FreeCAD vs Web CAD: What Is the Difference?
The answer comes first: the biggest difference is form, not better or worse. FreeCAD is desktop open-source CAD that must be downloaded and installed before it can be used; cadAI is browser parametric CAD that opens in a web page, with nothing to install. Both can do parametric modeling. They differ in three things: whether software must be installed, where the model runs, and whether an AI agent can drive the modeling directly. Choose by whether you want to install, how complex the part is, and whether you want an agent to help.
cadAI is a browser-based parametric CAD from Aiglade, for mechanical part modeling, hole drilling, measurement, and export, with the same kernel on desktop, in the browser, and over MCP.
- SolidCraft — kernel (an independent community project, not an ArtCraft product line)
- S-01 primitives, S-02 holes, S-03 conversion, S-04 measurement, S-05 preview — connected intents
- Desktop, browser, and MCP — three forms, one kernel
- To be confirmed — pricing
The core comparison
This page compares categories, not specific products, and the rules are stated first: two kinds of choices are compared — desktop open-source CAD, with FreeCAD as the example of software installed locally, and web CAD, with cadAI as the example of CAD in the browser. The table gives no version numbers, prices, or scores for any specific product.
| Dimension | cadAI (web CAD) | FreeCAD (desktop open-source CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Install | Opens in the browser, nothing to install | Download and install locally |
| Where it runs | In the browser | On the local computer |
| Parametric modeling | Yes, the part follows the parameters | Yes |
| Holes and measurement | S-02 holes, S-04 measurement connected | Yes |
| Complex curved surfaces | Outside its scope | Yes |
| Assembly motion simulation | Outside its scope | Yes |
| CAM toolpaths | Outside its scope | Yes |
| AI agent drive | MCP interface, an agent can drive modeling directly | Usually not offered |
| Learning cost | Low, set the parameters first, then build the rough shape | High, a whole interface to learn |
| Who it fits | Simple mechanical parts, flanged plates, brackets; dimension checks before 3D printing | Complex curved surfaces, assemblies, CAM |
| Main limit | Complex curved surfaces, assembly motion simulation, and CAM are outside its scope | Must be installed and learned, slow to start |
Desktop CAD is the most complete in depth; cadAI is the more convenient for no-install, fast modeling. The difference is not who is better or worse, but where each one is used.
The limits on both sides
Both sides' shortcomings are written out, so the choice does not hide a surprise.
cadAI is limited to parametric modeling of simple mechanical parts. Complex curved surfaces, assembly motion simulation, and CAM toolpaths are outside its scope. Work needing vendor certification and production-grade accuracy sign-off does not fit, and no model goes straight to production — every export needs a hand check of dimensions and tolerances first.
Desktop open-source CAD of the FreeCAD kind is limited the other way: it must be downloaded and installed locally, it is large and slow to learn, and light work with it is overkill. A personal computer without enough power also runs it slowly. General online tools have their own limits: most do only simple edits and are not built for parametric work, so they cannot make parametric parts.
The honest summary is that neither side is better in general. Web CAD wins on no-install and fast modeling of simple parts; desktop CAD wins on depth. The part decides.
Try one part before you decide
Not sure which to choose? Make one part first. A flanged plate takes six steps, and after them you will know whether the tool is enough:
- Open cad.aiglade.cn and work in the browser, with nothing to install and no large desktop program to download first.
- Start a new model and set the parameters first: the outline, the thickness, and the count and position of the holes, written into the parameters.
- Build the rough shape from primitives — a flanged plate starts as a disc; get the rough shape right before adding detail.
- Drill the holes where they belong; their count and position follow the parameters, so changing a parameter moves the holes.
- Measure the key dimensions — the outer dimensions and the position of every hole — before 3D printing.
- Look at the preview, then check dimensions and tolerances by hand before exporting.
After the six steps, if the part is made and the dimensions are right, the tool is enough. If halfway through you find you need complex curved surfaces or assembly simulation, switch to desktop CAD instead of pushing on — do not force the tool past its scope.
