FreeCAD vs AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD

SketchUp

SolidWorks Premium

Autodesk Fusion

MicroStation

TurboCad

Compare FreeCAD and AutoCAD LT based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

Autodesk Fusion is a 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool that combines industrial and mechanical design, simulation, collaboration, and machining to connect the entire product development process in an integrated, concept-to-production toolset

SolidWorks Premium is the leading 3D design solution in the industry. It seamlessly integrates powerful design tools-including industry-leading part, assembly, and drawing capabilities with built-in simulation, rendering, animation, product data management, and cost estimation. 

SolidWorks will help you get work done faster and easier than before, using innovative phases of product creation to achieve a more productive 3D design experience.

AutoCAD is a design and drafting platform which supports automated design tasks and offers features such as 2D drafting, drawing and annotation, 3D modeling and visualization, and more.

FreeCAD is an on-premise open-source paramedic 3D modeler, which helps businesses design objects of all sizes. Programmers can sketch constrained 2D shapes and utilize them as a base to create other objects. It supports several file formats such as IGES, SVG, DXF, DE, IFC, STL, STEP, OBJ, and more.


2D Drawing

3D Design & Modeling

3D Imaging

Annotations

CAD Tools

Collaboration Tools

Data Import/Export

Document Management

Electrical

For 3D Printing

For Architects

For Manufacturers

Mechanical

Modeling & Simulation

Project Management

Reporting/Analytics

FreeCAD

Linux

Windows

Hardware Engineer

This is a good software for 3D design. It is for free and there is a great community that can give support to you, with a lot of tutorials in Youtube.

Teaching Assistant

It is free and open-source and that is great for such a useful software. It is lighter that other similar software.

Owner

FreeCAD has been a Godsend for developing and evaluating my ideas and I would definitely recommend it if you are a small business with minimal or no budget for expensive CAD software.

Cost/Project Engineer

Being a community-based free software, it's still seeing lots of improvements. Constant feedback is allowing it to better improve functionality and integration across disciplines.

Amateur engineering designer

It isn't complete (e.g. there is no dimensioning readily available), and suffers from ongoing development that results in occasional crashes.

Project Manager

If you need a drafting tool, get this one. It’s also great to learn what CAD is, and how it can help you draft.

Artist

So, I'll recommend this software for those seeking a classic and quick CAD Drawing and Viewing experience. Thank you so very much for the elegant software.

QC Technician

My problem was I don't have enough time to spend on I was working in a company and my job was not related to CAD.

Also it has many integrated tools to work with 3D and 2D designs, you can review models, import many file formats and convert some meshes like STL to a solid.

Especialista

For small design projects it is a very complete tool that helps you solve problems effectively without having to invest a penny.

Greggles

Near no customer service and sometimes sub-par tutorials. Getting the right install location can be difficult.

Although free of charge, the software offered a large variety of tools and preferences, and a user friendly interface.

Graduate Research Assistant

Since the environment is lite, finding the right tools to have extended functions or tasks in modeling will be a little bit difficult. So, the software might be limited in handling complex CAD files.

Industrial and Manufacturing engineer

Overall, a good experience using this software.

The most attractive feature is that it is free to use I am not very good at designing 3D projects but Free Cad seems to be for me a good platform to teach myself.

Research Assistant

Poor and very complicated user interface. 3D surface generation can not react that you desire.

Release Manager

The interface takes a bit to get used to, but its not a huge curve by any means. Geometric constraints work great.

Civil Engineer

The Interface can generate brief difficulty when navigating without representing major inconveniences. You may experience some unstable installation especially on Mac.

FreeCAD screenshot: FreeCAD combo view

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Small Business

SketchUp is a design and collaboration solution that helps businesses streamline AEC and interior design workflows. Its intuitive 3D modeler allows users to visualize projects, while its 2D documentation and AR/VR viewing applications keep stakeholders aligned throughout the design-build process.

TurboCad is an engineering CAD software designed to help businesses create and manage drawings for mechanical, civil, and construction projects. The solution enables managers to visualize plans and communicate them to others so that projects can be completed on time and within budget.

MicroStation is a 3D architecture software that helps businesses in the oil and gas, construction, mining, manufacturing, and other sectors create and visualize 2D drawings and 3D computer-aided designs. The platform enables creators to build models using various parametric designing tools including mesh, surface, and solid modeling.

AutoCAD LT 2D drafting software helps you create, edit and share your 2D drawings. It is specifically designed for small design teams working in the construction, architecture, engineering and manufacturing industries.

Change Management

Design Modeling

Drafting

Manufacturing Design Data

Scheduling

AutoCAD LT

Web-based

Review For Autocad LT

Very Good Features Like Layer Management And Property Manager, File Recovery. This Software is Very Good For Engineering Companies.

Intern 

The downside of the product is that it lags after a lot of hatches and annotations are added to it.

AutoCAD Architectural Drafter/Designer

The only downside that I can think of is that the software crashes every now and then, which can be aggravating when you are working on a tight deadline.

Architectural Designer

It's an excellent piece of software which essentially strips down the standard Autocad version by removing a few features like 3D modelling.

It's a weapon of choice for anyone working in the architectural and design fields. It offers a host of excellent tools that allow you to crate accurate drawings for architectural purposes.

The ease of use and ability to customize working menus and toolbars.

Education and Communications Manager

Easy to integrate in manufacturing applications. The printing options available are better than competition.

Mechanical engineering

I ise it when i need only 2d drawings, it is the best in its class.

Interior Designer

Great for Interior Designers, Architects, Engineers and builders.

Designer

Considering the price, the software is a great tool for many designers.

Draftsman

The ease of commands and customization layout.

The software provides single-user licensing, so it may be difficult to use as a business organization.

Researcher's 

With the wide range of APIs, the solution has to offer and the ability to integrate with other third-party applications.

Applications Engineer

This has been a huge cost saving item for our company. For years we were battling with users opening AutoCAD just to view a CAD drawing (read only) for a few minutes, then closing it.

FreeCAD vs AutoCAD LT Comparison (2026)

FreeCAD

AutoCAD LT

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives