Best CAD Software in Africa
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Compare the Top CAD Software in Africa as of November 2025
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What is CAD Software in Africa?
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software is software used by engineers, architects, and designers to create precise 2D and 3D models. It enables users to design, visualize, and simulate their projects with high accuracy, facilitating efficient prototyping and problem-solving. CAD software supports a variety of industries, including manufacturing, construction, and product design, by offering features like parametric modeling, rendering, and automated drafting. Its intuitive interfaces and integration with other engineering tools make it a cornerstone of modern design workflows. By streamlining the design process, CAD software helps reduce development time, improve collaboration, and bring innovative ideas to life. Compare and read user reviews of the best CAD software in Africa currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
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1
MATLAB
The MathWorks
MATLAB® combines a desktop environment tuned for iterative analysis and design processes with a programming language that expresses matrix and array mathematics directly. It includes the Live Editor for creating scripts that combine code, output, and formatted text in an executable notebook. MATLAB toolboxes are professionally developed, rigorously tested, and fully documented. MATLAB apps let you see how different algorithms work with your data. Iterate until you’ve got the results you want, then automatically generate a MATLAB program to reproduce or automate your work. Scale your analyses to run on clusters, GPUs, and clouds with only minor code changes. There’s no need to rewrite your code or learn big data programming and out-of-memory techniques. Automatically convert MATLAB algorithms to C/C++, HDL, and CUDA code to run on your embedded processor or FPGA/ASIC. MATLAB works with Simulink to support Model-Based Design. -
2
WSCAD
WSCAD
At WSCAD, we have been developing electrical CAD solutions for over 30 years. Customers include small to medium-sized companies, international corporations, and engineering service providers in the machine-building, panel manufacturing, and building automation industries. WSCAD software is used by over 40,000 electrical engineers as their electrical CAD solution. WSCAD ELECTRIX – our most powerful electrical CAD – is our brand-new offering. No matter if you are designing piping & instrumentation diagrams, fluid power or electrical schematics, cabinet engineering, building automation or electrical installation – WSCAD is the right tool for you. The new ELECTRIX comes with a completely new design engine (editor) and embedded compatibility to standard formats like DXF/DWG and uses modern technologies such as augmented reality, multi-threading and automation.Starting Price: $84/month -
3
BricsCAD
Bricsys
BricsCAD the first all-in-one CAD design solution in .dwg that answers all your needs; 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and BIM. The BricsCAD® family of products brings a cost-effective, multi-platform CAD solution to Windows, macOS, and Linux. BricsCAD is available as a permanent/perpetual license, for networked or stand-alone computers. You can also add All-In Maintenance for ease of keeping up-to-date. • BricsCAD® is available on a rental (a.k.a. “Subscription”) plan if you wish. • Familiarity for other CAD users and full LISP support can help reduce a new BricsCAD® users’ learning curve to a day or less. • Advanced multi-threading takes advantage of today’s high-performance processor chips • Innovative machine learning tools increase drawing accuracy while saving time • The small install footprint and high performance of BricsCAD® point to our constant focus on quality and modern software design.Starting Price: $330/user/year -
4
SharkCAD
Punch CAD
Made for professional users, SharkCAD® has superior mesh-based and solid modeling tools that will make your architectural, mechanical, prototyping, and design projects a breeze. This is the perfect CAD software for those who have advanced past the basic 3D modeling CAD tools and are ready to swim with the big fish. Don’t get caught by underperforming software, get SharkCAD. Whether you run a solo engineering or design firm, or employ a big crew, SharkCAD will give you the power you need at a price you can afford. It includes 2D drafting and 3D modeling toolsets, with easy switching 2D/3D views. SharkCAD can help you accomplish 3D prototyping, photorealistic rendering, and designs for product manufacturing or packaging, architectural drawings, home remodeling plans, interior design, inventions, and more. Don’t waste another minute on entry-level software you’ve outgrown. SharkCAD can give you professional quality CAD design tools that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.Starting Price: $999.99 -
