Best Software for 2025 is now live!

Compare FreeCAD and nanoCAD Free

Save
    Log in to your account
    to save comparisons,
    products and more.
At a Glance
FreeCAD
FreeCAD
Star Rating
(58)4.1 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (67.9% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about FreeCAD
nanoCAD Free
nanoCAD Free
Star Rating
(23)4.2 out of 5
Market Segments
Mid-Market (52.2% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about nanoCAD Free
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
  • Users report that nanoCAD Free excels in drawing capabilities with a score of 9.0, while FreeCAD trails slightly behind at 8.4. Reviewers mention that nanoCAD's intuitive interface makes it easier to create detailed 2D drawings.
  • Reviewers mention that nanoCAD Free offers superior file import capabilities, scoring 9.2 compared to FreeCAD's 8.3. Users say this feature is crucial for integrating existing projects into their workflow seamlessly.
  • G2 users highlight that FreeCAD has a better rendering score of 7.5 compared to nanoCAD Free's 7.0. Users report that FreeCAD's rendering tools provide more realistic visualizations, which is essential for presentations.
  • Users on G2 note that nanoCAD Free has a higher ease of use rating at 8.9, while FreeCAD scores 7.8. Reviewers mention that the straightforward navigation in nanoCAD makes it more accessible for beginners.
  • Reviewers mention that FreeCAD shines in documentation, scoring 7.7, while nanoCAD Free scores higher at 8.5. Users report that the comprehensive documentation in nanoCAD helps them troubleshoot issues more effectively.
  • Users say that nanoCAD Free's customization options, particularly in custom commands and scripts, are more robust, allowing for a tailored user experience, while FreeCAD's customization features are perceived as less flexible.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
FreeCAD
No pricing available
nanoCAD Free
No pricing available
Free Trial
FreeCAD
No trial information available
nanoCAD Free
Free Trial is available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
8.4
42
8.9
19
Ease of Use
7.8
43
8.9
19
Ease of Setup
Not enough data
Not enough data
Ease of Admin
Not enough data
Not enough data
Quality of Support
8.0
35
7.7
17
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Not enough data
Not enough data
Product Direction (% positive)
8.1
42
9.4
19
Features by Category
7.9
245
8.4
153
Design
8.4
23
9.0
15
8.1
25
8.8
15
8.0
23
9.0
15
7.5
21
7.0
14
Edit
8.3
23
9.2
14
7.2
21
8.8
12
8.0
23
7.4
14
7.5
23
7.7
13
Collaboration
8.2
20
8.6
12
7.7
22
8.5
14
8.2
21
8.3
15
7.8
182
Not enough data
File Options
8.3
19
Not enough data
8.4
19
Not enough data
8.1
18
Not enough data
7.9
18
Not enough data
6.9
14
Not enough data
7.9
18
Not enough data
Tools
7.3
19
Not enough data
7.5
19
Not enough data
7.8
19
Not enough data
Design
8.0
19
Not enough data
Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)Hide 18 FeaturesShow 18 Features
Not enough data
Not enough data
Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
FreeCAD
FreeCAD
nanoCAD Free
nanoCAD Free
FreeCAD and nanoCAD Free are categorized as General-Purpose CAD
Unique Categories
nanoCAD Free
nanoCAD Free has no unique categories
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
FreeCAD
FreeCAD
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
67.9%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
15.1%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
17.0%
nanoCAD Free
nanoCAD Free
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
30.4%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
52.2%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
17.4%
Reviewers' Industry
FreeCAD
FreeCAD
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
15.1%
Design
15.1%
Information Technology and Services
7.5%
Industrial Automation
7.5%
Machinery
5.7%
Other
49.1%
nanoCAD Free
nanoCAD Free
Information Technology and Services
13.0%
Computer & Network Security
8.7%
Utilities
4.3%
Real Estate
4.3%
Program Development
4.3%
Other
65.2%
Most Helpful Reviews
FreeCAD
FreeCAD
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Verified User
G
Verified User in Information Technology and Services

The most helpful feature of FreeCAD is its GUI and user-friendly interface. It's Reverse engineering feature to check the legacy parts to better understand their functions. POV-Ray, Raytracing, and export to slicer these features are very interesting. Its...

Most Helpful Critical Review
Francesco S.
FS
Francesco S.
Verified User in Architecture & Planning

FreeCAD is still under development, and its learning curve is rather steep at the moment. The interface needs some refinement, and could puzzle the new user. Also some import filter do not work as expected.

nanoCAD Free
nanoCAD Free
Most Helpful Favorable Review
SO
Sandra O.
Verified User in Leisure, Travel & Tourism

It allows great visibility in the work table thanks to the sectioning of the areas, you can draw the plane while you work and show the structures in both 2D and 3D, from a simple point of view it has an interface with very intuitive options if you have had...

Most Helpful Critical Review
Sai Ganesh S.
SS
Sai Ganesh S.
Verified User in Utilities

The biggest issue is with the license not being transferrable from your old to new computer. Another con is the slowness when rendering certain layouts, probably due to single thread CPU usage.

Alternatives
FreeCAD
FreeCAD Alternatives
Onshape
Onshape
Add Onshape
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS
Add SOLIDWORKS
Autodesk Fusion
Autodesk Fusion
Add Autodesk Fusion
Inventor
Inventor
Add Inventor
nanoCAD Free
nanoCAD Free Alternatives
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
Add AutoCAD
DraftSight
DraftSight
Add DraftSight
BricsCAD
BricsCAD
Add BricsCAD
AutoCAD LT
AutoCAD LT
Add AutoCAD LT
Discussions
FreeCAD
FreeCAD Discussions
CAD Services That Will Bring You to the Future – Cadsourcing
1 comment
Wesley H.
WH
I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that request.Read more
Does anybody have any experience with the FEA module in FreeCad?
1 comment
Jose B.
JB
The FEA module is quite usable in its current state. You should be able to do the tasks you mentioned. Follow the wiki and tutorials first to get the hang of...Read more
FREECAD FOR PROFESSIONAL
1 comment
Abhishek j.
AJ
hi. i just want to know that can i use FreeCAD for professional uses for free or it is open for practice/student only Read more
nanoCAD Free
nanoCAD Free Discussions
Monty the Mongoose crying
nanoCAD Free has no discussions with answers