Audience

Companies searching for a free, open source application for computer aided drafting

About QCAD

QCAD is a free, open-source application for computer-aided drafting (CAD) in two dimensions (2D). With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schematics and diagrams. QCAD works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The source code of QCAD is released under the GPL version 3 (GPLv3), a popular Open Source license. QCAD was designed with modularity, extensibility and portability in mind. But what people notice most often about QCAD is its intuitive user interface. QCAD is an easy-to-use but powerful 2D CAD system for everyone. You don't need any CAD experience to get started with QCAD immediately. Construction and modification of points, lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, splines, polylines, texts, dimensions, hatches, fills, and raster images. Very complete and extremely powerful ECMAScript (JavaScript) scripting interface. Various powerful entity selection tools.

Other Popular Alternatives & Related Software
LibreCAD
LibreCAD
LibreCAD is a free Open Source CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. Support and documentation are free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers. LibreCAD started as a project to build CAM capabilities into the community version of QCad for use with a Mechmate CNC router. Since QCad CE was built around the outdated Qt3 library, it had to be ported to Qt4 before additional enhancements. This gave rise to CADuntu. The project was known as CADuntu only for a couple of months before the community decided that the name was inappropriate. After some discussion within the community and research on existing names, CADuntu was renamed to LibreCAD. Porting the rendering engine to Qt4 proved to be a large task, so LibreCAD initially still depended on the Qt3 support library. The Qt4 porting was completed eventually during the development of 2.0.0 series, thanks to our master developer Rallaz, and LibreCAD has become Qt3 free except in the 1.0.0 series.
Learn more about LibreCAD
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
4.4 out of 5 stars (11 Ratings)
Autodesk AutoCAD is the world’s leading 2D and 3D CAD software, trusted by millions of architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It provides precision tools to design, draft, and document complex projects across industries. The 2026 version introduces Autodesk AI, enabling automated drafting, smart block recognition, and real-time collaboration through Autodesk Docs. With customizable workspaces, AutoLISP automation, and access to over 1,000 apps, users can streamline every stage of their design workflow. AutoCAD also offers seven specialized industry toolsets that boost productivity by up to 63%, from architecture to electrical and mechanical design. Available on desktop, web, and mobile, AutoCAD empowers professionals to design anywhere with confidence and efficiency.
Learn more about AutoCAD
CMS IntelliCAD
CMS IntelliCAD
4.9 out of 5 stars (26 Ratings)
CMS IntelliCAD® is the intelligent, powerful and affordable full-featured CAD Software and is fully programmable with hundreds of third party solutions. CMS IntelliCAD also offers a full suite of 2D and 3D AutoCAD® compatible drawing tools! It is the smartest choice for engineers, architects and consultants, or anyone who communicates using CAD drawings. It is designed to give you the best unrivaled compatibility and a true CAD Software alternative to Autodesk® AutoCAD® software and is fully programmable with hundreds of third party solutions. CMS IntelliCAD also offers DWG file extension native support! And now also with Microstation DGN file support.
Learn more about CMS IntelliCAD
nanoCAD
nanoCAD
5.0 out of 5 stars (1 Rating)
nanoCAD is a modern computer-aided design (CAD) platform that provides designers with powerful capabilities in 2D drafting and 3D modeling. nanoCAD can be used on its own as a cost-effective DWG-editor, or customized with essential modules: Construction, Mechanica, Raster, Topoplan and 3D Solid Modeling. 2D drawings and 3D solid models with 2D and 3D parametric constraints, and dynamic UCS for effortless sketching on 3D faces. Documentation drawings link to 3D models. Fully DWG compatible.
Learn more about nanoCAD

Pricing

Starting Price:
$39.92 one-time payment

Integrations

No integrations listed.

Ratings/Reviews - 1 User Review

Overall 5.0 / 5
ease 5.0 / 5
features 3.0 / 5
design 4.0 / 5
support 2.0 / 5
More Reviews for QCAD Write a Review

Company Information

Ribbonsoft
United States
www.qcad.org/en

Videos and Screen Captures

QCAD Screenshot 1
QCAD Screenshot 1
Other Useful Business Software
Train ML Models With SQL You Already Know Icon
Train ML Models With SQL You Already Know

BigQuery automates data prep, analysis, and predictions with built-in AI assistance.

Build and deploy ML models using familiar SQL. Automate data prep with built-in Gemini. Query 1 TB and store 10 GB free monthly.
Start Free

Product Details

Platforms Supported
Windows
Mac
Training
Documentation
In Person
Support
Phone Support
Online

QCAD Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kinds of users and organization types does QCAD work with?
QCAD works with these users and organization types: Mid Size Business, Small Business, Enterprise, Freelance, Nonprofit, Government, and Startup.
Q: What languages does QCAD support in their product?
QCAD supports these languages: English.
Q: What kind of support options does QCAD offer?
QCAD offers support via phone support and online.
Q: What type of training does QCAD provide?
QCAD provides training in the form of documentation and in person.
Q: How much does QCAD cost?
Pricing for QCAD starts at $39.92 one-time payment.

QCAD Product Features

Architectural CAD

2D Drawing Supported
Architectural Symbol Library Supported
Drafting Supported
3D Modeling Not Supported
Automatic Formatting Not Supported
BIM Modeling Not Supported
Comparison View Not Supported
Design Templates Not Supported

CAD Viewers

View .DWG Files Not Supported
View .DWF Files Not Supported
View .IGES Files Not Supported
View .STEP Files Not Supported
View .STL Files Not Supported
View 2D Files Not Supported
View 3D Files Not Supported
Annotate Not Supported
Editing Not Supported
Collaboration Tools Not Supported
Batch Conversion Not Supported
Track Changes Not Supported

QCAD Verified User Reviews

Write a Review
  • A QCAD User
    None
    Used the software for: 6-12 Months
    Frequency of Use: Monthly
    User Role: User
    Company Size: 1 - 25
    Design 4 out of 5 stars
    Ease 5 out of 5 stars
    Features 3 out of 5 stars
    Pricing 5 out of 5 stars
    Support 2 out of 5 stars
    Probability You Would Recommend? 10 out of 10

    "Basic 2D CAD where you do not want to use pencil "

    5 out of 5 stars Posted 2021-03-02

    Pros: Simple and easy intuitive interface. Good for 2D drawings, charts or just view and edit .DWG or DXF drawings. No need to spend money on overpriced AutoCad or Visio.

    Cons: It is not designed to compete w/ AutoCad, but read and wright to this format.

    Overall: Simple is beauty, and even better when works well. Nothing fancy, but nothing to overpower your PC like Acad does.

    Read More...
  • Previous
  • You're on page 1
  • Next