Home / Collections / Free alternatives to Autodesk software Free alternatives to Autodesk software Free replacements for AutoCAD, Fusion, Maya, 3ds Max and Revit, from 2D drafting to BIM.
Replacing all 5 paid apps saves up to $9,800 USD a year Last verified Oct 9, 2026
Each paid app, its best free pick and what switching saves Paid app Best free pick License Runs on You stop paying Autodesk AutoCAD LibreCAD Strong License: Open sourceLicense: Open source$2,095 a year Autodesk Fusion FreeCAD Strong License: Open sourceLicense: Open source$680 a year Autodesk Maya Blender Top pick License: Open sourceLicense: Open source$2,010 a year Autodesk 3ds Max Blender Top pick License: Open sourceLicense: Open source$2,010 a year Autodesk Revit FreeCAD Strong License: Open sourceLicense: Open source$3,005 a year Total for all 5 apps $9,800 USD a year
Savings are list prices for each app on its own plan, checked on the dates shown on each app’s page. Apps sold in the same subscription are counted once in the total, and a bundle can cost less than the sum.
Swap for LibreCAD or QCAD for 2D drafting, or FreeCAD for 3D.
Li
Best for free 2D drafting that saves DXF
License: Open source
Status: Active
DWG DWG: opens only, partial fidelity. Reads DWG through libdxfrw; save as DXF for dependable results DXF DXF: opens and saves, full fidelity. Native exchange format PDF PDF: saves only, full fidelity. Drawings export to PDF; PDFs cannot be opened for editing Saves $2,095 USD a year vs Autodesk AutoCAD (≈$2,987 CAD, estimated)
LibreCAD for changes Also good: QCAD , FreeCAD
Swap for FreeCAD, which fixed topological naming in version 1.0.
Fr
Best for open-source parametric design
License: Open source
Status: Active
DWG DWG: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Needs the free ODA File Converter or LibreDWG; geometry and layers only DXF DXF: opens and saves, partial fidelity. 2D geometry, layers and text carry over; blocks and dimensions can lose detail PDF PDF: saves only, full fidelity. TechDraw pages export to PDF; PDFs cannot be opened for editing STL STL: opens and saves, full fidelity. Mesh format STEP STEP: opens and saves, full fidelity. Solid geometry exchange +1 more Saves $680 USD a year vs Autodesk Fusion (≈$969 CAD, estimated)
FreeCAD for changes Also good: Onshape , SolveSpace
Swap for Blender. Rigging and pipeline conventions differ.
Bl
Best for a free all-purpose 3D suite
License: Open source
Status: Active
MOV MOV: opens and saves, full fidelity. Video through FFmpeg MP4 MP4: opens and saves, full fidelity. Video through FFmpeg FBX FBX: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Meshes, rigs and animation carry over; materials are simplified OBJ OBJ: opens and saves, full fidelity PNG PNG: opens and saves, full fidelity +2 more Saves $2,010 USD a year vs Autodesk Maya (≈$2,866 CAD, estimated)
Blender for changes Also good: Houdini
Swap for Blender.
Bl
Best for a free all-purpose 3D suite
License: Open source
Status: Active
MOV MOV: opens and saves, full fidelity. Video through FFmpeg MP4 MP4: opens and saves, full fidelity. Video through FFmpeg FBX FBX: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Meshes, rigs and animation carry over; materials are simplified OBJ OBJ: opens and saves, full fidelity PNG PNG: opens and saves, full fidelity +2 more Saves $2,010 USD a year vs Autodesk 3ds Max (≈$2,866 CAD, estimated)
Blender for changes Also good: Sweet Home 3D
Swap for FreeCAD, parametric design with some BIM tooling, or Bonsai for IFC-native BIM inside Blender.
Fr
Best for parametric design with some BIM tooling
License: Open source
Status: Active
DWG DWG: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Needs the free ODA File Converter or LibreDWG; geometry and layers only DXF DXF: opens and saves, partial fidelity. 2D geometry, layers and text carry over; blocks and dimensions can lose detail PDF PDF: saves only, full fidelity. TechDraw pages export to PDF; PDFs cannot be opened for editing STL STL: opens and saves, full fidelity. Mesh format STEP STEP: opens and saves, full fidelity. Solid geometry exchange +1 more Saves $3,005 USD a year vs Autodesk Revit (≈$4,284 CAD, estimated)
FreeCAD for changes Also good: Bonsai