DesignSpark Mechanical vs SolveSpace: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
DesignSpark Mechanical and SolveSpace 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; SolveSpace is truly free (Free) and is a desktop install with no browser version. The biggest difference is cost: SolveSpace is truly free, while DesignSpark Mechanical is free, with limits (from Paid).
Free tiers & pricing last verified Jun 23, 2026.
Pick DesignSpark Mechanical if…
Free, with limitsFree gesture-based 3D modeling
Pick SolveSpace if…
Truly freeLightweight free parametric modeling
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.
SolveSpace
Truly freeFully free and GPLv3 open source with no install required on Windows; geared to mechanical/geometric parts rather than full BIM.
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.
SolveSpace
Fully free and GPLv3 open source with no install required on Windows; geared to mechanical/geometric parts rather than full BIM.
DesignSpark Mechanical vs SolveSpace: questions, answered
What is the main difference between DesignSpark Mechanical and SolveSpace?
The biggest difference is cost: SolveSpace is truly free, while DesignSpark Mechanical is free, with limits (from Paid).
Is DesignSpark Mechanical or SolveSpace free?
DesignSpark Mechanical is free, with limits and SolveSpace is truly free. 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. SolveSpace: Fully free and GPLv3 open source with no install required on Windows; geared to mechanical/geometric parts rather than full BIM.
Can you export CAD files from DesignSpark Mechanical or SolveSpace?
DesignSpark Mechanical exports STL, OBJ; SolveSpace exports DXF, PDF, SVG, STL. Only SolveSpace exports CAD (DWG/DXF).