How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- Autodesk Fusion costs $680/year and includes CAD, CAM, CAE and PCB in one subscription, per Autodesk's own pricing page.
- SOLIDWORKS Design Standard with Cloud Services is $2,820/year on solidworks.com; Alibre's Atom3D is $199 for a perpetual license on alibre.com.
- FreeCAD and OpenSCAD are free and open source: genuinely capable parametric modelers at zero cost.
- Fusion offers a free personal-use version for non-commercial hobbyists, and SOLIDWORKS is free for students.
- PTC Creo and Siemens NX are enterprise tools sold by quote; evaluate them through a reseller, not a pricing page.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Autodesk Fusion | Product teams that want CAD, CAM, CAE and PCB in one tool | $680/year | Yes (Fusion for personal use, non-commercial) |
 SOLIDWORKS | Mechanical engineers who need the industry standard | $2,820/year (Standard) | No (free for students) |
 FreeCAD | Free, open-source parametric CAD for makers and engineers | Free | Yes |
 Onshape | Teams that want CAD in the browser with version control built in | See website | Yes (non-commercial use) |
 PTC Creo | Enterprises designing complex products with deep simulation needs | See website | Free trial |
 Siemens NX | Aerospace, automotive and other large-assembly industries | See website | Free trial |
 OpenSCAD | Programmers who want to model with code | Free | Yes |
 Alibre Design | Affordable professional CAD with a perpetual license | $199 (Atom3D license) | Free trial |
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The best parametric modeling software
Parametric modeling means your design is driven by dimensions and relationships: change one number, and the whole model updates. That idea powers everything from 3D-printed brackets to jet engines, and the software ranges from free open-source tools to five-figure enterprise suites. These eight cover the spectrum, with honest notes on where each one fits.
#1
Autodesk Fusion
Best for: Product teams that want CAD, CAM, CAE and PCB in one tool
Visit autodesk.com
Starting price$680/year
Free planYes (Fusion for personal use, non-commercial)
Autodesk Fusion is the value disruptor of professional CAD. One $680/year subscription, per Autodesk's own pricing page, covers parametric modeling, assemblies, drawings, CAM toolpaths, basic simulation and even PCB design, with real-time cloud collaboration. Higher tiers (Manufacturing at $2,040/year, Design at $2,190/year) add advanced machining and simulation.
Hobbyists generating under $1,000 annually can use Fusion for personal use free, with limited CAM and no commercial rights. Startups and students get their own programs. The catch is the subscription model and the extension upsells: serious simulation and manufacturing features cost extra. For small product businesses, it remains the most capability per dollar in CAD.
What we like- Integrated CAD, CAM, simulation and electronics at a mid-range price
- Cloud collaboration built in
- Free personal-use version for hobbyists
Watch out for- Subscription only
- Advanced manufacturing and simulation need paid extensions
Starting price$2,820/year (Standard)
Free planNo (free for students)
SOLIDWORKS is the CAD package most mechanical engineering jobs assume you know. Parametric parts, assemblies and drawings, sheet metal, weldments, mold design and simulation cover the full mechanical workflow, and the ecosystem of tutorials, parts libraries and certified professionals is unmatched. Per solidworks.com, SOLIDWORKS Design Standard with Cloud Services is $2,820/year, with Professional at $3,456 and Premium at $4,716.
Students get SOLIDWORKS free, which keeps the talent pipeline flowing. Commercial buyers usually purchase through resellers who may discount or bundle training. It is the safe choice for employability and capability, and the expensive one. Small shops should compare it hard against Fusion and Alibre before committing.
What we like- The most widely used mechanical CAD with the deepest feature set
- Huge part libraries and community
- Now with cloud data management options
Watch out for- Expensive
- Windows-focused with cloud tools still maturing
#3
FreeCAD
Best for: Free, open-source parametric CAD for makers and engineers
Visit freecad.org
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
FreeCAD is proof that parametric CAD does not have to cost anything. It offers sketch-based parametric modeling, assemblies, technical drawings, FEM analysis and CAM toolpaths, all free and open source under the LGPL. Version 1.0's release marked a maturity milestone, and development continues at a strong pace.
The tradeoff is polish: the interface is idiosyncratic, some workbenches are rough, and learning resources are thinner than SOLIDWORKS'. But for 3D printing, hobby CNC, and even professional work where the budget is zero, FreeCAD is genuinely capable. Download only from freecad.org; third-party repackagers have caused trouble before.
What we like- Completely free with real parametric modeling, assemblies and CAM
- No account, no subscription, no limits
- Active open-source development
Watch out for- Interface and workflow less polished than commercial CAD
- Some workbenches feel unfinished
#4
Onshape
Best for: Teams that want CAD in the browser with version control built in
Visit onshape.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes (non-commercial use)
Onshape, now part of PTC, reimagined CAD as a cloud app: parametric modeling that runs in any modern browser, with Git-style branching and merging, simultaneous multi-user editing, and no installs or license servers. The free plan covers non-commercial use with public documents, which makes it excellent for open-source hardware and education.
Professional pricing was not published on onshape.com at check time, so request a quote. The browser model means your CAD works on Chromebooks and tablets, but also that offline work is limited. For distributed teams and anyone tired of license management, Onshape's collaboration model is the future SOLIDWORKS is still chasing.
What we like- Full CAD in the browser with nothing to install
- Built-in version control and real-time collaboration
- Free plan for non-commercial projects
Watch out for- Paid pricing not published on the vendor site at check time
- Needs a solid internet connection
#5
PTC Creo
Best for: Enterprises designing complex products with deep simulation needs
Visit ptc.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
PTC Creo is the enterprise heavyweight: parametric CAD with decades of refinement, plus advanced simulation, generative design, model-based definition and augmented reality workflows. It is the tool behind products from global manufacturers where design errors cost millions.
Pricing is quote-based through PTC and its partners, and implementations involve training and process work, not just licenses. This is not software you buy on a credit card; it is software you evaluate with a reseller over weeks. For large engineering organizations, Creo's depth justifies it. Everyone else should look at the tools above.
What we like- Extremely powerful parametric and direct modeling
- Deep simulation, generative design and AR integration
- Proven at the largest manufacturers
Watch out for- Quote-based enterprise pricing
- Steep learning curve and implementation effort
#6
Siemens NX
Best for: Aerospace, automotive and other large-assembly industries
Visit siemens.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Siemens NX (formerly Unigraphics) is the CAD of jet engines and car bodies: built for enormous assemblies, complex freeform surfaces, and tight integration between design, simulation and manufacturing. Its synchronous modeling technology blends parametric and direct editing in ways competitors still imitate.
Like Creo, it is sold by quote to enterprises, with trials available for evaluation. If your supply chain runs on NX, you need NX for file compatibility alone. If it does not, the price and complexity make no sense for a small business. This is the tool you grow into, not the tool you start with.
What we like- Handles massive assemblies and complex surfacing better than most
- Integrated CAD, CAM and CAE
- Strong in automotive and aerospace supply chains
Watch out for- Quote-based enterprise pricing
- Overkill and overpriced for small teams
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
OpenSCAD takes parametric modeling literally: you write code, and the model is the output. Dimensions become variables, features become functions, and designs become version-controllable, diffable, reusable programs. For engineers who think in parameters, 3D-printable enclosures, gears, brackets and fixtures with exact dimensions, it is liberating.
There is no clicking and dragging: every shape is a line of code, and previewing complex models takes patience. Organic and artistic shapes are out of reach. But for precise, repeatable, customizable mechanical parts, especially ones you share as code, OpenSCAD has no equal. Free, open source, and beloved by the maker community.
