FreeCAD vs SolveSpace: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
FreeCAD and SolveSpace 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; SolveSpace is truly free (Free) and is a desktop install with no browser version. They differ most on 3D: FreeCAD offers basic 3d and SolveSpace 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 SolveSpace if…
Truly freeLightweight free parametric modeling
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.
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
FreeCAD
Fully free and open source with no sign-up or paywall; includes a dedicated BIM/architecture workbench plus general 3D parametric modeling.
SolveSpace
Fully free and GPLv3 open source with no install required on Windows; geared to mechanical/geometric parts rather than full BIM.
FreeCAD vs SolveSpace: questions, answered
What is the main difference between FreeCAD and SolveSpace?
They differ most on 3D: FreeCAD offers basic 3d and SolveSpace offers no 3d rendering.
Is FreeCAD or SolveSpace free?
FreeCAD is truly free and SolveSpace 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. 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 FreeCAD or SolveSpace?
FreeCAD exports DXF, OBJ, STL; SolveSpace exports DXF, PDF, SVG, STL. Both can produce CAD (DWG/DXF) files.