Free Building Design Software For Mac
If you’re looking for CAD software for Mac, you’re not without options. We’ve found some standout Mac and cloud-based CAD platforms for you.
You’re likely to hit a wall if you’re searching for computer-aided design (CAD) software designed for Mac. There are plenty of CAD software options for Windows—you’ll see many of them in our list of the top AutoCAD alternatives—but only a handful offer support for Mac.
And, if you think you’ll bypass the issue by using a cloud-based CAD tool, you’ll quickly find that CAD vendors haven’t embraced the cloud as much as other types of software vendors have, so the offerings are still largely on-premise. According to Gartner’s Hype Cycle for IT Evolution (full content available to Gartner clients), cloud-native CAD applications still have five to 10 years before they reach mainstream adoption.
Home Designer Architectural 21.1.1.2 for Mac is available as a free download on our software library. Our antivirus scan shows that this Mac download is safe. Home Designer Architectural for Mac relates to Design & Photo Tools.
AUTOCAD – Leading 3D Modeling Software. The AUTOCAD for Mac is the best 3d modeling software that money can buy for you. The industry leading software is the first choice for every user who want the best user experience. Blender – Free Open 3D Modeler. The blender is a free open 3D modeler software which is free for use. With Color Variables, Components View and the Insert Window, our latest Mac app update is all about building the best home for design systems. Introducing Color Variables Color Variables make it easier to organize your work and keep colors consistent across your designs. Aztek Deck Designer (Free) Through TimberTech, by AZEK Building Products you can find. Blender is a free and open-source 3D-modeling solution. It supports all the steps of the.
But fear not, Mac users. We’ve done some digging and have put together this list of the top-rated CAD software for Mac. Read more about our methodology at the bottom of this article.
5 Best CAD Software for Mac (presented alphabetically)
Jump to:
CorelCAD
FreeCAD
Fusion 360
LibreCAD
Onshape
1. CorelCAD
CorelCAD offers 2D drafting and 3D design capabilities, such as the drawing constraints feature for creating different geometric shapes faster and the push and pull feature for 3D direct modeling.
3D modeling in CorelCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analyses of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of CorelCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- The short learning curve: Users mention that the tool is easy to use and beginners don’t have to spend a lot of time learning it.
- Compatibility with multiple file types: Users like the fact that the tool is compatible with DWG, PDF, ACIS, DXF, STL, CDR, and other file formats.
What users think could be improved:
- Software reliability issues: Some users mention that the software tends to crash at times.
- Better dimension functionality: Some users would like a better dimensioning feature for more accurate drawings of angles and proportions.
Who can use CorelCAD
CorelCAD can be used by construction businesses for collaborative editing on multiple devices. It offers native iOS applications, which makes it easy for field crews to add annotations in graphics and share files using their iPhones and iPads. Additionally, the tool allows team members to leave recorded messages and instructions for colleagues embedded in the graphics using a voice note tool.
2. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open source CAD tool that works on Mac as well as Windows and Linux. It reads many common file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and DAE.
It offers different modules, including a drawing sheets module that converts 3D models into 2D views, a rendering module that can export 3D objects, and an architecture module for a BIM-like workflow.
3D model of a building in FreeCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of FreeCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Feature-richness for a free tool: Users mention that, although it’s free, the tool comes with a full set of features.
- Reliability: Users mention that the tool does not demand a lot of CPU power and works well on devices with low RAM.
What users think could be improved:
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that the tool is not the most user-friendly solution and can be difficult for beginners to learn.
- Dependent on community for updates: Users mention that modules ignored by the community tend to become outdated quickly.
Who can use FreeCAD
FreeCAD appears to be best for hobbyists and home users. It’s also good for users who don’t have a high budget for software but still want to tinker with CAD modeling.
FreeCAD could also be a good choice for businesses on a budget looking for a free and open-source option.
3. Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a CAD tool from Autodesk with design functionalities such as sketching and 3D modeling. It also supports project management with features such as task management, document management, and collaborative image editing.
Document management in Fusion 360 (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Fusion 360 they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Comprehensive design features: User mention that the tool offers all the functionalities necessary for 2D and 3D designing.
- Availability of training resources: Users like the fact that the tool comes with ample documentation and tutorials.
What users think could be improved:
- System crashes: Users mention that the tool tends to crash, especially when designing and rendering large files.
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that it can take a lot of time to learn the advanced functionalities of the tool.
Who can use Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is part of the Autodesk ecosystem designed for the AEC industry. This makes the tool suitable for construction businesses that are already using, or intend to use, other Autodesk solutions. Using a software vendor that offers multiple solutions will especially benefit larger businesses that invariably need software that can scale with their growing requirements.
4. LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an open source CAD tool that supports Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The tool comes with 2D drawing features such as a snap tool, dimensioning, and annotations. It also supports multiple file imports and exports.
2D drawing in LibreCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of LibreCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Ease of use: Users mention that the tool offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- Lots of tutorials: Users like the fact that there are ample video tutorials that help them get started with the tool.
What users think could be improved:
- Software speed: Users mention that the software tends to lag, especially when trying to print designs.
- Add support for 3D design: Users would like to see functionalities for creating 3D designs.
Who can use LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an exclusively 2D CAD tool for drawing and designing blueprints of buildings, layouts of parks, and the like. As a free tool, the solution can be used by small and midsize businesses across different industries, including manufacturing, engineering, architecture, and construction.
5. Onshape
Onshape is a cloud-only CAD solution that comes with features such as document management with version control, collaborative design creation/editing capabilities, and reporting dashboards to understand project status.
Importing documents in Onshape (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Onshape they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Document version control: Users like the document management features of the tool, such as version history.
- Intuitive interface: Users mention that the tool comes with an intuitive interface for easy image editing.
What users think could be improved:
- Performance issues: Some users mention that the tool does not function well on non-Chrome browsers and has file loading issues.
- Lack of features: Users mention that the tool should improve certain features such as 2D drawing and 3D surfacing.
Who can use Onshape
As a fully-cloud based tool, Onshape is ideal for businesses that need to manage design documents collaboratively with multiple stakeholders. The tool’s collaboration functionalities include document sharing, document editing, comments, and file downloads in multiple CAD formats, such as Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, and IGES.
Next steps
This report offers a mix of Mac CAD solutions—from free tools that can help you with basic 2D drawing to advanced solutions offering extensive 3D modeling functionalities.
If these tools don’t meet your needs, expand your search and check out more options. To help you, we’ve created a CAD software comparison page where you can explore products using different filters, such as features offered and pricing options.
If you’re looking to understand the CAD software market better, we also recommend that you read the articles listed below: |
Methodology
To be shortlisted, products had to fulfill the following criteria:
- Products had to be compatible with Mac and offer core CAD software capabilities, such as:
- 2D drawing or 3D modeling features
- Collaborative editing of drawings
- Products needed a minimum of 20 user reviews on Capterra (published in the last two years).
- Products had to have a high overall rating (an average of at least 4 out of 5 on Capterra).
Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users. It does not represent the views of Capterra.
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.
#1 Wix
Easy to use editor, excellent price, awesome features.Comparison Reviews by Industry Experts
Table of content
- What are the Best Mac Website Builders: the List of 5
Wix mac website builder: quick insight
Jimdo mac website builder: quick insight
Blocs mac website builder: quick insight
Weebly mac website builder: quick insight
Squarespace mac website builder: quick insight
At the stage of being buzzed about an idea to create own website, a lot of people end up in three choices:learn how to do a site using own hands and online tutorials (which is time-consuming and not friendly to those not having tech-tuned minds). That is a rare path, which may take years and may only fit those people who want to start some passion project, not being limited with months or weeks of time for a business project.use some site building tools, online or offline. Offline tools are possible for Windows-based systems and nearly not existent for Macintosh (except for one, which we are considering in this review, named Blocs, for around 100 dollars for 1 license that can be shared for up to 2 mac PCs).resort to the services of sites making studios – which is a costly and long decision but still, to which a lot of people stick to if they want a sophisticated site with huge and complicated functionality.It this article, we are going to speak about the second way – resorting to the services of online mac website builders. These tools may offer huge functionality, which is not that massive as the studios packed with professional and expensive coders might offer but still, which is enough to cover 99% of the needs of users dreaming about launching their first website.
Introduction Into the Field of Mac Website Builders
Below, we are going to consider top-5 tools, which are perfectly fine for developing your own website of different degrees of complexity for relatively small money. Some tools on our list offer the free run functionality, while some others are only possible to run when paid. To make your own website, one doesn’t need to know anything about hosting, coding, design and web design, as well as maintenance and bugs handling. Using online software or the one that is downloaded onto your device, you will avoid anything of that and will be prompted by a program in a comprehensible and user-friendly wizard.To create a website, you only need your Mac, pretty fast connection to an Internet, and iPhone – just to check the smoothness of a mobile version of your website that is going to be created by you. In the case, if anything isn’t going to look nice, you are able to change it in a fast manner. But even if there is no iPhone around – you can make a preview using the software itself, though seeing it alive would have been much better.
