QCAD vs Solvespace: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for QCAD and Solvespace side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
QCAD
Open-source 2D CAD software for technical drawings and computer-aided manufacturing.
Best for you if:
- • You want free and open-source for basic 2D CAD functionality
Solvespace
Parametric 2D/3D CAD for modeling, assembly, and mechanism design.
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free and open-source (GPLv3)
| At a Glance | QCAD | Solvespace |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | CAD & Simulation Blueprint & Drawings | Developer Tools Design |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 13 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose QCAD or Solvespace?
Choose QCAD if
- You want free and open-source for basic 2D CAD functionality
- You want cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- You work in CAD & simulation, not developer tools
Choose Solvespace if
- You want completely free and open-source (GPLv3)
- You want parametric design capabilities for precise control
- You work in developer tools, not CAD & simulation
In-Depth Analysis
QCAD
Open-source 2D CAD software for technical drawings and computer-aided manufacturing.
QCAD's pricing is extremely generous, offering a fully functional 2D CAD software with CAM and nesting capabilities completely for free.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and open-source for basic 2D CAD functionality.
- Pro: Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux).
- Pro: Intuitive user interface, easy for beginners to learn.
- Pro: Extensible with a powerful ECMAScript scripting interface.
- Pro: QCAD/CAM offers advanced G-Code generation for CNC machines.
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced CAM features are part of a paid professional version.
- Con: Primarily focused on 2D, not suitable for 3D design.
Key features
Solvespace
Parametric 2D/3D CAD for modeling, assembly, and mechanism design.
Solvespace offers an incredibly generous pricing model, as it is completely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free and open-source (GPLv3)
- Pro: Parametric design capabilities for precise control
- Pro: Robust constraint solver for mechanism design
- Pro: Supports a wide range of import and export formats
- Pro: Associative assembly allows changes to propagate automatically
Weaknesses
- Con: May have a steeper learning curve compared to commercial CAD software
- Con: User interface might be less polished than paid alternatives
- Con: Community support might be smaller than for widely adopted commercial tools
Key features
Plans and prices: QCAD vs Solvespace
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| QCAD |
| qcad.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
| Solvespace |
| solvespace.com read Oct 5, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on QCAD pricing and Solvespace pricing.
Key Takeaways
QCAD
- Choose if you want open-source 2D CAD software for technical drawings and computer-aided manufacturing
Solvespace
- Choose if you want parametric 2D/3D CAD for modeling, assembly, and mechanism design
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only QCAD has a published user rating (4.4/5 from 13 reviews); Solvespace has none we can show.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do QCAD and Solvespace compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only QCAD has a published user rating (4.4/5 from 13 reviews); Solvespace has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
What are QCAD and Solvespace used for?
QCAD: Open-source 2D CAD software for technical drawings and computer-aided manufacturing. Solvespace: Parametric 2D/3D CAD for modeling, assembly, and mechanism design.
What does QCAD cost vs Solvespace?
QCAD is free. Solvespace is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 5, 2026.
What's the main difference between QCAD and Solvespace?
QCAD's main strength: free and open-source for basic 2D CAD functionality. Solvespace's main strength: completely free and open-source (GPLv3).