Free & open source alternatives to AutoCAD

4 free 2D and 3D CAD drafting apps to use instead of AutoCAD by Autodesk

The best free alternative to AutoCAD is LibreCAD. 2D drafting with familiar commands and layers; works best with DXF.

Other great options: QCAD, FreeCAD and Blender.

Quick pick: For 2D drafting instead of AutoCAD: LibreCAD or QCAD. For 3D mechanical and architectural design: FreeCAD. Just need to view and print .dwg: DWG TrueView.

Reviewed November 2026 against each vendor's official website.

Official ways to use AutoCAD for free

Autodesk Education license: free for one year (renewable) for students and educators; sign up for an Autodesk Education account with proof of enrollment.
Free trial of the full version from Autodesk.
DWG TrueView, Autodesk's free app to open, view, print and measure .dwg files (no editing).

Free plans and trial lengths are set by the vendor and can change. Check the official website before signing up.

4 best alternatives to AutoCAD

LibreCAD

CAD, 3D & statistics HealthGood (84/100)6,566

Open sourceSome learning curve

2D drafting with familiar commands and layers; works best with DXF.

Open-source 2D drafting software with commands and layers close to AutoCAD, working with DXF files.

Lightweight, runs on older computers
Familiar drawing, dimension and layer tools

Platforms: Windows · Mac · Linux

LibreCAD details Official website ↗

QCAD

CAD, 3D & statistics HealthFair (76/100)1,925

Open sourceSome learning curve

Easy 2D CAD with a large block library; .dwg support is only in the Pro version.

A compact, easy-to-use 2D CAD app. The free Community Edition is open source and ships with a library of ready-made parts.

Easier than LibreCAD, many ready-made blocks

Platforms: Windows · Mac · Linux

QCAD details Official website ↗

FreeCAD

CAD, 3D & statistics HealthGood (85/100)35,243

Open sourceTechnical setup

Parametric 3D and BIM; opens .dwg via the free ODA File Converter.

Open-source parametric 3D modeling for mechanical design, architecture (BIM) and 3D printing. Version 1.0, released in late 2024, is much more stable.

Parametric modeling, 2D drawings generated from 3D models
BIM tools for architecture, STL export for 3D printing

Platforms: Windows · Mac · Linux

FreeCAD details Official website ↗

Blender

CAD, 3D & statistics

Open sourceTechnical setup

Modeling and beautiful 3D renders for presentations.

A complete open-source 3D suite: modeling, sculpting, animation, photorealistic rendering and video editing. It can replace 3ds Max, Maya or Cinema 4D for many jobs.

Handles nearly every kind of 3D work
High-quality Cycles renderer
Huge community and plenty of tutorials

Platforms: Windows · Mac · Linux

Blender details Official website ↗

Quick comparison

App	Type	Platforms	Ease of use	GitHub stars
LibreCAD	Open source	Windows, Mac, Linux	Some learning curve	6,566
QCAD	Open source	Windows, Mac, Linux	Some learning curve	1,925
FreeCAD	Open source	Windows, Mac, Linux	Technical setup	35,243
Blender	Open source	Windows, Mac, Linux	Technical setup	—

Open source: anyone can use, study and modify it, including businesses. Free: no cost, but the code is closed. Freemium: a lasting free plan with paid tiers for extra features. Source available: code is public but the license adds conditions.

FAQ

What is the best free alternative to AutoCAD?

The most popular picks are LibreCAD, QCAD, FreeCAD and Blender. For 2D drafting instead of AutoCAD: LibreCAD or QCAD. For 3D mechanical and architectural design: FreeCAD. Just need to view and print .dwg: DWG TrueView.

How can students use AutoCAD for free?

Go to Autodesk Education, create an account, enter your school and upload proof (student ID or enrollment letter). Once approved, download the education version of AutoCAD; it lasts one year and can be renewed. It may not be used for commercial work.

Which free software opens .dwg files?

Autodesk's DWG TrueView (view and print). FreeCAD opens .dwg once you install ODA File Converter. LibreCAD's .dwg support is limited, so convert to .dxf first.