5
ARES Commander
Graebert
2D & 3D CAD software to create & modify technical drawings in DWG format with choice between Perpetual, Network or Annual licenses. Experience the agility of the n°1 alternative to AutoCAD. Cost-effective, ARES Commander offers a full replacement and an easy switch, at a fraction of the cost. With Graebert's ARES CAD software you will enjoy a 3-in-1 license, including ARES Commander (for Windows, macOS and Linux computers) + ARES Kudo (Cloud) + ARES Touch (iOS + Android). These 3 products work in synergy to synchronize the work across users and devices. Create and modify DWG drawings locally, with files stored on your computer, or in sync with Google Drive, Box, OneDrive, Dropbox, Onshape, Trimble Connect. Alternatively, you can also store files in a private Cloud server (via WebDAV). Some our advanced CAD features include the support for Dynamic blocks, PDF to DWG conversion, Drawing comparison, IFC & Revit import, 3D solid modeling, satellite images and street maps.Starting Price: $350.00/year -
6
MakePrintable
Mixed Dimensions
MakePrintable is a cloud solution that analyses and repairs any 3D model for 3D printing. It's created by Mixed Dimensions. Our Vision at MakePrintable is streamlining the process between 3D content and 3D printing. Making it simpler for anyone to get into 3D printing, by ensuring print success from the get-go. Our platform is for 3D hobbyists, engineers, makers and 3D enthusiasts who use 3D printing in their workflow and don't want to spend their time repairing wall thickness or solidity issues. In-depth analysis of your 3D model's printability and a highlight of problematic areas inside of our viewer to help you understand your model's challenges before printing. Advanced wall thickness adjustment that is unmatched by the industry, easily adjust thin walls and let our fixer detect and thicken thin areas for you automatically.Starting Price: $14.99/month/user -
7
TurboCAD
IMSI Design
TurboCAD® 2021 Platinum is a professional 2D Drafting and 3D Solid Modeling CAD Solution for engineers, architects, manufacturers and other design professionals. It comes fully equipped with a powerful drafting palette, ACIS® solid modeling, premium photorealistic rendering, advanced architectural and mechanical tool sets, AutoCAD®-like 2D drafting interface options, and extensive file support. TurboCAD® 2021 Platinum delivers a robust collection of professional 2D/3D CAD tools to design, modify, present, and document in an integrated fashion. It includes advanced mechanical design and modification tools, a powerful drafting palette, 2D geometric and dimensional constraints, and an ACIS® solid modeling engine. It includes a customizable Ribbon Interface with 4K monitor support to optimize productivity and readability on higher resolution displays.Starting Price: $69.99 -
8
Civil 3D
Autodesk
Civil 3D® civil engineering design software supports BIM (Building Information Modeling) with integrated features to improve drafting, design, and construction documentation. Conduct grading design studies based on project constraints. Grading Optimization is available in Civil 3D only as part of the Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection. Transform how you navigate, visualize, and interact with Civil 3D design models. Project Explorer is an extension available in Civil 3D only through the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Collection. Experience more efficient workflows for surface modeling, corridor modeling, site design, storm and sanitary, and plan production and documentation with Civil 3D® civil engineering design software. Securely access Civil 3D files, data shortcuts, and xrefs from multiple locations and companies, all in a common data environment.Starting Price: $2,430 per year -
9
FreeCAD
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters. FreeCAD allows you to sketch geometry constrained 2D shapes and use them as a base to build other objects. It contains many components to adjust dimensions or extract design details from 3D models to create high quality production ready drawings. FreeCAD is a multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), highly customizable and extensible software. It reads and writes to many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others, making it possible to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow. FreeCAD is designed to fit a wide range of uses including product design, mechanical engineering and architecture. Whether you are a hobbyist, a programmer, an experienced CAD user, a student or a teacher, you will feel right at home with FreeCAD. -
