3D & CAD · head to head
Alibre Design vs OpenSCAD
The short version
- Only OpenSCAD has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Alibre Design perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates; OpenSCAD script-based workflow, not interactive design interface
- They diverge on capability: Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, OpenSCAD covers Script-based modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Alibre Design and OpenSCAD actually diverge.
| Attribute | Alibre Design | OpenSCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/month | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | open-source |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux, WebAssembly |
| Founded | 1997 | 2009 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (3D & CAD).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Alibre Design
- Parametric modeling
- Assemblies
- Sheet metal
- 2D drawings
- BOM
- Rendering
- CAM software
- PDM
Only in OpenSCAD
- Script-based modeling
- CSG operations
- 2D to 3D extrusion
- Parameterization
- STL export
- Preview
- 3D printers
- Slicers
Both cover
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Alibre Design
- Parametric 3D solid modelling for mechanical partsnot OpenSCAD
- Producing 2D manufacturing drawings from 3D modelsnot OpenSCAD
- Designing parts for 3D printing and small shop machiningnot OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD
- Parametric 3D design for manufacturing and 3D printingnot Alibre Design
- Technical design with scripted control over geometrynot Alibre Design
- Procedural model generationnot Alibre Design
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Alibre Design
- Perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates
- Sheet metal, PDM data management and rendering are Design Expert only at $1,999
- Scripting is excluded from the $199 Atom3D edition
- CAM capability is sold as separate EZ-Mill, EZ-Turn and EZ-EDM products costing up to $2,999
- A dedicated account manager is excluded from Atom3D
OpenSCAD
- Script-based workflow, not interactive design interface
- Limited to constructive solid geometry and 2D extrusion modelling
- Not suitable for artistic 3D modelling or computer animation
- Complex build dependencies (Qt, CGAL, Boost)
Pricing, plan by plan
Alibre Design
$29/month- Atom3D$199/month
- Basic modeling
- Design$999/month
- Professional CAD
- Expert$1999/month
- Full features
OpenSCAD
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the OpenSCAD review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Alibre Design if
- You need parametric modeling.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want assemblies.
Choose OpenSCAD if
- You need script-based modeling.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, WebAssembly.
- You also want csg operations.
Questions people ask
- Is Alibre Design or OpenSCAD better?
- Neither clearly leads. Alibre Design starts at $29/month and OpenSCAD at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Alibre Design or OpenSCAD?
- OpenSCAD has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Alibre Design and Free for OpenSCAD.
- Does Alibre Design or OpenSCAD run on more platforms?
- Alibre Design runs on Windows. OpenSCAD runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, WebAssembly.
- Can I use OpenSCAD for free?
- Yes. OpenSCAD has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Alibre Design starts at $29/month.
- What is Alibre Design best used for?
- Alibre Design is most often used for parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts, producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models, designing parts for 3d printing and small shop machining. Of those, parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts and producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models are not what OpenSCAD is typically brought in for.
- What can Alibre Design do that OpenSCAD cannot?
- Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Assemblies, Sheet metal, 2D drawings. OpenSCAD covers Script-based modeling, CSG operations, 2D to 3D extrusion, Parameterization. Both handle Windows support.
Related pages
More on Alibre Design
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