Parametric CAD Tools Available Free for Educational Use
This guide lists parametric CAD software available free to students and teachers, along with key access details.
| Program | Education Free | Access Type | Paid Upgrade | Platform(s) | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AutoCAD (Autodesk) | ✅ | Full (educational watermark on output) | ✅ | Windows, Mac | Industry-standard 2D CAD with basic 3D support. |
| Creo (PTC) | ✅ | Limited (Student Edition; watermarks, file format restrictions) | ✅ | Windows | High-end mechanical design and simulation tools. |
| DesignSpark Mechanical | ✅ | Limited (direct modeling, no parametric history tree) | ✅ | Windows | Lightweight mechanical CAD; easy learning curve. |
| FreeCAD | ✅ | Full (open-source, unrestricted) | ❌ | Windows, Mac, Linux | Fully open-source modular parametric CAD. |
| Fusion 360 (Autodesk) | ✅ | Limited (minor export and collaboration restrictions) | ✅ | Windows, Mac (cloud-connected) | Unified CAD/CAM/CAE; excellent for prototyping and manufacturing. |
| Onshape (PTC) | ✅ | Full (education plan; private file storage for EDU accounts) | ✅ | Browser (cross-platform) | Cloud-native full parametric CAD; real-time collaboration. |
| SolveSpace | ✅ | Full (open-source, unrestricted) | ❌ | Windows, Mac, Linux | Extremely lightweight constraint-based modeling. |
| SolidWorks (Dassault) | ✅ (requires school license) | Full (Student Engineering Kit; educational watermark) | ✅ | Windows | Industry-standard for mechanical engineering; strong assemblies, surfacing, and simulation support. |
CAD Software Industry Usage (2025)
SolidWorks dominates the mechanical CAD market, followed by AutoCAD and the fast-growing Fusion 360. Open-source tools like FreeCAD and SolveSpace are becoming increasingly important in education and hobbyist spaces.