You’re likely to hit a wall if you’re searching for computer-aided design (CAD) software designed for Mac. There are plenty of CAD software options for Windows—you’ll see many of them in our list of the top AutoCAD alternatives—but only a handful offer support for Mac.
If you’re looking for CAD software for Mac, you’re not without options. We’ve found some standout Mac and cloud-based CAD platforms for you.
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And, if you think you’ll bypass the issue by using a cloud-based CAD tool, you’ll quickly find that CAD vendors haven’t embraced the cloud as much as other types of software vendors have, so the offerings are still largely on-premise. According to Gartner’s Hype Cycle for IT Evolution (full content available to Gartner clients), cloud-native CAD applications still have five to 10 years before they reach mainstream adoption.
But fear not, Mac users. We’ve done some digging and have put together this list of the top-rated CAD software for Mac. Read more about our methodology at the bottom of this article.
5 Best CAD Software for Mac (presented alphabetically)
Jump to:
CorelCAD
FreeCAD
Fusion 360
LibreCAD
Onshape
1. CorelCAD
CorelCAD offers 2D drafting and 3D design capabilities, such as the drawing constraints feature for creating different geometric shapes faster and the push and pull feature for 3D direct modeling.
3D modeling in CorelCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analyses of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of CorelCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- The short learning curve: Users mention that the tool is easy to use and beginners don’t have to spend a lot of time learning it.
- Compatibility with multiple file types: Users like the fact that the tool is compatible with DWG, PDF, ACIS, DXF, STL, CDR, and other file formats.
What users think could be improved:
- Software reliability issues: Some users mention that the software tends to crash at times.
- Better dimension functionality: Some users would like a better dimensioning feature for more accurate drawings of angles and proportions.
Who can use CorelCAD
CorelCAD can be used by construction businesses for collaborative editing on multiple devices. It offers native iOS applications, which makes it easy for field crews to add annotations in graphics and share files using their iPhones and iPads. Additionally, the tool allows team members to leave recorded messages and instructions for colleagues embedded in the graphics using a voice note tool.
2. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open source CAD tool that works on Mac as well as Windows and Linux. It reads many common file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and DAE.
It offers different modules, including a drawing sheets module that converts 3D models into 2D views, a rendering module that can export 3D objects, and an architecture module for a BIM-like workflow. Wd passport data recovery software mac.
3D model of a building in FreeCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of FreeCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Feature-richness for a free tool: Users mention that, although it’s free, the tool comes with a full set of features.
- Reliability: Users mention that the tool does not demand a lot of CPU power and works well on devices with low RAM.
What users think could be improved:
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that the tool is not the most user-friendly solution and can be difficult for beginners to learn.
- Dependent on community for updates: Users mention that modules ignored by the community tend to become outdated quickly.
Who can use FreeCAD
FreeCAD appears to be best for hobbyists and home users. It’s also good for users who don’t have a high budget for software but still want to tinker with CAD modeling.
FreeCAD could also be a good choice for businesses on a budget looking for a free and open-source option.
3. Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a CAD tool from Autodesk with design functionalities such as sketching and 3D modeling. It also supports project management with features such as task management, document management, and collaborative image editing.
Document management in Fusion 360 (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Fusion 360 they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Comprehensive design features: User mention that the tool offers all the functionalities necessary for 2D and 3D designing.
- Availability of training resources: Users like the fact that the tool comes with ample documentation and tutorials.
What users think could be improved:
- System crashes: Users mention that the tool tends to crash, especially when designing and rendering large files.
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that it can take a lot of time to learn the advanced functionalities of the tool.
Who can use Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is part of the Autodesk ecosystem designed for the AEC industry. This makes the tool suitable for construction businesses that are already using, or intend to use, other Autodesk solutions. Using a software vendor that offers multiple solutions will especially benefit larger businesses that invariably need software that can scale with their growing requirements.
4. LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an open source CAD tool that supports Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The tool comes with 2D drawing features such as a snap tool, dimensioning, and annotations. It also supports multiple file imports and exports.
2D drawing in LibreCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of LibreCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Ease of use: Users mention that the tool offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- Lots of tutorials: Users like the fact that there are ample video tutorials that help them get started with the tool.
What users think could be improved:
- Software speed: Users mention that the software tends to lag, especially when trying to print designs.
- Add support for 3D design: Users would like to see functionalities for creating 3D designs.
Who can use LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an exclusively 2D CAD tool for drawing and designing blueprints of buildings, layouts of parks, and the like. As a free tool, the solution can be used by small and midsize businesses across different industries, including manufacturing, engineering, architecture, and construction.
5. Onshape
Onshape is a cloud-only CAD solution that comes with features such as document management with version control, collaborative design creation/editing capabilities, and reporting dashboards to understand project status.
Importing documents in Onshape (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Onshape they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Document version control: Users like the document management features of the tool, such as version history.
