# FreeCAD vs IfcOpenShell

**Leader by Vioscale score:** FreeCAD

| Attribute | FreeCAD | IfcOpenShell |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 67.1 (35% (low)) | 55.6 (35% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | 100 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 4 | 73 |
| adoption.github_stars | 33,079 | 2,732 |
| deployment.options | `{"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | 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. | IfcOpenShell is an open source library and geometry engine for developing digital platforms in the built environment. It provides comprehensive APIs and tools for IFC data manipulation, geometric analysis, model coordination, and format conversion. |
| 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}` | `{"pricing_model":"perpetual_license","deployment_model":"cloud_web_viewer","authoring_vs_coordination":"model_authoring","3d_parametric_object_modeling":false,"ifc_openbim_standard_compliance":true,"automated_hard_and_soft_clash_detection":true,"4d_time_scheduling_and_5d_cost_estimation":true,"mep_mechanical_electrical_plumbing_detailing":true}` |
| integrations.count | 8 | 10 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"STEP"},{"name":"IGES"},{"name":"STL"},{"name":"SVG"},{"name":"DXF"},{"name":"OBJ"},{"name":"IFC"},{"name":"DAE"}]` | `[{"name":"Blender"},{"name":"Oracle P6"},{"name":"Microsoft Project"},{"name":"Asta PowerProject"},{"name":"IDS"},{"name":"BCF"},{"name":"bSDD"},{"name":"CityJSON"},{"name":"COBie"},{"name":"Code_Aster"}]` |
| language.primary | C++ | C++ |
| license.spdx | LGPL-2.1 | LGPL-3.0 |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | `{"cli":true,"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.freecad.org","retrievedAt":"2026-08-18T12:19:47.465Z"}` | `{"type":"open_source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://ifcopenshell.org/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-24T09:46:26.970Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | free | free |
| pricing.transparent | yes | - |
| release.cadence_days | 6 | 1 |
| 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"}]` | `[{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608261658","date":"2026-08-26T17:02:38Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608261658"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608251413","date":"2026-08-25T14:16:34Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608251413"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608250302","date":"2026-08-25T03:05:39Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608250302"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608250046","date":"2026-08-25T00:49:35Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608250046"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608242134","date":"2026-08-24T21:38:01Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608242134"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608231542","date":"2026-08-23T15:46:04Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608231542"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608231407","date":"2026-08-23T14:10:21Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608231407"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608231326","date":"2026-08-23T13:29:39Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608231326"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608192307","date":"2026-08-19T23:11:32Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608192307"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608162204","date":"2026-08-16T22:08:22Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.9.0-alpha2608162204"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608132105","date":"2026-08-13T21:09:42Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608132105"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608122009","date":"2026-08-12T20:12:30Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608122009"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608111531","date":"2026-08-11T15:35:20Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608111531"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608111014","date":"2026-08-11T10:18:04Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608111014"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608090641","date":"2026-08-09T06:44:54Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608090641"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608081735","date":"2026-08-08T17:39:18Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608081735"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608072133","date":"2026-08-07T21:37:06Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608072133"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608051426","date":"2026-08-05T14:30:23Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608051426"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608012327","date":"2026-08-01T23:30:55Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2608012327"},{"url":"https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/releases/tag/bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2607311157","date":"2026-07-31T12:01:25Z","type":"stable","version":"bonsai-0.8.6-alpha2607311157"}]` |
| 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}` | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=pypi&package_name=ifcopenshell&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` |

## Capabilities (Bim Software)

| Capability | FreeCAD | IfcOpenShell |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | native_desktop_local | Cloud web viewer |
| 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 | Perpetual license |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T14:44:31.814Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*