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Side-by-side comparison

progeCAD vs QCAD

QCAD is free, open-source 2D drafting.
progeCAD is $540 once, with native DWG and 3D solids built in.

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Buy now — $540

Full comparison

Everything side by side.

How progeCAD Professional compares with QCAD for a buyer in the United States.

Last updated October 2026. QCAD details are taken from Wikipedia and Capterra's QCAD listing (listing updated October 19, 2026), checked October 2026, and may change. Confirm current QCAD pricing and DWG support at qcad.org before buying.

Feature
progeCAD
$540 one-time · Windows
QCAD
open-source edition
Price and licensing
Price
Per each vendor's own pages
$540 one-time
Free Community Edition
source code; paid professional version also sold
Free version
30-day free trial
full features
Open source (GPL)
Community Edition is source code only
Perpetual license
✓
Every progeCAD license
One-time price listed
for the paid tier
Drawing and compatibility
Native DWG
✓
In every progeCAD license
~
A paid add-on or professional version
3D solid modeling
✓
ACIS solids included
✗
QCAD is for 2D design and drafting
AutoLISP and VBA
✓
AutoLISP, VBA, SDS, IRX, SCR
See QCAD
Platforms
Windows
Mac: iCADMac, $925
Windows, macOS, Linux
also Unix, per Wikipedia

Why progeCAD

Why US teams choose progeCAD over QCAD.

Native DWG and 3D in one license, with AutoCAD-style commands and US support.

DWG without extra steps.

progeCAD reads and writes DWG natively in every license, so drawings from AutoCAD users open and save without conversion.

2D and 3D in one program.

progeCAD Professional is $540 one-time and includes 2D drafting, 3D solid modeling and PDF-to-DWG import. QCAD is a 2D drafting application.

AutoCAD-style commands.

progeCAD follows AutoCAD's command names, shortcuts and AutoLISP, so AutoCAD users and their routines carry over. Questions are answered by progeCAD USA in Clackamas, Oregon.

When QCAD may fit better: if you need a free, open-source 2D drafting tool, or you work on Linux, QCAD is worth evaluating. Comparing other options? See progeCAD vs AutoCAD, progeCAD vs BricsCAD, best AutoCAD alternatives or all comparisons.

Common questions

progeCAD vs QCAD — FAQ.

Answers for buyers comparing progeCAD and QCAD.

QCAD is open-source 2D CAD under the GPL. Per Wikipedia, it is distributed as a time-limited Professional Trial or as a Community Edition that is source code only, and DWG support is a commercial add-on. progeCAD Professional is $540 one-time and includes a free 30-day full-feature trial.
Per Wikipedia and Capterra's QCAD listing (updated October 2026), DWG support is a commercial (paid) add-on or part of QCAD's professional version. Confirm what you need at qcad.org. progeCAD reads and writes DWG natively in every license.
QCAD is a two-dimensional design and drafting application. progeCAD Professional includes 3D ACIS solid modeling alongside 2D drafting.
Yes. QCAD works with DXF files, and DWG in its paid version. progeCAD reads and writes DWG natively (DWG 2.5 through the current format), so drawings move between the two without conversion. DXF files work the same way.
Yes. iCADMac is the Mac-native edition: AutoCAD-compatible, native DWG, Apple Silicon and Intel supported, sold as a one-time perpetual license at $925. progeCAD Professional, the Windows edition, is $540.

Try progeCAD free for 30 days.

Native DWG, AutoCAD-style commands, 2D and 3D — one-time price of $540, sold and supported in the US.

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Buy now — $540

Perpetual license · No annual renewal · Instant download · Windows