Best Free Online CAD Software in 2023
As technology hurtles forward, CAD software made a breakthrough, unleashing mobile power at a truly steady pace. Online CAD software developed as a means of meeting the convenience of users. Providing many of the same features as traditional ones, they run in in a local browser or through a web or mobile app. Unlike previous manipulation, you can work online on any device with no downloads required. If you’re looking for one, here are the answers you want. We’ll introduce the most popular free online CAD software in 2023 and their capabilities. Above all, they are all FREE!
#1. AutoCAD Web
Level: For professionals, beginners, and amateurs
AutoCAD Web deserves ranking with the best in this list. With an AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT subscription, you can use its web version. Additionally, you can download the mobile version on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Covering multiple platforms, it offers all the basic tools and commands for drafting and designing to serve different levels of users. In a simplified interface, you can quickly access and update DWG files anytime from anywhere. Even beginners can smoothly get the desired results. In the time of COVID-19, this free online CAD software supports cloud collaboration for remote work. It is truly a trustworthy choice for your 3D creation. Honestly, AutoCAD Web probably is the best and quickest solution for existing AutoCAD users.
#2. TinkerCAD
Level: For beginners
TinkerCAD is a beginner-friendly web-based 3D design application. It works on the principle of dragging and dropping 3D shapes onto a working grid and then modifying them. Besides, it offers many video tutorials to help start 3D visualization. Therefore, both teachers and students prefer it to start STEM learning. This free online CAD program perhaps is the simplest online software that could fall into the catalogue of CAD software. With TinkerCAD, you can enjoy a faster and smoother 3D designing process on different systems. What you need is the fast network speed and an input device (e.g., mouse, tablet, even a laptop trackpad).
It is worth mentioning that it allows team members to work on the projects together. Not limited to creating individual designs, you can edit others’ finished models. Its compatibility also enables us to import, edit, export and print models from other programs in STL, OBJ and SVG format.
#3. SelfCAD
Level: For beginners and amateurs
SelfCAD is another software ideal for beginners and amateurs. You can learn how to use it under step-by-step guides. Its easy manipulation of 3D rendering and modeling is based on a polygonal mesh. The easy-to-use feature makes it possible to grasp in hours. Besides, it supports operation on different web browsers and systems (even in the cloud). With a library of images and objects, you can create anything from mind to design with ease.
Additionally, this free online CAD tool features some unique functions such as mesh modeling. It gives its users a different experience on top of regular CAD capabilities. For example, it has a large list of compatible 3D printers to use when you’re a new comer to 3D modeling or printing.
#4. SketchUp Free
Level: For professionals and beginners
Familiar to most designers, SketchUp Free also adds online services. Online version is available in any modern web browser. No strings attached. No more operating system requirements. You can edit, render, save and collaborate easily on the streamlined interface. Trimble Connect enables you to post 3D design online, which supports successful telecommuting.
And the intuitive tools for precise navigation and modeling make it easy for beginners to learn 3D printable modeling from scratch within hours. Using the same core technology as its desktop app, this incredible free online CAD software also has a large collection of 3D models in the 3D Warehouse or uploaded by other users. To sum up, beginners or intermediate users can use this online CAD software before exploring SketchUp Pro.
#5. Vectary
Level: For professionals
Vectary features a combined capability of standard mesh modeling, subdivision modeling, and parametric plugins. It is so powerful that you can make custom 3D experiences for exploring and personalizing with a 3D configurator. And its optimized 3D design interface helps you concentrate more on your creative process. What’s more, it speeds up communication and inspires cooperation. It provides a community platform where you can share and customize photorealistic 3D products.
Also, if you need more than that, for example, more interactive, Vectary can cover you as well. With its online AR viewer, this CAD design online free software allows you to see your design in the real world. Interesting and incredible, isn’t it?
#6. SmartDraw
Level: For professionals
SmartDraw is a versatile Online CAD software where you can create over 70 different diagram types from flowcharts to floor plans with thousands of templates and symbols. You will never have to start with a blank page on this app. Powerful automatic formatting ensures perfect layouts in minutes. The AutoCAD-like annotation layer makes it possible to draw and print architectural and engineering diagrams to scale. It even works with MS Office, Google apps, Jira, AWS, Teams, and more.
These features decide its growth among 3D visualization professionals whoever are working independently or working with a group. This CAD drafting software free online is more versatile than you think: architectural plans, landscape plans, floor plans, product drawings, interior space layouts, and even technical drawings are feasible using SmartDraw.
#7. Onshape
Level: For professionals
If you deal with product and detail design, this free online CAD software is your best option. This one is equipped with all the must-have capabilities of CAD program. You can use it from any device, even iOS and Android. As the only cloud-native product development platform, it includes real-time data management. What you do will be stored in the cloud immediately to avoid data loss.
Its collaborative work mode is also a highlight. Only Onshape enables real-time simultaneous collaboration – allowing all team members to work together on the same document at the same time. If you’re looking for a browser-based tool for CAD drafting and modeling that accelerate your work, this is it.
Wrap Up
Check out our picks for the best online CAD software for CAD drafting and modeling in your browser in 2023. Most of them are free or free for students.
- AutoCAD Web: Best all-round free online CAD software for all users;
- TinkerCAD: Best drag-and-drop free online CAD tool for beginners;
- SelfCAD: Best free online CAD software for beginners and amateurs;
- SketchUp Free: Best all-round free online CAD drafting and modeling software for all users;
- Vectary: Best AR free online CAD drafting tool for professionals;
- SmartDraw: Best free online CAD software for team players and professionals;
- Onshape: Best online CAD drafting tool for product and detail designers.
A proper software is a valuable tool to address your pain points during the design process. Hopefully this blog will help you make an informed decision about choosing the best free online CAD software in 2023. Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Don’t worry, see some of our lists of 3D modeling and CAD software below:
Best 8 Free Rendering Software for Creating 3D Architectural Visualization in 2023;
Free CAD Software in 2023: Best Designing and Drafting Programs.