nanoCAD vs TinyCAD

nanoCAD is Windows software for 2D and 3D engineering drawing and design. It uses a hybrid modeling approach and supports parametric and direct modeling, assembly design, sheet-metal tools, and surface modeling. The platform is compatible with DWG natively and supports import and export formats including DXF, 3D PDF, DWF/DWFX, STL, Parasolid, IGES, STEP, ACIS, VRML, JT, COLLADA, C3D, and glTF/GLB. nanoCAD Free provides 2D engineering drawing tools without a time limit, while a 30-day trial includes all modules. The nanoCAD 26 Platform starts at $289 a year for one workstation license; other listed plans include nanoCAD Pro at $459 a year and nanoCAD Max at $849 a year. Listed prices exclude taxes, VAT, or levies. Network licenses work on computers on a local network and require the supplied License Server. The API supports JavaScript, VBS, Python via COM, LISP,.NET, and C++. Support includes email and help desk for subscribers, plus community forum support. The maker is headquartered in Lillestrøm, Norway.

TinyCAD is an open-source program for drawing circuit schematics, available as desktop software and TinyCAD Web. The browser version needs no installation, and both versions use the same .dsn drawing and .tclib library formats. Drawings can span sheets and include labels, buses, shapes, annotations, and automatic junction placement; search, undo, and redo are also available. Both versions can import symbols from KiCad.

A Design Rules Check flags common wiring and pin-type errors, but it cannot confirm that a circuit works correctly. TinyCAD can create netlists for downstream tools, including PADS, Eagle SCR, Protel, and gEDA PCB formats. Both versions support SPICE output and SVG export; browser PDF export is available, while VHDL output is desktop-only. In local-file mode, TinyCAD Web keeps work in the browser and sends no work or other files to TinyCAD servers. Google Drive mode stores drawings in the user’s Drive and requires permission to access Google files. TinyCAD is free and supplied as-is; the project advises backing up work and checking designs carefully.