Best CAD Software in 2026
Updated
In short: DraftSight is ranked #1 of 32 as of 30 September 2026, ahead of Onshape and SOLIDWORKS. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Onshape. The lowest first paid tier on this page is SOLIDWORKS at $4/mo.
CAD tools support different approaches to drawing and modeling, and their fit can depend on how you design and exchange project files. Compare modeling dimension, direct modeling and parametric modeling, along with file format support, to assess compatibility with your work. Cloud collaboration and simulation tools offer additional points of comparison; supported platforms, free plans and paid-from pricing help frame practical fit and cost. The ranking starts with AutoCAD and DraftSight, followed by Autodesk Inventor and Onshape. SOLIDWORKS, Solid Edge, Rhino 3D and FreeCAD are also among the first entries. Use the listed criteria to weigh CAD options against your modeling needs.
32 CAD software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | Platform | Score | Why | From | Free plan | Paid from | Modeling dimension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DraftSight | 7.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $24.92/mo | No | — | — | View |
| 2 | Onshape | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $125/mo | Yes | Free | 3D CAD | View |
| 3 |  SOLIDWORKS | 7.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $4/mo | Yes | $2,820/user/mo | 3D | View |
| 4 |  AutoCAD | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | $175/user/mo | 2D and 3D | View |
| 5 |  Autodesk Inventor | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | 3D | View |
| 6 |  Solid Edge | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 7 |  Rhino 3D | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $95/mo | No | — | — | View |
| 8 | FreeCAD | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | 3D | View |
| 9 | Creo | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | — | View |
| 10 | CATIA | 6.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | — | View |
| 11 | Shapr3D | 6.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $24.92/mo | Yes | Free | 3D | View |
| 12 | nanoCAD | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $24.08/mo | Yes | Free | 2D and 3D | View |
| 13 | Siemens NX | 6.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | — | View |
| 14 |  ARES Commander | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | €225/mo | No | — | — | View |
| 15 |  DesignSpark Mechanical | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | 2D and 3D | View |
| 16 | MicroStation | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | — | View |
| 17 |  LibreCAD | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 18 |  Alibre Design | 5.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $999/mo | No | — | — | View |
| 19 |  GstarCAD | 5.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $749/mo | No | — | — | View |
| 20 |  ZWCAD Professional | 5.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $1,399/mo | No | — | — | View |
| 21 | IRONCAD | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | — | View |
| 22 | Cobalt | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $57.92/mo | No | $69.95/user/mo | — | View |
| 23 | ACTCAD | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $249/mo | No | — | — | View |
| 24 |  SolveSpace | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 25 | OpenSCAD | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which CAD software is ranked first on Inferse?
DraftSight is ranked #1 of 32 with a score of 7.5. Onshape is second and SOLIDWORKS third.
How many of these have a free plan?
3 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, SOLIDWORKS has the lowest first paid tier we found: $4/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it. Paid placements never change a rank.