hobbyists who want straightforward 2D CAD for technical drawings and plans.
SolveSpace
Best for: People who want a small, fast parametric modeller for simple mechanical parts.
Tinkercad
Best for: Beginners, teachers and families who want to build simple 3D models in the browser for printing.
Free plans that make your designs public
This one catches people out. Onshape's own Free plan page says the free plan is meant for non-commercial product designs that are open-source and public online. That's ideal for learning or sharing a hobby project, but it's the wrong place for a product idea you haven't launched yet.
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Other free CAD tools have their own conditions, such as personal use only. So read the terms before you design anything with commercial value, and keep sensitive work in an open-source desktop program where the files stay on your own computer.
2D or 3D: choosing the right kind of CAD
- 2D drafting: floor plans, signs, laser cutting and technical drawings.
- Parametric 3D: parts with exact dimensions you'll change later.
- Direct 3D modelling: quick shapes and concept models.
- Code-based CAD: repeatable parts defined by numbers.
- Browser CAD: no installation, but your files live in the cloud.
Your first part, step by step
- Sketch the part on paper with its main measurements.
- Draw a 2D sketch in the program and add dimensions.
- Extrude or revolve the sketch into a 3D shape.
- Add holes, fillets and other details one at a time.
- Export an STL for printing or a STEP file for a manufacturer.
Getting CAD drawings ready for a maker or manufacturer
A design that looks perfect on screen can still be impossible to make. Ask your printer or workshop what tolerances, wall thicknesses and file formats they want before you finish the model, and label every critical dimension on a drawing. It's much easier to adjust a sketch than to remake a batch of parts.
It's also worth thinking about what makes the finished product worth buying. My notes on the selling points every product needs are a useful check before you lock the design.
Do you make CAD software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free CAD software
Learn one program well before you try another. CAD skills transfer, but every program has its own way of thinking, and jumping between three at once is the quickest way to give up.
And save often, in more than one place. Losing an afternoon's modelling to a crash is a lesson nobody needs twice.
Frequently asked questions
Is there completely free CAD software?
Yes. Several open-source CAD programs are free for any use, and some commercial tools offer free versions with conditions.
What's the best free CAD for beginners?
Browser-based tools with simple shapes are easiest to start with, then you can move to a parametric program.
Can I sell products designed in free CAD?
With open-source programs, usually yes. Some free plans are for personal or non-commercial use, so check the terms.
Is free CAD good enough for 3D printing?
Yes. Most of these programs export STL files that slicers and printers accept.
What's the difference between 2D and 3D CAD?
2D CAD draws flat plans and drawings, while 3D CAD builds solid models you can rotate, print or manufacture.
Can I open AutoCAD files in free software?
Some free 2D programs can open and save DXF files, which is the usual way to swap drawings with AutoCAD users.
Do I need a powerful computer?
Not for simple parts. Large assemblies benefit from more memory and a decent graphics card.
Which file format should I send a manufacturer?
STEP files are widely accepted for 3D parts, and DXF is common for 2D cutting.
