List of the Top 5 Free Architectural CAD Software in 2025

Founded in 2018 and based in New York, Coohom is a prominent global platform for cloud-based 3D design, offering a comprehensive suite of software and services that enable designers and businesses to create professional projects rapidly and generate stunningly realistic 3D visualizations within moments. With operations across the United States, China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, Coohom has earned the confidence of over 10 million users in 200 countries thanks to its innovative solutions. Focused on enhancing the digital transformation for clients in the interior design, furniture and home décor, and kitchen and bath sectors, Coohom delivers a full range of tools that include design, rendering, marketing, production, and construction, streamlining workflows for greater success. Coohom's offerings have received recognition in prestigious publications such as Forbes and TechNode, along with specialized industry magazines like Panels & Furniture Asia, FurnitureToday, HomeAccents, and Kitchen & Bath Business. Moreover, as a dedicated partner of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Coohom reinforces its commitment to supporting the design community and fostering innovation in the industry. This collaboration reflects Coohom's ongoing mission to lead in the development of cutting-edge design solutions.

The integration of version control with user-friendly management tools removes the costly need for a separate Product Data Management (PDM) system, guaranteeing that both you and your team can consistently access the latest design information. Each modification made by users is carefully recorded, creating a change history that can be reverted at any time and providing boundless undo/redo capabilities along with a detailed audit trail. The ability to branch and merge supports the concurrent development of multiple product ideas. A notable feature of SolidFace is its parameterization ability, which is applied throughout every stage of the design process. This feature greatly enhances 3D motion simulation, as it updates in real-time with any adjustments. Moreover, the software is capable of simulating 2D mechanisms, enabling analysis in both a 2D drawing context and a 3D sketch environment. In addition, SolidFace offers direct access to a vast online library of parts, featuring over 100 million part numbers from leading manufacturers and distributors, along with thousands of established standards like ISO, ANSI, DIN, NF, GB, and ASME. This extensive resource not only streamlines the design process but also significantly boosts efficiency and effectiveness for all users. Consequently, SolidFace stands out as a powerful tool for innovative design and development.

Infurnia is a leading cloud-native architectural software that facilitates the smooth incorporation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) into your projects, enabling collaboration across various disciplines and efficient data management. Distinct from other architectural software, Infurnia provides a comprehensive suite that includes CAD, BIM, data management, collaboration tools, and platform-independent accessibility. The "Information" aspect of Building Information Modeling within Infurnia is seamlessly woven into the design and modeling processes, allowing users to create complex multi-layered walls, define spaces, and attach specific properties to them, among numerous other capabilities. Furthermore, Infurnia enhances your workflow by integrating effortlessly with your existing systems, ensuring that your ERP, CRM, and pricing engines work harmoniously together. This integration not only boosts productivity but also maximizes the potential of your current tools, enabling a more streamlined architectural process overall. With Infurnia, architects can truly experience a transformative approach to design and collaboration.

LibreCAD is a free and open-source CAD application that operates on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. The software boasts a robust support system and comprehensive documentation, thanks to a vibrant community of users, contributors, and developers. The project originated from an attempt to incorporate CAM functionalities into the community edition of QCad for the Mechmate CNC router. Since QCad CE was built on the outdated Qt3 library, a transition to Qt4 was essential for further enhancements, which led to the temporary establishment of CADuntu. However, after a short duration, the community decided that the name was unsuitable and began discussions to select a more appropriate title, ultimately leading to the adoption of LibreCAD. The shift of the rendering engine to Qt4 required substantial effort, and initially, LibreCAD depended on the Qt3 support library. This transition was successfully finalized during the development of the 2.0.0 series, with significant contributions from the chief developer, Rallaz, marking LibreCAD's journey towards complete independence from Qt3, aside from the 1.0.0 series. This evolution not only improved the functionality of the software but also reinforced its reputation and standing within the CAD community, paving the way for future innovations and enhancements.

ALCAD 2D/3D presents a strong alternative to AutoCAD, boasting a familiar interface and similar features. This software is dedicated entirely to CAD functionalities. For those interested, a comparison chart between ALCAD and AutoCAD is available on their official site: Compare ALCAD | ALCAD (alcads.com). With a fully compatible DWG-CAD interface, ALCAD serves as a practical choice for former AutoCAD users. The ALCAD 2025 Professional version, designed for both 2D and 3D projects, is priced at an annual fee of €199 or a one-time purchase option for €349. Furthermore, this pricing model positions ALCAD as a compelling option for individuals seeking to invest in CAD software while avoiding the ongoing expenses linked to other alternatives. The software's straightforward pricing and robust features make it appealing for both new users and seasoned professionals alike.