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Autodesk AutoCAD Alternatives for Mac OS X

Looking for Autodesk AutoCAD alternatives? We've curated 9 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need Mac OS X options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Commercial More about Autodesk AutoCAD

Categories:

Photos & Graphics System & Hardware

Platforms:

Windows 15 Mac 9 Linux 7 Web / Cloud 2 Clear Filter

Sketchup

Freemium

SketchUp is a powerful 3D modeling software widely used for architectural design, interior design, mechanical engineering, and more. It offers an intuitive interface and a vast library of pre-made models, making it accessible for both beginners and professionals.

Key Features

User-friendly interface with a gentle learning curve.
Large and active community with abundant resources.
Extensive library of free 3D models (3D Warehouse).

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

User-friendly interface with a gentle learning curve. compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

FreeCAD

Open Source

FreeCAD is a powerful, open-source parametric 3D modeler designed primarily for engineering and product design, allowing users to create and modify real-life objects of various sizes with ease.

Key Features

Completely free and open-source
Parametric modeling capabilities
Extensive feature set including BIM and CAM

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Completely free and open-source compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

LibreCAD

Open Source

LibreCAD is a robust and free 2D CAD application supporting multiple operating systems. It offers essential tools for technical drawing and design, making it an excellent choice for individuals and businesses seeking a cost-effective yet capable CAD solution.

Key Features

Free and open-source
Available on multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix)
Comprehensive set of 2D drawing and modification tools

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Free and open-source compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

DraftSight

Freemium

DraftSight is a robust 2D CAD design and drafting software offering feature-rich tools for creating, editing, and viewing DWG files. It's a professional-grade solution for engineers, architects, and designers.

Key Features

Comprehensive 2D drafting tools.
Excellent DWG file format compatibility.
Efficient layer management.

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Comprehensive 2D drafting tools. compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

OpenSCAD

Open Source

OpenSCAD is a powerful, free software for creating solid 3D CAD objects using a descriptive programming language. It's not an interactive modeller but focuses on constructive solid geometry (CSG) and extrusion of 2D outlines.

Key Features

Highly precise and dimensionally accurate models.
Excellent for parametric design; easy to create variations.
Free and open-source with a supportive community.

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Highly precise and dimensionally accurate models. compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

BRL-CAD

Open Source

BRL-CAD is a powerful open-source solid modeling system utilizing Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG). It provides a comprehensive suite for design, analysis, and visualization, suitable for a range of engineering and scientific applications.

Key Features

High geometric precision due to CSG.
Excellent for engineering analysis and simulation.
Powerful ray tracing for rendering and analysis.

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

High geometric precision due to CSG. compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

Bricscad

Commercial

BricsCAD is a powerful and versatile CAD software offering a comprehensive suite of tools for 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM, and mechanical design. It provides native .dwg compatibility and supports various workflows, making it a strong alternative to traditional CAD platforms.

Key Features

Native .dwg support ensures excellent file compatibility.
Comprehensive feature set for 2D, 3D, BIM, and mechanical design.
Familiar user interface reduces learning curve for migrating users.

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Native .dwg support ensures excellent file compatibility. compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

ArchiCAD

Commercial

ArchiCAD is a powerful BIM software suite designed for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It facilitates comprehensive building information modeling, design, and documentation workflows for projects of all scales on both Windows and macOS platforms.

Key Features

Excellent integrated 2D and 3D workflow
Parametric objects simplify design changes
Strong collaboration features (Teamwork, Open BIM)

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Excellent integrated 2D and 3D workflow compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

QCAD

Free Personal

QCAD is an open-source 2D CAD system designed for drafting, providing a cost-effective solution for technical drawings, plans, and diagrams across various disciplines including architecture, engineering, and mechanical design. It is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive toolset for creating precise 2D geometry.

Key Features

Free and open-source (Community Edition)
Comprehensive set of 2D drawing and modification tools.
Excellent precision and snap tools.