What we like- Free and open source
- Models defined in code, perfect for parametric and generative designs
- Version-controllable like software
Watch out for- No interactive modeling
- Rendering complex models is slow
- Not for organic shapes
#8
Alibre Design
Best for: Affordable professional CAD with a perpetual license
Visit alibre.com
Starting price$199 (Atom3D license)
Free planFree trial
Alibre Design is the independent alternative for engineers who want professional parametric CAD without subscriptions. Per alibre.com, Atom3D is $199 per license for hobby-grade 3D modeling with STEP, STL and DWG export; Design Pro is $999 and Design Expert $1,999, with subscription options too. The workflow will feel familiar to SOLIDWORKS users.
It lacks the vast tutorial library and job-market presence of the leaders, and sheet metal, motion and rendering live in the higher tiers. But as owned software rather than rented software, Alibre appeals to small shops with long memories of perpetual licenses. The free trial lets you verify it handles your parts before paying.
What we like- Perpetual licenses available, no forced subscription
- Atom3D at $199 is the cheapest real CAD here
- Familiar SOLIDWORKS-like workflow
Watch out for- Smaller ecosystem than the big two
- Advanced features need the $999 Pro or $1,999 Expert tiers
How we chose
We selected parametric modeling tools spanning hobbyist, professional and enterprise use, from free open-source to quote-based suites. We verified pricing on vendor pages: Autodesk Fusion at $680/year on autodesk.com, SOLIDWORKS Standard at $2,820/year on solidworks.com, and Alibre Atom3D at $199 on alibre.com. Onshape, PTC Creo and Siemens NX did not publish current prices on their vendor sites at check time. We compared parametric modeling depth, assemblies, simulation, CAM integration and collaboration using vendor documentation and engineering press coverage. No hands-on testing was involved.
Picking CAD by team size
Solo makers and hobbyists should start free: FreeCAD for general CAD, OpenSCAD for code-driven parts, Fusion personal use for the commercial-grade experience. All three handle 3D printing and small CNC work.
Small businesses choosing their first professional CAD face the real decision: Fusion at $680/year against Alibre's perpetual licenses and SOLIDWORKS' $2,820/year. Fusion wins on integrated CAM and collaboration; Alibre wins on ownership; SOLIDWORKS wins on hiring and file compatibility. Trial all three with a real part before deciding.
Enterprises in automotive, aerospace and heavy manufacturing choose between Creo and NX based on supply chain compatibility and existing expertise. At that scale the software cost is dwarfed by implementation, training and the cost of getting it wrong.
Frequently asked questions
What is parametric modeling?
Parametric modeling builds 3D models from dimensions and geometric relationships (parameters). Change a dimension and the model updates automatically, preserving design intent. It is the standard approach in mechanical CAD, as opposed to direct modeling where you push and pull geometry freely.
What is the best free parametric CAD software?
FreeCAD is the most capable free parametric modeler, with assemblies, drawings and CAM. OpenSCAD suits programmers who prefer code. Autodesk Fusion's free personal-use version offers a commercial-grade experience for non-commercial hobbyists.
Is Fusion 360 still free for hobbyists?
Yes, as Fusion for personal use: free for individuals earning under $1,000/year from their work, limited to non-commercial projects with reduced CAM and collaboration features. Commercial work requires the $680/year subscription.
Should I learn SOLIDWORKS or Fusion?
Learn SOLIDWORKS if you want maximum employability in mechanical engineering; it remains the most requested CAD skill in job postings. Learn Fusion if you are starting a product business or freelance practice; its price and integrated CAM make it the better business tool for small teams.
Can free CAD open SOLIDWORKS files?
Partially. FreeCAD can import some SOLIDWORKS formats via converters, and Onshape imports SOLIDWORKS files well. Native .sldprt editing requires SOLIDWORKS itself; for collaboration, neutral formats like STEP work across all tools here.
Sources we checked (3)
- https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/fusion-subscription-types/
- https://www.solidworks.com/how-to-buy/solidworks-design-cloud-services-plans-pricing
- https://www.alibre.com/buy-now/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.