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CAD · head to head

FreeCAD vs Gravit Designer

FreeCAD logo

FreeCAD

CAD

Open-source parametric 3D CAD modeler

From
Free
Rated
-
Gravit Designer logo

Gravit Designer

Design

Free vector graphics editor in the cloud

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: FreeCAD no pricing published; product is completely free and open-source; Gravit Designer the Gravit Designer brand and domain designer.io were retired and now redirect live to CorelDRAW, confirming the standalone product no longer exists under its own name
  • They diverge on capability: FreeCAD covers Parametric modeling, Gravit Designer covers Vector drawing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FreeCAD and Gravit Designer actually diverge.

Attributes where FreeCAD and Gravit Designer differ
AttributeFreeCADGravit Designer
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWindows, Macos, Linux, Web
CategoryCADDesign
Founded20022014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Gravit Designer

  • Vector drawing
  • Bezier tools
  • Shape tools
  • Typography
  • Gradient tools
  • Symbols
  • Layers
  • Cloud storage

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

FreeCAD

  • Mechanical engineering designnot Gravit Designer
  • Architectural modellingnot Gravit Designer
  • Product design and prototypingnot Gravit Designer
  • CAM/CNC path generationnot Gravit Designer

Gravit Designer

  • Logo designnot FreeCAD
  • Vector illustrationnot FreeCAD
  • Icon designnot FreeCAD
  • Web graphicsnot FreeCAD

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

FreeCAD

  • No pricing published; product is completely free and open-source
  • Donations are optional and voluntary for project support

Gravit Designer

  • The Gravit Designer brand and domain designer.io were retired and now redirect live to CorelDRAW, confirming the standalone product no longer exists under its own name

Pricing, plan by plan

FreeCAD

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the FreeCAD review.

Gravit Designer

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Cloud storage
    • All design tools
    • SVG support

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 Gravit Designer if

  • You need vector drawing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Web.
  • You also want bezier tools.

Questions people ask

Is FreeCAD or Gravit Designer better?
Neither clearly leads. FreeCAD starts at Free and Gravit Designer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FreeCAD or Gravit Designer?
FreeCAD starts at Free and Gravit Designer at Free.
Does FreeCAD or Gravit Designer run on more platforms?
FreeCAD runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Gravit Designer runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Web.
Can I use FreeCAD for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Gravit Designer is typically brought in for.
What can FreeCAD do that Gravit Designer cannot?
FreeCAD covers Parametric modeling, Part design, Assembly, Drafting. Gravit Designer covers Vector drawing, Bezier tools, Shape tools, Typography. Both handle Windows support, Linux support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

FreeCAD: How much does FreeCAD cost?

FreeCAD is completely free with no licensing fees, vendor lock-in, sign-up requirements, paywalls, or restrictions. The software is open-source and available for anyone to use and adapt.

Source
Gravit Designer: Do I need a subscription to use CorelDRAW?

Yes. After the 15-day trial ends, a monthly or annual subscription is required. There is no free tier after trial expiration.

Source
FreeCAD: Does FreeCAD offer optional support or sponsorship?

FreeCAD accepts voluntary donations to support the project. Sponsorship tiers range from $1 per month (Normal Sponsor) to $200 per month (Gold Sponsor), with different visibility levels. One-time donations of any amount are also accepted.

Source
Gravit Designer: How much does a subscription cost?

The page shows placeholder text for monthly and annual pricing but does not display the actual prices. You need to complete the purchase flow to see exact costs.

Source
Gravit Designer: How many AI credits do I get per month?

Both the trial and monthly subscriptions include 1,000 AI image credits per month. The trial period is 15 days with no credit card required.

Source
Gravit Designer: What file formats can I work with?

CorelDRAW supports JPEG, PNG, SVG, PDF, CDR, and other formats. The platform includes vector editing, painting, text tools with thousands of fonts, and access to millions of design assets.

Source
Gravit Designer: Is there cloud storage included?

Yes. Cloud storage for projects is included in the subscription, along with access to design assets and the ability to export in multiple formats.

Source
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