Compare the Top CAD Software as of January 2026

What is CAD Software?

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software is software used by engineers, architects, and designers to create precise 2D and 3D models. It enables users to design, visualize, and simulate their projects with high accuracy, facilitating efficient prototyping and problem-solving. CAD software supports a variety of industries, including manufacturing, construction, and product design, by offering features like parametric modeling, rendering, and automated drafting. Its intuitive interfaces and integration with other engineering tools make it a cornerstone of modern design workflows. By streamlining the design process, CAD software helps reduce development time, improve collaboration, and bring innovative ideas to life. Compare and read user reviews of the best CAD software currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

  • 1
    Altium Develop
    Altium Develop is a multidisciplinary product creation platform that breaks down silos and empowers teams to design collaboratively without limits. Built on Altium Designer and Altium 365, it unifies electrical, mechanical, software, sourcing, and manufacturing teams in a shared environment. Every comment, change, and decision is captured in real time, giving collaborators visibility without the need for constant check-ins. The platform enhances project outcomes by aligning requirements, supply chain data, and design context in one ecosystem. Manufacturing engineers and suppliers can provide feedback early, avoiding costly rework and delays. By transforming collaboration into true co-creation, Altium Develop helps organizations innovate faster, smarter, and with greater alignment across disciplines.
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    Starting Price: $995/year/author
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  • 2
    ActCAD Software

    ActCAD Software

    Jytra Technology Solutions

    ActCAD is a native dwg/dxf cad software suitable for professional 2D drafting and 3D modeling projects. ActCAD is trusted by over 30000 users in over 103 countries for more than 10 years. The interface, commands, icons, dialogs, shortcuts etc. are very much similar to other popular cad software tools available in market. Flexible license types available even for single license. There is no learning for existing cad users while saving 80% of the costs. ActCAD offers free email technical support without any limitations. ActCAD can be fully customized and programs can be developed using our free API toolkit. It supports popular programming languages like , lisp dcl, .net, C++ etc. Apart from all regular commands, ActCAD offers many productive tools like pdf to cad converter, Block libraries, Image to Cad converter, handling point sets between Cad and Excel and many more. ActCAD is suitable for any high end professional projects in the domains of Architecture, Civil, Mechanical,Automotive
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    Starting Price: $249.00/one-time/user
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  • 3
    CADhobby

    CADhobby

    CAD-MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS INC.

    CADhobby Student - free version for Academic use only. CADhobby IntelliCAD is a powerful and affordable computer-aided design (CAD) software application that is perfect for both hobbyists and professionals. It offers a wide range of features, including 2D and 3D modeling, rendering, and animation. CADhobby IntelliCAD is also compatible with a variety of file formats, including DWG, DXF, DGN, and STL. CADhobby IntelliCAD is a great choice for anyone who wants to create high-quality CAD designs without breaking the bank. It is easy to learn and use, and it has a large and active community of users who can provide support and help.
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    Starting Price: $0.00/one-time/user
  • 4
    OrCAD X

    OrCAD X

    Cadence Design Systems

    OrCAD® X is a unified PCB design software platform that offers significant improvements in ease of use, performance, automation, data management, and collaboration. Our cloud-enabled product suite contains applications for schematic, simulation, and PCB layout. OrCAD X Capture is one of the most widely used schematic design solutions for the creation and documentation of electrical circuits. PSpice® is our virtual SPICE simulation environment integrated within Capture that allows you to prototype your designs using the industry-leading, native analog, mixed-signal, and advanced analysis engines to deliver a complete circuit simulation and verification solution. Our two PCB layout environments, OrCAD X PCB Editor and OrCAD X Presto, allow designers to easily collaborate between ECAD/MCAD teams and build better PCBs faster. OrCAD X Presto is a new user-friendly option offering a simpler interface for quick-turn PCB design.
    Starting Price: $107 USD/month
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    WSCAD

    WSCAD

    WSCAD

    At WSCAD, we have been developing electrical CAD solutions for over 30 years. Customers include small to medium-sized companies, international corporations, and engineering service providers in the machine-building, panel manufacturing, and building automation industries. WSCAD software is used by over 40,000 electrical engineers as their electrical CAD solution. WSCAD ELECTRIX – our most powerful electrical CAD – is our brand-new offering. No matter if you are designing piping & instrumentation diagrams, fluid power or electrical schematics, cabinet engineering, building automation or electrical installation – WSCAD is the right tool for you. The new ELECTRIX comes with a completely new design engine (editor) and embedded compatibility to standard formats like DXF/DWG and uses modern technologies such as augmented reality, multi-threading and automation.
    Starting Price: $84/month
  • 6
    ARES Commander
    2D & 3D CAD software to create & modify technical drawings in DWG format with choice between Perpetual, Network or Annual licenses. Experience the agility of the n°1 alternative to AutoCAD. Cost-effective, ARES Commander offers a full replacement and an easy switch, at a fraction of the cost. With Graebert's ARES CAD software you will enjoy a 3-in-1 license, including ARES Commander (for Windows, macOS and Linux computers) + ARES Kudo (Cloud) + ARES Touch (iOS + Android). These 3 products work in synergy to synchronize the work across users and devices. Create and modify DWG drawings locally, with files stored on your computer, or in sync with Google Drive, Box, OneDrive, Dropbox, Onshape, Trimble Connect. Alternatively, you can also store files in a private Cloud server (via WebDAV). Some our advanced CAD features include the support for Dynamic blocks, PDF to DWG conversion, Drawing comparison, IFC & Revit import, 3D solid modeling, satellite images and street maps.
    Starting Price: $350.00/year
  • 7
    Canvas

    Canvas

    Occipital

    The new power tool for home improvement. Fast, easy, mobile 3D scanning for home service pros and DIY warriors. Powered by the world’s first mobile depth sensor, the Structure Sensor, Canvas makes capturing a 3D model of a room delightfully easy. Simply tap scan, walk around the room, and watch as a scale-accurate model is built in real-time, right on your iPad. No more busting out the measuring tape and converting scribbles into floor plans later – Canvas captures tens of thousands of measurements all at once, and then pieces it together into an interactive 3D model. Your 3D model is saved on your iPad, so you can go back and revisit any space, at any time. Whether you just need to refresh your memory of a given viewpoint or capture a forgotten measurement, you're never more than a few taps away. Save hours with professional-grade CAD output. With our Scan To CAD service, we’ll convert your scan into an editable, professional-grade, CAD file.
    Starting Price: $10
  • 8
    JTS IntelliCAD

    JTS IntelliCAD

    JYTRA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED

    JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 is an economical 2D Drafting and 3D Wireframe Modeling CAD software meant for Engineers, Architects, and other technical consultants. JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 works in native DWG & DXF CAD software to create and edit drawings.TrueCAD works in native DWG & DXF CAD software to create and edit drawings. JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 uses IntelliCAD 11.1 Engine. If you need only the 32bit version you need to choose TrueCAD 2021 Premium. JTS IntelliCAD 11.1 offers all CAD features needed for Professional designers with native DWG & DXF support. Directly edit existing drawings. Suitable to create Professional drawings easily just like other expensive CAD software available in the market. No learning is needed for existing CAD users. Interface, commands, icons, and shortcuts are similar to other CAD. Complete help and user guide available.
    Starting Price: $149 per license
  • 9
    ArCADia BIM

    ArCADia BIM

    ArCADiasoft

    ArCADia is attractively priced, specialized software for the construction industry (ArCADia BIM system) – our programs support the work of construction and installation engineers (AEC) as well as architects and contractors. It allows for the creation of an almost complete digital model of the building with all the installations (water, sewage, electricity, gas, etc) as well as its surroundings. The programs offer collision analysis, calculations, merging of documents, .dwg, IFC, in program libraries and rendering, Support BIM technology, object-oriented architectural design. Ready-made architectural elements: multilayer walls, stairs, bases, columns, chimneys, windows and doors. Comparing and merging documents. Automatic floor entry, support for Teriva ceiling design. Drawing of flat and spatial technical documentation and its writing to the native DWG format characteristic of most CAD applications.
    Starting Price: $1060/one-time
  • 10
    cofaso 7

    cofaso 7

    cofaso

    cofaso is the leading high-end CAE solution for electrical engineering projecting tasks. Based on its special system technology with direct access to applicable logic for each schematic, the solution offers outstanding features for all industry-specific design and documentation requirements. As a parameter-controlled system, cofaso provides users with consistent structuring of their work process, while offering unrestricted flexibility for individual adaption to department -project- or workplace-specific requirements. cofaso has user interface in 13 world languages and supports all the common Windows versions. Auto connecting and online item designation/numbering enable you to create schematics quickly and correctly. Rapid viewing/generation of evaluation lists speeds up your work process.
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    CADfix

    CADfix

    International TechneGroup

    CADfix is the leading software solution for CAD model translation, repair, healing, defeaturing, and simplification. CADfix tackles the ever-present problems of 3D model data exchange and re-use between different engineering applications, removing the barriers that prevent the re-use of solid models in design, analysis, and manufacturing systems. CADfix delivers breakthroughs in geometry processing, tackling some of the toughest 3D geometry issues affecting the industry. ITI works closely with customers to develop leading-edge novel geometry processing technology that will have a significant impact on engineering process efficiency. Take a look at some of the applications below to see how CADfix meets the demands of today’s leading engineering enterprises. CADfix delivers breakthroughs in geometry processing, tackling some of the toughest 3D geometry issues affecting the industry. ITI works closely with customers to develop leading-edge novel geometry processing technology.
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    Digimat

    Digimat

    e-Xstream engineering

    e-Xstream engineering develops and commercializes the Digimat suite of software, a state-of-the-art multi-scale material modeling technology that speeds up the development process for composite materials and structures. Digimat is a core technology of 10xICME Solution and is used to perform detailed analyses of materials on the microscopic level and to derive micromechanical material models suited for multi-scale coupling of the micro- and macroscopic level. Digimat material models provide the means to combine processing simulation with structural FEA. This means to move towards more predictive simulation by taking into account the influence of processing conditions on the performance of the finally produced part. As an efficient and predictive tool Digimat helps its users to design and manufacture innovative composite materials and parts with great efficiency in time and costs.
  • 13
    iCADMac

    iCADMac

    iCADMac USA

    A wide range of tools for 2D drawing and 3D modelling functionality, a familiar interface and compatibility with the most widespread design format in the world. iCADMac is a complete DWG-native CAD with a wide range of tools for 2D drawing and 3D modelling, offering a familiar interface and full compatibility with the most widespread design format in the world. Trims multiple, adjacent entities by dragging the pointer across each entity. Extends or trims two entities where they intersect at a virtual corner. PowerTrim works also on Hatches and Gradients. iCADMac is intuitive to users familiar with AutoCAD® and allows them to start working with their DWG drawings without any file conversion or training.
    Starting Price: $794 one-time payment
  • 14
    Stallion 3D

    Stallion 3D

    Hanley Innovations

    Stallion 3D quickly generates aerodynamic performance data (lift, drag and moments) for new and existing CAD designs. Get superior RANS results without having to make a single grid. Grid generation in Stallion 3D is fully automatic. This eliminates the most time consuming and painful bottleneck in CFD. Stallion 3D quickly and accurately predicts the aerodynamic performance of your designs using its proprietary CFD algorithm (HIST). The software imports your CAD models and generates the 3D aerodynamic data needed to verify your designs and ensure your success. Reports of lift, drag, yaw, roll, pitch magnitudes and related forces and moments in the coordinates direction. Plots of 2D line graphs of Cp, velocity, mach number, density and temperature at constant coordinates locations long the STL surface (for example, you can plot Cp (x) at any span location along the wing).
  • 15
    GoCAD Collaboration
    GoCAD Collaboration encompasses our overall CAD integration offerings for customers with diverse needs. Our solutions are purpose built, configurable and designed to help customers optimize their CAD Data Management processes. It provides out of the box customizable and flexible bi-directional integrations between CAD and PLM to increase the velocity of innovation and reduce the product's time to market.
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    SmartDraw

    SmartDraw

    SmartDraw

    SmartDraw is a data-driven diagramming and collaboration solution that can replace Lucidchart, Visio, or Miro at your enterprise. Get all the features you need at a more affordable price: - Sophisticated diagramming that lets your team make flowcharts, organizational charts, floor plans, CAD drawings, project charts, network diagrams, UML diagrams, AWS, Azure, and more - Whiteboarding and real-time collaboration - Powerful integrations that allow you to generate diagrams from data automatically - Migrate your existing Visio and Lucidchart files in bulk SmartDraw will save files directly to OneDrive, SharePoint, or Google Drive, giving you full control of your data. Minimize risk, simplify compliance, and increase data security. SmartDraw also works hand in glove with your existing IT infrastructure without disruption. You can provision users, save files, and set permissions entirely inside the Microsoft or Google enterprise stack.
    Starting Price: $10.95 per user per month
  • 17
    Draft it

    Draft it

    CADlogic

    Cadlogic are specialist developers of low cost CAD Software & CAD programs. Draft it is a powerful 2D CAD system with four different version options listed below. All of these allow you to create, save and print your own drawings, whether you are an occasional user at home or you need CAD software in the workplace there is a Draft it version for you. Download Draft it today, you can use the Free version forever and you can trial the three other paid for versions for a full 15 days after installation. Or if you need a little extra design functionality or something tailored to suit your particular design requirements then why not consider contacting us about a bespoke design solution.
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