Top Free General-Purpose CAD Software
If you have worked with CAD, or even dabbled with CAD drafting, you probably know how powerful and important free general-purpose CAD tools are across a variety of industries. Free general-purpose computer-aided design and drafting software is used not only in architecture and engineering but also in the creation of video games and in the classroom. Due to the high demand for CAD, and the increased need for companies to invest in a CAD designer, computer-aided drafting altogether can cost a large amount of money. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of the best free and open source general-purpose CAD software! Now, you can enjoy all the fun offered by a computer-aided design without having to buy.
If you'd like to see more products and to evaluate additional feature options, compare all General-Purpose CAD Software to ensure you get the right product.
View Free General-Purpose CAD Software
G2 takes pride in showing unbiased reviews on user satisfaction in our ratings and reports. We do not allow paid placements in any of our ratings, rankings, or reports. Learn about our scoring methodologies.
36 General-Purpose CAD Products Available
View all General-Purpose CAD Software
(1,909)4.4 out of 5
Entry Level Price:$260.00
2nd Easiest To Use in General-Purpose CAD software
View top Consulting Services for AutoCAD
OverviewUser Satisfaction
AutoCAD features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
8.5
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
9.5
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.7
File Import
Average: 8.3
8.5
Views
Average: 8.6
KR
AutoCAD is a powerful, industry-standard CAD software that’s widely used for 2D drafting and basic 3D design. Overall, my experience with it has... Read review
EA
I use AutoCAD to carry out my electrical design projects for homes and industry. I like its ease of use and all its commands, as they allow me to... Read review
(1,321)4.5 out of 5
Entry Level Price:$129.00
7th Easiest To Use in General-Purpose CAD software
View top Consulting Services for SketchUp
OverviewUser Satisfaction
SketchUp features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
8.5
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
8.7
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.1
File Import
Average: 8.3
8.8
Views
Average: 8.6
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OverviewUser Satisfaction
Onshape features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
9.3
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
8.8
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.6
File Import
Average: 8.3
8.9
Views
Average: 8.6
(587)4.3 out of 5
Entry Level Price:Starting at $90.47
5th Easiest To Use in General-Purpose CAD software
OverviewUser Satisfaction
Designcenter Solid Edge features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
8.8
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
8.9
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.5
File Import
Average: 8.3
8.5
Views
Average: 8.6
ÖT
I absolutely love Designcenter Solid Edge’s Synchronous Technology. It's a true game-changer for 3D product development. It liberates me from the... Read review
SD
good user friendly interface, cost effective software, very fast software also flexible for editing, very good for manufacturing oriented design as... Read review
OverviewUser Satisfaction
MicroStation features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
7.7
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
8.9
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.3
File Import
Average: 8.3
8.2
Views
Average: 8.6
(346)4.6 out of 5
1st Easiest To Use in General-Purpose CAD software
OverviewUser Satisfaction
ZWCAD features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
9.1
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
9.4
Drawing
Average: 8.8
9.3
File Import
Average: 8.3
9.1
Views
Average: 8.6
(281)4.3 out of 5
Entry Level Price:$760 every 2 years
9th Easiest To Use in General-Purpose CAD software
OverviewUser Satisfaction
AutoCAD LT features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
8.7
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
9.5
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.9
File Import
Average: 8.3
7.7
Views
Average: 8.6
AC
AutoCAD LT gives convenience in preparing our submission of design drawings, mostly shop drawings for approval, to the client. We are in building... Read review
DS
It offers everything you expect or need to draft in 2d easily, logically and effectively. Read review
(510)4.5 out of 5
Entry Level Price:$680.00
12th Easiest To Use in General-Purpose CAD software
View top Consulting Services for Autodesk Fusion
OverviewUser Satisfaction
Autodesk Fusion features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
8.8
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
9.1
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.4
File Import
Average: 8.3
8.8
Views
Average: 8.6
(207)4.2 out of 5
Entry Level Price:Starting at $299.00
8th Easiest To Use in General-Purpose CAD software
OverviewUser Satisfaction
DraftSight features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
8.3
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
9.3
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.3
File Import
Average: 8.3
7.6
Views
Average: 8.6
PS
It is still the best, fastest way to generate 2D layouts, as SolidWorks just takes too long for preliminary work. Read review
SW
powerful functions in a reasonable price Read review
OverviewUser Satisfaction
Shapr3D features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
9.7
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
9.5
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.4
File Import
Average: 8.3
9.3
Views
Average: 8.6
MB
Using iPad and Apple Pencil makes the process easy and accurate to create detailed models. There are so many tools and features that it takes a... Read review
RC
The software is great. It's easy to use, feature rich. The software is polished and mostly bug free. Their autosave and syncing features are... Read review
(985)4.5 out of 5
Entry Level Price:Starting at $995.00
13th Easiest To Use in General-Purpose CAD software
View top Consulting Services for Altium Develop
OverviewUser Satisfaction
Altium Develop features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
8.5
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
8.6
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.0
File Import
Average: 8.3
8.8
Views
Average: 8.6
(438)4.4 out of 5
Entry Level Price:$2085 1 year
11th Easiest To Use in General-Purpose CAD software
View top Consulting Services for Inventor
OverviewUser Satisfaction
Inventor features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
8.2
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
8.6
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.2
File Import
Average: 8.3
8.0
Views
Average: 8.6
RA
Inventor GUI is easy to use. I am using Inventor since form 2 years for Sheet metal product desiging. I most like the way of generate DXF for CNC... Read review
HV
The main advantage of inventor is its Intuitive User Interface which very beginner friendly. It is also a powerful CAD tool which can handle large... Read review
OverviewUser Satisfaction
Octave BricsCAD features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
9.0
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
9.3
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.5
File Import
Average: 8.3
8.6
Views
Average: 8.6
RA
- User Interface Familiar to most users (Similar to older versions of Autocad)
- Easy to Learn for experienced designers from other platforms.
-... Read review
TB
The price compared to AutoCAD. It seems to run smoother as well and not as laggy. Read review
OverviewUser Satisfaction
Creo features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
8.2
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
9.1
Drawing
Average: 8.8
8.9
File Import
Average: 8.3
8.7
Views
Average: 8.6
UM
the simplicity of the application and the ability to perform analysis Read review
UA
New interface helps easily for designing, better simulation and good concept for drawing Read review
(97)4.7 out of 5
Entry Level Price:Starting at $159.95
15th Easiest To Use in General-Purpose CAD software
OverviewUser Satisfaction
CMS IntelliCAD features and usability ratings that predict user satisfaction
9.5
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Average: 8.4
9.8
Drawing
Average: 8.8
9.5
File Import
Average: 8.3
9.5
Views
Average: 8.6
SM
Software is easy to install. I could afford it in my small business due to democratic price. This CAD system meets all my requirements. Read review
MB
Easy installation.
Convenient use of all the necessary tools, as well as a budget price, is a big plus for small organizations. Read review
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