10
Autodesk Fusion 360
Autodesk
Fusion 360 unifies design, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing into a single software platform. Get integrated CAD, CAM, CAE & PCB on a single development platform. Also includes EAGLE Premium, HSMWorks, Team Participant, and access to consumptive services, such as generative design, cloud simulation, and cloud rendering. Engineer products with a comprehensive set of modeling tools. Ensure form, fit, and function of your products with various analysis methods. Create and edit sketches with sketch constraints, dimensions, and a powerful suite of sketch tools. Edit or repair imported geometry from non-native file formats. Make design changes without worrying about time-based features. Create and edit complex parametric surfaces for repairing, patching or designing geometry. Create history-based features, including extrude, revolve, loft, sweep, etc., that update with design changes.Starting Price: $495 per year -
11
AutoCAD LT
Autodesk
Precision 2D drafting and documentation software includes AutoCAD web and mobile apps. AutoCAD LT® is computer-aided design (CAD) software that architects, engineers, construction professionals, and designers rely on to produce 2D drawings and documentation. Design, draft, and document with 2D geometry, access a comprehensive set of editing, design, and annotation tools, and work faster in an intuitive user interface. Design and draft in the web browser on any computer; view, edit, annotate, and create CAD drawings in a simplified user interface. Take the power of AutoCAD with you wherever you go—even offline; view, edit, annotate, and create CAD drawings in real time, and work on any mobile device, including smartphone or tablet. Work anywhere with the included AutoCAD web app. Use AutoCAD LT on the go with the included AutoCAD mobile app.Starting Price: $55 per month -
12
ArborCAD
CAD International
ArborCAD® is the world's only CAD software designed exclusively for the needs of Arboriculture. Get the features of regular CAD plus powerful, productive tools for professional consulting arborists, in a fast, easy-to-master program. Whether you're conducting and documenting a site survey, producing a tree protection report or drawing any kind of plan, ArborCAD enables you to be more productive, more professional and more profitable. That’s the bottom line. Save time on every report you create. The built-in step-by-step tutorial will have you up and running in just a few hours – You won’t be an expert straight away but you’ll be well on your way. Our team will assist you personally to get the most from your ArborCAD® software. Shortcut your ‘old school’ methods by leveraging the built-in arbor-friendly technology. Nothing is faster or more professional than a drawing created with ArborCAD.Starting Price: $258 per month -
13
Modo
Foundry
3D modeling and rendering platform designed to help businesses create 3D drawings and configure UV mapping and texturing workflows. Modo’s powerful and flexible 3D modeling, animation, texturing and rendering toolset empowers artists to explore and develop ideas without jumping through technical hoops. Modo® is your starting point for creative exploration. With fast direct modeling, flexible procedural modeling, the award-winning MeshFusion Boolean toolset and built-in sculpting tools all working together, Modo’s modeling moxie is unmatched. Free yourself from creativity-killing constraints, with Modo’s intuitive, artist-friendly toolset. From roughing out volumes to creating highly detailed forms, Modo lets you focus on creation, not construction. Build your own kit of specialized tools by combining different operations, with Modo’s flexible tool assembly system. With Modo, every job you do becomes easier, as you continually develop new efficiencies.Starting Price: $65 per month -
14
ConnectCAD
Vectorworks
ConnectCAD is built on Vectorworks Spotlight, you can take advantage of the flexible and robust design and documentation capabilities that make Spotlight the industry standard. With an extensive manufacturer library and a customizable 2D/3D hybrid environment, rest assured you have everything you need to design with confidence. Use ConnectCAD to work seamlessly not only with the rest of your team, but with event planners and other project stakeholders as well. Collaboration has never been easier.Starting Price: $153 per month -