What are the Best Mac Website Builders: the List of 5
These tools we have defined based on our own thorough investigation of their work and based on numerous pieces of feedback of real-life users, which were offered by us to try this or that tool and to come up with a conclusion about their functionality, convenience, and general impression. To make the review fuller, we’ve also included the pricing information for each.Wix builderJimdo builderBlocs builderWeebly builderSquarespace website creator mac.
Wix mac website builder: quick insight
Wix has been around for over a decade and currently, it is the most popular tool on the market. It is quite powerful, it offers its own artificial intelligence to create a website within minutes based on your answers (which is much more than just a regular wizard), and its interface has such a big number of options that it is simply overwhelming for a novice. It offers a possibility of connection of your own domain name (which this mac web builder gives you for free if you pay for a year in a leap) in any of high-paid subscription package, some free money to make your website advertised within given channels, and free apps to boost your website, as well as to view more powerful than initial analytics. It is also possible to build a web store using this mac website design software – and these all come for not that large money, only $4.50-$35 a month (depending on the selected functionality).Wix best website builder for mac pros:Powerful AI to boost the speed of creating your website, shrinking it to minutes.Own app store with hundreds of free and paid apps to make your website really powerful and modern.A possibility to choose from diverse 550+ templates, categorized, mobile-friendly.Backups at any time.Wix builder top-rated cons:Impossible to change themes for a website, which has been already deployed in a live environment, not a test one.It is impossible to dig into the source code – even if you really want to, and, therefore, to connect with third-party apps, being prompted to use only pre-approved apps.It is impossible to save websites offline or to migrate elsewhere should you want to do it.Wix builder price:Starting with $4.50 a month, you receive just 0.5 Gb storage and 1 Gb bandwidth, with commercials all over your website. Continuing with $8.50 a month, bandwidth is increased to 2 Gb, while storage goes up to 3 Gb. All ads are removed, and a possibility of connecting your domain appears. For $12.50 a month, the limits for bandwidth are eliminated, and some nice free advert money appears. For $24.50 a month, it becomes possible to connect to your social accounts & get VIP support. For packs of subscription ranging from 17 to 35 bucks a month, you get a possibility to accept online payments without commission for that, storage from 20 to 50 Gb (still, pretty moderate, huh?), and that’s pretty much it, as the rest of the stuff is the same as for the non-e-commerce packs.
#8 Wix
Easy to use editor, excellent price, awesome features.Jimdo mac website builder: quick insight
Jimdo is not the choice beyond anything that Wix wouldn’t offer you. It also offers an AI option, as well as a moderate host of good-looking templates. However, it is possible to dig into the source code but you won’t get as many templates and apps as Wix offers. In a nutshell, this is a decent solution for everyone who’s prone to simplicity yet functionality.Jimdo builder pros:It is cheap and can be used for free (with very limited functionality but still).The ease of use and AI are put at the top of interaction with this website builder.CSS and HTML edits are opened for users.Templates switching is possible.You can manage changes to your website through a number of apps for mobile phones (yes, there are more than one of them). Stay connected at any time of the day and night, wherever you are.Jimdo mac web development software cons:Not so many templates.The pricing largely varies between the territories users are in. Sometimes, up to 3 times. That is, the cheapest offer in one country may be threefold cheaper than in some other country. For instance, in some Asian countries, the cost of monthly running is 20 dollars a month for the priciest its plan. In some African ones, it is 15 dollars. In Europe, it is 39 Euros. That is quite a non-reasonable custom pricing policy, which, as we think, should scare users away. Only two levels of navigation, which is definitely not great for large websites.Customer support isn’t working 24/7/365.You can’t import or export your website or pieces from it like pages with all content – which is not good if you plan to migrate from/to.E-commerce is not that powerful as you would receive not only in Shopify but also even in Wix, which is known for its mediocre e-commerce power.Despite the fact that you can dig into your website’s source code, it is still impossible to connect it with any third-party apps, which leaves you facing the scarce choice of those apps allowed by Jimdo website builder.No limits for usage of nice themes and available space are only possible in the highest-cost subscription package.Jimdo builder price:You can get started with a free run – for no money. But your website is going to be hosted on a subdomain of Jimdo with a not too classy name. However, you’ll get all the basic features, which are going to be great if you’re only ‘playing around’.For 9 Euros a month, you get the free domain (if paid for a year of usage in one leap), and get withdrawn from all commercials that a free run imposes on you.It is possible to ‘Grow’ for 15 Euros for a month – this price includes a possibility to make your website SEO optimal thanks to opened tools, and get some nice website stats. For another option costing 19 Euros, it is possible to launch an online store, sell without commission, and to create variances of your products. Finally, for 39 Euros a month (you are – finally – freed from space limitations and get better design options).
