FreeCAD vs LibreCAD: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
FreeCAD and LibreCAD are both home & construction design tools, compared here side by side. FreeCAD is truly free (Free) and is a desktop install with no browser version; LibreCAD is truly free (Free) and is a desktop install with no browser version. They differ most on 3D: FreeCAD offers basic 3d and LibreCAD offers no 3d rendering.
Free tiers & pricing last verified Jun 23, 2026.
Pick FreeCAD if…
Truly freeHobbyists and engineers wanting free parametric CAD/BIM
Pick LibreCAD if…
Truly freeFree 2D drafting and floor plans
Side by side
FreeCAD
Truly freeFully free and open source with no sign-up or paywall; includes a dedicated BIM/architecture workbench plus general 3D parametric modeling.
LibreCAD
Truly freeCompletely free and GPLv2 open source with full 2D drafting; it is 2D-only with no 3D modeling.
Read the full reviews
FreeCAD
Fully free and open source with no sign-up or paywall; includes a dedicated BIM/architecture workbench plus general 3D parametric modeling.
LibreCAD
Completely free and GPLv2 open source with full 2D drafting; it is 2D-only with no 3D modeling.
FreeCAD vs LibreCAD: questions, answered
What is the main difference between FreeCAD and LibreCAD?
They differ most on 3D: FreeCAD offers basic 3d and LibreCAD offers no 3d rendering.
Is FreeCAD or LibreCAD free?
FreeCAD is truly free and LibreCAD is truly free. FreeCAD: Fully free and open source with no sign-up or paywall; includes a dedicated BIM/architecture workbench plus general 3D parametric modeling. LibreCAD: Completely free and GPLv2 open source with full 2D drafting; it is 2D-only with no 3D modeling.
Can you export CAD files from FreeCAD or LibreCAD?
FreeCAD exports DXF, OBJ, STL; LibreCAD exports DXF, SVG, PDF. Both can produce CAD (DWG/DXF) files.