TrustRadius: an HG Insights company

Save this comparison

Save this comparison

Add Product

Recommended Comparisons

    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    CATIA

    Score8.1 out of 10
    N/ACATIA from Dassault Systemes is a 3D product modeling and design tool used across multiple industries.N/A

    FreeCAD

    Score8 out of 10
    N/AFreeCAD is an open-source CAD software that specialized in 3D design. New features are added to FreeCAD by an active community of developers.N/A
    Pricing
    CATIAFreeCAD
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    CATIAFreeCAD
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    CATIAFreeCAD
    Considered Both Products
    Dassault Systemes
    No answer on this topic
    FreeCAD
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    100%
    Would buy again
    7 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Happy with the feature set
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    7 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    CATIAFreeCAD
    Computer-Aided Design Software
    Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of CATIA and FreeCAD
    Feature
    CATIA
    8.1
    2 Ratings
    8% above category average
    FreeCAD
    7.4
    1 Ratings
    1% below category average
    3D Modeling7.92 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    2D Drafting7.92 Ratings6.01 Ratings
    Rendering and Visualization6.52 Ratings5.01 Ratings
    Parametric Design10.01 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    Collaboration and Sharing8.01 Ratings5.01 Ratings
    Compatibility with other software and formats6.01 Ratings9.01 Ratings
    Assembly Design10.01 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    Simulation and Analysis8.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Documentation and Annotation7.01 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Customization and Extensions10.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    CATIAFreeCAD
    Small Businesses
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Enterprises
    PTC Creo
    Score7.5 out of 10
    PTC Creo
    Score7.5 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    CATIAFreeCAD
    Likelihood to Recommend
    7.2
    (10 ratings)
    8.0
    (2 ratings)
    Usability
    7.2
    (2 ratings)
    6.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    7.8
    (3 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    CATIAFreeCAD
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Dassault Systemes
    When it comes to modelling a product using multiple parts, CATIA becomes tedious. One need someone to sit with and learn with the experience from a frequent user. If switching from any other software to CATIA, it can be intimidating as learning curve is lengthy. For example, when working with complex shape in a knuckle joint, more steps are needed in part modelling. This cause part modelling lengthier and consume time more time, in comparison to SOLIDWORKS. However, CATIA is tremendously helpful in generating really complex features. Surface modelling is way easier when one know how to use it. It becomes really handy to make changes to the design later as well. The design history tree is also very well organized, which save time in later modifications
    Read full review
    FreeCAD
    I see FreeCad as the perfect solution for a startup with limited resources that want to save as much as possible and doesn't mind using non-standard 3D CAD software, i.e., it's not required by customers to use specific software for compatibility. It's perfect for hobbyist use and makers who don't care about brands and pay monthly fees. I see it as very well suited for small businesses that need FEA (finite element analysis) and can't/don't want to pay huge amounts of money for it, just like us. I see FreeCad as less appropriate for big corporations or well-established businesses that need standardized solutions, compatibility with clients or good version management. Don't get me wrong, it can get the job done, but it will be much slower than state-of-the-art CAD systems.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Dassault Systemes
    • Surface modeling module is extremely developed and successful.
    • 2D drafting module is doing the job effectively (AutoCAD is no more required).
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreeCAD
    • Importing CAD formats
    • Converting mesh formats to solid and surface objects geometry
    • Fixing errors in geometry cad
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Dassault Systemes
    • The software is pretty heavy, even with computers designed for heavy-duty loads, resulting in long wait times to load files and make changes, reducing productivity.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreeCAD
    • Overall, the UI feels very old and non-polished.
    • There are some quirky behaviors, like being unable to select a plane by having the cursor over it; it has to be over the edges of the plane.
    • It's overwhelming having those many modules and options for doing things that appear to be similar.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Dassault Systemes
    It is a good software for conception. But it is too hard sometimes to work with and understand the different options available
    Read full review
    FreeCAD
    Usability is awkward. Perhaps if you learn it as your first CAD, it will feel OK. Still, it comes from commercial CAD products like mine (Onshape, Solid Works, Inventor, Solid Edge). You will feel it is less intuitive, with a less polished UI, difficult to customize and, this is a subjective one, less serious. I'd love to see it improve the usability and UI. I believe the engine behind it is powerful, but how you interact with the software is still lacking.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Dassault Systemes
    We got frequent updates on CATIA. There are lots of update notes. Also, there are lots of lots of videos online to solve the issues that you can stumble upon. It also has a built-in help manual, which helps occasionally. I have gotten my education through a physical class on CATIA, so there are opportunities like that as well.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreeCAD
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    Dassault Systemes
    You can create solid or 3D figures more easily and efficiently using Catia than in other programs or in specific AutoCAD. You can also create different pieces to later assemble them and thus create figures even more complex or in greater detail. In the same way, you can make 2D drawings without much complication.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreeCAD
    Freecad is used often when receiving files from multiple sources and the need to work with cad in various forms from meshes to solid cad. Often when receiving scans of 3d objects the format is easy to work with and convert to traditional cad later on. There is no other cad that can bridge the gap between all the cad formats that we found yet.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Dassault Systemes
    • If designing large assemblies or very complex ones, especially in the aerospace industry, CATIA is the way to go.
    • The graphics are really good, and the software offers many possibilities to view a design: 2D, 3D, bird's eye view...
    • Controls pan zoom rotate are easy.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreeCAD
    • It has allowed us to do some cad work that no other systems has allowed us to do and is key to getting that done fast
    • It has lots of online support through forums and blogs for trouble shooting
    • It could have an updated interface to make the functionality more user friendly for first time users
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots