Software · head to head
FreeCAD vs DraftSight
The short version
- Only FreeCAD has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: FreeCAD no vendor support or professional services available; community-driven support only; DraftSight there is no free version any more, only a 30 day trial; DraftSight was previously free for personal use
- They diverge on capability: FreeCAD covers Parametric modeling, DraftSight covers DWG/DXF support.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which FreeCAD and DraftSight actually diverge.
| Attribute | FreeCAD | DraftSight |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $29/month |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Founded | 2002 | 1981 |
Identical on both: platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 FreeCAD
- Parametric modeling
- Part design
- Assembly
- Drafting
- FEM simulation
- Path/CAM
- Architecture
- BIM
Only in DraftSight
- DWG/DXF support
- 2D drafting
- 3D modeling
- Batch printing
- PDF import
- Layer management
- SolidWorks
- CATIA
Both cover
- Windows support
- MacOS support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
FreeCAD
- Mechanical engineering designnot DraftSight
- Architectural modellingnot DraftSight
- Product design and prototypingnot DraftSight
- CAM/CNC path generationnot DraftSight
DraftSight
- 2D drafting and annotation on DWG filesnot FreeCAD
- Opening and editing DWG drawings without AutoCADnot FreeCAD
- Architectural and engineering drawing productionnot FreeCAD
- Working alongside SOLIDWORKS in a Dassault toolchainnot FreeCAD
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
FreeCAD
- No vendor support or professional services available; community-driven support only
- Requires users to self-host and maintain the software; no cloud version available
DraftSight
- There is no free version any more, only a 30 day trial; DraftSight was previously free for personal use
- Split into Professional, Premium and Enterprise tiers, with prices not shown on the product page
- Primarily a 2D CAD application, with 3D limited to DWG file handling rather than full modelling
Pricing, plan by plan
FreeCAD
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the FreeCAD review.
DraftSight
$29/month- Standard$99/month
- 2D drafting
- Professional$199/month
- 2D + 3D
- Premium$499/month
- Advanced features
Which should you pick?
Choose FreeCAD if
- You need parametric modeling.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want part design.
Choose DraftSight if
- You need dwg/dxf support.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want 2d drafting.
Questions people ask
- Is FreeCAD or DraftSight better?
- Neither clearly leads. FreeCAD starts at Free and DraftSight at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, FreeCAD or DraftSight?
- FreeCAD has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for FreeCAD and $29/month for DraftSight.
- Does FreeCAD or DraftSight run on more platforms?
- FreeCAD runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. DraftSight runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- Can I use FreeCAD for free?
- Yes. FreeCAD has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DraftSight starts at $29/month.
- What is FreeCAD best used for?
- FreeCAD is most often used for mechanical engineering design, architectural modelling, product design and prototyping, cam/cnc path generation. Of those, mechanical engineering design and architectural modelling are not what DraftSight is typically brought in for.
- What can FreeCAD do that DraftSight cannot?
- FreeCAD covers Parametric modeling, Part design, Assembly, Drafting. DraftSight covers DWG/DXF support, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, Batch printing. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support, Linux support.