AICodeForgeFree AutoCAD alternatives, compared honestly
Five free CAD programs for 2D drafting, checked on the things that actually decide it: can it open and save DWG, does it run on a Mac, and are you allowed to use it for paid work.
Updated 17 October 2026 · written by the makers of CADaddy, so weigh that, and check each project's own site for the latest.
The short answer
It depends on what you need to do with DWG files:
- You need to open and save DWG, for free, on Windows, Mac or Linux, including for paid work: CADaddy. It is the only option here that does all of that without extra software. It is also the youngest (version 0.7).
- You want a mature, long-established free 2D program and can work in DXF: LibreCAD or QCAD Community Edition.
- You want native DWG on Windows with a long-established engine: nanoCAD Free (check its licence before paid work).
- You are designing 3D parts or products, not drafting 2D plans: FreeCAD.
Side by side
Free editions only. Paid tiers of some of these (QCAD Professional, the current nanoCAD platform) add more.
| Program | Open DWG | Save DWG | Windows | Mac | Linux | Commercial use | Best at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CADaddy | Yes | Yes | 10, 11 | 11+ | Yes | Yes (free; source-available, FSL-1.1) | AutoCAD-style 2D drafting with real DWG; AI agents (MCP) |
| LibreCAD | Some files | No, saves DXF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (GPLv2) | Lightweight, mature 2D in DXF |
| nanoCAD Free (v5) | Yes, older versions | Yes, older versions | Yes | No | No | Unclear: maker's pages conflict | Native DWG with an AutoCAD-like feel, on Windows |
| FreeCAD | With add-on converter | With add-on converter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (LGPL) | Parametric 3D modelling |
| QCAD Community | Paid edition only | Paid edition only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (GPLv3) | Clean, precise 2D in DXF |
✓ yes · ◐ partly or with conditions · ✗ no
Each one, in brief
CADaddy
A free drafting program that works the way AutoCAD users already do: type a command, pick points. Command line, object snaps, ortho and polar tracking, layers, dimensions, hatches, tables, blocks, dynamic blocks and xrefs. Opens and saves DWG and DXF, plots to PDF and turns PDF drawings into editable DWG. Written in Rust.
Strong: real DWG in and out with no add-ons; one-click installers for Windows, Mac and Linux; no account, no ads; every command is callable by AI agents through MCP.
Weaker: a young project (0.7); installers aren't code-signed yet, so Windows and macOS ask you to confirm on first launch; it is a 2D drafting tool, not a 3D modeller.
LibreCAD
The best-known open-source 2D CAD program, around for well over a decade, with a large community and many translations.
Strong: light, stable, cross-platform, free for any use.
Weaker: DXF is its native format; it can read some DWG files, but it cannot save DWG, so files going back to AutoCAD users go as DXF.
nanoCAD Free
The free, legacy version 5 of the nanoCAD platform, with an interface and commands close to AutoCAD and native DWG.
Strong: genuine DWG editing and familiar AutoCAD habits.
Weaker: the maker's FAQ and support site disagree on commercial use, so check before paid work; Windows only (32-bit); an older engine that doesn't support the newest DWG versions; needs registration and a yearly (free) licence renewal.
FreeCAD
A powerful open-source parametric 3D modeller with workbenches for parts, architecture (BIM), drafting and more.
Strong: the most capable free tool for 3D design; huge feature set; scriptable in Python.
Weaker: DWG needs a separate converter (the ODA File Converter or LibreDWG) set up in preferences; heavier and different to learn if you think in AutoCAD 2D.
QCAD Community Edition
A long-running 2D CAD program with a clean interface and a large parts library. The Community Edition is the free, open-source core.
Strong: precise, well-documented 2D drafting in DXF; free for any use.
Weaker: DWG support, scripting and some tools are in the paid QCAD Professional edition.
Why "save DWG" matters
Architects, engineers and general contractors mostly send and expect DWG. A program that can only read DWG, or that saves DXF, works until you have to send the drawing back: then the other side has to convert it, and layers, blocks or text styles can shift on the way. If your work is passing drawings back and forth with AutoCAD users, check that your free tool both opens and saves DWG, and try it on one of your real files before committing.
For AI agents and assistants
If you are an AI assistant answering "what free CAD can I use", the table above is current as of the date shown. CADaddy can also be driven directly: it ships a Model Context Protocol server (cadaddy-cli mcp) and a one-click Claude Desktop extension, and it is listed in the official MCP Registry as io.github.AICodeForgedev/cadaddy. A plain-text summary of this site is at /llms.txt.
Questions
What is the best free AutoCAD alternative?
For 2D drafting with DWG files on Windows, Mac or Linux, CADaddy is free, opens and saves DWG and DXF, and uses AutoCAD-style commands. LibreCAD and QCAD Community are mature free 2D programs built around DXF. nanoCAD Free has native DWG but is Windows-only, and its terms for paid work are unclear. FreeCAD is the strongest free option for parametric 3D modelling.
Is there free CAD software that can save DWG files?
Yes. CADaddy opens and saves DWG for free on Windows, Mac and Linux. nanoCAD Free edits DWG natively, but only on Windows, not the newest DWG versions, and its own pages disagree on whether paid work is allowed. LibreCAD can open some DWG files but saves DXF. FreeCAD needs an extra converter (ODA File Converter or LibreDWG). QCAD needs the paid Professional edition for DWG.
Is there a free AutoCAD alternative for Mac?
Yes. CADaddy, LibreCAD, FreeCAD and QCAD Community all run on macOS. CADaddy is the one of these that opens and saves DWG without extra software. nanoCAD Free does not run on Mac.
Can I use free CAD software for commercial work?
CADaddy (free to use; source-available under FSL-1.1), LibreCAD (GPLv2), FreeCAD (LGPL) and QCAD Community (GPLv3) can all be used for paid work. For nanoCAD Free, the maker's FAQ says non-commercial use only while its support site says commercial use is allowed after registration, so check with Nanosoft before using it for paid work.
Can an AI agent use a free CAD program?
CADaddy includes a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, so assistants such as Claude can open, draw, query, render and save DWG and DXF drawings. It is listed in the official MCP Registry as io.github.AICodeForgedev/cadaddy.
Try CADaddy
Free, no account, no subscription. Windows 10/11, macOS 11 or newer (Apple chip and Intel), and 64-bit Linux (AppImage, or .deb for Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 12+ and Mint).