QCAD vs SolveSpace: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
QCAD and SolveSpace are both home & construction design tools, compared here side by side. QCAD 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 QCAD is free, with limits (from Paid).
Free tiers & pricing last verified Jun 23, 2026.
Pick QCAD if…
Free, with limitsFree 2D drafting with optional pro upgrade
Pick SolveSpace if…
Truly freeLightweight free parametric modeling
Side by side
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.
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
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.
SolveSpace
Fully free and GPLv3 open source with no install required on Windows; geared to mechanical/geometric parts rather than full BIM.
QCAD vs SolveSpace: questions, answered
What is the main difference between QCAD and SolveSpace?
The biggest difference is cost: SolveSpace is truly free, while QCAD is free, with limits (from Paid).
Is QCAD or SolveSpace free?
QCAD is free, with limits and SolveSpace is truly free. 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. 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 QCAD or SolveSpace?
QCAD exports DXF, DWG, PDF; SolveSpace exports DXF, PDF, SVG, STL. Both can produce CAD (DWG/DXF) files.