Blocs mac website builder: quick insight
This app may be downloaded and installed on your device. Blocs pros:Compatible with your device, making this a separating feature.WYSIWYG builder is of power.You can use themes from several CMS, not sticking to just one. Also, you can create your own templates. You can open any webpage and save it as a theme to be reused in the future.FAQ is of quality.Blocs website editor for mac cons:The high cost of an app – but this is a one-time purchase, which definitely recoups in a mid-term run, faster than a year.The website publication scheme could have been simpler so people do not dance around with its educational materials trying to figure things out. There is not so much intuitiveness in this field.There is no FTP manager, which makes the download of files onto the website a bit more outdated.It is impossible to use this app without any CMS. Blocs price:So how to make a website on mac? You just pay 99.99 for downloading and installing an app on your device to start working. But if you live in a country where VAT applies, then it is applied additionally to the cost of an app.
Weebly mac website builder: quick insight
Weebly is a fascinating website builder, which can boast with the simplicity of an interface and a possibility of a free run.Weebly pros:The simplicity of an interface.There is no problem in switching the themes, making them adjustable to any screen (mobile, tablet, PC, laptop), and making customization of them under your needs.SEO and other guides, including business ones, are helpful and simple.Nice support and help center.Weebly cons:You cannot do a lot of sophisticated stuff, which is possible in Wix due to heavy relying on the functionality of the latter.Drag-and-drop is not fabulous, which means that in some cases, resorting to the HTML code alteration is inevitable.Creative freedom is not the strong side of this website builder.Restoring the website is impossible by the standard interface features – once it is gone, it is gone. The same goes for your mistake, or someone’s intruding mutilation of it.There is no Artificial Design Intelligence option to help you out to make a website within a few minutes.Weebly price:Pricing planning is one of the strong sides of this website builder. You can start with zero money to have 0.5 Gb storage and SSL security, to put your website on a domain with Weebly branding and to see commercials of this website builder from time to time. If you want your own domain – pay 5 Euros a month (annually). If you desire to have unlimited storage, do not see ads of Weebly website builder, and turn on the function of a website search, get ready to pay 10 Euros a month. If you plan to sell heavily, then opt for the plan for 20 Euros a month. Finally, the biggest power of sales and functionality comes for a premium cost of 30 Euros a month.
Squarespace mac website builder: quick insight
Users of mac will love Squarespace – for it is the cutest website builder on the list. The beauty of pixels of its templates is so high that it will inevitably lead to tears of happiness in mac users. Pros of Squarespace:High beauty of templates.SSL and HTTPS come for free.No limitations in storage and bandwidth in all its plans.The vastness of templates.SEO is great.Mobile optimization, ability to work with HTML & CSS.Squarespace cons:No free domain name if not paid for a year in a leap.There is no free run.Squarespace price:You can pay on a monthly basis (16-26-30-46 dollars for four its plans) or on a yearly basis (12-18-26-40 dollars). The biggest difference comes between the plans with and without e-commerce. Also, the more you are paying, the more stats and metrics you are receiving, as well as integration abilities.
What one Needs to Make a Website
In order to make a website, you have to know, what you want to display on this website and which your goals are going to be achieved by it. Everything is whirling around the functions, which are going to be on the website – for instance, an e-store is going to add significant money to the monthly cost of running (twofold or threefold of the price without it) but why do you pay that much if you don’t need a sales function?
Architectural Design Software Free Mac
What is the Specificity of Making a Website on Mac
We can highlight only one large specificity of creating a website by mac users: that the software that must be installed on a device is compatible with it. Currently, there is no need to install anything on your device if you desire to start off your website but one exception – Blocs. This is not an online thing, this is specifically the website design software Macintosh, for the installation of which you pay 99.99 (with applicable VAT).
Conclusion About Mac Website Builders
Free Building Design Software For Mac Os
Let’s get through a quick list of dos before starting making a website: Domain name and hosting – usually provided by a website builder Enough space and bandwidth – to make sure any number of users finds you at any time of the day Features that you need are provided by a website builder – like HTTPS, SSL, getting into HTML and CSS, payment processes are embedded, newsletter subscription, and others Make sure your pictures and texts for the website are ready for the online placement Make sure the tool has a convenient interface, AI, and drag-and-drop – these all significantly help you out in creating your site.