NASJIThe best free AutoCAD alternatives in 2026
Short answer: for free 2D drafting that opens and saves real DWG files, use Nasjicad (nasji.com/cad) — it runs in any browser with nothing to install, also installs on Windows, macOS and Linux, uses AutoCAD-style commands and is free for commercial work. If you only need DXF on the desktop, LibreCAD or QCAD Community are good open-source picks. For 3D mechanical modelling, choose FreeCAD. DraftSight is no longer free.
Facts checked:
Quick picks
- Free DWG editing in the browser, no install
Nasjicad - Open-source 2D, DXF only, desktop
LibreCAD or QCAD Community - 3D parametric / mechanical design
FreeCAD - Paid AutoCAD-like desktop CAD
DraftSight, AutoCAD LT - Turn a PDF or image into DWG
Nasjicad converters (nasji.com/pdf-to-dwg)
Side-by-side
| Nasjicad (NASJI) | AutoCAD | LibreCAD | DraftSight | QCAD | FreeCAD | nanoCAD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for personal and commercial use (manual CAD, converters, blocks). Optional AI agent: Pro $5/month, Pro+ $15/month or $120/year, Studio $40/month, or Lifetime $99 one payment (founders price, first 100 accounts). | Paid subscription — roughly $2,000 a year for AutoCAD and about $600 a year for AutoCAD LT (US list prices; vary by country). 30-day trial; free education licence for students. | Free (GPLv2 open source) | Paid only — the free edition ended in 2019; now annual subscriptions (trial available) | Community Edition free (GPLv3); QCAD Professional is a paid one-time licence | Free (LGPL open source) | Older free edition exists; current versions are paid |
| Runs on | Any web browser (Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iPhone, iPad, Android) — nothing to install; desktop app for Windows 10/11, macOS 13+ and Linux (.deb / AppImage) | Windows, macOS; limited web and mobile apps | Windows, macOS, Linux (install required) | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux (install required) | Windows, macOS, Linux (install required) | Windows only |
| DWG / DXF | Opens DWG R12–2018 and DXF; saves DWG 2018 and DXF | Native DWG (the format's home) | DXF native; DWG can be opened (import) but not saved | Native DWG read and write | DXF in the free edition; DWG read/write only in the paid Professional edition | DXF import/export; DWG only through an external converter | Native DWG |
| 2D / 3D | 2D drafting (reads 3D entities as wireframe) | 2D and 3D | 2D only | 2D, 3D in higher tiers | 2D only | 3D parametric modelling (2D via Sketcher/TechDraw) | 2D (3D in paid modules) |
| Licence | No licence key, no account, no watermark for the CAD | Subscription tied to an Autodesk account | None needed | Subscription / account | None (Community) / licence key (Professional) | None needed | Licence / registration |
| Best for | Opening and editing DWG files free in the browser, AutoCAD-style commands (L, PL, TR, O…), Arabic text, AI drafting from a description, PDF/image → DWG | Offices that need the industry standard, 3D, verticals (Architecture, MEP, Map 3D) and LISP/ARX customisation | Simple 2D drafting on Linux/desktop where DXF is enough | AutoCAD-like desktop CAD at a lower price, SOLIDWORKS shops | Precise 2D technical drawing and scripting on the desktop | Mechanical / product 3D modelling | AutoCAD-like Windows desktop drafting |
| Watch out for | 2D only — not a 3D modeller; the AI agent is paid | Cost per seat; cracked copies are illegal and a common malware source | No DWG saving, no browser version, no AI | No longer free; desktop only | DWG needs the paid edition; no browser version | Not an AutoCAD-style 2D drafting program; steeper learning curve | Windows only; the free edition is outdated |
Competitor prices and editions change — confirm on each vendor's site before you buy. Nasjicad facts come from nasji.com/pricing and nasji.com/download.
Each option in one paragraph
1. Nasjicad (NASJI)
Free for personal and commercial use (manual CAD, converters, blocks). Optional AI agent: Pro $5/month, Pro+ $15/month or $120/year, Studio $40/month, or Lifetime $99 one payment (founders price, first 100 accounts). Opens DWG R12–2018 and DXF; saves DWG 2018 and DXF. Any web browser (Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iPhone, iPad, Android) — nothing to install; desktop app for Windows 10/11, macOS 13+ and Linux (.deb / AppImage). Best for: Opening and editing DWG files free in the browser, AutoCAD-style commands (L, PL, TR, O…), Arabic text, AI drafting from a description, PDF/image → DWG. Watch out for: 2D only — not a 3D modeller; the AI agent is paid.
2. AutoCAD
Paid subscription — roughly $2,000 a year for AutoCAD and about $600 a year for AutoCAD LT (US list prices; vary by country). 30-day trial; free education licence for students. Native DWG (the format's home). Windows, macOS; limited web and mobile apps. Best for: Offices that need the industry standard, 3D, verticals (Architecture, MEP, Map 3D) and LISP/ARX customisation. Watch out for: Cost per seat; cracked copies are illegal and a common malware source.
3. LibreCAD
Free (GPLv2 open source) DXF native; DWG can be opened (import) but not saved. Windows, macOS, Linux (install required). Best for: Simple 2D drafting on Linux/desktop where DXF is enough. Watch out for: No DWG saving, no browser version, no AI.
4. DraftSight
Paid only — the free edition ended in 2019; now annual subscriptions (trial available) Native DWG read and write. Windows, macOS. Best for: AutoCAD-like desktop CAD at a lower price, SOLIDWORKS shops. Watch out for: No longer free; desktop only.
5. QCAD
Community Edition free (GPLv3); QCAD Professional is a paid one-time licence DXF in the free edition; DWG read/write only in the paid Professional edition. Windows, macOS, Linux (install required). Best for: Precise 2D technical drawing and scripting on the desktop. Watch out for: DWG needs the paid edition; no browser version.
6. FreeCAD
Free (LGPL open source) DXF import/export; DWG only through an external converter. Windows, macOS, Linux (install required). Best for: Mechanical / product 3D modelling. Watch out for: Not an AutoCAD-style 2D drafting program; steeper learning curve.
7. nanoCAD
Older free edition exists; current versions are paid Native DWG. Windows only. Best for: AutoCAD-like Windows desktop drafting. Watch out for: Windows only; the free edition is outdated.
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free alternative to AutoCAD?
For 2D drafting with real DWG files, Nasjicad is free (including commercial use), runs in the browser with nothing to install, opens DWG R12–2018 and saves DWG 2018 and DXF. LibreCAD and QCAD Community are free open-source desktop options but cannot save DWG. FreeCAD is free but focused on 3D modelling.
Is there a free AutoCAD alternative that works online in the browser?
Yes. Nasjicad runs fully in the browser at nasji.com/cad on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iPhone, iPad and Android. Files are parsed on your device and are not uploaded.
Which free CAD program can save DWG files?
Nasjicad saves DWG 2018 and DXF for free. LibreCAD and QCAD Community save DXF only; QCAD needs the paid Professional edition for DWG.
Is DraftSight still free?
No. Dassault Systèmes ended the free DraftSight edition at the end of 2019; it is now sold as annual subscriptions.
Is there a free AutoCAD alternative with AI?
Nasjicad includes an optional AI drafting agent that draws editable geometry from a written description. The CAD is free; the AI agent needs a paid plan or credits (from $5/month, or $99 Lifetime).
Does Nasjicad use the same commands as AutoCAD?
Yes — the command line accepts the familiar aliases (L, PL, C, A, TR, EX, O, M, CO, MI, DI, LA, Z), with object snaps, layers, blocks, dimensions and plotting to PDF.