Open-Source SolidWorks Alternatives (2026)

Identifying SOLIDWORKS · Mark source

SOLIDWORKS 3D modeling workspace with a gearbox assembly and the FeatureManager tree — SOLIDWORKS UI used to identify the commercial parametric CAD app. Source · License: Dassault Systèmes product screenshot.

People look for a SOLIDWORKS alternative when they want an OSI-style license or a local parametric 3D CAD app. This hub lists tools we verified on 2026-10-20. SOLIDWORKS is named only to identify that product class. 2D DWG drafting hangs off the AutoCAD hub.

Quick take.

FreeCAD — LGPL-2.1 parametric 3D CAD/BIM/CAM modeler. Latest GitHub release 1.1.4.
SolidCraft — Pure-Rust parametric 3D CAD (B-rep, feature timeline, MCP) from Tangency Labs.

How we pick

Open-source license files we could open on an official host.
Parametric 3D CAD (sketches, features, solids) — not 2D drafting as the lead job.
Honest maturity: SolidCraft’s README says early but usable for simple parts.
No unsourced “beats SolidWorks” claims.

Comparison

Name	License	Price	Platforms	Runs locally	Maturity	Last release
FreeCAD	LGPL-2.1	free	Windows, macOS, Linux	Yes	See page	1.1.4
SolidCraft	MIT OR Apache-2.0	free	Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, Web	Yes	See page	v0.16.2

Two SolidWorks-class jobs: FreeCAD for production FOSS CAD, SolidCraft for a new Rust B-rep app — forkalt comparison graphic (2026-10-20). Not a ranking. 2D DWG drafting is on the AutoCAD hub.

Why these two

The 2026-10-20 check covers FreeCAD (mature parametric) and SolidCraft (new Rust).

FreeCAD — LGPL-2.1, 34,543 stars / 6,237 forks, created 2012-09-09, release 1.1.4 (2026-09-28). Open CASCADE kernel, Sketcher, workbenches, STEP/IGES (wiki feature list).

SolidCraft — created 2026-10-07, 7,346 stars / 832 forks, dual MIT OR Apache-2.0, GitHub release v0.16.2 (2026-10-19), site solidcraft.io. README: early but usable for simple parts. Independent of Dassault (NOTICE). The marketing homepage still showed a stale “v0.12.0” line when we opened it; we keep the GitHub Release.

Sourced snapshot (2026-10-20)

Field	FreeCAD	SolidCraft
License	LGPL-2.1	MIT OR Apache-2.0
Stars	34,543	7,346
Last release	1.1.4 (2026-09-28)	v0.16.2 (2026-10-19)
Job	Parametric 3D + BIM/CAM workbenches	Parametric 3D B-rep + MCP
Maturity	Long-standing	Early; simple parts
Signed installers	Project releases	README: not signed yet
Quality vs SolidWorks	Not independently tested	Not independently tested

Who should switch

Need a production-proven FOSS 3D CAD this week: FreeCAD 1.1.4 from GitHub Releases / freecad.org.
Want a new Rust B-rep app, MCP agents, WASM, and accept early-stage: SolidCraft v0.16.2.
Need 2D DWG/DXF drafting: AutoCAD alternatives (LibreCAD, CADCraft).
Need raster/photo editing, not CAD: Photoshop alternatives (PhotoCraft vs GIMP).

Limitations we actually sourced

SolidCraft downloads are unsigned; README documents SmartScreen / macOS Open Anyway. Oracle claim (75/76 parts) is upstream, not reproduced here. FreeCAD’s STEP compatibility “can vary” by workbench (wiki). We did not test assemblies, drawings, or PDM.

Setup notes

FreeCAD 1.1.4: Windows installer, macOS arm64/x86_64 DMGs, Linux AppImages + SHA256. SolidCraft: MSI, universal DMG, AppImage, snap, winget install bherbruck.SolidCraft, browser app at solidcraft.io/app. Not run here.

License notes

Not legal advice. LGPL-2.1 (FreeCAD) vs dual MIT/Apache-2.0 (SolidCraft).

Listed options

FreeCAD

LGPL-2.1 parametric 3D CAD/BIM/CAM modeler. Latest GitHub release 1.1.4.

LGPL-2.1

SolidCraft

Pure-Rust parametric 3D CAD (B-rep, feature timeline, MCP) from Tangency Labs.

MIT OR Apache-2.0

FAQ

What is the best free SolidWorks alternative?

Among options sourced 2026-10-20, FreeCAD is the long-standing LGPL-2.1 parametric modeler (34,543 GitHub stars, release 1.1.4). SolidCraft is a new pure-Rust B-rep app (MIT OR Apache-2.0, 7,346 stars, v0.16.2, “early but usable for simple parts”). No quality ranking.

Is SolidCraft a drop-in SolidWorks?

No sourced bake-off. README is early-stage. Downloads are not code-signed yet.

Same job as LibreCAD or CADCraft?

No. Those are 2D / DWG drafting on AutoCAD alternatives.

Does FreeCAD open STEP?

The wiki feature list names STEP and IGES among import/export formats. We have not round-tripped a production assembly.

Sources & verification

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Last updated 2026-10-20· Edited by forkalt editors · Editorial policy

License notes are not legal advice. Read the original LICENSE. Trademark & disclaimer.