Compare the Top CAD Viewers for Windows as of April 2025

What are CAD Viewers for Windows?

CAD viewers are software tools that enable users to open, view, and interact with CAD (Computer-Aided Design) files without requiring full CAD software for editing or creating designs. These viewers allow users to view 2D and 3D drawings, blueprints, and models in various CAD formats, such as DWG, DXF, or STEP, and often provide features like zooming, rotating, and panning. CAD viewers are commonly used in industries such as engineering, architecture, and manufacturing to review designs, collaborate on projects, and share files with stakeholders. Some CAD viewers also offer markup and annotation tools for commenting on designs. Compare and read user reviews of the best CAD Viewers for Windows currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

  • 1
    ActCAD Software

    ActCAD Software

    Jytra Technology Solutions

    ActCAD is a native dwg/dxf cad software suitable for professional 2D drafting and 3D modeling projects. ActCAD is trusted by over 30000 users in over 103 countries for more than 10 years. The interface, commands, icons, dialogs, shortcuts etc. are very much similar to other popular cad software tools available in market. Flexible license types available even for single license. There is no learning for existing cad users while saving 80% of the costs. ActCAD offers free email technical support without any limitations. ActCAD can be fully customized and programs can be developed using our free API toolkit. It supports popular programming languages like , lisp dcl, .net, C++ etc. Apart from all regular commands, ActCAD offers many productive tools like pdf to cad converter, Block libraries, Image to Cad converter, handling point sets between Cad and Excel and many more. ActCAD is suitable for any high end professional projects in the domains of Architecture, Civil, Mechanical,Automotive
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    Starting Price: $249.00/one-time/user
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  • 2
    FreeCAD

    FreeCAD

    FreeCAD

    FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters. FreeCAD allows you to sketch geometry constrained 2D shapes and use them as a base to build other objects. It contains many components to adjust dimensions or extract design details from 3D models to create high quality production ready drawings. FreeCAD is a multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), highly customizable and extensible software. It reads and writes to many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others, making it possible to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow. FreeCAD is designed to fit a wide range of uses including product design, mechanical engineering and architecture. Whether you are a hobbyist, a programmer, an experienced CAD user, a student or a teacher, you will feel right at home with FreeCAD.
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    JigSpace

    JigSpace

    JigSpace

    JigSpace is your on-ramp to spatial computing. Our spatial presentations — we call them Jigs — combine 3D content, audio, video, and text in an interactive, step-by-step experience that supercharges the communication of complex ideas, products, or processes. * Immerse yourself in detail: Lean in and discover intricacies of your products like never before, engaging with content that is meticulously crafted for clarity and immersive communication. * Stunning realism: Experience presentations that feel real, thanks to the power of Apple Vision Pro, supporting 4K textures and high-fidelity CAD files for unparalleled realism. * Intuitive interaction: Manipulate Jigs intuitively with your hands; pull apart components, annotate, and explore in a natural, hands-on manner that enhances understanding and interaction. * Effortless collaboration: Bring all the right people into the room with SharePlay, and communicate what’s important to your business in a fraction of the time.
    Starting Price: $200/month
  • 4
    Inventor

    Inventor

    Autodesk

    Professional-grade 3D CAD software for product design and engineering. Inventor® CAD software provides professional-grade 3D mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation tools. Work efficiently with a powerful blend of parametric, direct, freeform, and rules-based design capabilities. Work with anyone, anywhere no matter what CAD software they use. Use cloud-based design reviews to collect feedback from key stakeholders wherever they are. Follow the entire product development lifecycle with one data model. Design efficiently using specialized tools for sheet metal, frame design, and tube and pipe. Enable design, documentation, and process automation powered by iLogic. Access Inventor API to create your own add-ins. Go further by investigating Forge Design Automation API for running your job processes in the cloud.
    Starting Price: $2,190 per year
  • 5
    ABViewer

    ABViewer

    CADSoftTools

    ABViewer is universal software for PC for working with drawings. It enables you to view, edit, convert, measure and print DWG and other CAD files, as well as 3D models and raster images. You can work with a separate fragment of a drawing or, on the contrary, with a group of files. All this at an attractive price! ABViewer allows converting single files or a group of files. Batch conversion provides a wide range of export settings, for example, black-and-white mode, specifying the output file size, etc. The 3D section panel has controls for setting up visual display of 3D models and section planes. The panel is available in the 3D Viewer mode. The commands and options of the 3D Section panel enable to customize 3D model viewing. To display parts of a model, section and gizmo use the settings located at the top of the form. It is possible to create several planes at the same time.
    Starting Price: $48
  • 6
    Cortona2D Viewer
    Cortona2D Viewer enables you to view various graphic formats including CGM, BMP, ICON, GIF and JPEG to name just a few. Cortona2D Viewer works as a pluggable component for Internet Explorer and Office applications (Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word). At this time the Cortona2D Viewer is available on the Windows platform. Cortona2D Viewer is more than just a viewer! The powerful API allows for integration of Cortona2D Viewer into any third-party application supporting ActiveX technology. With Cortona2D Viewer, you can create a wide range of 2D applications. Navigate hotspots and embedded hyperlinks in your technical drawings just like any web page. 2D images generated in procedures are linked to the procedure action and timeline allowing automated update (including raster images generated from 3D). 2D images generated in catalogs are linked to the sheet view allowing automated update (including raster images from 3D).
    Starting Price: €475
  • 7
    3DViewStation
    The 3DViewStation Desktop version is our most popular product. The Desktop viewer will be installed on your local PC and can very quickly visualize over 60 data formats from the areas of 3D CAD, 2D CAD, images and Office. In addition to pure viewing, many functionalities are available. These are navigation, selection, search & filter, measuring, dimensioning, cutting, comparison. But also advanced Digital Mockup, redline/markup, exploding, volume calculation, preparation for meetings, intellectual property protection, content generation for technical documentation and much more. With our Desktop viewer you can add CAD data from various CAD systems to a model, simply via drag & drop, without preparation. We call that real Multi-CAD DMU (Digital Mockup). The 3DViewStation Desktop version can work on its own (as a stand-alone), or thanks to APIs it can also integrate into any leading system.
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