15
SketchList 3D
SketchList 3D
SketchList 3D is a powerful woodworking design software built by woodworkers, for woodworkers. Frustrated with traditional CAD tools, its founder launched SketchList nearly 15 years ago to simplify cabinet and furniture design. With intuitive 3D modeling, smart joinery tools, and a growing global user base of nearly 7,000, SketchList 3D empowers users to create precise, professional-grade designs with ease. Endorsed by Rockler Woodworking since 2007 and consistently top-rated, it’s the go-to solution for serious hobbyists and professionals alike.Starting Price: $79.99/month -
16
CAD Exchanger
CADEX
CAD Exchanger technologies help software developers and end-users to work, share and collaborate on 3D data, which can come in any format, from any source, on any platform. APPLICATION FOR END-USERS • CAD Exchanger Lab. View, analyze and convert 3D data on desktop. SDKs & TOOLS FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS • CAD Exchanger SDK. C++, C#, Java, Python libraries for applications and SaaS solutions. • CAD Exchanger Batch. Light-weight command-line tool for batch conversions in corporate or cloud environments. We are proud to have customers from Fortune-100 companies and feel honored to contribute to today’s leaders’ projects: Tesla in the automotive industry, Apple in consumer electronics, NASA in space exploration, Amazon in the delivery business and many others. • 250K+ CAD Exchanger Lab end-users • 1M+ CAD Exchanger SDK enabled end-users • 110+ countriesStarting Price: $590/per year -
17
PlusSpec
RubySketch
PlusSpec is the most powerful, affordable and easy to learn 3D BIM/Virtual Design Construction & Estimating software for the Design & Construction Industry. From Design & Sales to Estimating & Procurement, PlusSpec offers one integrated solution created to help you become more efficient & profitable. PlusSpec has been made for people who are low on time, and we’ve included the support you need so you can quickly master the software. The only BIM software you can actually design with. Immerse your clients in 3D and sell your designs. Create professional 2D drawings. Manage client budgets. Develop stronger relationships with stakeholders. PlusSpec will allow you to do more than just quantify. Quote Fast. End Error and Oversight. Visualize Risk & Complexity. Transform the way you Communicate. Deliver more than just a Paper Quote. Whether you are Designing & Drafting, or Estimating & Building (or both), specifying products is a key part of the process.Starting Price: $990 per year -
18
Strata Design 3D CX
Strata
Design 3D CX gives you all the tools you need to complete professional 3D projects. Illustrators, product & package designers, display & interior designers – and other creative professionals – rely on Strata Design 3D CX to realize their vision. Easy to learn, hundreds of hours of video tutorials, and connections to Adobe® and other tools make getting up to speed – and integrating with your workflow – a breeze. Strata Design 3D eases the learning curve for 2D designers who are new to 3D. Quick start templates, libraries, predefined effects, backgrounds, environments and more allow designers to create complex scenes in minutes. With a user interface and tools that are familiar to today’s 2D designers, you invest your time learning 3D design concepts rather than a new design paradigm. For many, the thought of 3D modeling is a daunting task. Design 3D offers an extremely friendly modeling toolset and environment for manipulating your polygons, splines, and primitives into any 3D object.Starting Price: $595 one-time payment -
19
Scan2CAD
Scan2CAD
Scan2CAD is conversion software that enables users to convert designs for CAD. Stop manually tracing or outsourcing redrawing. Scan2CAD repeatedly saves days for companies converting designs. We've spent the last 20 years developing the most accurate automatic raster to vector conversion for CAD. Scan2CAD is not only a raster to vector solution. Convert your vector files such as PDFs for CAD. Convert any popular file-type such as images and PDFs to industry standard file-types such as DXF and DWG. Edit your designs with Scan2CAD's Drawing and Editing tools. Each tool is designed for absolute accuracy. With Scan2CAD you have the flexibility to edit your raster and vector designs within the same application.Starting Price: $49 per month -
20
LibreCAD
LibreCAD
