I have tried a one or two of the free versions of Autocad-like drawing packages, and ran in to some difficulties along the way.
Just recently have been trying the free for 30 day version of progeCAD ,
As a Previous AutoCAD user, It is very easy to set up and very intuitive to use.
Pretty good price of US$50. for one-time payment. I recommend it so far for mechanical drawing, and think I may purchase the permant version. !

 

Did you get it for $50 from Etsy for the 2025 version?

 

have not tried it but at $50USD and for perpetual license - that is a steal...!
it does not seem to be listed on their website, it only shows the latest, 2026 version. that one uses new engine and it is faster but costs more - single license is $540USD.

there are other alternatives too like DraftSight which does not support LISP so addons like AutoNumb etc cannot be used.

currently using BricsCad which is excellent but it also costs way more.

i am glad this came up as i was considering getting nanoCad for personal use..

 

Glad that this subject has come up, I was discussing precisely this issue with CMartinez yesterday.

I don;t need anything remotely sophisticated. I only need it to design my electronic project's enclosures, which I would later have them 3D printed.
Enclosures have traditionally been the Achilles Heel for my projects.

 

I have tried a one or two of the free versions of Autocad-like drawing packages, and ran in to some difficulties along the way.
Just recently have been trying the free for 30 day version of progeCAD ,
As a Previous AutoCAD user, It is very easy to set up and very intuitive to use.
Pretty good price of US$50. for one-time payment. I recommend it so far for mechanical drawing, and think I may purchase the permant version. !

What about freecad?

 

have not tried it but at $50USD and for perpetual license - that is a steal...!
it does not seem to be listed on their website, it only shows the latest, 2026 version. that one uses new engine and it is faster but costs more - single license is $540USD.

The one I downloaded is the 2026 ver and it showed US$50 after 30days?

What about freecad?

One of the ones I tried, Good but I had issues,
The progeCAD was from the Co. website AFAIK ,

 

The one I downloaded is the 2026 ver and it showed US$50 after 30days?

It says $540 for me. When I was looking for the price, a seller on Etsy popped up offering the 2025 version for $40. Seems really sketchy to me.

 

I use Fusion 360 on a free personal use license. It seems reasonable.

 

I use Fusion 360 on a free personal use license. It seems reasonable.

Is there any cost for the limited personal version ?

 

None, been using for free for about 6 or 7 years. And it is not that limited. The only limit I have seen is that you can only have a small number of projects active at once, but deactivating and reactivating is not a problem.

 

The one I downloaded is the 2026 ver and it showed US$50 after 30days?



One of the ones I tried, Good but I had issues,
The progeCAD was from the Co. website AFAIK ,

Thank you. Actually I have no international credit card. This is why I look for free software only.