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QCAD

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Open-source 2D CAD software for technical drawings and computer-aided manufacturing.

Free, no paid tier
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Reviews on G2
13 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Price
Free, no paid tier. Compare plans

Key facts

  • Free and open-source 2D CAD software for Windows, Linux, and Mac.
  • Supports technical drawings, including architectural, mechanical, and schematics.
  • QCAD/CAM extends functionality to generate G-Code for CNC manufacturing.

Pros

  • Free and open-source for basic 2D CAD functionality.
  • Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux).
  • Intuitive user interface, easy for beginners to learn.
  • Extensible with a powerful ECMAScript scripting interface.
  • QCAD/CAM offers advanced G-Code generation for CNC machines.

Cons

  • Advanced CAM features are part of a paid professional version.
  • Primarily focused on 2D, not suitable for 3D design.

What is QCAD?

QCAD is a free and open-source 2D CAD (Computer-Aided Drafting) application designed for creating various technical drawings such as architectural plans, mechanical parts, schematics, and diagrams. It offers an intuitive user interface, making it accessible even for users without prior CAD experience. QCAD runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a cross-platform solution for drafting needs. Beyond basic drafting, QCAD also offers a professional version, QCAD Professional, which includes support for DXF and DWG formats. For manufacturing applications, QCAD/CAM extends QCAD Professional with Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) capabilities. This allows users to generate toolpaths from CAD drawings and export G-Code for controlling CNC machines like milling, engraving, and laser cutting machines. The CAM module is highly configurable through an ECMAScript-based output configuration, enabling the generation of various machine-readable formats. QCAD is ideal for engineers, designers, hobbyists, and anyone needing to create precise 2D technical drawings or prepare designs for CNC manufacturing. Its modular, extensible, and portable design, combined with a rich feature set, makes it a powerful yet user-friendly tool for both drafting and CAM processes.

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux

Data compiled by Toolradar Pricing checked · How we evaluate
Source qcad.org

Ratings Across the Web

4.4 (13 reviews)

QCAD holds an aggregate rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 13 reviews across G2, last checked September 17, 2026.

G2 13 reviews
4.4/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

  • Layers
  • Blocks (grouping)
  • 35 CAD fonts and TrueType font support
  • DXF and DWG input and output
  • Printing to scale and on multiple pages
  • Over 40 construction tools
  • Over 20 modification tools
  • Construction and modification of points, lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, splines, polylines, texts, dimensions, hatches, fills, raster images

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Sep 28, 2026. Source: qcad.org, read Sep 28, 2026

QCAD plans and prices, checked September 2026
Plan Price Details
Free

Free

  • Layers
  • Blocks (grouping)
  • 35 CAD fonts included
+16 more
  • Support for TrueType fonts
  • Various Metrical and Imperial units
  • DXF and DWG input and output
  • Printing to scale
  • Printing on multiple pages
  • Over 40 construction tools
  • Over 20 modification tools
  • Construction and modification of points, lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, splines, polylines, texts, dimensions, hatches, fills, raster images
  • Various powerful entity selection tools
  • Object snaps
  • Measuring tools
  • Part library with over 4800 CAD parts
  • Very complete and extremely powerful ECMAScript (JavaScript) scripting interface
  • Command line tools (dwg2pdf, dwg2svg, dwg2bmp, etc.)
  • QCAD/CAM: G-Code export
  • Nesting
View full pricing

Is QCAD worth the price?

Great value

QCAD's pricing is extremely generous, offering a fully functional 2D CAD software with CAM and nesting capabilities completely for free.

This makes it an exceptional value, especially for individuals or small businesses needing robust CAD without a budget. It's best for hobbyists, students, and small workshops looking for a powerful, no-cost CAD solution.

Full QCAD pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

QCAD by the numbers

QCAD compared with 18 CAD & Simulation tools on Toolradar, as of Nov 2026
Metric QCAD Peer median Position (1 is best)
Free plan Yes 9 of 18 have one n/a
Listed as an alternative to 2 tools 2 #8 of 18 (joint)

Listed as an alternative to: #7 on 2026-10-16 to #8 on 2026-11-02 (rank among 18 tools, 1 is best).

Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. All CAD & Simulation data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position.

Cite this: Toolradar, “QCAD by the numbers”, Nov 2026.

Reviews

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4.4/5

Across 13 verified user reviews on G2

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QCAD FAQ

How does QCAD support manufacturing workflows?

QCAD supports manufacturing workflows through its QCAD/CAM extension, which is part of the professional version. This module enables users to generate toolpaths directly from 2D CAD drawings and export G-Code for controlling CNC machines such as milling, engraving, and laser cutters.

Which teams would benefit most from using QCAD?

QCAD is well-suited for engineers, designers, and hobbyists who require precise 2D technical drawings. It also benefits teams involved in CNC manufacturing due to its CAM capabilities for generating G-Code.

How does QCAD's 2D focus compare to a tool like Rhino 3D?

QCAD is primarily focused on 2D technical drafting and manufacturing preparation, offering an intuitive interface for creating precise two-dimensional drawings. In contrast, Rhino 3D is known for its robust 3D modeling capabilities, making it suitable for different design requirements.

What kind of limitations should users be aware of with QCAD?

Users should note that QCAD is primarily designed for 2D drafting and is not suitable for 3D design tasks. Additionally, its advanced CAM features, including G-Code generation, are part of a paid professional version rather than the free open-source offering.

Does QCAD include a free tier?

Yes, QCAD offers a free and open-source version that provides basic 2D CAD functionality without requiring a paid plan. Advanced features, such as CAM capabilities and support for DXF/DWG formats, are available in the professional version.

Can QCAD be used on different operating systems?

Yes, QCAD offers cross-platform compatibility, allowing it to run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This provides a versatile solution for users across various computing environments.

How does QCAD allow for customization and extension?

QCAD is designed to be extensible, featuring a powerful ECMAScript scripting interface. This allows users to customize and extend its functionality, particularly for configuring output in the CAM module to generate various machine-readable formats.

Source: qcad.org

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