DesignSpark Mechanical vs QCAD: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
DesignSpark Mechanical and QCAD are both home & construction design tools, compared here side by side. DesignSpark Mechanical is free, with limits (Paid) and is a desktop install with no browser version; QCAD is free, with limits (Paid) and is a desktop install with no browser version. On output, QCAD exports CAD (DWG/DXF) files while DesignSpark Mechanical does not, which matters if you need to share plans with a contractor.
Free tiers & pricing last verified Jun 23, 2026.
Pick DesignSpark Mechanical if…
Free, with limitsFree gesture-based 3D modeling
Pick QCAD if…
Free, with limitsFree 2D drafting with optional pro upgrade
Side by side
DesignSpark Mechanical
Free, with limitsThe Explorer plan is permanently free with no hidden fees, importing STEP/IGES/STL and exporting; advanced tools require paid Creator/Engineer plans.
QCAD
Free, with limitsThe open-source Community Edition is free forever for 2D drafting; the Professional add-on runs only 15 minutes at a time in trial mode until purchased.
Read the full reviews
DesignSpark Mechanical
The Explorer plan is permanently free with no hidden fees, importing STEP/IGES/STL and exporting; advanced tools require paid Creator/Engineer plans.
QCAD
The open-source Community Edition is free forever for 2D drafting; the Professional add-on runs only 15 minutes at a time in trial mode until purchased.
DesignSpark Mechanical vs QCAD: questions, answered
What is the main difference between DesignSpark Mechanical and QCAD?
On output, QCAD exports CAD (DWG/DXF) files while DesignSpark Mechanical does not, which matters if you need to share plans with a contractor.
Is DesignSpark Mechanical or QCAD free?
DesignSpark Mechanical is free, with limits and QCAD is free, with limits. DesignSpark Mechanical: The Explorer plan is permanently free with no hidden fees, importing STEP/IGES/STL and exporting; advanced tools require paid Creator/Engineer plans. QCAD: The open-source Community Edition is free forever for 2D drafting; the Professional add-on runs only 15 minutes at a time in trial mode until purchased.
Can you export CAD files from DesignSpark Mechanical or QCAD?
DesignSpark Mechanical exports STL, OBJ; QCAD exports DXF, DWG, PDF. Only QCAD exports CAD (DWG/DXF).