SOLIDWORKS
by SOLIDWORKSSOLIDWORKS supports CAD on Windows, macOS and browsers, with desktop and browser access.
Free plan Free trial From $48 a year WebWindowsMac
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Best 3D CAD Software 2026
Facts read 21 Sep 2026 – 14 Oct 2026
SOLIDWORKS leads this list of 79 (record score 8.3, free plan). Rhino 3D is next (record score 8.2, free plan), and Onshape is the next highest-placed with a free plan (record score 7.8).
3D CAD software helps you build and edit precise digital models for parts, products and systems. This guide helps designers, engineers and teams compare tools before choosing a workflow.
The standings: top 10
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 SOLIDWORKS | SOLIDWORKS supports CAD on Windows, macOS and browsers, with desktop and browser access. | 8.3 | $48 a year | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac | 28 Sep 2026 |
| 02 Rhino 3D | Rhino 3D is CAD software for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and API use. | 8.2 | Free plan | Free plan | iPhone & iPad, Windows, Mac, Linux | 14 Oct 2026 |
| 03 Onshape | Onshape is browser-based parametric CAD with Android, iOS and web access. | 7.8 | $1,500 a year | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web | 28 Sep 2026 |
| 04 Solid Edge | Solid Edge runs on Windows, Android, iOS and browsers, with desktop and browser access. | 7.6 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 8 Oct 2026 |
| 05 Siemens NX | NX suits product development teams that need design and engineering tools across Windows desktop and browser-based work. | 6.8 | — | Free trial | Web, Windows | 9 Oct 2026 |
| 06 CATIA | CATIA is parametric CAD on the 3DEXPERIENCE web platform and Windows, with assemblies, surfaces and sheet metal. | 6.7 | $6,537 a year | — | Web, Windows | 10 Oct 2026 |
| 07 Alibre Design | Alibre Design is paid CAD software for Windows desktop use. | 6.7 | — | Free trial | Windows, API, Self-hosted | 7 Oct 2026 |
| 08 Shapr3D | It suits people who need 3D CAD modeling, 3D-print export, and broad CAD file exchange. | 6.7 | $299 a year | Free plan | Windows, Mac | 28 Sep 2026 |
| 09 nanoCAD | nanoCAD is hybrid CAD software for Windows with assembly design and a free plan. | 6.4 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows | 27 Sep 2026 |
| 10 Creo | Creo is CAD for Windows and the web, with iOS and Android apps and animation tools. | 6.3 | — | — | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 21 Sep 2026 |
The page compares free plans, paid starting points, modeling and assembly tools, sheet-metal and surface work, collaboration, file exchange and platform support. No ranking basis is published, so use these fields to compare entries.
02
Rhino 3D
Rhino 3D is CAD software for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and API use.
iPhone & iPadWindowsMac+3 Record8.2 Visit
03
Onshape
Onshape is browser-based parametric CAD with Android, iOS and web access.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb Record7.8 Visit
04
Solid Edge
Solid Edge runs on Windows, Android, iOS and browsers, with desktop and browser access.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 Record7.6 Visit
05
Siemens NX
NX suits product development teams that need design and engineering tools across Windows desktop and browser-based work.
WebWindows Record6.8 Visit
6
CATIA
WebWindows $6,537 a year Record6.7 Visit CATIA is parametric CAD on the 3DEXPERIENCE web platform and Windows, with assemblies, surfaces and sheet metal.
7
Alibre Design
WindowsAPISelf-hosted — Record6.7 Visit Alibre Design is paid CAD software for Windows desktop use.
8
Shapr3D
WindowsMac $299 a year Record6.7 Visit It suits people who need 3D CAD modeling, 3D-print export, and broad CAD file exchange.
9
nanoCAD
Windows Free plan Record6.4 Visit nanoCAD is hybrid CAD software for Windows with assembly design and a free plan.
10
Creo
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2 — Record6.3 Visit Creo is CAD for Windows and the web, with iOS and Android apps and animation tools.
11
Autodesk Inventor
Windows — Record6.3 Visit Autodesk Inventor is hybrid CAD for Windows with cloud collaboration, assemblies and sheet-metal tools.
12
FreeCAD
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.3 Visit FreeCAD suits designers, engineers, architects, and technical users who need parametric 3D modeling on a desktop.
14
MicroStation
Windows $2,656 a year Record6.2 Visit It suits engineers, architects, and construction professionals working on infrastructure projects who need Windows desktop CAD, BIM, geospatial, and model-documentation…
16
AVEVA E3D Design
WebWindowsAPI+1 — Record6.1 Visit AVEVA E3D Design is parametric CAD for Windows, web, API and self-hosted deployments, with assemblies and surfaces.
17
Ansys SpaceClaim
Windows — Record6.1 Visit It suits Windows-based engineers working with direct 3D modeling, manufacturing preparation, reverse engineering, or simulation geometry.
18
OwlCAD
WebWindowsMac+1 Free plan Record6.1 Visit OwlCAD suits makers and designers who want browser-based parametric modeling, print preparation, and customizable published models.
23
Hexagon VISI
Windows — Record5.7 Visit VISI suits users designing plastic injection moulds, dies, and related manufacturing workflows.
Before you choose
Match the modeling workflow
Compare the modeling method with the way you create parts and assemblies. Check support for assembly design, sheet-metal tools and surface modeling when those tasks are part of your work.
File import and export can affect how a model moves between applications. Review the formats a tool supports before switching workflows.
Check where it runs
The list includes software for Windows, macOS, Linux and web browsers. It also includes self-hosted options and tools with an API.
Choose a platform that fits your computer setup, browser policy and automation needs.
Compare free access and pricing
A free plan can provide ongoing access with limits, while a free trial gives temporary access to paid features. Check what the plan includes before moving project files.
Pricing notes can show a paid starting point, a freemium model, a free plan or pricing on request. Siemens NX lists a 30-day trial, while Materializr lists a free plan.
Review cloud and team work
Cloud collaboration is a listed comparison field. Check how a tool handles shared designs, access and review when work involves a team.
Web availability may help when you need browser access, but confirm that the modeling and file features you need are available there.
Check licence terms
If code access or local control matters, check whether the software is open source and read its licence terms.
Self-hosted deployment and API access are separate comparison fields. Verify that the available option fits your security and integration requirements.
Questions
What platforms do these 3D CAD tools support?
The list covers Windows, macOS, Linux and web platforms. It also includes self-hosted software and tools with an API.
Do the tools offer free plans?
Free plans are listed as a comparison field. Materializr lists a free plan, and Zenve3D uses a freemium pricing model.
Which tools have free trials?
Free trials are compared in the list. Siemens NX lists a 30-day trial.
Can I compare cloud collaboration?
Yes. Cloud collaboration is one of the listed comparison fields, along with supported platforms and file import and export.
What should I check for manufacturing design?
Review the modeling method, assembly design, sheet-metal tools, surface modeling and file import and export support.
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