ChemSketch
ACD/Labs' chemical structure drawing program, whose free edition was discontinued in 2026.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Windows
ChemSketch has been discontinued. ChemSketch Freeware is discontinued after ACD/Labs was acquired by Revvity Signals in January 2026, according to the ACD/Labs website.
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About ChemSketch
ChemSketch is a chemical drawing program from ACD/Labs, a Toronto company. For years its free edition was a common choice for students and teachers on Windows: it drew structures, reactions and lab diagrams, calculated basic molecular properties, generated names and had a simple 3D viewer. In January 2026 ACD/Labs was acquired by Revvity Signals, the company behind ChemDraw, and ChemSketch Freeware has since been discontinued. ACD/Labs says existing users can keep using installed copies under their licence terms, but new downloads are no longer offered and the company points people to a ChemDraw trial instead. Anyone who needs a replacement now has to choose between ChemDraw, the standard in industry and many universities but costly, and cheaper or free tools. ChemDoodle offers a low-cost desktop editor on Windows, Mac and Linux, while Avogadro is a free, open-source option for 3D molecule building. This listing stays up because many classrooms and tutorials still refer to it.
Best for: Existing users with installed copies; new users should pick a current alternative.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free edition covered drawing, naming and basic property calculations
- Familiar from many school and university courses
- Installed copies keep working under existing licence terms
Why people leave
- Freeware discontinued; no new downloads
- Windows only
- No future updates or fixes for the free edition
ChemSketch vs Avogadro and Jmol
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ChemSketch: common questions
What is ChemSketch?
ChemSketch: ACD/Labs' chemical structure drawing program, whose free edition was discontinued in 2026. Best for existing users with installed copies; new users should pick a current alternative. Available for Windows.
Is ChemSketch free?
Yes, ChemSketch is free to use.
Is ChemSketch open source?
No, ChemSketch is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Jmol.
What platforms does ChemSketch run on?
ChemSketch is available for Windows.
What are the best alternatives to ChemSketch?
The highest-ranked ChemSketch alternatives right now are Avogadro and Jmol. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
ChemSketch vs Avogadro: what's the difference?
ChemSketch is free to use; Avogadro is free and open source. Only Avogadro runs on macOS and Linux.