# FreeCAD vs Rhinoceros 3D

**Leader by Vioscale score:** FreeCAD

| Attribute | FreeCAD | Rhinoceros 3D |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 60 (35% (low)) | 55 (26% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 4 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 33,079 | - |
| 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. | A 3D design application used by architects, engineers, product designers, and fabricators to create detailed digital models for manufacturing and construction. Provides precise geometry modeling tools across diverse industries including product design, jewelry, landscape design, and marine engineering. |
| 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 | 8 | 6 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"STEP"},{"name":"IGES"},{"name":"STL"},{"name":"SVG"},{"name":"DXF"},{"name":"OBJ"},{"name":"IFC"},{"name":"DAE"}]` | `[{"name":"Adobe Substance 3D Designer"},{"name":"Adobe Substance 3D Painter"},{"name":"Adobe Substance 3D Sampler"},{"name":"Grasshopper"},{"name":"Bongo"},{"name":"Food4Rhino"}]` |
| language.primary | C++ | - |
| license.spdx | LGPL-2.1 | - |
| market.availability | - | `{"hqCountry":"US","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | `{"ios":true,"mac":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.freecad.org","retrievedAt":"2026-08-18T12:19:47.465Z"}` | `{"type":"perpetual","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Commercial","summary":"€995 one-time","features":["Perpetual license","Support included","Service releases included","Use for commercial work"],"components":[{"kind":"one_time","amount":995,"currency":"EUR"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Commercial Upgrade","summary":"€595 one-time","features":["Perpetual license","Support included","Service releases included","Floating license","Prior version license key needed"],"components":[{"kind":"one_time","amount":595,"currency":"EUR"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Student","summary":"€195 one-time","features":["Perpetual license","Support included","Service releases included","Use for commercial work"],"components":[{"kind":"one_time","amount":195,"currency":"EUR"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Student Upgrade","summary":"€95 one-time","features":["Perpetual license","Support included","Service releases included","Prior version license key needed"],"components":[{"kind":"one_time","amount":95,"currency":"EUR"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":true,"name":"Evaluation","summary":"Free 90-day trial","features":["90 day trial license","Support included","All features included","Use for commercial work","No credit card required"],"components":[{"kind":"one_time","amount":0,"currency":"EUR"}],"contactSales":false}],"summary":"From €195 (student) to €995 (commercial), perpetual license. Free 90-day trial available.","currency":"EUR","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.rhino3d.com","retrievedAt":"2026-08-18T12:23:40.293Z","freeTrialDays":90,"startingPrice":{"amount":95,"period":"month","currency":"EUR"}}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | free | high |
| 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.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 | FreeCAD | Rhinoceros 3D |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **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 2026-09-01T17:42:07.626Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*