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Software · 3D, CAD & electronics

FreeCAD

An open source parametric 3D CAD modeler.

  • Completely free
  • Windows, macOS and Linux
  • Open source
  • No account

Overview

FreeCAD is a CAD program, available on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Features described in its Flathub listing, in its GitHub repository and in its Winget manifest: scripting and macros.

File formats mentioned: SVG, STL and DXF.

Overview written by LicitPro from the documentation published by the authors and the cited sources; we have not tried the resource ourselves.

Excerpts that establish this information
  • “FreeCAD, the open source 3D parametric modeler” — official website, 10 November 2026
  • “FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler built to help you design real-world objects of any size.” — Flathub, 10 November 2026
  • “FreeCAD is suitable for a wide range of uses, from product design and mechanical engineering to architecture and 3D printing.” — Flathub, 10 November 2026
  • “It also supports customization through Python scripting for those who want to automate tasks or develop custom features.” — Flathub, 10 November 2026

At a glance

All of FreeCAD is free: no feature is locked behind a paid plan, and its code is open.

Its licence (LGPL-2.1) is a copyleft open source licence: you may use, study, modify and redistribute it, including commercially; modified versions must keep the same licence.

Plans and conditions

  • The publisher also offers paid plans (hosting, support or services); they are described on its website.

Strengths

  • Open source code
  • No account needed
  • Commercial use allowed

About

FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler built to help you design real-world objects of any size. With parametric modeling, you can easily modify your designs by adjusting parameters in the model history. FreeCAD is suitable for a wide range of uses, from product design and mechanical engineering to architecture and 3D printing. The software allows you to create constrained 2D sketches, which can be used as the basis for more complex 3D models. It includes tools to adjust dimensions, extract design details, and produce production-ready technical drawings. FreeCAD is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and supports various file formats like STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and more, making it easy to fit into existing workflows. It also supports customization through Python scripting for those who want to automate tasks or develop custom features. FreeCAD offers several specialized workbenches, including tools for Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Building Information Modeling (BIM), CAM / CNC and robot movement simulation. You can expand its capabilities with add-ons, plugins, and macros created by the FreeCAD community, which can be installed directly from the application. This flexibility makes it a practical choice for both professionals and hobbyists.

Description from Flathub — AppStream (Flathub)

Sources and checks

  • Facts collected from Official plan pages (pricing, licence, terms) (limits, commercial use) —
  • Facts collected from Comptoir du Libre (source code) —
  • Facts collected from Winget (Windows Package Manager) (credit card, account, source code, publisher, licence, free status, platforms, commercial use, version) —
  • Facts collected from Flathub (credit card, source code, publisher, licence, free status, platforms, commercial use, version) —
  • Facts collected from Homebrew (platforms) —
  • Facts collected from Wikidata (licence, platforms) —
  • Last technical check: 5 November 2026
  • Description from Flathub — AppStream (Flathub)

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