FreeCAD vs SOLIDWORKS

by Gralio Mar 07, 2025

FreeCAD and SOLIDWORKS offer distinct approaches to 3D CAD. FreeCAD excels in its cost-effectiveness and open-source nature, making it ideal for learning and small-scale projects. SOLIDWORKS, with its robust features and professional support, caters to businesses seeking advanced design and collaboration capabilities.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 753 reviews and 60 websites, saving 4 hours, 41 minutes of reading.

FreeCAD

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SOLIDWORKS

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About

FreeCAD is a free and open-source software for 3D computer-aided design. It can be used to design anything from small parts to buildings. It's particularly well-suited for mechanical engineering but also finds use in architecture and other fields. FreeCAD allows you to create parametric models, meaning you can easily change dimensions and have the entire design update automatically. It also supports industry-standard file formats for easy collaboration.

SOLIDWORKS is a popular computer-aided design (CAD) software primarily used by engineers and designers. It offers a range of tools for 3D modeling, design validation, and product data management. SOLIDWORKS is known for its user-friendliness and caters to various industries, with a strong focus on manufacturing. It helps businesses design better products faster by streamlining the design process and improving collaboration.

Summary

Main difference

FreeCAD is a free and open-source 3D CAD software suitable for hobbyists, students, and small projects, while SOLIDWORKS is a commercial product ideal for professional engineers, designers, and manufacturers seeking advanced features and collaboration tools.

Relative strengths of FreeCAD (compared to SOLIDWORKS)

Free and open-source, offering cost-effectiveness.
Parametric modeling allows for easy design modifications.
Large and active community provides support and resources.

Relative weaknesses of FreeCAD (compared to SOLIDWORKS)

Steeper learning curve and less intuitive interface than SOLIDWORKS.
Prone to bugs and crashes, especially with complex models.
Limited documentation and support compared to SOLIDWORKS.

Who should use FreeCAD VS. SOLIDWORKS

FreeCAD is a free and open-source 3D CAD software. Ideal for hobbyists, students, and small businesses seeking a cost-effective solution for 3D modeling and design. Users praise its parametric modeling and wide file format support but note a steep learning curve and occasional instability. Best for those comfortable with open-source software and willing to invest time in learning the platform.

SOLIDWORKS is a user-friendly 3D CAD software ideal for engineers, designers, and manufacturers. It offers extensive features for modeling, simulation, and data management. Users praise its intuitive interface and robust capabilities, but some note performance issues with large assemblies and the high cost. SOLIDWORKS is best suited for businesses of all sizes in industries like manufacturing and automotive.

Ideal for small businesses and hobbyists with limited budgets.
Best fit for manufacturing, education, and media & entertainment.

Ideal for small to large businesses seeking a robust 3D CAD solution.
Excellent fit for manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and other design-intensive industries.

FreeCAD and SOLIDWORKS features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Drafting

Supported

FreeCAD supports creating 2D technical drawings from 3D models using the TechDraw Workbench.

Supported

SOLIDWORKS supports creating 2D drawings from 3D models, including section views and annotations.
3D Solid Modeling

Supported

FreeCAD supports creating solid models with extrusions, cuts, and revolves.

Supported

SOLIDWORKS supports 3D solid modeling with features like extrusions, cuts, and revolves.
Machining Simulation

Supported

FreeCAD supports machining simulations with toolpath verification and previewing the final part.

Supported

SOLIDWORKS CAM supports machining simulations, including toolpath verification, collision checks, and final part previews.
Design Sharing

Partially supported

Designs can be shared via exporting and sending files manually.

Supported

SOLIDWORKS supports design sharing with various stakeholders via the Share and Markup feature.
CAM toolpath generation

Supported

FreeCAD can generate toolpaths for CNC machining with its built-in CAM workbench.

Supported

SOLIDWORKS supports CAM toolpath generation via its integrated SOLIDWORKS CAM module.
Dimensioning

Supported

FreeCAD supports both manual and automatic dimensioning tools for 2D drawings.

Supported

SOLIDWORKS supports automatic and manual dimensioning tools for 2D drawings.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

No data

-1

Strongly negative sentiment
Customer Service

No data

No data
Ease of Use

No data

+0.41

Rather positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

No data

-0.82

Strongly negative sentiment
Ease of Implementation

No data

-0.14

Neutral sentiment
Scalability

No data

-0.6

Rather negative sentiment

FreeCAD and SOLIDWORKS Pricing

No data

User sentiment

Strongly positive

We couldn't find a pricing page for FreeCAD.

No data

User sentiment

Strongly negative

-1

We couldn't find a pricing page for SOLIDWORKS.

FreeCAD and SOLIDWORKS review insights

753 reviews analysed from and

Users love

Free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone.
Parametric modeling allows for easy design modifications.
Supports a wide range of file formats for import and export.
Large and active community provides support and resources.
Extensible through Python scripting and add-ons.

User-friendly interface, easy to learn and use
Extensive features and customization options
Strong 3D modeling and 2D drawing capabilities
Wide range of add-ons and plugins for simulation, rendering, etc.
Large and active user community and readily available resources

Users dislike

Difficult to learn for new users, with a steep learning curve.
Prone to bugs and crashes, especially with complex or large models.
Unintuitive interface and workflow can be frustrating.
Limited documentation and support compared to commercial CAD software.
Topological naming issues lead to design instability when modifying models.

Performance issues and crashes, especially with large assemblies
Steep learning curve for advanced features, such as surfacing
High cost and subscription model, prohibitive for some users
Difficulty with file compatibility between versions
Limited capabilities for certain tasks like mesh and curve modeling

FreeCAD and SOLIDWORKS Ratings

G2

4.1/5

(58)
Capterra

4.3/5

(139)

G2

4.4/5

(559)

Company health

Employee growth

20% increase in the last year

3% increase in the last year

Web traffic

14% decrease in the last quarter

1% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data

How important is open-source availability versus commercial support?

The importance of open-source availability versus commercial support depends heavily on the user's needs and resources. FreeCAD's open-source nature offers cost savings and community support, which is beneficial for hobbyists, students, or those with limited budgets. However, it lacks the robust, dedicated support and potentially more polished user experience of a commercial product like SOLIDWORKS. SOLIDWORKS, while requiring a financial investment, provides professional support and potentially greater stability, making it more suitable for businesses where reliability and efficient workflows are paramount.

Which product better suits a team needing real-time collaboration features?

Neither FreeCAD nor SolidWorks offer real-time collaboration features. FreeCAD is a desktop application with file-based collaboration through shared file formats. SolidWorks, while having collaboration tools, does not support real-time collaborative design in the same way a cloud-based platform like Onshape does. Therefore, neither product is ideal for a team needing real-time collaboration.

What are the advantages of FreeCAD?

FreeCAD's primary advantages are its cost-effectiveness (being free and open-source) and its parametric modeling capabilities, allowing for easy design modifications. A large and active community provides support and resources, and the software is extensible through Python scripting. This makes it particularly appealing to hobbyists, students, and those on a budget.

What are the disadvantages of FreeCAD?

FreeCAD has a steep learning curve and can be difficult for new users to grasp. It is known to have bugs and can crash, particularly when handling complex or large models. The user interface and workflow are sometimes considered unintuitive. Finally, compared to commercial CAD software, FreeCAD's documentation and support resources are limited.

Alternatives to FreeCAD and SOLIDWORKS

SketchUp

SketchUp is a 3D modeling software that's easy to use, yet powerful enough for professionals in architecture, interior design, and construction. Visualize projects of any size, create detailed 2D drawings from your models, and share your vision with colleagues and clients through presentations and immersive visuals. SketchUp is known for its intuitive interface and is used by individuals and companies worldwide, from small design studios to large architectural firms.

Shapr3D

Shapr3D is professional 3D CAD software that makes it easy to design and manufacture real-world products. It's known for being user-friendly, so your team can learn it quickly and start designing, even on the go with their iPads or laptops. Shapr3D helps streamline the entire process from initial concept sketches to sharing prototypes with clients and handing off detailed designs to your engineering team. It's used by various industries from consumer goods to aerospace to make product development smoother.

Inventor

Inventor is a 3D design software for professionals who need to create, simulate, and document mechanical designs. It's used across various industries by engineers and designers to build a digital prototype before physical production. Inventor helps reduce development costs and speed up time to market by letting you test form, fit, and function virtually. It offers powerful tools for 3D modeling, including standard 2D drawings, and can be integrated with existing design data.

AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a design and drafting software to create 2D and 3D models. It offers industry-specific tools for fields like architecture and manufacturing. AutoCAD stands out with its web and mobile apps, enabling work from anywhere. It promises increased productivity through specialized features and a familiar interface.

BricsCAD

BricsCAD is a cost-effective computer-aided design (CAD) software that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and building information modeling (BIM). BricsCAD aims to be familiar to users of other CAD software, enabling a quick transition. It boasts innovative features like machine learning to improve drawing accuracy and efficiency. BricsCAD offers both permanent and subscription licensing options to fit various needs and budgets.

PIPEPHASE

PIPEPHASE is a software used by oil and gas companies to simulate the flow of oil and gas through pipelines. It helps companies design, plan, and optimize their pipeline systems. PIPEPHASE allows companies to model different scenarios, like changing production rates or pipeline diameters, to see how it impacts efficiency and profitability. This helps companies make informed decisions about their pipeline operations, leading to improved performance and reduced costs.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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