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Free and open-source (Community Edition) compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

Sketchup

Freemium

SketchUp is a powerful 3D modeling software widely used for architectural design, interior design, mechanical engineering, and more. It offers an intuitive interface and a vast library of pre-made models, making it accessible for both beginners and professionals.

Key Features

User-friendly interface with a gentle learning curve.
Large and active community with abundant resources.
Extensive library of free 3D models (3D Warehouse).

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

User-friendly interface with a gentle learning curve. compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

FreeCAD

Open Source

FreeCAD is a powerful, open-source parametric 3D modeler designed primarily for engineering and product design, allowing users to create and modify real-life objects of various sizes with ease.

Key Features

Completely free and open-source
Parametric modeling capabilities
Extensive feature set including BIM and CAM

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Completely free and open-source compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

LibreCAD

Open Source

LibreCAD is a robust and free 2D CAD application supporting multiple operating systems. It offers essential tools for technical drawing and design, making it an excellent choice for individuals and businesses seeking a cost-effective yet capable CAD solution.

Key Features

Free and open-source
Available on multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix)
Comprehensive set of 2D drawing and modification tools

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Free and open-source compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

DraftSight

Freemium

DraftSight is a robust 2D CAD design and drafting software offering feature-rich tools for creating, editing, and viewing DWG files. It's a professional-grade solution for engineers, architects, and designers.

Key Features

Comprehensive 2D drafting tools.
Excellent DWG file format compatibility.
Efficient layer management.

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Comprehensive 2D drafting tools. compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

OpenSCAD

Open Source

OpenSCAD is a powerful, free software for creating solid 3D CAD objects using a descriptive programming language. It's not an interactive modeller but focuses on constructive solid geometry (CSG) and extrusion of 2D outlines.

Key Features

Highly precise and dimensionally accurate models.
Excellent for parametric design; easy to create variations.
Free and open-source with a supportive community.

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Highly precise and dimensionally accurate models. compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

BRL-CAD

Open Source

BRL-CAD is a powerful open-source solid modeling system utilizing Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG). It provides a comprehensive suite for design, analysis, and visualization, suitable for a range of engineering and scientific applications.

Key Features

High geometric precision due to CSG.
Excellent for engineering analysis and simulation.
Powerful ray tracing for rendering and analysis.

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

High geometric precision due to CSG. compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

Bricscad

Commercial

BricsCAD is a powerful and versatile CAD software offering a comprehensive suite of tools for 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM, and mechanical design. It provides native .dwg compatibility and supports various workflows, making it a strong alternative to traditional CAD platforms.

Key Features

Native .dwg support ensures excellent file compatibility.
Comprehensive feature set for 2D, 3D, BIM, and mechanical design.
Familiar user interface reduces learning curve for migrating users.

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Native .dwg support ensures excellent file compatibility. compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

ArchiCAD

Commercial

ArchiCAD is a powerful BIM software suite designed for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It facilitates comprehensive building information modeling, design, and documentation workflows for projects of all scales on both Windows and macOS platforms.

Key Features

Excellent integrated 2D and 3D workflow
Parametric objects simplify design changes
Strong collaboration features (Teamwork, Open BIM)

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Excellent integrated 2D and 3D workflow compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

QCAD

Free Personal

QCAD is an open-source 2D CAD system designed for drafting, providing a cost-effective solution for technical drawings, plans, and diagrams across various disciplines including architecture, engineering, and mechanical design. It is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive toolset for creating precise 2D geometry.

Key Features

Free and open-source (Community Edition)
Comprehensive set of 2D drawing and modification tools.
Excellent precision and snap tools.

vs Autodesk AutoCAD

Free and open-source (Community Edition) compared to Autodesk AutoCAD

Compare Side-by-Side

Want to see how Autodesk AutoCAD stacks up against alternatives? Select any option below for a detailed comparison.

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Sketchup vs Autodesk AutoCAD

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FreeCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD

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LibreCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD

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DraftSight vs Autodesk AutoCAD

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OpenSCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD

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BRL-CAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD

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Bricscad vs Autodesk AutoCAD

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ArchiCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD

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QCAD vs Autodesk AutoCAD

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