Factsheet
Other names CADuntu
Original author Ries van Twisk
Developers Armin Stebich, Dongxu Li, Rallaz, Ravas and others
Other names CADuntu
Original author Ries van Twisk
Developers Armin Stebich, Dongxu Li, Rallaz, Ravas and others
LibreCAD
librecad.org
LibreCAD - Free Open Source 2D CAD
After some discussion within the community and research on existing names, CADuntu was renamed to LibreCAD. Porting the rendering engine to Qt4 proved to be a large task, so LibreCAD initially still depended on the Qt3 support library. The Qt4 porting was completed eventually during the development of 2.0.0 series, thanks to our master developer Rallaz, and LibreCAD has become Qt3 free except in the 1.0.0 series. Meanwhile, for LibreCAD 2.2.0 series, Qt5 is mandatory. LibreCAD is a feature-packed and mature 2D-CAD application with some really great advantages:
Reddit
reddit.com โบ r/freecad โบ looking for a good open source/free cad software
r/FreeCAD on Reddit: Looking for a good open source/free cad software
November 3, 2023 -
Like the title says, im working in landscape architecture, so I donโt really need 3D or fancy libraries. Is free cad suitable for that? If not does anyone know a good alternative? Iโm currently working with vectorworks
Thank you guys, if this is the wrong sub Reddit, Iโm sorry!
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There is a steep learning curve and there are a lot of little bugs that will annoy you, but it was always more of a 3D tool. But recently features for drafting got added and the direction looks promising!
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I think the draw workbench is quite good for autocad like 2D much better than let's say libreCAD but also more complex. But the focus of FreeCAD is clearly in the 3D space Expect a steep learning curve and the user experience on some commercial applications are better
Best free CAD for beginners?
Itโs a software that lets you create a design in 2D or 3D and can be used for a number of different tasks. For example for 3d printing, laser cutting, CNC, creating a model of a wood or metal project you want to create. I am looking specifically for free CAD software thatโs ea... More on discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org
Can anyone recommend a simple and free 2d CAD software/website?
Jeff Ness is having issues with: I'm wanting to draw an inner tube with colors but I don't know what CAD tool to use that is simple and free. I tried using Corelcad but there we... More on teamtreehouse.com
I'M looking for a simple cad program. I want to draw lines
Here are three options you can try: LibreCAD (Free) Open-source 2D CAD software. Very similar commands to AutoCAD 2000 (lines, circles, layers, snaps, dimensions). Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. Ideal for creating furniture plans. https://librecad.org/ QCAD (Free Community Edition ... More on justanswer.com
Looking for a simple free 2D software.
NanoCAD Free, it works just like AutoCAD LT. LibreCAD sucks More on reddit.com
Videos
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Which โFREEโ CAD Software is Actually the Best? - YouTube
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5 Free CAD Tools to Design Any Project - YouTube
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5 FREE CAD Programs to Design Any Project - YouTube
08:27
Top 15 Free CAD Software for 2D & 3D Modeling | Fusion 360, Freecad, ...
10:56
Best free CAD softwares for 2D drawing - YouTube
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Design-Web: Free Open Source 2D CAD in Your Browser (No Login ...
Autodesk
autodesk.com โบ solutions โบ free-cad-software
Free CAD software: Powerful design tools ...
AutoCAD web offers basic 2D drawing and drafting but lacks the full feature set of the desktop version, including advanced 3D modeling and customization. The free versions are great options for learning, experimentation, and hobbyist projects. Autodesk offers free CAD software licenses to students, educators, and educational institutions through our education plan.
QCAD
qcad.org โบ en
QCAD - QCAD: 2D CAD
QCAD is a free, open source application for computer aided drafting (CAD) in two dimensions (2D). With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schematics and diagrams. QCAD works on Windows, macOS and Linux.
nanoCAD
nanocad.com โบ products โบ nanocad-free
Download nanoCAD Free โ Professional 2D/3D CAD Software at No Cost
Download nanoCAD Free, a professional-grade CAD software offering comprehensive 2D and 3D design tools with native DWG support. Ideal for engineers and designers seeking a free, reliable solution for creating and editing technical drawings.
FreeCAD
freecad.org
FreeCAD: Your own 3D parametric modeler
FreeCAD allows you to sketch geometry constrained 2D shapes and use them as a base to build other objects.
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I should note that both ZBrushCore and Blender are not really CAD programs. While they provide the ability to create 3D geometry, they take a mesh-based approach, rather than one based constructive solid geometry. When it comes to 3D printing this is fine, but when it comes to other CAM-based operatโฆ
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Apart from the ones in the list, there is also OpenSCAD. The learning curve is very step, but as everything is coded, itโs easier to create patterns and make changes once everything is created.