LibreCAD is a free Open Source CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. Support and documentation are free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers. LibreCAD started as a project to build CAM capabilities into the community version of QCad for use with a Mechmate CNC router. Since QCad CE was built around the outdated Qt3 library, it had to be ported to Qt4 before additional enhancements. This gave rise to CADuntu. The project was known as CADuntu only for a couple of months before the community decided that the name was inappropriate. After some discussion within the community and research on existing names, CADuntu was renamed to LibreCAD. Porting the rendering engine to Qt4 proved to be a large task, so LibreCAD initially still depended on the Qt3 support library. The Qt4 porting was completed eventually during the development of 2.0.0 series, thanks to our master developer Rallaz, and LibreCAD has become Qt3 free except in the 1.0.0 series.Starting Price: Free -
21
Canvas Envision
Canvas GFX
From a powerful creator app to hosted solutions and deep integrations with manufacturing tech stacks, Canvas Envision delivers interactive instructional experiences that minimize errors and delays. The Envision platform is an End-to-end solution for creating, managing, and consuming interactive digital work instructions. Cloud collaboration and document viewing. Available hosted or in your private cloud. Document viewers will be able to easily access and consume digital instructional content containing precise 2D graphics, narrated animations, and fully interactive embedded 3D models. Interactive digital instructions are proven to drive faster time to task completion, and reduce error count. - Create end-to-end digital work instruction documents - Leverage 2D drawing, image editing, and 3D visualization - Create 3D model animations with text-to-speech narration - Collaborate with teams on document creation - Deliver fully interactive instructional experiences -
22
Shapr3D
Shapr3D
Shapr3D is an intuitive, cross-platform 3D modeling app for iPadOS and macOS that is compatible with all major desktop CAD software. You can import projects and export work directly to your rendering, manufacturing, drafting, or splicing tools. Shapr3D’s tech stack and software combine the industrial power of desktop CAD tools and intuitive user experience. Shapr3D users get battle-tested Siemens™ geometric Parasolid™ modeling kernel and D-Cubed™ sketch engine. CAD-compatibility with hi-res X_T, STEP, STL, OBJ, 2D DXF, 2D DWG, USDZ export support. SLDPRT, SLDASM, STL, STEP, IGES, X_T, 2D DWG, 2D DXF, JPG, PNG import support. Offline functionality and local storage with all officially supported Macs running on Big Sur (11.0) or later. A modeling experience designed for fluid mouse and keyboard input. Get tangible results with 2D Drawings: prepare your models’ technical drawings, and start prototyping right away.Starting Price: $25/month/user -
23
OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD
It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, Windows and Mac OS X. Unlike most free software for creating 3D models (such as Blender) it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects. Thus it might be the application you are looking for when you are planning to create 3D models of machine parts but pretty sure is not what you are looking for when you are more interested in creating computer-animated movies. OpenSCAD is not an interactive modeller. Instead it is something like a 3D-compiler that reads in a script file that describes the object and renders the 3D model from this script file. This gives you (the designer) full control over the modelling process and enables you to easily change any step in the modelling process or make designs that are defined by configurable parameters. -
24
SolveSpace
SolveSpace
SOLVESPACE is a free (GPLv3) parametric 3d CAD tool. Modeling 3d parts, drawing with extrudes, revolves, helixes and Boolean (union/difference/intersection) operations. Modeling 2d parts, draw the part as a single section, and export DXF, PDF, SVG; use 3d assembly to verify fit. 3D-printed parts, export the STL or other triangle mesh expected by most 3d printers. Preparing CAM data, export 2d vector art for a waterjet machine or laser cutter; or generate STEP or STL, for import into third-party CAM software for machining. Mechanism design, use the constraint solver to simulate planar or spatial linkages, with pin, ball, or slide joints. Plane and solid geometry, replace hand-solved trigonometry and spreadsheets with a live dimensioned drawing. Sketch sections using lines, rectangles, datum lines and points. Sketch circles, arcs of a circle, datum circles, cubic Bezier segments, C2 interpolating splines, and more. -
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Vectorworks Fundamentals
Vectorworks
