The best cad softwares, according to hackers

27 cad softwares recommended in Hacker News comments over the past year, ranked by how many separate people recommend each one.

All cad softwares

FreeCADA free, open-source parametric CAD modeler that has improved rapidly and can replace Fusion 360 for many hobby users, though its UI remains complex and hard to learn.199recommend
OpenSCADA free CAD tool where you describe models in code, loved for precise, parametric, version-controllable designs and LLM-friendliness; critics note missing fillets/chamfers and math-heavy modeling.173recommend
OnshapeBrowser-based parametric CAD that is easy to learn, runs on any machine and has multi-user editing; the free tier makes designs public.65recommend
Autodesk Fusion 360Recommended for fast, capable parametric 3D modeling, with a free hobbyist license and an easy learning curve. The most common caveat is that the free license could be changed or withdrawn, and Autodesk pushes paid upgrades.60recommend
SolveSpaceFree, fast, lightweight parametric CAD praised for simple sketching and quick learning; critics say it lacks features and its booleans often fail.37recommend
SolidWorksWidely used parametric CAD praised for its easy interface and power; critics say it is costly, proprietary, and crashes or slows on complex assemblies.36recommend
Rhinoceros 3DRecommended for curved free-form modeling, a clean interface and a command-line workflow. Critics note it is expensive and has mediocre numerics.24recommend
FluidCADCode-based parametric CAD in JavaScript that runs in the browser and combines code with a visual, mouse-driven interface.23recommend
Dune 3DPeople recommend it as a free, open-source CAD app that feels intuitive for simple parts and 3D-printing enclosures. Critics say it is limited and sometimes frustrating.22recommend
Autodesk FusionRecommended as a parametric CAD tool free for hobbyists and home users, with easy basics and a native Mac app. Critics often cite slow loading and a clunky interface.20recommend
ShopSpecWoodworkers recommend it for planning and visualizing furniture projects and building cut lists. Known gaps include limited shelf counts and imperial-only units.19recommend
Autodesk FusionParametric CAD app that people find precise and capable for modeling and toolpaths; the common complaints are crashes, lost model data, and licensing changes.18recommend
TinkercadEasy browser-based 3D design tool for simple one-off shapes and beginners, free to use. Caveat: limited for advanced parts, lacking fillets and chamfers, and not parametric.17recommend
AutoCADLong-running professional CAD program, praised for its AutoLISP scripting and as a budget-friendly option. Main caveat: no permanent license and vendor lock-in.15recommend
Adam AI CADOpen-source AI CAD tool that builds parts from prompts and selections; praised for quick simple designs. Critics say outputs aren't manufacturable and credits run out fast.14recommend
PlasticityVisual, non-constraint 3D modeler built on SolidWorks' kernel; people praise its robustness and freeform hard-surface work. Main caveat: no free option for hobbyists, just a 30-day trial.11recommend
SolidCraftFree open-source parametric CAD that runs in the browser and covers most everyday modeling needs; critics say it still has unsolved hard geometry problems and many edge cases.10recommend
µcadFree open-source language that generates 2D sketches and 3D models from code, seen as a promising OpenSCAD alternative; critics doubt it can displace sketch-based CAD.8recommend
ReplicadFree, MIT-licensed TypeScript library for parametric 3D CAD models, usable in a browser without an account.7recommend
Autodesk InventorPeople recommend Inventor for its good constraint solvers and for being easier for beginners to pick up.7recommend
vcadFree, open source CAD that runs in the browser or offline, with a Rust kernel compiled to WASM that people find impressively fast to get working. Common caveats are awkward camera controls and unclear feature status.7recommend
Shapr3DA Mac-native 3D CAD app that people recommend for its intuitive, easy-to-use interface. Critics say model history handling is weak and on-prem saving requires contacting sales.7recommend
SawdustLets woodworkers design projects, customize them with an AI agent, and get designs tied to real materials and suppliers.7recommend
JermCADFree browser-based CAD tool made by one person as a fun side project; critics doubt it will be maintained and say it looks like AI-generated code.7recommend
Autodesk RevitArchitects and builders recommend Revit as the one BIM tool no alternative matches, though its cost and complexity can outweigh the benefit on small jobs.6recommend
Zoo CADRecommended for re-iterating on CAD models with text prompts instead of rebuilding from scratch. Main caveat: cloud-only geometry kernel, which critics call lock-in.5recommend
CATIARecommended as the professional CAD tool for aircraft and race cars. The common caveat is its high license cost.5recommend