Skip to content
Gratistack, home
Menu

Free alternatives to Autodesk software

Free replacements for AutoCAD, Fusion, Maya, 3ds Max and Revit, from 2D drafting to BIM.

Replacing all 5 paid apps saves up to $9,800 USD a year

Last verified

Each paid app, its best free pick and what switching saves
Paid appBest free pickYou stop paying
Autodesk AutoCADLibreCADStrongLicense: Open source$2,095 a year
Autodesk FusionOnshapeStrongLicense: Free tier$680 a year
Autodesk MayaBlenderTop pickLicense: Open source$2,010 a year
Autodesk 3ds MaxBlenderTop pickLicense: Open source$2,010 a year
Autodesk RevitFreeCADStrongLicense: Open source$3,005 a year
Total for all 5 apps$9,800 USD a year

Savings are list prices for each app on its own plan, checked on the dates shown on each app’s page. Apps sold in the same subscription are counted once in the total, and a bundle can cost less than the sum.

  1. Instead of Autodesk AutoCAD

    All 3 alternatives to Autodesk AutoCAD

    Swap for LibreCAD or QCAD for 2D drafting, or FreeCAD for 3D.

    LibreCAD

    Best for free 2D drafting that saves DXF

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Unknown
    • DWG: opens only, partial fidelity. Reads DWG through libdxfrw; save as DXF for dependable results
    • DXF: opens and saves, full fidelity. Native exchange format
    • PDF: saves only, full fidelity. Drawings export to PDF; PDFs cannot be opened for editing

    Saves $2,095 USD a year vs Autodesk AutoCAD (≈$2,987 CAD, estimated)

    Also good: QCAD, FreeCAD.

  2. Instead of Autodesk Fusion

    All 3 alternatives to Autodesk Fusion

    Swap for FreeCAD, which fixed topological naming in version 1.0.

    Onshape

    Best for browser-based parametric CAD

    License: Free tier
    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android
    Status: Verified
    • STEP: opens and saves, full fidelity. Geometry and face color carry over
    • STL: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Imported meshes are reference only and cannot be edited
    • DXF: opens and saves, full fidelity. 2D sketches and drawings
    • SLDPRT: opens only, partial fidelity. Imports as non-parametric geometry; exports STEP instead
    • SLDASM: opens only, partial fidelity. Import the assembly and its parts as a single zip file

    Saves $680 USD a year vs Autodesk Fusion (≈$969 CAD, estimated)

    Also good: FreeCAD, SolveSpace.

  3. Instead of Autodesk Maya

    All 2 alternatives to Autodesk Maya

    Swap for Blender. Rigging and pipeline conventions differ.

    Blender

    Best for a free all-purpose 3D suite

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Unknown
    • MOV: opens and saves, full fidelity. Video through FFmpeg
    • MP4: opens and saves, full fidelity. Video through FFmpeg
    • FBX: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Meshes, rigs and animation carry over; materials are simplified
    • OBJ: opens and saves, full fidelity
    • PNG: opens and saves, full fidelity
    • +2 more

    Saves $2,010 USD a year vs Autodesk Maya (≈$2,866 CAD, estimated)

    Also good: Houdini.

  4. Instead of Autodesk 3ds Max

    All 2 alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max

    Swap for Blender.

    Blender

    Best for a free all-purpose 3D suite

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Unknown
    • MOV: opens and saves, full fidelity. Video through FFmpeg
    • MP4: opens and saves, full fidelity. Video through FFmpeg
    • FBX: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Meshes, rigs and animation carry over; materials are simplified
    • OBJ: opens and saves, full fidelity
    • PNG: opens and saves, full fidelity
    • +2 more

    Saves $2,010 USD a year vs Autodesk 3ds Max (≈$2,866 CAD, estimated)

    Also good: Sweet Home 3D.

  5. Instead of Autodesk Revit

    All 2 alternatives to Autodesk Revit

    Swap for FreeCAD, parametric design with some BIM tooling, or Bonsai for IFC-native BIM inside Blender.

    FreeCAD

    Best for parametric design with some BIM tooling

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Unknown
    • DWG: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Needs the free ODA File Converter or LibreDWG; geometry and layers only
    • DXF: opens and saves, partial fidelity. 2D geometry, layers and text carry over; blocks and dimensions can lose detail
    • PDF: saves only, full fidelity. TechDraw pages export to PDF; PDFs cannot be opened for editing
    • STL: opens and saves, full fidelity. Mesh format
    • STEP: opens and saves, full fidelity. Solid geometry exchange
    • +1 more

    Saves $3,005 USD a year vs Autodesk Revit (≈$4,284 CAD, estimated)

    Also good: Bonsai.