Compare the Top CAD Software as of April 2025

What is CAD Software?

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software is software used by engineers, architects, and designers to create precise 2D and 3D models. It enables users to design, visualize, and simulate their projects with high accuracy, facilitating efficient prototyping and problem-solving. CAD software supports a variety of industries, including manufacturing, construction, and product design, by offering features like parametric modeling, rendering, and automated drafting. Its intuitive interfaces and integration with other engineering tools make it a cornerstone of modern design workflows. By streamlining the design process, CAD software helps reduce development time, improve collaboration, and bring innovative ideas to life. Compare and read user reviews of the best CAD software currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

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    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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    CMS IntelliCAD

    CMS IntelliCAD

    CAD-MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS INC

    CMS IntelliCAD® is the intelligent, powerful and affordable full-featured CAD Software and is fully programmable with hundreds of third party solutions. CMS IntelliCAD also offers a full suite of 2D and 3D AutoCAD® compatible drawing tools! It is the smartest choice for engineers, architects and consultants, or anyone who communicates using CAD drawings. It is designed to give you the best unrivaled compatibility and a true CAD Software alternative to Autodesk® AutoCAD® software and is fully programmable with hundreds of third party solutions. CMS IntelliCAD also offers DWG file extension native support! And now also with Microstation DGN file support.
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    Starting Price: $149.95/one-time/user
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    CADhobby

    CADhobby

    CAD-MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS INC.

    CADhobby Student - free version for Academic use only. CADhobby IntelliCAD is a powerful and affordable computer-aided design (CAD) software application that is perfect for both hobbyists and professionals. It offers a wide range of features, including 2D and 3D modeling, rendering, and animation. CADhobby IntelliCAD is also compatible with a variety of file formats, including DWG, DXF, DGN, and STL. CADhobby IntelliCAD is a great choice for anyone who wants to create high-quality CAD designs without breaking the bank. It is easy to learn and use, and it has a large and active community of users who can provide support and help.
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    Starting Price: $0.00/one-time/user
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    SkyCiv Structural 3D

    SkyCiv Structural 3D

    SkyCiv Engineering

    SkyCiv Structural 3D is a cloud-based Structural Analysis software that allows users to model, analyze and design complex 3D structures. It is completely online; requiring no installation to use. SkyCiv Structural 3D offers the very best in online structural analysis. It includes the following: - Powerful Analysis: Linear, P-Delta, Cables, Buckling, Plates, Frequency, RS - Integrated Design checks for steel, wood, connections, foundations, wind (AISC, NSD, AISI, EN, AS, CSA, BS plus more...)
    Starting Price: $79/month/user
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    ARES Commander
    2D & 3D CAD software to create & modify technical drawings in DWG format with choice between Perpetual, Network or Annual licenses. Experience the agility of the n°1 alternative to AutoCAD. Cost-effective, ARES Commander offers a full replacement and an easy switch, at a fraction of the cost. With Graebert's ARES CAD software you will enjoy a 3-in-1 license, including ARES Commander (for Windows, macOS and Linux computers) + ARES Kudo (Cloud) + ARES Touch (iOS + Android). These 3 products work in synergy to synchronize the work across users and devices. Create and modify DWG drawings locally, with files stored on your computer, or in sync with Google Drive, Box, OneDrive, Dropbox, Onshape, Trimble Connect. Alternatively, you can also store files in a private Cloud server (via WebDAV). Some our advanced CAD features include the support for Dynamic blocks, PDF to DWG conversion, Drawing comparison, IFC & Revit import, 3D solid modeling, satellite images and street maps.
    Starting Price: $350.00/year
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    Canvas

    Canvas

    Occipital

    The new power tool for home improvement. Fast, easy, mobile 3D scanning for home service pros and DIY warriors. Powered by the world’s first mobile depth sensor, the Structure Sensor, Canvas makes capturing a 3D model of a room delightfully easy. Simply tap scan, walk around the room, and watch as a scale-accurate model is built in real-time, right on your iPad. No more busting out the measuring tape and converting scribbles into floor plans later – Canvas captures tens of thousands of measurements all at once, and then pieces it together into an interactive 3D model. Your 3D model is saved on your iPad, so you can go back and revisit any space, at any time. Whether you just need to refresh your memory of a given viewpoint or capture a forgotten measurement, you're never more than a few taps away. Save hours with professional-grade CAD output. With our Scan To CAD service, we’ll convert your scan into an editable, professional-grade, CAD file.
    Starting Price: $10
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    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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    JTS IntelliCAD

