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FreeCAD vs Gravity Sketch

FreeCAD logo

FreeCAD

Software

Open-source parametric 3D CAD modeler

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Gravity Sketch logo

Gravity Sketch

Software

VR 3D design tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: FreeCAD no vendor support or professional services available; community-driven support only; Gravity Sketch free plan limited to 150MB cloud storage and 3 simultaneous users per room
  • They diverge on capability: FreeCAD covers Parametric modeling, Gravity Sketch covers VR design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FreeCAD and Gravity Sketch actually diverge.

Attributes where FreeCAD and Gravity Sketch differ
AttributeFreeCADGravity Sketch
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxVR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web)
Founded20022014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Gravity Sketch

  • VR design
  • Desktop app
  • Surface modeling
  • Collaboration
  • Import/export
  • Presentation mode
  • Rhino
  • Alias

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

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

FreeCAD

  • Mechanical engineering designnot Gravity Sketch
  • Architectural modellingnot Gravity Sketch
  • Product design and prototypingnot Gravity Sketch
  • CAM/CNC path generationnot Gravity Sketch

Gravity Sketch

  • Spatial 3D design and conceptualisation in VRnot FreeCAD
  • Collaborative product design sessionsnot FreeCAD
  • Conceptual model generationnot FreeCAD
  • Engineering and design team collaboration in immersive environmentnot 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

Gravity Sketch

  • Free plan limited to 150MB cloud storage and 3 simultaneous users per room
  • File format support limited to OBJ and STL on free plan; other formats require paid plan
  • Evaluation tools (surface contours, viewpoints, section tool) not available on free tier
  • VR access requires Meta Quest, Steam, or web app; limited to specific platforms
  • Data localisation only available on Enterprise plan

Pricing, plan by plan

FreeCAD

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the FreeCAD review.

Gravity Sketch

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Gravity Sketch review.

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.
FreeCAD review

Choose Gravity Sketch if

  • You need vr design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web).
  • You also want desktop app.
Gravity Sketch review

Questions people ask

Is FreeCAD or Gravity Sketch better?
Neither clearly leads. FreeCAD starts at Free and Gravity Sketch at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FreeCAD or Gravity Sketch?
FreeCAD starts at Free and Gravity Sketch at Free.
Does FreeCAD or Gravity Sketch run on more platforms?
FreeCAD runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Gravity Sketch runs on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, 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 Gravity Sketch is typically brought in for.
What can FreeCAD do that Gravity Sketch cannot?
FreeCAD covers Parametric modeling, Part design, Assembly, Drafting. Gravity Sketch covers VR design, Desktop app, Surface modeling, Collaboration. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support.
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