CAD · head to head
FreeCAD vs Gravit Designer
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.
| Attribute | FreeCAD | Gravit Designer |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, Macos, Linux, Web |
| Category | CAD | Design |
| Founded | 2002 | 2014 |
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
FreeNo 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.
SourceGravit 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.
SourceFreeCAD: 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.
SourceGravit 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.
SourceGravit 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.
SourceGravit 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.
SourceGravit 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Gravit Designer
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