# Alternatives to OpenSCAD Code-based CAD for programmers. OpenSCAD ranks #12 of 13 in 3D modeling software, with an Alt Score of 32. It is licensed under GPL-2.0, free and available on Windows, macOS and Linux. 8 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/openscad/ Category: 3D modeling software ## Where OpenSCAD stands out - **Parametric modeling** — 4 of 11 apps with a verified answer have this ## Overview - **Who it's for**: Programmers and technically minded makers who want to design 3D models by writing code rather than dragging shapes in a GUI, including hobbyists preparing parts for 3D printing and engineers who need precise, parametric geometry. - **What you get**: A free, open-source, cross-platform (Linux, Windows, macOS) CAD tool built around a scripting language for solid geometry, using constructive solid geometry (CSG) operations like union, difference, and intersection. Models are fully parametric, so changing a variable regenerates the whole design, and files are plain text, making them easy to version-control, script, and reuse across similar parts. It renders a preview and exports finished geometry to STL and other formats for 3D printing or downstream CAD use. - **How it works**: You write a script describing shapes and the boolean/transform operations that combine them, preview the rendered result in the built-in editor, and export the final solid (typically as STL) once satisfied. ## Profile - **License**: GPL-2.0 (verified 2026-07-11) - **Pricing model**: Free (verified 2026-07-11) - **Starts at**: ? - **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux - **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-11) ## Ranked alternatives | # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms | |---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------| | 1 | [Blender](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/blender.md) | 73 | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux | | 2 | [3ds Max](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/3ds-max.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Windows | | 3 | [Fusion 360](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/fusion-360.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Web | | 4 | [Rhino](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/rhino.md) | 64 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS | | 5 | [Cinema 4D](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/cinema-4d.md) | 60 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS | | 6 | [Maya](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/maya.md) | 60 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux | | 7 | [Onshape](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/onshape.md) | 60 | Proprietary | Web | | 8 | [ZBrush](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/zbrush.md) | 60 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS | | 9 | [FreeCAD](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/freecad.md) | 50 | LGPL-2.1 | Windows, macOS, Linux | | 10 | [Shapr3D](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/shapr3d.md) | 46 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Web | | 11 | [SketchUp](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/sketchup.md) | 42 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Web, iOS | | 12 | [Plasticity](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/plasticity.md) | 32 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux | Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/ ## Feature comparison Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified). | 3D modeling software checklist | OpenSCAD | Blender | 3ds Max | Fusion 360 | Rhino | Cinema 4D | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | Free | Free | Subscription | Subscription | One-time | Subscription | | Starts at | ? | ? | ? | $680/year | €995 one-time | ? | | License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | | Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows | Windows, macOS, Web | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS | | Parametric modeling | Yes | ? | ? | Yes | Partial | No | | Sculpting | No | Yes | Partial | ? | ? | Yes | | Rendering engine included | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Animation & rigging | No | Yes | Yes | ? | ? | Yes | | CAD formats (STEP, IGES) | No | No | Partial | Yes | Yes | Partial | | One-time purchase option | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | | Free for hobby use | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | | Plugins ecosystem | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | | GPU rendering | ? | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes | Yes | | Simulation | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | ## Sources Sources for OpenSCAD. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **License**: GPL-2.0 — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2, June 1991” - **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “System requirements: Windows 7 or newer on x86 32/64 bit” - **Pricing model**: Free — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “OpenSCAD is Free Software released under the General Public License version 2.” - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Merge pull request #6903 from openscad/bugfix/off-header” - **Parametric modeling**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “easily change any step in the modelling process or make designs that are defined by configurable parameters” - **Sculpting**: No — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects” - **Rendering engine included**: No — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Render generates exact geometry and a fully tessellated mesh. It is not an approximation and as such it is often a lengthy process, taking minutes or hours for larger designs. Render uses CGAL as its ” - **Animation & rigging**: No — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “pretty sure is not what you are looking for when you are more interested in creating computer-animated movies” - **CAD formats (STEP, IGES)**: No — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “STL (ASCII only), OFF, AMF, 3MF” - **One-time purchase option**: No — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “OpenSCAD is Free Software released under the General Public License version 2.” - **Free for hobby use**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “OpenSCAD is Free Software released under the General Public License version 2.” - **Plugins ecosystem**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “A library of tools, shapes, and helpers to make OpenScad easier to use.” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/