FreeCAD Free — What Does Free Actually Mean?

No subscription. No trial. No hidden costs. Here is exactly what you get.

FreeCAD is free in every meaningful sense — zero cost to download, zero cost to use commercially, and open-source under a license that gives you rights over the software itself. This page breaks down what that means in practice.

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FreeCAD Is Free in Two Different Ways

Free of Charge

FreeCAD costs nothing to download, install, or use. There is no free tier with a paid upgrade, no subscription for advanced features, and no activation key. The download on this site is identical to what every other user gets — including engineers at companies using FreeCAD professionally.

  • No purchase required
  • No trial period that expires
  • No per-seat license
  • No watermarks on output files
  • No "pro" version with more features

Free as in Open Source

FreeCAD is open-source under the LGPL2+ license. The complete source code is publicly available on GitHub. You have the legal right to read the code, modify it, compile your own version, and distribute it — subject to the LGPL2+ conditions.

  • Source code on GitHub
  • Permissive LGPL2+ license
  • Modifications permitted
  • Commercial redistribution permitted (with conditions)
  • No vendor lock-in

Everything Included in the Free FreeCAD Download

There is no paid upgrade that unlocks more tools. Every workbench listed below is part of the standard free download.

Part Design Workbench

Full parametric solid modeling with sketch-based feature history. The core of FreeCAD for mechanical and product design — completely free.

Assembly Workbench

Constraint-based multi-part assemblies using the Ondsel Solver, introduced in FreeCAD 1.0. No separate download or license.

FEM Simulation

Finite Element Analysis for structural, thermal, and fluid simulations. Runs locally using CalculiX and other open-source solvers — free and offline.

BIM Workbench

Full architectural BIM modeling with IFC4 export. Used by architects and construction professionals as a free alternative to commercial BIM tools.

Path / CNC Workbench

G-code generation for CNC machines. Supports multiple post-processors and runs entirely within FreeCAD — no separate CAM subscription.

TechDraw Workbench

Dimensioned 2D technical drawings from 3D models, exported as SVG or PDF. Engineering documentation workflow — included free.

FreeCAD Free vs Paid CAD Software

How does FreeCAD compare to the paid options on the dimensions that matter most?

Feature FreeCAD (Free) AutoCAD (~$2,000/year) SolidWorks (~$4,000/year)
CostFree$1,990/year$3,995+/year
Parametric 3D Modeling✅ Full✅ Full✅ Full
Assembly✅ Included❌ Separate product✅ Included
FEM Simulation✅ Included❌ Separate product✅ Included (Simulation)
BIM / IFC✅ Included✅ Included❌ Not native
CNC / Path✅ Included❌ Separate product❌ Separate product
Python API✅ Full access✅ AutoLISP / VBA✅ API
Commercial Use✅ Free✅ License required✅ License required
Source Code✅ Public (GitHub)❌ Proprietary❌ Proprietary

Pricing data is approximate and based on publicly listed subscription prices as of 2026. FreeCAD capabilities refer to version 1.1.3.

What the LGPL2+ License Means for You

FreeCAD is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2 or later (LGPL2+). In practical terms, this means:

You can:

  • Download and use FreeCAD for free, indefinitely
  • Use FreeCAD for commercial projects without paying a license fee
  • Read, modify, and compile the FreeCAD source code
  • Distribute FreeCAD or modified versions of it
  • Build commercial products and workflows around FreeCAD

If you modify and distribute FreeCAD itself:

  • Your modifications to FreeCAD must also be open-sourced under LGPL2+
  • You must include the original copyright notices
  • You cannot present your modified version as the official FreeCAD

For the vast majority of users — designers, engineers, architects using FreeCAD as a tool — none of the redistribution conditions apply. You use it, you keep your designs, you owe nothing to anyone.

FreeCAD Free — FAQ

Is FreeCAD really free?

Yes — completely. FreeCAD is free to download, free to use without any time limit, and free for commercial purposes. There is no paid version with more features, no subscription required to keep using it, and no activation. LGPL2+ is one of the most permissive open-source licenses available.

Is there a free trial that expires?

No. FreeCAD is not a trial — it is permanently free software. The download you get today will continue to work indefinitely. There is no expiration, no feature degradation after a trial period, and no account required.

Can I use FreeCAD commercially for free?

Yes. LGPL2+ explicitly permits commercial use. Engineers, product designers, architects, and companies use FreeCAD in commercial workflows without paying any license fee. The only scenario where LGPL obligations apply is if you modify and redistribute FreeCAD itself.

Why is FreeCAD free?

FreeCAD is developed by a global community of volunteers and sponsored contributors who believe professional-grade CAD tools should be accessible to everyone. Development is funded through donations, sponsorships from companies using FreeCAD, and contributions from universities and research institutions.

What is the difference between free and open-source in FreeCAD?

Free means no cost. Open-source means the source code is publicly available under a license that grants specific rights. FreeCAD is both: zero cost to use, and LGPL2+ open-source with public code on GitHub. You benefit from free use regardless of whether you ever look at the source code.

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