GstarCAD vs QCAD Professional
GstarCAD
gstarcad.net
QCAD Professional
qcad.orgSide by side
| Figure | GstarCAD | QCAD Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $19.92/mo | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 9 | 2 |
| Spec score · 2D CAD Software | 8.5 (#4) | 7.9 (#17) |
| Spec score · Engineering CAD Software | 8.5 (#5) | 8.0 (#14) |
| Spec score · Architectural Design Software | 8.3 (#9) | 7.8 (#15) |
| Spec score · CAD software | 8.4 (#12) | 7.8 (#25) |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Headquarters | Beijing, China | Sarnen, Switzerland |
| Platforms | The maker says GstarCAD runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux. | The product page lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported platforms. |
| Security and privacy | The site privacy page describes Google Drive permissions used by DWG FastView to view, manage, download, and upload files; it does not state a security certification there. | RibbonSoft says it has technical and organizational measures to protect personal data processed through its website, while noting that internet transmissions cannot be guaranteed absolutely secure. |
Plans
GstarCAD
- Standard$749, paid once
- Professional$949, paid once
- Premium$1,120, paid once
- GstarCAD 2027 Standard$239 a year
- GstarCAD 2027 Professional$319 a year
- GstarCAD 2027 Premium$359 a year
- GstarCAD 2027 Standard$599, paid once
- GstarCAD 2027 Professional$759, paid once
- GstarCAD 2027 Premium$896, paid once
QCAD Professional
- QCAD ProfessionalPrice not published
- QCAD Professional (Download)$48, paid once
In their own words
GstarCAD
GstarCAD is 2D and 3D CAD software for working with technical drawings. It supports native DWG and DXF files, and the maker describes it as compatible with AutoCAD data formats. Its toolset includes more than 100 tools, such as Area Table, Auto Layer, Viewport to Layout, and AutoXlsTable. The maker says multi-core processing is designed to handle complex drawings with faster processing and less lag. GstarCAD 2027 adds Dynamic Block Parametric Constraints, Automatic Input Method Switching, and floating drawing windows. The developer environment supports LISP, C/C++, VB/VBA, and.NET, along with COM and GRX APIs; the maker says LISP and VBA applications can run without modification. A perpetual license provides lifetime usage rights, and yearly subscription and upgrade licensing are also offered. Plans listed for GstarCAD 2027 start at $239 a year, with prices excluding VAT and service fees. A free 30-day trial is available, but there is no free plan.
QCAD Professional
QCAD Professional is 2D CAD software for technical drawings such as building plans, mechanical parts, and diagrams. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Drawing tools include layers, blocks, construction and modification commands, object snaps, measuring, and scaled multipage printing. The Professional edition reads and writes DWG and DXF through version R32, covering 2018–2026, and supports PDF, SVG, bitmap, DWF, and DGN formats. Its Library Browser offers more than 5,000 CAD parts as free add-ons. An ECMAScript (JavaScript) interface supports creating and modifying entities and building interactive CAD tools. Command-line utilities batch-convert drawings to PDF, SVG, bitmaps, and other formats. QCAD offers Professional trial packages and a free, open-source Community Edition. The single-user perpetual license can be installed on multiple computers and operating systems for one user, with new-version updates included for one year. The download plan costs 48.00 USD once.