Softwr

CAD · head to head

FreeCAD vs Creo

FreeCAD logo

FreeCAD

CAD

Open-source parametric 3D CAD modeler

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Creo logo

Creo

CAD

Award-winning 3D CAD software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only FreeCAD has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: FreeCAD no pricing published; product is completely free and open-source; Creo every Creo user must buy a licence of the Creo Design Essentials package as a minimum before anything else can be added
  • They diverge on capability: FreeCAD covers Part design, Creo covers Direct modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FreeCAD and Creo actually diverge.

Attributes where FreeCAD and Creo differ
AttributeFreeCADCreo
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWindows
Founded20021985

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 FreeCAD

  • Part design
  • Assembly
  • Drafting
  • FEM simulation
  • Path/CAM
  • Architecture
  • BIM
  • OpenCASCADE

Only in Creo

  • Direct modeling
  • Simulation
  • Generative design
  • Additive manufacturing
  • AR integration
  • Model-based definition
  • Windchill PLM
  • ThingWorx IoT

Both cover

  • Parametric modeling
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

FreeCAD

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

Creo

  • Parametric 3D mechanical CAD for product and machinery designnot FreeCAD
  • Mold design and mold machining workflowsnot 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

Creo

  • Every Creo user must buy a licence of the Creo Design Essentials package as a minimum before anything else can be added
  • Capabilities such as the Generative Design Extension, Creo Simulation Live, Advanced Assembly Extension and GD&T Advisor are sold as separate paid extensions
  • Published prices in the PTC Store cover only Creo Design Essentials, the Creo Suites and select extensions; the other design packages require talking to sales
  • Buying an individual extension requires contacting a sales representative rather than self service

Pricing, plan by plan

FreeCAD

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the FreeCAD review.

Creo

$29/month
  • Creo Elements/Direct$2310/month
    • Direct modeling
  • Creo Parametric$2310/month
    • Parametric modeling
    • Simulation
  • Creo+$2930/month
    • SaaS delivery
    • Real-time collaboration

Which should you pick?

Choose FreeCAD if

  • You need part design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want assembly.
FreeCAD review

Choose Creo if

  • You need direct modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want simulation.
Creo review

Questions people ask

Is FreeCAD or Creo better?
Neither clearly leads. FreeCAD starts at Free and Creo at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FreeCAD or Creo?
FreeCAD has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for FreeCAD and $29/month for Creo.
Does FreeCAD or Creo run on more platforms?
FreeCAD runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Creo runs on Windows.
Can I use FreeCAD for free?
Yes. FreeCAD has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Creo 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 Creo is typically brought in for.
What can FreeCAD do that Creo cannot?
FreeCAD covers Part design, Assembly, Drafting, FEM simulation. Creo covers Direct modeling, Simulation, Generative design, Additive manufacturing. Both handle Parametric modeling, Windows 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
Creo: Does Creo offer a free trial or evaluation version?

Yes, PTC offers a free trial of Creo. Users can instantly access a fully functional trial of Creo. The page also provides a 30-day free trial option for both Creo and Creo+.

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
Creo: What licensing options does Creo provide?

Creo supports flexible licensing options including on-premises solution and Creo+, a SaaS offering. Licensing tiers support solo designers, small teams up to 5 licenses, and growing teams with 5 or more licenses. PTC also offers a startup program with free or discounted access.

Source
Creo: Is Creo free for students and educators?

Yes, Creo is available for free to students and educators through PTC Education. Students and educators from grade school through university can get free access to Creo to learn advanced CAD capabilities.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on FreeCAD

More on Creo

Keep looking

Other head to heads