# Altium Designer vs FreeCAD

**Leader by Vioscale score:** FreeCAD

| Attribute | Altium Designer | FreeCAD |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 57.6 (43% (low)) | 67.1 (35% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | - | 100 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | - | 4 |
| adoption.github_stars | - | 33,079 |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"hybrid":true}` | `{"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | Altium Designer is a comprehensive electronics design platform that combines schematic capture, PCB layout, circuit simulation, and manufacturing preparation. It integrates with Altium 365's cloud workspace to enable secure real-time collaboration, version control, and design data management for electronics development teams. | 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. |
| 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}` |
| integrations.count | 15 | 8 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Altium 365"},{"name":"EAGLE"},{"name":"KiCad"},{"name":"OrCAD"},{"name":"PADS"},{"name":"Zuken CR-5000"},{"name":"Siemens NX"},{"name":"Autodesk Inventor"},{"name":"Onshape"},{"name":"Arena"},{"name":"Duro"},{"name":"Jira"},{"name":"Slack"},{"name":"SiliconExpert"},{"name":"Z2Data"}]` | `[{"name":"STEP"},{"name":"IGES"},{"name":"STL"},{"name":"SVG"},{"name":"DXF"},{"name":"OBJ"},{"name":"IFC"},{"name":"DAE"}]` |
| language.primary | - | C++ |
| license.spdx | - | LGPL-2.1 |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"US","primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | - |
| platform.support | `{"web":true,"windows":true}` | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Altium Develop","summary":"$995/year for 1 author; add authors at $995/year each up to 5 total","features":["Altium Designer desktop license","Altium 365 workspace","Unlimited workspace viewers","ECAD-MCAD co-design","Version control","Real-time design collaboration","Review and feedback tracking"],"minSeats":1,"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"author","amount":995,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Individual designer or small team with desktop design and cloud collaboration","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Advanced MCAD CoDesigner","summary":"$499/user/year","features":["MCAD tool synchronization"],"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":499,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Mechanical CAD integration add-on","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Assembly Assistant","summary":"From $999/user/year","features":["Assembly workflow guidance"],"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":999,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Manual assembly optimization application","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"BOM Portal","summary":"$1999/user/year","features":["Supply chain monitoring","Part health tracking"],"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":1999,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Bill of Materials and supply chain risk platform","contactSales":false}],"addOns":[{"name":"Design Review"},{"name":"Process Workflows","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":999,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"Requirements & Systems Portal","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":999,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"Secure Collaboration (Organizational Security Package)","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":1500,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"SiliconExpert Integration","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":5000,"period":null,"currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"Z2Data Integration","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":5000,"period":null,"currency":"USD"}]}],"summary":"From $995/year for individual designer. Free 30-day trial. Team and enterprise editions available with additional applications priced per-user or per-organization.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.altium.com/in/platform/pricing","retrievedAt":"2026-08-18T12:23:14.812Z","freeTrialDays":30,"startingPrice":{"amount":499,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["year"]}` | `{"type":"open_source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.freecad.org","retrievedAt":"2026-08-18T12:19:47.465Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | freemium | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | high | free |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | - | 6 |
| release.history | - | `[{"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"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.08","date":"2026-07-08T00:50:11Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.08"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.07.01","date":"2026-07-01T01:16:24Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.07.01"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.06.24","date":"2026-06-24T10:15:42Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.06.24"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.06.20","date":"2026-06-20T04:06:02Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.06.20"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.06.17","date":"2026-06-17T01:20:27Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.06.17"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.06.10","date":"2026-06-10T01:15:28Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.06.10"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.06.03","date":"2026-06-03T01:24:13Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.06.03"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.05.27","date":"2026-05-27T01:12:20Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.05.27"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.05.20","date":"2026-05-20T01:11:44Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.05.20"},{"url":"https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.05.13","date":"2026-05-13T01:06:25Z","type":"prerelease","version":"weekly-2026.05.13"}]` |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |
| security.soc2 | yes | - |
| 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 (CAD Software)

| Capability | Altium Designer | FreeCAD |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | - | Native desktop local |
| Parametric history based timeline | - | ✓ |
| Nurbs and surface mathematical modeling | - | ✓ |
| 2d drafting and dimensioning blueprints | - | ✓ |
| Cam toolpath generation cnc milling | - | ✓ |
| Bim architectural information modeling | - | ✓ |
| Fea stress and thermal simulation | - | ✓ |
| Pcb electrical circuit design sync | - | ✗ |
| Stl export for standardized 3d printing | - | ✓ |
| Dwg dxf autocad standard file import | - | ✓ |
| SOC2 type ii | - | ✗ |
| ISO 27001 | - | ✗ |
| Pricing model | - | Completely free oss |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T17:11:12.725Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*