Freely sketch, model, and document your design ideas with precision drafting capabilities and the most flexible 3D modeling engine available, powered by SIEMENS Parasolid. You’re not limited by presets and strict parameters, you have the flexibility you need to design anything you can imagine. Increase your efficiency by automatically generating reports from your designs. Run “what if” scenarios and automate schedules and calculate costs to maximize each design element. We offer the most default import/export capabilities available, as well as support for, and direct links with AutoCAD, Rhino, Photoshop, and Cinema 4D. Need to solve a specific design problem? Vectorworks is also a robust CAD platform that can be easily customized. Whether you’re looking to automate a routine task or develop a custom application, we can help. With an extensive suite of drawing, illustration, and rendering tools, Vectorworks allows you to produce remarkable line drawings and 3D presentations. -
26
picoCAD
Johan Peitz
picoCAD is a program to build and texture low-poly 3D models. Where many programs for modeling and texturing are bloated and overly complicated, picoCAD aims to make it fun, easy, and accessible by focusing on the bare essentials. It is built on the PICO-8 platform and comes rich with constraints. Experiment to find your own workflow and anything is possible. picoCAD is a standalone application and you don't need PICO-8 to run it. Features include a streamlined and easy-to-use editor, the ability to place and modify meshes to create amazing things, live manipulation of textures and UV coordinates, a unique look with picoCAD's dithered shading, rendering in wireframe, solid fill, or textured modes, and it ships with a manual that is worth reading. You can save files in an easy-to-read text format, export Twitter-friendly GIFs, and export to OBJ/MTL for import into Blender, Unity, etc. A Steam key is included with every purchase.Starting Price: $5.95 one-time payment -
27
AutoScan
Newton Software
Autoscan software gives Bill of Quantities from ACAD drawings in LBD measurement sheets and abstract formats. It gives BOQ for concrete quantities for footing, column beam slab with shuttering and all the major finishing items like flooring, skirting, dado, paint, plaster, waterproofing, masonry and many more. It is a very user-friendly product generates quantities within minutes. Ideal for giving quick estimates. Saves manual errors and it is 50 times faster and reliable and accurate than the manual process. It is independent of human expertise and dependence. -
28
VStitcher
Browzwear
VStitcher is the industry’s leading 3D fashion design and development software. With VStitcher, designers have the ability to design garments through size ranges, leverage graphics, fabrics, trims, colorways, styling, and photorealistic 3D rendering. Its comprehensive set of features enables designers, technical specialists, and pattern makers to create designs and take them to the next level with a true-motion fit, pattern modification, grading, tech pack, and more. Create or modify patterns and translate into a realistic 3D prototype that showcases endless variations from physical fabric properties to material visualization, seams, pockets, layers, padding, creases, 3D rigid accessories, trims and more. -
29
Thea Render
Altair
Thea Render is the most versatile 3D renderer featuring state-of-the-art unbiased and GPU engines. All the engines operate within the same framework and switching from one to another is just a click away. Thea Render is tightly integrated inside Trimble SketchUp® and Robert McNeel & Associates Rhinoceros®. -
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Dieline Genius
AlphaCorr
Create or modify precision display and packaging designs in corrugated and folding carton materials for boxes, self-standing and retail displays, and pop-ups on your choice of Mac or Windows platforms. Select a template from our library of over 500 designs or create your own from scratch, visualize the results in 3D and output the results to production. You can even design your own steel rules dies if you’d like. Quickly create customized packaging and point-of-purchase display dielines from our library of 500 parametric designs. AlphaCorr acquired Rules Software in 2008. Rules Software was the original team that developed Ashlar Score in technical collaboration with Ashlar-Vellum in 1992, before selling it to Dimensional Impressions several years later. Using Ashlar-Vellum’s CAD engine, Rules™, and now the AlphaCorr team has developed a complete set of commands and enhancements specifically for the packaging and display design market.