# FreeCAD vs Trimble Tekla Structures

| Attribute | FreeCAD | Trimble Tekla Structures |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 55.7 (33% (low)) | 48.4 (75% (high)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 4 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 34,290 | - |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeling application that enables users to design real-world objects with precise dimensions and parameters. It supports bidirectional 2D-to-3D workflows, includes specialized workbenches for various domains (mechanical design, architecture, CAM), and seamlessly integrates with numerous file formats. It is indexed under CAD Software.","source":"https://www.freecad.org","question":"What is FreeCAD?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"FreeCAD is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the LGPL-2.1 licence. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.freecad.org","question":"Is FreeCAD free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"FreeCAD supports Windows, macOS and Linux. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://www.freecad.org","question":"What platforms does FreeCAD support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. FreeCAD can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://www.freecad.org","question":"Can FreeCAD be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 8 integrations for FreeCAD, including STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC and DAE. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.freecad.org","question":"What does FreeCAD integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. FreeCAD is published under the LGPL-2.1 licence, a copyleft licence, so check its terms before embedding it in a closed-source product. Licence terms can change between releases, so verify against the repository for the version you intend to use.","source":"https://github.com/freecad/FreeCAD","question":"Is FreeCAD open source?","confidence":0.95}]` | `[{"answer":"Structural engineers, designers, and construction professionals use Tekla Structures to create detailed 3D building models, coordinate project information, and generate fabrication-ready documentation. It is indexed under Bim Software.","source":"https://www.tekla.com/products/tekla-structures","question":"What is Trimble Tekla Structures?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Trimble Tekla Structures offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.tekla.com/products/tekla-structures","question":"Is Trimble Tekla Structures free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 3 integrations for Trimble Tekla Structures, including Trimble Connect, Tekla PowerFab and Tekla Model Sharing. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.tekla.com/products/tekla-structures","question":"What does Trimble Tekla Structures integrate with?","confidence":0.6}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"self_hosted":true}` | - |
| description.long | FreeCAD is a free, open-source 3D parametric modeling tool that allows users to create and modify parametric designs. It supports multiple platforms and features a community-driven ecosystem of modules and macros. | Structural engineers, designers, and construction professionals use Tekla Structures to create detailed 3D building models, coordinate project information, and generate fabrication-ready documentation. |
| features.capabilities | `{"iso_27001":false,"soc2_type_ii":false,"pricing_model":"completely_free_oss","deployment_model":"native_desktop_local","authoring_vs_coordination":"model_authoring","3d_parametric_object_modeling":true,"ifc_openbim_standard_compliance":true,"point_cloud_lidar_scan_ingestion":true,"fea_stress_and_thermal_simulation":true,"parametric_history_based_timeline":true,"pcb_electrical_circuit_design_sync":false,"cam_toolpath_generation_cnc_milling":true,"dwg_dxf_autocad_standard_file_import":true,"bim_architectural_information_modeling":true,"2d_drafting_and_dimensioning_blueprints":true,"automated_hard_and_soft_clash_detection":false,"nurbs_and_surface_mathematical_modeling":true,"stl_export_for_standardized_3d_printing":true,"4d_time_scheduling_and_5d_cost_estimation":false,"mep_mechanical_electrical_plumbing_detailing":false,"structural_steel_and_concrete_rebar_detailing":false}` | `{"authoring_vs_coordination":"model_authoring","3d_parametric_object_modeling":true,"ifc_openbim_standard_compliance":true,"structural_steel_and_concrete_rebar_detailing":true}` |
| integrations.count | 8 | 3 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"STEP"},{"name":"IGES"},{"name":"STL"},{"name":"SVG"},{"name":"DXF"},{"name":"OBJ"},{"name":"IFC"},{"name":"DAE"}]` | `[{"name":"Trimble Connect"},{"name":"Tekla PowerFab"},{"name":"Tekla Model Sharing"}]` |
| language.primary | C++ | - |
| license.spdx | LGPL-2.1 | - |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"BE","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | - |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | - |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Sponsor - Bronze","summary":"From 1 USD/1 EUR per month","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":1,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Sponsor - Silver","summary":"From 25 USD/25 EUR per month","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":25,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Sponsor - Gold","summary":"From 100 USD/100 EUR per month","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":100,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Sponsor - Platinum","summary":"From 200 USD/200 EUR per month","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":200,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false}],"summary":"Free and open source. Optional sponsorships from 1 USD/month","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.freecad.org","retrievedAt":"2026-10-14T21:29:56.149Z","startingPrice":{"amount":1,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}}` | `{"summary":"Free tier for education; trial available","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.tekla.com/products/tekla-structures","retrievedAt":"2026-08-22T22:28:12.712Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | open_source | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | free | low |
| pricing.starting_price | `{"amount":1,"currency":"USD"}` | - |
| pricing.transparent | yes | no |
| release.cadence_days | 5 | - |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.10.14","date":"2026-10-14T00:46:23Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.10.14"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/26.3rc1","date":"2026-10-08T14:40:27Z","type":"prerelease","version":"26.3rc1"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.10.07","date":"2026-10-07T00:56:59Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.10.07"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.10.01","date":"2026-10-01T12:47:28Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.10.01"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.09.30","date":"2026-09-30T00:56:31Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.09.30"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/1.1.4","date":"2026-09-28T13:58:35Z","type":"stable","version":"1.1.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.09.23","date":"2026-09-23T00:49:32Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.09.23"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.09.16","date":"2026-09-16T06:36:36Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.09.16"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.09.09","date":"2026-09-09T00:56:51Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.09.09"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.09.02","date":"2026-09-02T03:54:40Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.09.02"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.26","date":"2026-08-26T01:46:26Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.26"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.20","date":"2026-08-20T05:32:11Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.20"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.12","date":"2026-08-12T06:16:55Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.12"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.08.05","date":"2026-08-05T00:46:24Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.08.05"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.29","date":"2026-07-29T00:48:02Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.29"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/1.1.3","date":"2026-07-25T04:53:36Z","type":"stable","version":"1.1.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/1.1.2","date":"2026-07-23T15:01:22Z","type":"stable","version":"1.1.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.22","date":"2026-07-22T00:48:07Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.22"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.15","date":"2026-07-15T00:44:04Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.15"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.09","date":"2026-07-09T19:33:50Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.09"}]` | - |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=conda&package_name=freecad&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` | - |

## Capabilities (Bim Software)

| Capability | FreeCAD | Trimble Tekla Structures |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | native_desktop_local | - |
| Authoring vs coordination | Model authoring | Model authoring |
| 3d parametric object modeling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automated hard and soft clash detection | ✗ | - |
| 4d time scheduling and 5d cost estimation | ✗ | - |
| Point cloud lidar scan ingestion | ✓ | - |
| Ifc openbim standard compliance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mep mechanical electrical plumbing detailing | ✗ | - |
| Structural steel and concrete rebar detailing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Vr ar headset model walkthroughs | - | - |
| SOC2 type ii | ✗ | - |
| ISO 27001 | ✗ | - |
| Pricing model | completely_free_oss | - |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T19:18:56.879Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*