Key Difference Between LibreCAD and QCAD
LibreCAD vs. QCAD is outlined below. LibreCAD is a free 2D CAD program that was forked from QCAD Community Edition. Its GUI is based on QT5 libraries, therefore it works on multiple systems. QCAD, or computer-aided design software, offers 2D design and drafting.
Its Qt-based GUI is partly licensed under the GNU General Public License. Both software has various features, which we’ll cover today. Start our discussion. To understand both applications, we must study their essential details in a comparison table. Let’s start with it.
LibreCAD vs QCAD Comparison Table
Open-source CAD software includes LibreCAD and QCAD. A comparative chart shows key differences:
| Aspect | LibreCAD | QCAD |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPLv2 (open-source) | Commercial with a free community edition (open-source) |
| Platform Support | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| User Interface | Simple and intuitive | Intuitive with a traditional CAD interface |
| Features | Basic 2D drafting features | Comprehensive 2D drafting and 3D modeling features |
| 3D Modeling | Primarily focused on 2D drafting | Supports basic 3D modeling alongside 2D drafting |
| Community Support | Active community, but smaller than QCAD | Active community with extensive user forums and support |
| Updates and Development | Regular updates with ongoing development | Regular updates with a focus on stability and improvements |
| Scripting and Automation | Limited scripting capabilities | Supports scripting with ECMAScript (JavaScript) |
| Price | Free and open-source | Commercial with a free community edition |
| File Format Support | DXF (native), DWG (import/export with limitations) | DXF (native), DWG (import/export with limitations), SVG, and more |
| Customization | Limited customization options | Offers some customization through scripts and plugins |
| Learning Curve | Generally easy to learn | Relatively easy to learn with comprehensive documentation |
| Industry Focus | Suitable for hobbyists, students, and small projects | Suitable for a wide range of industries and professional use |
| Collaboration Tools | Limited collaboration features | Supports collaboration with features like block sharing and version control |
| Use Cases | Suitable for simple 2D drafting and drawing tasks | Suitable for a wide range of 2D drafting and 3D modeling tasks |