TrustRadius: an HG Insights company

Save this comparison

Save this comparison

Add Product

Recommended Comparisons

    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    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

    Simulink

    Score10 out of 10
    N/AMathWorks offers the Simulink product family including the Simscape physical modeling suite, simulation, validation, and testing tool set, a 3D animation module, signal processing toolbox for wireless communication, control systems, and event-based monitoring, to aid in the design of complex systems.N/A
    Pricing
    FreeCADSimulink
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    FreeCADSimulink
    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
    Features
    FreeCADSimulink
    Computer-Aided Design Software
    Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of FreeCAD and Simulink
    Feature
    FreeCAD
    7.4
    1 Ratings
    1% below category average
    Simulink
    -
    Ratings
    3D Modeling7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    2D Drafting6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Rendering and Visualization5.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Parametric Design7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Collaboration and Sharing5.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Compatibility with other software and formats9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Assembly Design7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Simulation and Analysis10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Documentation and Annotation8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Customization and Extensions10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    FreeCADSimulink
    Small Businesses
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Medium-sized Companies
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Enterprises
    PTC Creo
    Score7.6 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    FreeCADSimulink
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.0
    (2 ratings)
    9.0
    (3 ratings)
    Usability
    6.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    FreeCADSimulink
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Open Source
    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
    MathWorks
    Thanks to the Simulink program, an electrical and electronics engineer can easily design and have information about the system before applying it. After performing the calculations mathematically, it can be tested with this correct program. One of the biggest advantages of the simulation program is that it gives results close to real results. It is also possible to find many training videos.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Open Source
    • Importing CAD formats
    • Converting mesh formats to solid and surface objects geometry
    • Fixing errors in geometry cad
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    MathWorks
    • Control system design for continuous and discrete systems. The control systems toolbox includes many pre-built blocks for common functions, signals and plant models that help you analyse input vs. output responses.
    • Greatly responsive and easy to use graphic based environment ideal for the easy representation of processes using signals that go from one block into another. Most engineering and scientific models including systems of equations can be translated to a Simulink model.
    • Many pre-built toolboxes allow you to save time and facilitate access to create models applicable to many areas of science/engineering like fluid mechanics, robotics, decision making and embedded or electrical systems.
    • Simulink comes bundled within the standard MATLAB package and most of its coding features/packages are compatible and can be used within the Simulink development environment.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Open Source
    • 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
    MathWorks
    • Simpler codification data
    • Better layout of document usage
    • Option of codification manual
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Open Source
    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
    MathWorks
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    Open Source
    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
    MathWorks
    Control blocks and more detailed algorithms can be run in Matlab Simulink. Simulation and PCB drawing of electronic circuit boards are performed in Proteus.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Open Source
    • 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
    MathWorks
    • Reduced investment to achieve desired outcomes in research projects.
    • Opened the doors for our students to experiment with previously unknown engineering methods.
    • Fostered the adoption of model-based design by a great portion of our faculty, especially in more technical areas.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots