FreeCAD vs Onshape

FreeCAD—Visit Onshape6.0Visit

FreeCAD #7 in 3D Design Software —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit FreeCAD

vs

Higher score Onshape #8 in 3D Design Software 6.0/10 Free plan · paid from $1,500/user/yr Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Onshape

• FreeCAD fits best

  Free parametric engineering and maker CAD

• Onshape fits best

  Collaborative cloud CAD teams

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Side by side

Feature	FreeCAD —/10 Visit ↗	Onshape 6.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	—	6.0
Ranking	#7 in 3D Design Software	#8 in 3D Design Software
Best for	Free parametric engineering and maker CAD	Collaborative cloud CAD teams
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features FreeCAD 2/4 · Onshape 1/4
Parametric modeling	✓	✓
Native rendering	Not published	Not published
Animation tools	✓ (best)	Not published
Collaboration workspace	Not published	Not published
Specs
Modeling mode	Not published	Not published
Supported platforms	Not published	Not published
Import/export formats	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Editable parametric history supports iterative technical design. Broad workbenches cover BIM, FEA, CAM/CNC, assemblies, and printing. Windows, macOS, and Linux support with Python and add-on extensibility.	Real-time collaboration with version history and commenting Parametric parts, assemblies, surfacing and mixed modeling Mobile editing plus REST API and App Store integrations
Cons	Production rendering relies on external engines and add-ons. Desktop-only deployment limits browser and mobile access. Community and documentation support replace commercial support channels.	Free Plan is limited to non-commercial use and public documents Standard starts at $1,500 per user annually Simulation, rendering and CAM are listed on Professional, not Standard
Our verdict	FreeCAD is a free, open-source desktop application for parametric 3D modeling and computer-aided design. It suits hobbyists, students, programmers, makers, and professionals working in product design, mechanical engineering, architecture,… Read the review →	Onshape brings 3D CAD and product data management into a cloud-based workspace for product design teams, individual professionals, educators and manufacturers. Its tools cover parametric parts and assemblies, drawings, surfacing, and mixed… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• FreeCAD — where it wins

  • Editable parametric history supports iterative technical design.
  • Broad workbenches cover BIM, FEA, CAM/CNC, assemblies, and printing.
  • Windows, macOS, and Linux support with Python and add-on extensibility.

  Where it doesn't

  • Production rendering relies on external engines and add-ons.
  • Desktop-only deployment limits browser and mobile access.
  • Community and documentation support replace commercial support channels.

• Onshape — where it wins

  • Real-time collaboration with version history and commenting
  • Parametric parts, assemblies, surfacing and mixed modeling
  • Mobile editing plus REST API and App Store integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Free Plan is limited to non-commercial use and public documents
  • Standard starts at $1,500 per user annually
  • Simulation, rendering and CAM are listed on Professional, not Standard

• FreeCAD—/10 · Free plan

  Free, extensible parametric CAD for engineering, makers, architecture, and 3D printing.

  Visit FreeCADFull verdict →
• Onshape6.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $1,500/user/yr

  Browser-based CAD combines parametric design, version history and live team collaboration.

  Visit OnshapeFull verdict →