    JTS IntelliCAD

    JYTRA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED

    JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 is an economical 2D Drafting and 3D Wireframe Modeling CAD software meant for Engineers, Architects, and other technical consultants. JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 works in native DWG & DXF CAD software to create and edit drawings.TrueCAD works in native DWG & DXF CAD software to create and edit drawings. JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 uses IntelliCAD 11.1 Engine. If you need only the 32bit version you need to choose TrueCAD 2021 Premium. JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 offers all CAD features needed for Professional designers with native DWG & DXF support. Directly edit existing drawings. Suitable to create Professional drawings easily just like other expensive CAD software available in the market. No learning is needed for existing CAD users. Interface, commands, icons, and shortcuts are similar to other CAD. Complete help and user guide available.
    Starting Price: $149 per license
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    VisualARQ
    VisualARQ is a Flexible BIM solution powered by McNeel’s Rhinoceros 3D. VisualARQ enhances Rhino by adding powerful associative object styling and dynamic documentation tools which adapt to fit the professional’s workflow. VisualARQ allows you to with parametric architectural objects, produce 2D drawings from the 3D model, generate dynamic BIM objects driven by Grasshopper, automate many modeling tasks through the VisualARQ components built for Grasshopper, add custom data to geometry and list in schedules and finally deliver BIM models and collaborate with other tools through the IFC import/export capabilities.
    Starting Price: $95-795 one-time payment
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    RFEM

    RFEM

    Dlubal Software

    The FEA program RFEM allows for quick and easy modeling, structural and dynamic calculation, as well as the design of models with member, plate, wall, folded plate, shell, and solid elements. Due to the modular software concept, you can connect the main program RFEM with the corresponding add‑ons in order to meet your individual requirements. The structural analysis program RFEM provides structural engineers with a 3D FEA program that meets all requirements in modern civil engineering. Efficient data input and intuitive handling facilitate the modeling of simple and complex structures. The structural analysis program RFEM is the basis of a modular software system. The basic program RFEM is used to define structures, materials, and loads for planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, and members. The program also allows you to create combined structures as well as model solid and contact elements.
    Starting Price: €697.50 rent 1 month
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    Envision evCreator
    Envision evCreator is a powerful graphics application* combining 2D drawing and image editing with 3D model handling for creating technical illustrations, product visualizations, animations, charts, text and more. The evCreator handles the preparation of every visual asset you need to add to your instructional content - as well as the creation of end-to-end documents. Envision evCreator gives technical creatives the autonomy to work with 2D graphics, images and 3D CAD models in a single, intuitive application. No more switching between different apps for different uses, and no more delays caused by reliance on engineering teams for 3D model screenshots. 2D drawing, 3D CAD, and vector graphics in a single, easy to use application: - Image editing - 3D CAD visualization - Flow charts and process diagrams - Animation with text to speech - Smart annotation & dimension tools - Charts, tables, symbols - Export to JPG, PNG, PDF, MP4, and more
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    Canvas Envision
    From a powerful creator app to hosted solutions and deep integrations with manufacturing tech stacks, Canvas Envision delivers interactive instructional experiences that minimize errors and delays. The Envision platform is an End-to-end solution for creating, managing, and consuming interactive digital work instructions. Cloud collaboration and document viewing. Available hosted or in your private cloud. Document viewers will be able to easily access and consume digital instructional content containing precise 2D graphics, narrated animations, and fully interactive embedded 3D models. Interactive digital instructions are proven to drive faster time to task completion, and reduce error count. - Create end-to-end digital work instruction documents - Leverage 2D drawing, image editing, and 3D visualization - Create 3D model animations with text-to-speech narration - Collaborate with teams on document creation - Deliver fully interactive instructional experiences
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    ENCY

    ENCY

    ENCY Software

    ENCY is a CAD/CAM for a new generation that combines advanced CAM technology with an intuitive user interface and natural workflow. It supports multi-axis machining, G-code generation, and 2D and 3D CAD modeling, with applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing. Core Features: - Advanced Toolpath Calculation: Customized toolpaths maximize machine capabilities and safety - High-Resolution Simulation: Realistic solid and voxel simulations for material removal, collision checking, additive, and painting processes - Seamless integration with ENCY Tuner and ENCY Clouds Highlights: - Modern interface with a dark theme - Extensive technological capabilities - Powerful Multiaxis Milling, Mill-Turn and Swiss Turning - Additive and Hybrid manufacturing - Machine-Aware Technology: toolpath calculation considering the digital twin of the machine - Direct toolpath editing - State-of-the-art simulation - Postprocessor generator
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    nTop Platform

    nTop Platform

    nTopology

    Engineering software built for digital manufacturing The way we build parts has changed. Your engineering software needs to change too. A unifying technique for design, simulation, and manufacturing data. The nTop Platform approach removes geometry bottlenecks in design by achieving more efficient workflows, dramatically improving team collaboration with faster iteration, enabling smarter, more complex designs to meet performance demands. By utilizing nTop Platform’s breakthrough computational modeling techniques, design teams can process and evaluate more design concepts than ever before. Find the most optimal solution in a shorter amount of time. At nTopology we know that your engineering know-how is the most valuable asset in your organization. nTop Platform makes that know-how accessible, shareable and, most importantly, secure across your entire organization.
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