# FreeCAD Reviews **Vendor:** FreeCAD **Category:** [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad) **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 61 ## About FreeCAD FreeCAD is a parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. ## FreeCAD Reviews ### 1. FreeCAD: Feature-Rich, Customizable CAD at No Cost **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 21, 2026 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** The best part about FreeCAD is the cost, but a close second is its feature set and the way it behaves exactly how I want CAD software to work. I also like that you can write Python scripts to interact with models, which lets you tailor the workflow to fit the way you work. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** I dislike how the UI is laid out; it's not super user intuitive. I do believe I can do anything I want to, however sometimes it takes longer having to look up where a feature is rather than it being where I would expect it to be. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** FreeCAD is allowing me to design models for occasional 3D printing that I do for different clients. ### 2. Powerful File Format Support and Extensibility, but a Steeper Learning Curve **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Andrea T. | R&D manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 12, 2026 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** I really love the fact that you can import/export a large number of free file formats, and also I like the workbench/expansibility feature. I also like the fact that (for advanced use cases) you can also add Macros to FreeCAD. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Compared to "beginner-friendly" professional tools like Fusion 360, FreeCAD learning curve feels steeper. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use FreeCAd to design some small partes/systems that I then have 3D printed and/or machined for laboratory/production jig uses. ### 3. Free and Open-Source, but Too Slow and Not Industry-Ready **Rating:** 1.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Industrial Automation | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 13, 2026 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** The best part of FreeCAD is that it’s free to use and open-source. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** It doesn’t feel professional for the industry, and it’s also very slow. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** FreeCAD has helped us with 3D printing, especially when designing cases for illuminators. ### 4. FreeCAD: Review from University Student **Rating:** 2.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 10, 2024 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** It offers basic functionality and converting options not available in other software. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** It is too basic to do any meaningful CAD with. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** FreeCAD helped me convert a CAD object that was only possible through this software. ### 5. Good open source alternative for basic 3D parametric modeling **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Luis Enrique T. | CAD Engineer, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 17, 2023 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** I like that it is an open-source 3D parametric modeling software with good basic features and part modeling capabilities. I can recommend this software mainly for the maker's space, because it is free **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** I would recommend to the FreeCAD developers community to focus on the main features of what a robust and reliable 3D CAD parametric solid modeling tool must be capable of. Adding more robustness to the part modeling workspace and unifying the assembly workspace are, in my opinion, two ways to have a better user experience **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is helping me learn more about CAD modeling and programming with Python. Also, it is free, and it has good functionality, mainly for basic 3D parametric part modeling ### 6. Best & Easy Designing software **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Syed Mohmmed M. | CADD Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 14, 2023 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Easy to draw, modifications in existing drawings,plotting and converting asper required formate in simple it's very useful **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Some time stuck hanging need to improve server **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Mostly saving time for editing and converting ### 7. Great program for amateurs and professionals **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Pavel S. | electronics engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 02, 2022 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** free program with good features. work from under different OS. flexibility of settings **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** unintuitive interface, slowdowns, glitches. you constantly need to edit something yourself **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** good program. suitable for simple tasks **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** View models. drawings of simple parts for a 3d printer. ### 8. Good for a hobby but nothing more **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Alexander A. | electronics engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 27, 2022 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** I have a 3d printer, and simetemes I need to make a diffrent simple 3d model. Freecad helps me to do this. It free software, and its wonderful. It crosplatform app. It is fine to me, because I use ubuntu. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Freecad has slow performanse. It inposible to edit or wiew large models. In my work, my colleagues give me to view step models. Its so hard to view this models using Freecad. Also Freecad not good works with b-spline with Skether and PartDesign worckbanches. Sometimes inpossible make a fillet if you use b-spline. Its hard to undestnd how to clone skecth to another body. How to move, clone, or rotate it. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I make 3d models to my hobbi. It fast way to create simple 3d models such as boxes, cases simple detail to difrent things. Its free and can be run in linux systems. ### 9. Open source and free CAD suite **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Francesco S. | Titolare, progettista, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 04, 2022 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Free CAD is a rare bird because the number of open-source CAD applications is somewhat limited. The application appears a suite with modules for different CAD applications, called "workbenches". There are workbenches for Architecture, Draft, Reverse Engineering, Part Design, and much more. Being open-source, we can expect more workbenches to be added as the community around FreeCAD grows. FreeCAD can also import and export in a variety of formats. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** FreeCAD is still under development, and its learning curve is rather steep at the moment. The interface needs some refinement, and could puzzle the new user. Also some import filter do not work as expected. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** Please be aware that the software is still at its early stages. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** FreeCAD can become a helpful CAD application that could fit different kinds of workflow. Being open-source and free, it has the potential to expand its capabilities and to become an invaluable asset in flexible design teams. ### 10. FreeCAD Flexible CAD System and easy to use. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kelvin C. | Project Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 09, 2022 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** -Effective tool for Engineering and Construction drawings creation. -Perfect for 3D modelling. -Rendering of large 3D designs is quick. -Architectural design management. -Engineering drawings editing software. -CAD capability is excellent. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** None for FreeCAD and all the features, and on getting started setting the 3D modelling tools was easy but the file export takes a lot of time. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** -Easy rendering Architectural designs. -Drafting is excellent. -Quick drawings editing. -Modeling of various Construction project 3D models is easy. -3D models viewing. ### 11. Fantastic, Free & Very Easy to Use Multipurpose CAD Software **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Preet C. | UI/UX Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 23, 2021 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** FreeCAD is one of the best CAD software which is completely free to use and the most things I like in FreeCAD are as below: - Their user interface is very easy to understand and use. - They also provide a model meshing feature that is good to mesh any object inside FreeCAD. - I can create Python script and run Python script inside FreeCAD as well. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** There are some points that I don't like in FreeCAD are as below: - There is a missing lasso tool in FreeCAD. - Sometimes it crashed when I am working on a big project. - Their design rendering speed is a little bit slower than expected. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** I highly recommend FreeCAD to those users who are working in the modeling and rendering department. This is also useful to those users who are working on robotics models projects. I think you should try FreeCAD once because it is a good and best multipurpose CAD solution. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** FreeCAD helps me a lot in my freelancing business. I can easily model any object as per clients' requirements within a few hours and am able to deliver quickly without any limitations. It helps me to build or create robotics simulations and robots by using Python API. ### 12. Best 3D CAD/CAE and 3D Modeling application software **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 11, 2021 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** The most helpful feature of FreeCAD is its GUI and user-friendly interface. It's Reverse engineering feature to check the legacy parts to better understand their functions. POV-Ray, Raytracing, and export to slicer these features are very interesting. Its BIM Modeling and G Code generation feature. Model meshing, mesh scripting, and python API is best in FreeCAD. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** We don't have access to define material properties in FEM and limited point tools. We can not register two datasets for deviation analysis. It gets frozen while linking an existing dimension to the 3D geometry. The Lasso tool is missing and we can not check the printability of the 3D Model. There is no specific tool for checking surface quality, watertight, and self-intersection in our 3d model. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** In our organization, We are using FreeCAD for designing, reverse engineering, and NDT of the manufactured and designed parts, also for implant design and material modeling for FEM and analysis. we provide services to customers, industries, and hospitals. FreeCAD helps us in base designing and earning customer relationships and revenue. ### 13. Best 3D Modelling CAD software **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 09, 2021 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** The most amazing feature of this software is that it has an inbuilt option for Python script, C++ programming which helps us to create and design models very fastly and you will also get an option for extensions. its FEM option and Model export formats are very useful, and we use this on both Linux and Windows systems, it is open-source software with excellent GUI. I like its parametric modelling, thanks to FreeCAD for helping us and providing such a wonderful tool. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** I don't like its crashing problem, sometimes the software gets crashed when we are working with large datasets, it crashed without any warning even if you are having the best hardware, we can not prepare watertight and without self-intersection file for 3D printing preparation and we can not check the mesh quality and you can not register two different CAD files and you can not define the properties of the material for FEM and we can not control the mesh coarseness or fineness. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** We are using freeCAD for designing Implants and Medical helmets, Cylinder heads, Foam materials structures, and gears. We found FreeCAD software very useful and we are helping our customers by providing services according to their requirements related to medical domain or manufacturing files preparation, we are getting increments in our services domain. thanks to FreeCAD and Simpleware ### 14. It's free, it has some cool tools, but it needs to be more robust and a little more user-friendly. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Marco A. | Mechanical Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 02, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** - Modular structure; - Gears workbench; - FEM workbench. - Use of Python to create and run scripts; - Different 3D stereo visualization modes available. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** - Structure tree breaks when changing upper features; - you can't use reference dimensions as parameters; - you can't use linked edges as active sketch entities to build volumes. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** FreeCAD is growing, and every release looks more robust, richer in features and better for everyday use than the previous one. Same as every other CAD software, it's not simple to use at it needs some training time (but there are hundreds of articles and tutorial on the web, a very good wiki to count on (https://wiki.freecadweb.org/) and a dinamic community to ask for help. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Although I use proprietary CAD software for my job, I use FreeCAD as my default design tool for 3d printable objects at home (where I use free software only). I often use FreeCAD at work, too, to quickly open STL files of library parts downloaded from the web. ### 15. So far it is the best among the free modelling and engineering software **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** edwin m. | Freelance Musician, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 17, 2021 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** For freecad, since the first day I started using it, I have always liked the Part design workbench and the sketcher workbench **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Nothing at all that i dislike in this software everything works out perfectly fine when i use it. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have managed to model a few products while using mainly three different workbenches: Architectural workbench, Part Design workbench and the Sketcher ### 16. Functional CAD for easy Architectural and Engineering designs functions management. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** John S. | Database Developer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 13, 2021 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** This CAD solution allows effective customization on its 3D tools, the sketching experience is excellent, and even its 3D visualization ability is amazing and useful. The quality of the Mechanical models is productive, and FreeCAD makes the 3D design reviewing to become more easier. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** There was none at all, easy starting with the FreeCAD tools and the training is very short and useful to beginners. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** FreeCAD is a perfect choice for industrial 3D models revising and viewing, and the tools are effectively adaptable. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Mechanical,and Industrial design production, and its easy to manage and view different 3D designs and also easy 3D visualization. ### 17. Free Cad is a good Beginner CAD platform **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 10, 2021 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** I like that the software is free, powerful enough for a beginner to start learning the basics of working with CAD. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** There are some limitations to the software, also some of the functions are not quite intuitive. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have been using FreeCAD to help with designing small buildings/sheds. ### 18. Mind blowing tool for converting ideas into realities **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Robbert S. | Software Development Technical Team Lead, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 30, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Free CAD is very easy to get started if you have the basic knowledge of the tools. Almost all the basic tools are always displayed on the interface, and the interface is very easy to customize. Further it provides the detail view if the drawings from various dimensions and while making 3D modes I can impart various color scheme to the already designed product, whenever I miss any session it already saves my file and help me in easy working as well. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** This is bit technical tool. So in the beginning it seems bit complicated. So in order to have complete hold of it you need to learn properly. In addition it would be better if it could extract the information from the PDF files because other similar tools can do it. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** This is the best CAD platform. Whenever I compare it with other similar tools than the pricing is really good so I will suggest you to try it once. It is available in various plans you can easily choose the one accordingly. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Free CAD is my daily need to meet the challenges. Through this software I have enhanced the productivity of my production department because the models helped us in critical analysis of the process and only through this tool we were in the position of optimizing the trouble shots. ### 19. Excellent Tool for Industrial and Robotic Applications **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Pawankumar G. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 01, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** We are using FreeCAD from many years for fulfilling our Industrial Design and research requirment. Specially Robotic control API we use for Robot Simulation, which is quite impressive. Here, Python API is excellent. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** I wish that FreeCAD improves with Visuals, i mean Graphics needs to be improved. Rendering CAD and Simulation graphics are still classic and needs to be more dynamic. I Recommend: 1. Improvements in APIs for Robotic control, especially for direct Code generation for eg. KRL src and dat generation for KUKA Robots. 2. Looks, Graphics. 3. Design rendering speeds and interface. 4. Support of FreeCAD on Android. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** 1. Improvements in APIs for Robotic control, especially for direct Code generation for eg. KRL src and dat generation for KUKA Robots. 2. Looks, Graphics. 3. Design rendering speeds and interface. 4. Support of FreeCAD on Android. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Robotic Simulation and Real time visualisation of robotic models with python API Design of Industrial components ### 20. Light weight, simple and effective for basic designing **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Azmat H. | Design Engineer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 05, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Simplicity and depth in design procedure **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** User interface needs work for perfect utilization **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** A very useful tool to work with complex design issues. Lightweight simple and effective. I would definitely recommend because of the its simplicity and **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Initially I used it for various design assignments during my diploma in digital fabrication, but after working with various design tools I really liked simplicity and yet effectiveness of freecad. There are many benefits but a couple of prominent benefits in my mind are - Simplicity - Lightweight - Opensource - Easy to understand There are other benefits like already existing basic structures as in fusion360, and being lightweight its easy to work with complex designs. Heavy softwares jam everything while working on complex designs, whereas freecad helps work more effectively with complex designs. I have been planning to do my own business for quite some time, and the biggest question I have to answer every time is budget. FreeCAD has helped me polish my skills without having to worry for fees. Freecad has given me a free place where I can start my design work, learn and establish my own design business. FreeCAD is helping many aspirants like me In developing countries especially as we face great financial challenges and hence people barely think of design work and design business, but thanks to freeCAD I didn't have to worry about all that after I learned about freecad as I finally had an effective platform for complex product designs where I can learn, explore and polish my skills. Not only that but can also develop my own business. ### 21. FreeCAD Reviews and Pricing **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kiril C. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 05, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** OpenSource written on Qt library witch make it cross platform application. can work with 2D and 3D shapes. FreeCAD is working under GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) Anybody can download, use and redistribute FreeCAD free of charge. 100% GUI mode with parametric model support. built-in scripting framework with Python language cli interpretation. software has MSI installer module for windows this allows to deploy this application on windows machines over Active Directory and Group policy. App has macro recording and editing support. You can record your rutine action steps and then reproduce it later advanced automatization support. Everything the user does in the FreeCAD interface executes Python code, which can be printed on the console and recorded in macros. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** on my opinion development and bug fix are slow. last release was in April 2019. Have an issues to work simultaneously with multiple projects, **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** FreeCAD is a good solution to solve simple and complex problems. i would definitely recommend it to give it a try **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Drawing office furniture ### 22. My experience with construction by using FreeCAD application **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kiril C. | DevOps Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 25, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** FreeCAD is cross cross platform Can run on Linux OSx and Windows. Love for lots of features and modules You can design and draw complex 3D objects because of a FreeCAD engine kernel is allowing you to do that. You can build robots and simulate robot movements in 3D FreeCAD has robot simulation module. FreeCAD also support rendering. You can easy render your 3D model Application has full gui mode and in a same time you can use it command line interface too. FreeCAD have active development where I or someone else can contribute new features or improvements. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** To be honest, I I did not find any disadvantages in the program **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** FreeCAD is a multipurpose CAD solution. WIth lot's of modules and features. I would definitely recommend it. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** drawing my 3D models of magic characters them make a rendering and showing to my 3 old daughter like a bedtime story ### 23. Powerful Desighning CAD. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Douglas g. | Project Accounting Manager, Construction, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 13, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** The design functionality on free CAD its effective and the quality production its also profitable. FreeCAD can faster draft various documents, easy to collaborate with other professionals. Great simulation capability and the Mechanical designs can be easily be imported and exported to other tools. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** No much for me to dislike about this design platform.Its simple to understand its features functionalities. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** FreeCAD its an easy designing CAD with effective and the most functional features with designing capabilities and also excellent 2D drawing generation solution. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** 2D documentation for the different project and very quick in Mechanical 3D modeling and even annotation. ### 24. Simple, Efficient GUI Based opensourced free CAD Tool for multipurpose **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 02, 2021 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Opensourced and GUI is very dynamic in nature **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** No proper documentation for learning tutorials **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Simple CAD Generation for CFD Problems ### 25. A great tool for 3D modelling **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Yaohui (Kevin) F. | Software Engineer (DSTG Contractor), Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** I started using FreeCAD for my reseach project. It's very easy to learn. Particularly, I like the parametric model, i.e. it can automatically re-generate the model by changing some variable values. As it is cross-platform supported, I can work on my projects on different OS computers at home and my office. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** I do not have any dislike so far as I only use FreeCAD for 3D drafting in my project. