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Solid Edge alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Solid Edge: windows only, and smaller user community than SolidWorks. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Solid Edge, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. FreeCAD currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Onshape logoOnshapeFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 455.3
  1. Onshape logo

    1. OnshapeTop pick

    Best for: Engineering teams who want collaborative CAD without installs or file conflicts

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Solid Edge

    Browser-based CAD with a free plan and no Windows requirement.

    Pros

    • Runs in any browser with nothing to install
    • Real-time collaboration with full version history
    • Free plan for hobby and personal projects

    Cons

    • Requires an internet connection
    • Free plan documents are public
    • Paid plans are expensive for individuals
    Visit Onshape Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Onshape a good Solid Edge alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, public documents only
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onshape.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Standard plan
    $1,500 per user per year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onshape.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Professional plan
    $2,500 per user per year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onshape.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Professional trial
    Up to 6 months (Discovery Program)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026onshape.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Solid Edge alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

FreeCAD logo

Best Solid Edge alternative for most people

FreeCAD

Free and open source, including for commercial work.

FreeCAD logo

Best Solid Edge alternative for a free option

FreeCAD

Free and open source, including for commercial work.

Onshape logo

Best Solid Edge alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Onshape

Browser-based CAD with a free plan and no Windows requirement.

FreeCAD logo

Best Solid Edge alternative for open source

FreeCAD

Free and open source, including for commercial work.

Autodesk Fusion logo

Best Solid Edge alternative for Mac

Autodesk Fusion

Cross-platform CAD with integrated CAM and a free personal tier.

SOLIDWORKS logo

Best Solid Edge alternative for Windows

SOLIDWORKS

More widely used, with a larger pool of users and supplier models.

FreeCAD logo

Best Solid Edge alternative for Linux

FreeCAD

Free and open source, including for commercial work.

Onshape logo

Best Solid Edge alternative for iPhone and Android

Onshape

Browser-based CAD with a free plan and no Windows requirement.

SOLIDWORKS logo

Best Solid Edge alternative for working in the browser

SOLIDWORKS

More widely used, with a larger pool of users and supplier models.

Solid Edge alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Solid Edge?

FreeCAD ranks first right now. Free and open source, including for commercial work. SOLIDWORKS and Onshape follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Solid Edge?

Yes. FreeCAD (open source), Onshape (free plan + paid) and Autodesk Fusion (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Solid Edge?

Yes: FreeCAD.

Which Solid Edge alternatives work on Linux?

FreeCAD runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Solid Edge?

The complaints we hear most: windows only; smaller user community than SolidWorks; commercial pricing usually requires talking to a reseller.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Solid Edge, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.