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.

Autodesk recently introduced AutoCAD 2017 for Mac, the seventh release of the native Macintosh version of its flagship CAD software. The new release includes many of the same features found in the Windows version of AutoCAD 2017, which began shipping in the spring of 2016. For example, AutoCAD 2017 for Mac includes the same new tools for creating and editing centerlines and center marks and the ability to import and convert geometry and TrueType text from vector PDF files. But the biggest changes in this new Mac release are updates to the program’s user interface.

Back in 1989, Autodesk released its first native Mac version of AutoCAD. Although it made good use of the Macintosh interface and proved to be a valuable precursor to future Windows versions of the software, it was deemed not Mac-like enough to satisfy Apple purists. After one more Mac release, it wasn’t until 2010 that Autodesk once again offered a native Mac version of AutoCAD. Since then, the Mac version has followed about nine months behind each Windows release.

That’s not to say that plenty of people weren’t running AutoCAD on their Macs. Ever since Apple switched from Motorola to Intel processors, plenty of users have been running Windows-based versions of AutoCAD using virtual machine software. That practice still remains popular, largely because the Mac version looks so different than the Windows version and the fact that the Mac version still lacks features found in the Windows release. But with AutoCAD 2017 for Mac, more of those objections have disappeared.

Welcome UI Improvements

Although AutoCAD 2017 for Mac still looks much different than its Windows counterpart, the new release should appear more familiar to those making the switch. Instead of the ribbon interface, AutoCAD 2017 for Mac still puts many tools where Mac users expect to find them—in the Apple menu bar. But AutoCAD 2017 for Mac now has many more similarities to AutoCAD for Windows. For example, instead of displaying each open drawing in its own floating window, everything is now contained within the program frame.

AutoCAD 2017 for Mac now uses a single drawing panel and provides file tabs to easily access all open drawings with a single click. And, you can start a new drawing by clicking a plus sign (+), and right-click a file tab to access a shortcut menu, just like in the Windows version. Model and Layout tabs have also been added, again with their own plus-sign button for creating new layouts. The Status Bar and Command window are now both anchored in place at the bottom of the drawing area and the Status bar is nearly identical to the one found in the Windows release, with the same ability to control the tools you want displayed.

The program’s toolsets have also undergone significant modifications. For example, a customizable toolbar containing frequently used tools—similar to the Quick Access Toolbar in the Windows version—has been added across the top of the drawing area. The area to the left of the drawing area has now been organized into two tabs—Drafting and Modeling—similar to the way tools in the Windows version are divided between workspaces. Tools on these tabs are further grouped into panels. For example, the Draw panel on the Drafting tab includes tools to draw objects such as lines and circles, whereas the Modify panel contains tools such as Move, Copy and Rotate. The Modeling tab contains tools for creating and modifying 3D solids, surfaces and meshes. These toolsets can be reduced to mini toolsets that contain the same tools but take up less room to increase space in the drawing area. Users can easily add or remove tools from a predefined list, collapse or expand panels and reorder panels. You can also create a custom panel and add commands from the full command list.

The Properties Inspector is also part of the application frame. It contains layer controls where you can change the properties of layers. The Layer palette has also been expanded to include more layer properties. Because all of these tools are now part of the program frame, they can no longer be undocked and moved around the screen.

Multiple Sessions

With AutoCAD 2017 for Mac, users can have more than one AutoCAD session open at a time. Although that has long been true for Windows, the Mac release adds a new twist. You can right-click the AutoCAD launch icon, select New AutoCAD Session and open a drawing in a new AutoCAD session. Or, you can right-click the file tab of an open drawing and choose Move to New Session to close that drawing in the current session and open it in a new session. Either way, you can arrange the sessions to see drawings side by side.

AutoCAD 2017 for Mac also now supports Full Screen mode. You can click the Full Screen button in the upper-left corner of the application frame or toggle between full screen and normal modes by pressing CMD+0.

Still Missing from AutoCAD for Mac

A number of other aspects long available in the Windows release have found their way into the Mac version. For example, a small collection of Express Tools is now available, but nothing even approaches the nearly four-dozen tools available in the Windows version. These now join other features—such as dynamic blocks, data links and layer state management—that were added in previous Mac releases.

So what is still missing? Unfortunately, that list is still quite lengthy. Over the past few years, the Mac release has gained some features that are similar to those in the Windows version. For example, the Content Palette is functionally similar to DesignCenter, and the Project Manager is the functional equivalent of the Sheet Set Manager. But AutoCAD for Mac still lacks tool palettes, quick select and notification for unreconciled layers. There are also no model documentation tools, table style editing or point cloud support. Perhaps most glaring, the Mac version lacks the geographic location capabilities that have become so much a part of the Windows release. You can access the Autodesk materials library and assign materials on a per-object basis. But you cannot assign materials by layer, edit materials or adjust material mapping. There is also no built-in rendering, although Mac users can use cloud-based rendering.

AutoCAD 2017 for Mac also still lacks support for DWF or DGN underlays, hyperlinks, data extraction and many other popular features found in the Windows version of the software.

By Subscription Only

AutoCAD 2017 marked the first version of the program to be sold only on a subscription basis rather than as a perpetual license (in which you own a copy of a particular release of AutoCAD and can use it essentially forever). AutoCAD 2017 for Mac is also now available only by subscription as well. You can download a free 30-day trial version of AutoCAD 2017 for Mac from the Autodesk website and license it on a monthly, annual or multi-year basis.

Missing features aside, AutoCAD 2017 for Mac is a pleasure to use. It runs on most modern Macintosh systems with at least 3GB of memory and an Intel 64-bit CPU. Not only is the subscription pricing the same as for the Windows version, you are not locked into a single platform. Autodesk’s cross-platform licensing means that if you already have a serial number and product key for AutoCAD 2017 for Windows, you can install AutoCAD 2017 for Mac and use that same serial number and product key to unlock the Mac version, and vice versa.

All things considered, AutoCAD 2017 for Mac is a great update. Its pure Mac user interface will certainly satisfy Apple purists, while those who crave the missing features can always switch between the Mac and Windows versions.

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.

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.

Vintage mac tool box for sale wa. 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.

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.