3D modeling program · FreeCAD community

FreeCAD

Free open-source parametric 3D modeler for Windows, macOS and Linux with a Python API.

50/100

#3 of 9 3D modeling programs
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

It costs nothing: the vendor states no licensing fees, no paywall and no restrictions¹.
Source code is public under LGPL-2.1 on GitHub^4,5.
Official downloads cover Windows 10 and later, macOS 12 and later, and Linux³.
All objects are natively parametric, with NURBS curves and surfaces and Open CASCADE-based solids².
A broad Python API is listed, and STEP, IGES, OBJ and STL files are read and written^1,4.

FreeCAD suits anyone who needs parametric solid modeling without paying, from hobby parts to professional design tasks^1,2. It is open source under LGPL-2.1, has a Python API, and runs on three desktop systems^3,4,5. The catch: its feature list names no sculpting, rigging or ray-traced renderer, and no web or iPad version is listed^2,3.

Best for: People who want free, scriptable solid modeling for designed parts.

Where the points come from

Systems4 of 8

Licence21 of 33

Modelling tools10 of 38

Formats3 of 6

Price12 of 15

Systems 4 of 8 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Other systems	macOS, LinuxDownload page lists Windows, Mac and Linux builds; no web or iPad version is listed³.	4 / 8

Licence 21 of 33 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Free version without a time limit	YesThe whole program is free, with no paywall and no expiry stated¹.	10 / 10
Free version allowed for paid work	YesHome page says no licensing fees, no paywall and no restrictions; LGPL-2.1 does not bar paid use. Commercial use is not named outright^1,5.	6 / 6
One-off licence you keep	NoFree program with no paid licence; rewarded by the free lines instead¹.	0 / 8
Open source	YesOfficial source is public on GitHub under LGPL-2.1^4,5.	5 / 5
Free licence for students	NoFree for everyone, so no student licence applies¹.	0 / 4

Modelling tools 10 of 38 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Precise curve and solid modeling	YesFeatures page lists NURBS curves and surfaces and BRep solids².	5 / 5
Digital sculpting	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's pages^1,2,3.	0 / 5
Node-based procedural modeling	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's pages^1,2,3.	0 / 5
Rigging and animation	Not publishedFeatures page mentions only animating assemblies, not bones or a keyframe timeline².	0 / 5
Physics simulation	Not publishedLists FEA, experimental CFD and a robot simulation module; cloth, fluid or rigid-body tools are not listed as generally available^1,2.	0 / 4
UV unwrapping	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's pages^1,2,3.	0 / 4
Built-in ray-traced renderer	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's pages^1,2,3.	0 / 5
Scripting and add-ons	YesFeatures page lists Python in the console, macros and custom workbenches; the repository cites a broad Python API^2,4.	5 / 5

Formats 3 of 6 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Built-in export formats	OBJ, STL, STEPHome page says FreeCAD reads and writes STEP, IGES, STL and OBJ; features page names the same formats^1,2.	3 / 6

Price 12 of 15 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Cheapest way to use it for paid work	$0Free program with no paywall or restriction on paid work¹.	12 / 12
Full-feature trial	NoFree for everyone, so no trial applies¹.	0 / 3

The rule behind each line: how we score 3D modeling programs.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

Plan	Price as listed	Per month	Notes
FreeCADAnyone	Free^1,3	$0	No paywall; optional donations

Strengths

Free with no paywall, and source code under LGPL-2.1^1,4,5.
Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with official downloads³.
Parametric objects with NURBS curves and surfaces and BRep solids on an Open CASCADE kernel².
Python is listed in the console, macros and custom workbenches².

Limits

No web or iPad version is listed; downloads cover only Windows, macOS and Linux³.
The feature page does not list sculpting, UV tools, a renderer or rigging².
CFD is described as experimental, and glTF, FBX and USD are not named among its formats^1,2.
No paid plan or vendor support contract is listed; the project asks for donations and sponsors³.

Other 3D modeling programs

1
BlenderAnyone who wants full 3D tools for paid work at no cost
80/100
$0cheapest way to use it for paid work
2
HoudiniArtists who want procedural, node-driven modeling and simulation
72/100
$24.92/mocheapest way to use it for paid work
4
Rhino 3DDesigners who want precise curve and surface modeling and prefer to buy once
48/100
$30.92/mocheapest way to use it for paid work
5
Cinema 4DMotion designers who want modeling, animation and rendering in one subscription
48/100
Not publishedcheapest way to use it for paid work

FreeCAD vs Blender · FreeCAD vs Houdini · All 9 3D modeling programs

Sources

FreeCAD home page, FreeCAD. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
FreeCAD features, FreeCAD. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
FreeCAD downloads, FreeCAD. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
FreeCAD/FreeCAD, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
FreeCAD LICENSE (LGPL 2.1), GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

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