Cobalt vs OwlCAD
Cobalt
ashlar.com
OwlCAD
owlcad.comSide by side
| Figure | Cobalt | OwlCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $57.92/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · 3D CAD Software | 7.4 (#62) | 8.6 (#9) |
| Assembly design | Yes | Yes |
| File import and export | ACIS SAT, PDF, DWG/DXF, IGES, STEP, Pro/E via SAT, SolidWorks via SAT, Catia v4, 3D Studio, Rhino 3DM, Facet, STL, Adobe Illustrator, EPS, CGM, VRML, ShockWave 3D, BMP, JPEG, PNG, PPM, XPM, XBM, GIF, PICT, Spline, RAW Triangle, ASCII Text, Grid Surface, SIM | Import/export: STL, 3MF, OBJ, GLB, STEP, SVG and DXF; OpenSCAD .scad and .csg import |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Modeling method | hybrid | parametric |
| Supported platforms | Windows x64 10/11 and macOS 12, 13, 14, 15 and 26 | Web browser; Windows, macOS and Linux |
Plans
In their own words
OwlCAD
OwlCAD is a parametric CAD tool for modeling 3D objects and assemblies in a browser or on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its editor, modeling features, customizer, and file import and export are free forever, and every plan includes commercial rights to sell prints and files. The browser version requires no installation and can be opened without an account. OwlCAD imports and exports STL, 3MF, OBJ, GLB, STEP, SVG, and DXF files, and imports OpenSCAD SCAD and CSG files. Cloud projects autosave and keep version histories that can be rolled back. Projects are private by default; read-only share links, embeds, and comments can be enabled. Print preparation tools check mesh watertightness, repair geometry, estimate filament cost, and split oversized parts, with profiles for Ender 3, Prusa, and Bambu Lab. Published models can expose dimensions, counts, and text as browser sliders for downloadable print-ready versions. Pro adds AI generation and editing, monthly credits, and MCP access for use with Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, and other MCP clients.