Best CAD Software in 2026
Updated
In short: AutoCAD is ranked #1 of 32 as of 30 September 2026, ahead of Onshape and SOLIDWORKS. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Onshape. The lowest first paid tier on this page is SOLIDWORKS at $4/mo.
CAD software supports technical drawing and model creation, with different capabilities for different design needs. Compare modeling dimension, direct and parametric modeling, and file format support against your projects. Cloud collaboration and simulation tools may matter for shared or analysis-oriented work, while supported platforms, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing offer further points to weigh. AutoCAD, Onshape, and SOLIDWORKS are among the options shown. Consider the modeling approach, compatibility, and collaboration needs relevant to your work as you compare the listed details.
32 CAD software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
32ranked
3free plans on this page
$4/molowest paid tier
30 Sept 2026last checked
Input list CAD software 25 channels on this page · 77 of 200 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromModeling dimensionParametric modelingDirect modelingSimulation toolsCloud collaborationSupported platforms Spec sheet Score
01 AutoCAD Free planNoPaid from$175/user/moModeling dimension2D and 3DParametric modelingnot statedDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationYesSupported platformsWindows, macOS, web, iOS, Android 5/8spec lines stated 9.0
02 Onshape Free planYesPaid fromFreeModeling dimension3D CADParametric modelingYesDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsYesCloud collaborationYesSupported platformsWeb, iOS, Android 7/8spec lines stated 8.5
03 SOLIDWORKS Free planYesPaid from$2,820/user/moModeling dimension3DParametric modelingYesDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsYesCloud collaborationYesSupported platformsnot stated 6/8spec lines stated 8.4
04 Creo Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingYesDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 8.2
05 Rhino 3D Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingYesDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 8.2
06 Autodesk Inventor Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimension3DParametric modelingYesDirect modelingYesSimulation toolsYesCloud collaborationYesSupported platformsMicrosoft Windows 7/8spec lines stated 8.1
07 FreeCAD Free planYesPaid fromnot statedModeling dimension3DParametric modelingYesDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsYesCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsWindows, Mac, Linux 5/8spec lines stated 7.7
08 Shapr3D Free planYesPaid fromFreeModeling dimension3DParametric modelingYesDirect modelingYesSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationYesSupported platformsWindows, macOS, iPadOS, visionOS 7/8spec lines stated 7.7
09 DraftSight Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingnot statedDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.5
10 CATIA Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingnot statedDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationYesSupported platformsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.4
11 ARES Commander Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingnot statedDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationYesSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.4
12 nanoCAD Free planYesPaid fromFreeModeling dimension2D and 3DParametric modelingYesDirect modelingYesSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsMicrosoft Windows 11, Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) 6/8spec lines stated 7.4
13 Siemens NX Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingnot statedDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationYesSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.2
14 Solid Edge Free planYesPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingYesDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.2
15 DesignSpark Mechanical Free planYesPaid fromnot statedModeling dimension2D and 3DParametric modelingYesDirect modelingYesSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationNoSupported platformsnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.0
16 GstarCAD Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingYesDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.8
17 ACTCAD Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingnot statedDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.8
18 Alibre Design Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingYesDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.6
19 Cobalt Free planNoPaid from$69.95/user/moModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingnot statedDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.5
20 MicroStation Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingnot statedDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.4
21 LibreCAD Free planYesPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingNoDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.4
22 ZWCAD Professional Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingYesDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.3
23 IRONCAD Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingnot statedDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationNoSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.3
24 Plasticity Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingNoDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.3
25 KOMPAS-3D Free planNoPaid fromnot statedModeling dimensionnot statedParametric modelingnot statedDirect modelingnot statedSimulation toolsnot statedCloud collaborationnot statedSupported platformsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.2
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which CAD software is ranked first on Specifiction?
AutoCAD is ranked #1 of 32 with a score of 9.0. Onshape is second and SOLIDWORKS third.
How many of these have a free plan?
3 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, SOLIDWORKS has the lowest first paid tier we found: $4/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.
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