What is FreeCAD?
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.
FreeCAD pricing
We don't have FreeCAD's full plan breakdown yet (its pricing page resisted automated reading). Here's what we could confirm. Always check live pricing for exact numbers.
What FreeCAD does
The capabilities that matter for cad software, normalised so it lines up with every alternative. “-” means we haven't confirmed it, not that it's missing.
- 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
Platform & deployment
Independently observed- macOS
- Linux
- Windows
- Self-hosted
Integrations (8)
Independently observed- STEP
- IGES
- STL
- SVG
- DXF
- OBJ
- IFC
- DAE
Security & compliance
Known vulnerabilities: 0 (0 in the last 12 months) sourcea count reflects scale & disclosure, not quality
FreeCAD alternatives
Other cad software we track, ranked by the same independent score.
- OpenSCADlow · 14%
- Rhinoceros 3DMulti-industry 3D modeling software for creating precise designs ready for productionlow · 26%
- Altium DesignerIntegrated desktop software for creating circuit designs and PCB layouts with cloud-based team collaborationlow · 43%
- SketchUp3D modeling tool for architects and builders to create professional designslow · 34%
Compare FreeCAD
Side by side against other cad software, attribute by attribute, with a source on every value.
The Vioscale score: one lens on the evidence
Not user reviews and not a paid placement: a confidence-weighted blend of the independent signals below (adoption, activity, security posture, and more), which you can sort and re-weight yourself. Vendors can correct their listing but can never move their rank, and stars are weighted low as a vanity metric. It is one way to read the evidence for FreeCAD, not the verdict.
| Signal | Score | Weight | Contribution | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capabilities | 100 | 0.08 | 8.4 | ✓ |
| Pricing transparency | 80 | 0.08 | 6.7 | ✓ |
| Development activity | 63 | 0.09 | 5.9 | ✓ |
| Price level | 100 | 0.05 | 5.2 | ✓ |
| Release cadence | 97 | 0.05 | 5.0 | ✓ |
| Integrations | 27 | 0.09 | 2.6 | ✓ |
| Stars | 85 | 0.03 | 2.2 | ✓ |
| Dependent projects | 12 | 0.06 | 0.7 | ✓ |
| Reliability | 0 | 0.07 | 0.0 | - |
| Security posture | 0 | 0.07 | 0.0 | - |
| Package downloads | 0 | 0.14 | 0.0 | - |
| Security score | 0 | 0.04 | 0.0 | - |
| Developer Q&A activity | 0 | 0.06 | 0.0 | - |
Computed . Re-weight it by intent, or see the full method.
All data & sourcesshow ↓
Every value we hold, with its source, retrieval date, and confidence. This is the evidence behind the score: don't trust it, verify it.
Activity
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Commits last 30d | 100 | mediumsource · 2026-08-26 · 65% |
Adoption
Features
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Capabilities | Iso 27001: No · Soc2 type ii: No · Pricing model: completely_free_oss · Deployment model: native_desktop_local · Authoring vs coordination: model_authoring · 3d parametric object modeling: Yes | mediumsource · 2026-08-25 · 60% |
Integrations
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Count | 8 | mediumsource · 2026-08-25 · 60% |
Language
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | C++ | highsource · 2026-08-26 · 90% |
License
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Spdx | LGPL-2.1 | highsource · 2026-08-26 · 95% |
Pricing
Release
Security
| Attribute | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Vulnerabilities | Count: 0 · Source: https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=conda&package_name=freecad&per_page=100 · Last 12m: 0 | highsource · 2026-08-26 · 90% |