Computer-Aided Design, or CAD, is a type of software that helps engineers and designers make accurate 2D and 3D models of buildings and products. It speeds up the design process, makes it easier for people to work together, and helps make ideas come to life quickly and correctly.
There are a number of online CAD software options that can meet your needs, whether you’re a professional designer, engineer, or hobbyist who wants to let your imagination run wild. These tools make the design process easier and help you make your ideas come to life. They have features like real-time collaboration, cloud storage, and easy-to-use interfaces.
Let’s look at the best online CAD software options so you can find the right one to improve your design work and let your creativity flow.
Before we start the list, it’s helpful to have a few ideas about how to pick the best online CAD software. Cost, functionality, ease of use, and the ability to work together could be some of the most important factors. When looking at online CAD software, these are some of the most important things to keep in mind:
- Ease of Use: Intuitive interfaces and user-friendly features facilitate seamless design workflows.
- Functionality: Robust tools and capabilities for diverse design needs, from 2D drafting to 3D modelling.
- Collaboration: Support for real-time collaboration and sharing, enabling teams to work together efficiently.
- Compatibility: Compatibility with various devices and operating systems for flexibility in usage.
- Cost: Pricing plans, including free options and subscription models, to suit different budgets.
Before we get into the list, some of you may be wondering what CAD is. For more information on the subject, see our article “What is CAD: Function, Benefits, and Features“.
Best Choices of Online CAD Software
Despite the abundance of options, not all online CAD software is created equal.
Our research into the top online CAD software allowed us to compile this list, with a little help from all3dp. These options offer a variety of features and collaboration tools, as well as compatibility with various devices and operating systems. Their flexible pricing plans are designed to meet the needs of customers with varying budgets.
1. SelfCAD
As far as web-based CAD software goes, SelfCAD is among the most unique. In its paid editions, this lightweight, solid modeller gains access to more powerful mesh modelling tools.
Although it lacks the breadth and depth of more sophisticated CAD software, SelfCAD, a basic solid modeller, is just as easy to use as beginner software like Tinkercad.
SelfCAD would be great for anyone to use and provides a solid progression for individuals who are new to digital design. Thanks to its additional features, such as mesh modelling, users can explore different aspects of CAD and 3D modelling. Additionally, SelfCAD provides useful tools for individuals who intend to 3D print their models.
The free version of SelfCAD offers all the main features and allows you to use any design for commercial purposes.
However, if you’re interested in accessing more advanced features like mesh modelling, you’ll have to upgrade to the Pro version, which costs around $15 per month or $140 per year.
But users do get access to all of these advanced features in a single project in SelfCAD. Almost like a teaser, but it’s great to have access to the functions if you want to test them out or use them for small projects.
Best Online CAD Software in 2024 (Image by Smartdraw)
2. SketchUp Free
Professionals in the architectural, landscape, interior design, and related industries can greatly benefit from Trimble’s SketchUp CAD software.
It might be difficult to keep track of all the different names used to describe the different tools and tiers in SketchUp’s subscription system.
SketchUp Free is, unsurprisingly, free of charge and has very few features. Included is the web-based SketchUp for Web, so you can access it from almost any web-enabled device and work on the go.
At the next tier, SketchUp Go, you can still model in your browser, but it comes with a bunch of cool extras like the SketchUp iPad app, unlimited cloud storage, and the 3D warehouse, where you can find more than 4 million 3D models to download. That will cost you $119 per year.
Following that, there are professional tiers, the most expensive of which is SketchUp Pro, which grants access to the desktop version of the software for $349 per year.
However, if you want access to all of SketchUp’s features, such as the ability to import point clouds and perform photorealistic rendering, you’ll have to shell out $749 per year for the SketchUp Studio plan.
It’s highly recommended to begin with SketchUp Free. While it lacks offline modelling and advanced visualisation tools, it does provide a good way to upgrade.
3. Onshape
Of all the online CAD software on this list, Onshape is head and shoulders above the rest.
Despite removing hurdles to entry like hardware requirements, the developers have packed a tonne of powerful CAD goodness into this browser-based software, making it suitable for enterprise and advanced professional users alike.
This is the browser-based CAD modelling solution you’ve been looking for if you want to compete with Fusion 360 and similar software. Onshape offers a plenitude of enterprise solutions for data management, analytics, approval workflows, security audits, and more. The folks at Onshape likely have something that will work for your company if you require robust online CAD software.
How about the price, though? Regrettably, regular users have few options for upgrades.
Even though they provide a free version of the software, their primary target is still large-scale businesses. Prices for Onshape’s Standard and Professional packages range from $1,500 and $2,500 per user, respectively, per year.
4. Tinkercad
TinkerCAD’s simplicity is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness; it is the easiest online software that could be described as online CAD software.
The free Autodesk solid modelling program TinkerCAD is great for kids and people new to computer-aided design (CAD) because it allows users to make models intuitively using Boolean differences with basic shapes called solids or holes.
Even seasoned digital designers can use the software for quick jobs because of how easy it is to use, making it the go-to tool for simple design tasks. Once you’re comfortable with 3D modelling, though, you won’t need it for even moderately complicated part designs.
The ability to sync up with popular building sets like Minecraft or Lego is an interesting feature. Because of its focus on children, TinkerCAD gives them the freedom to express themselves creatively through the things they already love.
When users want to build digital things in Minecraft or Lego, they can easily import their designs and have them represented as blocks with a click. The models are even available for download and import by players into Minecraft.
5. Vectary
As a browser-based CAD software, Vectary stands out because it is a parametric modeller—a system typically employed for the most complex engineering designs—but it prioritises artistic applications over technical engineering and design ones.
It isn’t a “pure” parametric modeller; that much is clear. With its “combination of mesh modelling, subdivision modelling, and parametric design,” Vectary is described as a hybrid by the vendor. It excels with a few distinctive features but lacks a few fine-tunings found in CAD software, with a stronger focus on engineering.
You can use any version of Vectary’s online CAD software, even the free one, for commercial purposes without paying a dime. Even at the free tier, you can access most of its features.
However, there are some limitations, such as a 25-project limit, no version history, and limited access to features like project sharing and the WebAR viewer.
If you want access to those advanced features or if you find yourself using Vectary more than that, you’ll have to pay $19/month or $180/year for the premium plan.
This concludes our list of online CAD software. If you are looking for more advanced tools for professionals or even enterprises, you should check out our other article: “Best CAD Software: Choosing the Ideal Solution for Your Design Needs“.
Does Google have a FreeCAD program?
While Google does not offer a FreeCAD program directly, there are open-source CAD solutions like FreeCAD available for download. FreeCAD is a parametric 3D modeller that provides a wide range of features for designing complex objects. While it’s not developed by Google, it’s a viable option for users seeking free CAD software alternatives.
Conclusion
Online computer-aided design (CAD) software has levelled the playing field, allowing individuals and groups to freely express their imaginations.
Experts and amateurs alike can take advantage of the top online CAD software solutions to improve collaboration, simplify workflows, and realise their ideas more quickly and accurately. Finding the correct computer-aided design (CAD) tool is crucial when bringing your ideas to life, whether they are for structures, goods, or works of art.