This works really well for some engraving patterns :smiley:
Btw, I only used cad programs as a hobbyist โฆ
SmartDraw
smartdraw.com โบ cad โบ cad-drawing.htm
CAD Drawing | Free Online CAD Drawing
May 12, 2026 - SmartDraw support is in-house and free! SmartDraw makes it easy to work with a team on any engineering or design project in real time. Invite your team or client so you can collaborate or share comments and feedback. SmartDraw also works where you already communicate with your team. You can collaborate on plans in Microsoft Teamsยฎ, Slack or Confluence. Use SmartDraw's CAD drawing software to realize your vision and share the results.
Team Treehouse
teamtreehouse.com โบ community โบ can-anyone-recommend-a-simple-and-free-2d-cad-softwarewebsite
Can anyone recommend a simple and free 2d CAD software/website? (Example) | Treehouse Community
February 26, 2021 - https://www.freecadweb.org/ - This is a free CAD software, I'm not sure how advanced or beginner-friendly it is. https://spline.design/ - This is for 3D model design for web and animations, so not exactly used for schematics but you can create ...
JustAnswer
justanswer.com โบ computer-programming โบ st7qw-simple-2d-cad-software-furniture-drawing.html
Best 2D CAD Programs for Hobbyists: Expert Q&A Guide
August 18, 2025 - Here are three options you can try: LibreCAD (Free) Open-source 2D CAD software. Very similar commands to AutoCAD 2000 (lines, circles, layers, snaps, dimensions). Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Techcad
techcad.com
TechCAD | 2D CAD software for Technical Drawing
Every library is available free of charge via the subscriptions on offer.
GstarCAD
blog.gstarcad.net โบ 9-best-free-2d-cad-software-for-2024
9 Best Free 2D CAD Software for 2025
July 8, 2024 - As a free and open-source software, FreeCAD is accessible to everyone, offering a cost-effective alternative to more expensive CAD programs. Its modular nature allows for expansion with numerous extensions, enabling users to customize the software according to their needs. FreeCADโs extensive feature set makes it valuable for professionals in product design, mechanical engineering, and architecture. Its ability to create real 3D solids and support for various networks and 2D drawing enhances its functionality, positioning it as a strong alternative to.
SmartDraw
smartdraw.com โบ cad โบ 2d-drawing-software.htm
2D Drawing & Design Software | Free 2D Drawings & Designs
Share your 2D drawing with anyone, even if they don't own a copy of SmartDraw, with a link. You can also easily export any diagram as a PDF or common image formats like PNG or SVG. Have a question? Chat or email us. SmartDraw support is in-house and free!
Coohom
coohom.com โบ article โบ discover-free-2d-cad-software-options
Free 2D CAD Software: Options If AutoCAD Is Too Expensive
April 16, 2026 - 1. **LibreCAD**: An open-source 2D CAD application that's perfect for beginners. It offers a user-friendly interface and essential drawing tools for creating detailed designs. 2. **DraftCAD**: Another great option that is easy to use. This software provides a variety of templates and features that help streamline your drafting process. Free 2D CAD tools can offer numerous advantages, such as no financial commitment, accessibility for students and educators, and a chance to explore different software before investing in a paid version.
nanoCAD
nanocad.com โบ products โบ nanocad-free โบ download
Download nanoCAD Free โ Reliable 2D CAD Software with Native DWG Support
Download nanoCAD Free, a professional-grade 2D CAD software offering native DWG support and a comprehensive set of design tools. Ideal for creating and editing engineering drawings, nanoCAD Free provides a reliable solution for professionals seeking cost-effective CAD software.
DraftSight
draftsight.com
DraftSight 2D CAD Design and Drafting Software | DraftSight
Product Design: Move from 2D sketches to 3D models for prototyping and manufacturing. Education & Hobbyists: Affordable access to professional tools with a short learning curve. ... Full DWG File Compatibility โ Share files easily across teams and platforms. SOLIDWORKS and CATIA Integration โ Sync designs across CAD and 3D tools.
Opensource.com
opensource.com โบ alternatives โบ autocad
Open source alternatives to AutoCAD | Opensource.com
FreeCAD's source code is hosted on GitHub and is made available as open source under an LGPL license. LibreCAD is another CAD program that is designed to work across Windows, Mac, and Linux alike. A fork of QCAD (mentioned below), LibreCAD has an interface that will look familiar to AutoCAD users, and by default it uses the AutoCAD DXF format for importing and saving, though it can use other formats as well. LibreCAD is 2D only, though, so it makes more sense if your intended use is a site plan or something similarly, err, flat.