- Intuitive interface: Users mention that the tool comes with an intuitive interface for easy image editing.
What users think could be improved:
- Performance issues: Some users mention that the tool does not function well on non-Chrome browsers and has file loading issues.
- Lack of features: Users mention that the tool should improve certain features such as 2D drawing and 3D surfacing.
Who can use Onshape
As a fully-cloud based tool, Onshape is ideal for businesses that need to manage design documents collaboratively with multiple stakeholders. The tool’s collaboration functionalities include document sharing, document editing, comments, and file downloads in multiple CAD formats, such as Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, and IGES.
Next steps
This report offers a mix of Mac CAD solutions—from free tools that can help you with basic 2D drawing to advanced solutions offering extensive 3D modeling functionalities.
If these tools don’t meet your needs, expand your search and check out more options. To help you, we’ve created a CAD software comparison page where you can explore products using different filters, such as features offered and pricing options.
If you’re looking to understand the CAD software market better, we also recommend that you read the articles listed below: |
Methodology
To be shortlisted, products had to fulfill the following criteria:
- Products had to be compatible with Mac and offer core CAD software capabilities, such as:
- 2D drawing or 3D modeling features
- Collaborative editing of drawings
- Products needed a minimum of 20 user reviews on Capterra (published in the last two years).
- Products had to have a high overall rating (an average of at least 4 out of 5 on Capterra).
Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users. It does not represent the views of Capterra.
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.
Don't make more work for yourself than necessary to keep your Mac up to date. Use these tools instead!
Looking for the best Mac app to keep your Mac software up to date? If you're like me and you get software from other places besides the Mac App Store, keeping those apps up to date can feel like a full time job. Here are a few ways you can help stay up to date with your apps.
Most modern Mac apps support some form of integrated update checking. Many these days depend on a Cocoa frameworks called Sparkle in order to manage updates — if you've ever seen an update notification in your apps that offers buttons that say Skip this version, Remind me later or Install update, you've seen Sparkle at work.
But the problem there is that it actually requires you to run the app, and possibly to active a 'check for updates' feature, before it'll actually work. Crucial app updates sometimes help to maintain compatibility or correct showstopping bugs and problems. It's best to find out you need such an update before you actually need to use the app to do something.
AppFresh
AppFresh helps keep apps, widgets, preference panes and application plug-ins all up to date. It works with Apple updates, supports Sparkle, an RSS-based app updating system, Microsoft AutoUpdate and more.
AppFresh connects to a web site service called osx.iusethis.com, where you can maintain a separate profile to keep track of software you use. You can create and manage your iusethis profile using AppFresh, rate and share information with your friends. It's a handy feature when it comes time to reinstalling applications — you can load up your profile and AppFresh will automatically install the apps it knows you use.
A time-trial demo is available if you'd like to take AppFresh out for a spin before plunking down your cash.
- $14.99 - Download now
MacUpdate Desktop
I've used MacUpdate for years to keep the apps and other software on my Mac up to date. It's an excellent companion to using Software Update. The web site tracks over 40,000 applications, and provides helpful info like user ratings and details on paid versus free upgrades and more.
MacUpdate Desktop is a desktop companion application for the MacUpdate.com service. The app scans your Mac and finds software that needs to be updated, making it easy for you to keep your Mac up to date continuously.
The desktop app was recently upgraded with a major overhaul. It looks and works much better than previous versions, and now stays resident in your menu bar to let you know as soon as software's been updated.
MacUpdate Desktop was previously pay to play, but it's become a 'freemium' app. Basic updating is free. Two different subscription tiers remove advertising and unlock new features; one also gives you credit used for buying new software (MacUpdate periodically offers special deals with different vendors).
- Free - Download now
Software Update
Software Update, accessible from the Apple menu, will automatically open the Mac App Store application and activate the Updates tab. The application checks all the apps you've downloaded from the Mac App Store to make sure they're up to date. It'll also check the operating system software to make sure your system is up to date too.
If all this sounds really basic to you, forgive me. But working in an Apple retailer, I see a lot of Macs that come in for service which are laden with reminders about necessary, even crucial, software updates that have never been done. In quite a few cases the problems my customers have are directly related to the system and application updates they've failed to install.
It's easy to ignore those messages. And sometimes they create anxiety because you're not sure what the changes are going to do. To that end, there's nothing wrong with waiting a few days and firing up Google to do a few queries when you see a new system update. Make sure that there aren't any big gotchas that are going to slow you down or stop you in your tracks all together.
The Bottom Line
Keeping your Mac up to date with the latest operating system and application software is a good way to keep things running ship-shape and to keep you as productive as possible. These three tools are all great ways to help along with that effort.
Hopefully you've found something here that can help you out. If you have any questions, or if you think I've left out a crucial tool you depend on, let me know in the comments.
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Best Mac App Udate Software 2017
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