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use FreeCAD to create 3D model of RF resonator. The parametric model is really handy so I can easily generate various resonators by changing some values. It support multiple CAD format, so I could find and import some standard components to FreeCAD. Also, it's every easy to export the 3D model into different picture format. ### 26. A Wonderful Tool, for the Patient, and for the Price **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 07, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Detailed Parametric Software capable of generating excellent-quality CAD models, and it's driven by Python, which means you can write your own Macros.... Excellent UI, once you get used to it. Amazing Help section for something that's essentially FREE....regular updates and bug fixes are a nice touch..... It has tools that other free or low-cost CAD software can't hope to touch, including the recent edition of FEA. I have generated some excellent CAD with this, doing everything from Design-from Scratch to reverse engineering. I have sold parts using this software. This is an enabler for the common man to learn the language of the future. (CAD) **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** The process flow is Clunky. If you want a mastercourse on what Solidworks and NX and Autodesk used to feel like, look no further. Now, if you are not used to CAD systems, this probably feels like awesome software. But if you are a trained designer, this feels like turning in the Ferrari and driving a Corolla.... both will get you where you need to go, but one will be A LOT faster..... the main issue is the Boolean operation. It is ENTIRELY MANUAL. Instead of auto-generated shapes, you have to generate the shapes. Also, the GUI has difficult tracking line-ends, so you end up with a lot of accidental open sketches if you're working with .005 mm or smaller dimensions. Oh and by the way, if you don't update regularly? It will crash often. Especially if you overload it with a difficult operation. (Say, STL simplification and conversion)..... that said, for FREE? I can live with the issues in order to have the access, and it will only get better. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** If you can't afford the major CAD programs, use this until you can. The skills will transfer over. Be patient with yourself, it is harder to find things here than in other programs, but the tools are worth the search. CAD on! **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I'm helping people with their engineering issues, regularly and with success. ### 27. FreeCAD | Designing software | Free | Open Source **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Nikhil A. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 03, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** The Free is an Advanced Designing software, as it is a open source software so it is totally free. Whereas it is also like as AutoCAD software. The difference is that the AutoCAD is a paid software whereas the FreeCAD is a totally free software. We can easily draw Complex 3D drawings in the FreeCAD software. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** I nothing found any dislike feature in FreeCAD **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** I recommend that if you are searching for a 3D designing , Shapes, etc. you should use the FreeCAD software, as it is completely free of cost and also allows you to design anything. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I found the problem that it is not having any proper blocks that the user can found easily. I think it should be proper blocks groups for the tools using in drawing. The benefits is that , as it is a free and open source software. We can draw multiple drawing in the single window. I experienced very good, as the freeCAD software is easier to any 3D shapes. ### 28. I've used it for 3D printer modeling and architectural designs. Very useful OpenSource tool. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Tautvaldas S. | Financial Analyst, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 04, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** It is free and open source, advanced CAD modeling software. It has a lot of features. FreeCAD looks similat to super advanced commercial software like SolidWorks. When I've used SolidWorks (after FreeCAD), I've found a lot of similarities. FreeCAD has its tools organized differently, I like when it has separate workspaces such as Part design, Part, Arch, Drafting etc. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** It sometimes crashes, can't handle massive projects. There is some problems with add-ons like assembly tool. I would like to see it faster sometimes. Documentation looks more like for advanced users. I would like to see some step by step guides with more advanced projects, not those single part ones. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I'm creating designs, reviewing them before doing anything real. I'm remodeling real life objects by dimensions. Sometimes I'm using it with other Open source software - Blender 3D. ### 29. This software give me freedom to do my freelance job **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Fadli A. | Assembly Process Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 14, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** This software is free. And it have Converter to convert into step file tha can help me to fit with customer request. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Techdraw tools need to be improve for fuction like section hatch. It cannot custom hatch in the area that I cut with section. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I need free software that can do like paid software like autodesk inventor, catia and etc. When I found freecad it change the way I work. I do not need paid software anymore. ### 30. Had a surprisingly good experience with freeCAD **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Chirag Singh M. | Project Intern, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 08, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** It has a simple interface which helps you get a hang of it if you're switching to it from any other cad interface **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** It is a little choppy and some features from other cad softwares did not commute to this **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I was making a model, which would be fed to comsol multiphysics for my simulation work. Transfer was seamless ### 31. User friendly UI And it's FREE **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Education Management | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 01, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** The most useful part of freecad is that it is open source and you will get lot of help to learn it. Moreover its user friendly so if you navigate around buttons its easy to learn. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** I think only thing is that it is for free **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** We are designing world class solutions for children to learn about solar system and stars in the sky. We have used freecad to design numerous PCBs and also get 3D view of the designed circuit ### 32. Simple but powerfull **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Philippe B. | Senior C++ consultant, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 06, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** FreeCAD C++ API are very powerfull but the functionality I prefer if the python macro language. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Nothing was dislike. But naming convention of objects should be improved. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I had to write an add-on to display complex bearing mechanisms. ### 33. Hobbies guy looking for 3d modeling **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 04, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** 1. I get to do 3d modelling for free 2. large Wikipedia page for the tools in questions 3. A community **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** beginner unfriendly; I had to say difficult go down to negative between tools. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** Is free and pack with dozen of tools that I'm sure what their purposes was **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** problems solve by FreeCAD; 3D prototyping Benefits; their dozen of tools pack into the FreeCAD, that yet to try (wilco in future) ### 34. FreeCAD review **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Semiconductors | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 01, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** The access to many features for free. Parametric modeling is the best. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** It has a bit of a learning curve but there's many tutorials **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** use it, its the best parametric free option **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Solving every day 3d modeling needs, along with modeling and designing for work purposes. It is nice to have access to this tool. ### 35. Open source and free **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Industrial Automation | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 06, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Easy to create 3d objects just like expensive software and it is free. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Even though animation features is there but it needs programming code to run it **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Simulating motion for mechanical parts design for easy visualization. ### 36. FreeCAD is a great CAD **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 02, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Free, many plug-ins and ways to export the data, programmable with Python scripts **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Learning curve, toolbars, not editable Step files **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** Very powerful tool for design **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** 3D models for additive manufacturing, 2D drafts ### 37. Multiplatform tool based on parametric 3D modeling functions for CAD. **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Andrea M. | Architect, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 07, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** What we like about this tool is that it turns the process into a simple and fast activity that can be done with people of different levels and ages, besides it is free software and its learning curve is very linear, easy and intuitive to use. . We can get tutorials quickly. Easy export to STL files that allow its manufactured with 3D printers. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** The use of 2D software is complex, and we can also find details such as problems in common options such as "undo" not working. The result is not as accurate and can cause problems to print if some form has not been generated correctly and it is necessary to invest time in correcting it. By directly importing the path, we lose some control over them, for example, to move a wall a few centimeters, it is necessary to modify the 2D design and repeat the whole process, which tends to be somewhat annoying. FreeCAD has all the potential of any other software, but it still has a long way to go. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** It is an open source tool, it has a loyal developer base. You can also compete with some of the commercial heavy hitters because of their ability to create real 3D solids, mesh support, 2D drawing and many other features that make this simple tool very attractive to many. In addition, it is customizable and available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, Ubuntu and Fedora. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** FreeCAD is a parametric 3D modeler. Initially made to design real-life objects of any size, however, we can implement it in the area of mechanical engineering and product design, but it also fits a wide range of uses in engineering, such as architecture or other specialties. engineering, which for us is very useful. Parametric modeling allows us to easily modify a design by returning within the model's history and changing its parameters. FreeCAD is open source and highly customizable, programmable through scripts and extensible which makes it attractive to us. ### 38. Bottomless Potential **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Civil Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 07, 2020 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Free software & user's skill is the limit **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** The higher the quantity of content, the slower the software works **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** User-friendly, can be mastered in a short period of time ### 39. Creation of parametric 3d models from precise 2d drawings. **Rating:** 2.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Johnny W. | Project Specialist, Real Estate, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 01, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** I am pleased that it complies with two fundamental factors for 3D design and modeling, one is the precision and accuracy of work in 2d drawing measures to start the work process in 3D creation, the second is that it includes the incorporation of BIM and others analysis of data that improve the parametric design with automated or mechanical functions that are useful and interesting, it is positive that it allows the user community to contribute in its improvements and novelties. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Although it is in continuous improvement it seems to me a limited software in its main characteristics, with functional limitations in its commands and it presents a rigid interface with a workspace that is not expected by a demanding user accustomed to handling high performance design software , it seems to me that it has a lot of potential but it is still in the development stage and perhaps in its next versions there is a greater advantage to be an essential software in the design and construction market. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** It is important to look for information on the web about the software and its available resources, from my experience its user community is very participatory so it will be very useful and easy to get information about the operation and performance of the software prior to its implementation. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** In the office it was implemented as a backup method to satisfy some work activities in CAD format, eventually I use it for very specific design and construction things based on parametric measures for very simple projects that do not require a high level requirement. ### 40. Advanced Parametric 3D Modelling ideal for Mechanical Projects **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Thunderbolt K. | Member, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 07, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** The recent Freecad 0.18 adds in an excellent 3 axis movement tool for onscreen manipulation of parts or objects in your model. This feature alone has saved me 90% of the time I used to waste on visually and accurately aligning and adjusting the position of objects relative to one another as opposed to straight parametric value entry. I have been using FreeCad since 0.15 and it has evolved into a very fast stable platform capable of anything I need done within our complex mechanical model. Having worked with Autodesk and Solidworks in the past its a b reath of fresh air. Also the macro function works extremely well for creating animations and the built in Python console and interpretive language is useful for more complex animations or automation of part builds through a form. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** The export function to other formats requires a 3rd party add on for Solidworks, which lags behind the latest Solidworks formats, which can be a problem if you are working with contractors or also a contractor supplying work into a Solidworks environment, as you will likely end up sending export files in a recent but not exactly current Solidworks format. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** If you are working in the mechanical engineering design space as a contractor or business, look no further. FreeCAD is ready for prime time mechanical design as of FreeCad 0.17. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** FreeCad solved the biggest problem for most in my case which is budget for Big CAD software, I did not have one. FreeCad was able to import my airfoil .dat files flawlessly and scale them to the correct size with the clone function in the Draw pallete, which is extremely useful for rapidly scaling up a model, as are the mirror tool in the Parts palette. Also FreeCad makes it easy to build with basic 3D shape geometry and rapidly create wires, faces from object edges or vertices used by the Parts palette extrusion and lofting tools. ### 41. Excellent free CAD package **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 04, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** FreeCAD is, as the name says, free. It is a parametric modeler, which means that the shapes are based on the properties of the shape or on their interactions with other shapes. There is a lot of user-developed documentation and plug-ins. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** The models sometimes zoom in and out when moving the mouse instead of rotating. It may be user error, but the interface is sometimes clunky like that. It is a little difficult to export portions of a model to a slicer, but once you figure it out, it works consistently. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** Take the time to learn how to use it. Read the documentation. Keep up to date on patches/upgrades. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am used FreeCAD to make models to be sent to a slicer and then to a 3D printer. ### 42. FreeCAD: does everything...for free. with no contracts, no subscriptions, no license expiry dates **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jose B. | CAD and Technical Drawing Instructor, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 01, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Its modularity. With the ability to install new modules and macros with just a few clicks, freecad can ve extended to do just about everything. It not only does CAD modeling, but also integrates FEM, CFD, CAM, ship design calculations and architecture... 2D dimensio.......assemblies... **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** you sometimes run into bugs in the user interface, and there is no guide curve option for lofts. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** Also get Salome. what you can't do in Freecad, you can do in Salome **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I'm a Linux user and having a free ( as in libre, GPL ) option is vital. I don't need to have another windows computer and a solidworks key to get my jobs done. ### 43. Powerful drawing tool **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Feronias A. | CEO, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 02, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Freecad is an excellent free 3D modeling tool, it has many drawing and model options, it offers the same virtues as other programs, but freecad is totally free. It also has the incredible advantage that addon can be added **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** What I do not like about FreeCAD, is that it is difficult to start using it if a tutorial is not followed previously, the interface is not intuitive. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** Before using FreeCAD, do tutorials, otherwise you will not be able to use all your capabilities correctly. It is the best free design tool that exists. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Once the tutorials are done you can use freecad in the same way as other paid software, which allows you to have computers with this software without paying licenses. ### 44. Easy 3D modeling software **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 20, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** FreeCAD is a very easy software to use, its free and very complete . It’s an open source software. You can create a 3D model from a 2D, or a 2D from a 3D. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** I really like freecad, and I don’t have anything that I dislike, since when I needed the software it was very useful. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I used freecad, to teach 3d modeling at my university, and as it is free, everyone was able to have access to the software. ### 45. FreeCAD is a great way to get started with CAD/CAM design **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 25, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** FreeCAD is free to use. It is a parameter-based modeling package such that shapes are described by their dimensions and characteristics. It runs fairly fast on a Mac, and given that it is not even a 1.0 version yet, is stable. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Exporting to a package to slice in preparation for 3D printing is a little awkward, especially if you are using compound objects. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** Download it, try it out. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am using it to create original CAD/CAM models with interlocking parts 3D-printed using different colors of PLA. ### 46. A basic user **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Enoc G. | Owner/Prop maker, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 29, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** I really enjoy how many tools are provided in this software considering it is a free one. I have a very basic understanding of it but I am learning more and more each time I use it. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** For beginners it isn’t the easierst software to get into. But not impossible to learn. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** Like I said before it isn’t the best software to start out with if you’re getting into cad. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** It has helped me create simple parts for my props. ### 47. Great software to use!!! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 28, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** FreeCad is a great modeling software to use because you are able to build and modify existing drawing like in inventor. **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** FreeCad needs another software to go with it for storage and copying drawing like Vault. **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I’m solving everyday problems with small parts that we fabricate at my job. ### 48. Great product with helpful GUI **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 29, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** Simple GUI for the people who in the field of mechanical design **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** colors of a GUI and it feel like bit old and basic software. **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** Really good software and Simple GUI for the people who in the designing field **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** low ram usage and smooth process ### 49. FreeCAD_Virendrasingh Yadav **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 28, 2019 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** It is best CAD design software which is free for user **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** Real time collaboration needed like onshape **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Machine design ### 50. Its Awesome and its Free **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Noel F. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 27, 2018 **What do you like best about FreeCAD?** the best thing about freecad is that its free. in the world where other cad software such as AutoCAD cost a lot this is one of the best alternative solutions. the program is simple and i finding a simple learning curve to the program. also the program doesn't need a lot of memory or CPU to run smoothly.this program doesn't have all the features and quality of other CAD software but for mechanical designing, this is a great tool. the interface of the software is simple enough and not too complicated. it supports multiple operating systems and so many people can take advantage of it. path module is another part i liked about the software. while designing mechanical or electrical circuits i can see its working and easily make adjustments wherever its necessary. there are also many build is models to get you going at first, **What do you dislike about FreeCAD?** the features are too limited for complicated designing. it's very hard to get textures and fine details while designing in freeCAD. the addons available for the program is very limited. as its a free software the support is not good enough, there are many forums but you cant run to someone for an immediate help **Recommendations to others considering FreeCAD:** the program is free to use and got enough features to get you going. try and find for yourself **What problems is FreeCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** freeCAD is a designing software. i used it to design mechanical and electrical circuits. the software is free so its worth it. ## FreeCAD Discussions - [new user](https://www.g2.com/discussions/29807-new-user) - 1 comment, 2 upvotes - [FREECAD FOR PROFESSIONAL](https://www.g2.com/discussions/29803-freecad-for-professional) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [CAD Services That Will Bring You to the Future – Cadsourcing](https://www.g2.com/discussions/28081-cad-services-that-will-bring-you-to-the-future-cadsourcing) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [Does anybody have any experience with the FEA module in FreeCad?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/12347-does-anybody-have-any-experience-with-the-fea-module-in-freecad) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [Is FreeCAD easy to learn?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-freecad-easy-to-learn) - 1 comment - [View FreeCAD pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/freecad/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-13+09%3A50%3A00+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=f3ff1231-920d-4b2d-ba1d-257506ab5163&secure%5Btoken%5D=32f1da3562e172938e23c4efa94c4a08b38f45fa6dc1d7cdff846575ec0e7ff6&format=llm_user) ## FreeCAD Integrations - [KiCad EDA](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews) ## FreeCAD Features **Design** - Drawing - Modeling - Visualize - Rendering **File Options** - Import files - Export files - View 2D files - View 3D files - Batch convert files - File size **Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)** - 3D/solid modeling Tools - Rendering Tools - Drawing Tools - Editing Tools - Text Editing Tools **Edit** - File Import - Push/Pull - Views - Grips **Tools** - Dimensioning tools - Change units - 3D/solid modeling tools **File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)** - Export Files - Import Files - File Interoperability - Backwards compatibility - File size **Collaboration** - Annotate - Documentation - Data Extract **Design** - Drawing **Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)** - Custom Commands - Custom Scripts - Custom Menus - Custom Interface **Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)** - Hardware support - Task-based interfaces - Manage Multiple Profiles - Command Clarity ## Top FreeCAD Alternatives - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) - 4.7/5.0 (682 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (628 reviews) - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (507 reviews)