Best free option: LibreCAD (Strong). Switching saves about $2,095 USD a year.
$2,095 USDa year
≈$2,986.84 CAD (converted from USD)
Every pick below has a free version.
3 alternatives
Covers most of the same work, with trade-offs noted on each card.
Best for free 2D drafting that saves DXF
Free, open source and 2D only. Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Share files as DXF with AutoCAD users.
Best for 2D drafting with scripting
The Community Edition is GPL; QCAD Professional is paid and adds DWG support and more tools. Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Free version: The GPL Community Edition is free for 2D drafting with DXF. QCAD Professional is paid and adds DWG support and more tools.
Right for specific needs, or not yet mature enough to recommend widely.
Best for 3D parametric design with 2D drawings
A 3D parametric modeler first. Workflows differ from AutoCAD, so expect a learning curve for 2D drafting.
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How each alternative covers what people use Autodesk AutoCAD for. Numbers link to editor notes.
| Feature | LibreCAD | QCAD | FreeCAD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drafting | |||
| 2D drafting with layers and blocks | Yes | Yes | PartialNote 1Draft and TechDraw workbenches work but are slower than a dedicated 2D CAD |
| Dimensions, hatching and annotation | Yes | Yes | PartialNote 2Dimensions and hatches exist; the workflow differs |
| Files | |||
| Native DWG read and write | PartialNote 3Reads DWG through libdxfrw; save as DXF for dependable results | NoNote 4Community Edition saves DXF; DWG needs the paid QCAD Professional plug-in | PartialNote 5DXF is built in; DWG needs the free ODA File Converter or LibreDWG |
| Output | |||
| Paper space layouts and plotting | NoNote 6No paper space or viewports; scale and print from the model | PartialNote 7Print scaling and drawing frames; no paper space viewports | PartialNote 8TechDraw pages; not paper space viewports |
| Modeling | |||
| 3D solid modeling | NoNote 92D only | NoNote 102D only | YesNote 11Parametric solid modeling is its core |
| Automation | |||
| AutoLISP and scripting | PartialNote 12C++ plug-in API and a command line; no AutoLISP | PartialNote 13ECMAScript scripting; no AutoLISP | YesNote 14Python macros and a full Python API |
| Parity score | 50% | 50% | 67% |
Not covered by any free alternative yet: Native DWG read and write, Paper space layouts and plotting. See all feature gaps
Can each alternative open and save Autodesk AutoCAD files?
| Format | LibreCAD | QCAD | FreeCAD |
|---|---|---|---|
| .dwg | Opens onlyNote 1Reads DWG through libdxfrw; save as DXF for dependable resultsPartial fidelity | NoNote 2DWG support is a paid plug-in in QCAD Professional | Opens and savesNote 3Needs the free ODA File Converter or LibreDWG; geometry and layers onlyPartial fidelity |
| .dxf | Opens and savesNote 4Native exchange formatFull fidelity | Opens and savesNote 5Native exchange formatFull fidelity | Opens and savesNote 62D geometry, layers and text carry over; blocks and dimensions can lose detailPartial fidelity |
| Saves onlyNote 7Drawings export to PDF; PDFs cannot be opened for editingFull fidelity | Saves onlyNote 8Drawings export to PDF; PDFs cannot be opened for editingFull fidelity | Saves onlyNote 9TechDraw pages export to PDF; PDFs cannot be opened for editingFull fidelity | |
| .stl | NoNote 102D only | NoNote 112D only | Opens and savesNote 12Mesh formatFull fidelity |
Switching saves about $2,095 USD / ≈$2,987 CAD (estimated from the USD price) a year. Prices checked ; ≈ means converted from USD.
Based on AutoCAD, annual subscription per user. Price source. USD to CAD at 1.4257 as of Oct 7, 2026.
Last verified . Ranking: tier first, then the published score.
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Autodesk AutoCAD is a product of Autodesk, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for Autodesk AutoCAD: Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android.