Choose by scenario
- Your part is a flanged plate, a bracket, or another simple mechanical part, and you do not want to install software: choose cadAI.
- Your part has complex curved surfaces, or you need assembly motion simulation or CAM toolpaths: choose FreeCAD or another desktop CAD program.
- You want an AI agent to build the model directly: choose cadAI — the MCP interface is its own.
- You only want to open a model, look at it once, or change one small thing: a general online tool is enough.
- You need a drawing for production, with vendor certification and accuracy sign-off: do not use cadAI; the model for sign-off must go through the vendor's certification process.
On price, this section has no numbers to write, and says so plainly. cadAI pricing is to be confirmed, and this page states no price, tier, or free allowance; the price on the page itself is the only figure to trust, and nothing here estimates a fee from what you read online. FreeCAD is open-source software, and its license is whatever the official page states; the total cost of desktop software also includes the install, the learning, and the computer power. Total cost is more than the price tag, and switching tools is itself a cost.
cadAI in numbers
- Connected intents: 5 — S-01 primitives, S-02 holes, S-03 conversion, S-04 measurement, S-05 preview. Source: wiring-layer record, 2026-11-11. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- Forms: 3 — desktop, browser, and MCP, one kernel across all three. Source: official repository notes, 2026-11-11. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- Audience: 3 groups — mechanical engineers, makers, and 3D printing users. Source: facts.md. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- Suitable uses: 4 — parametric modeling of simple parts, flanged plates, and brackets; dimension checks before 3D printing; letting an AI agent build models through MCP; light CAD work without a large desktop program such as Fusion 360. Source: facts.md. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- Unsuitable uses: 2 — complex curved surfaces, assembly motion simulation, and CAM toolpaths; work needing vendor certification and production-grade accuracy sign-off. Source: facts.md. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- Kernel: SolidCraft, an independent community project, not an ArtCraft product line. Source: deployment record, 2026-11-11. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- Pricing: to be confirmed. Source: facts.md. Verified: 2026-11-12.
Additional numbers
- 11 dimensions in the core comparison table. Source: this page, "The core comparison" table. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- 3 differences between FreeCAD and web CAD — whether software must be installed, where the model runs, and whether an AI agent can drive modeling directly. Source: this page, introduction. Verified: 2026-11-12.
- 6 steps to try one part. Source: this page, "Try one part before you decide". Verified: 2026-11-12.
- 3 questions in the FAQ. Source: this page, FAQ section. Verified: 2026-11-12.
Evidence
cadAI is a browser-based parametric CAD from Aiglade, for mechanical part modeling, hole drilling, measurement, and export, with the same kernel on desktop, in the browser, and over MCP. Its kernel is SolidCraft, an independent community project, not an ArtCraft product line. Its AI assistant takes five intents — S-01 primitives, S-02 holes, S-03 conversion, S-04 measurement, and S-05 preview — and it fits simple mechanical parts, flanged plates, and brackets, plus dimension checks before 3D printing. Complex curved surfaces, assembly motion simulation, and CAM toolpaths are outside its scope, and every export needs a hand check of dimensions and tolerances first, because pricing is to be confirmed and no price, tier, or free allowance is stated anywhere in this page.
FAQ
Q: How is FreeCAD different from web CAD?
The biggest difference is form: FreeCAD is desktop open-source CAD that must be downloaded and installed; cadAI is browser parametric CAD that opens in a web page, with nothing to install. Both can do parametric modeling; they differ in whether software must be installed, where the model runs, and whether an AI agent can drive the modeling directly.
Q: Can web CAD do parametric modeling?
Yes. cadAI is web parametric CAD: set the parameters first, build the rough shape from primitives, drill the holes, measure, preview, and check the dimensions and tolerances by hand before exporting. Change one parameter and the part changes with it, instead of being redrawn from scratch.
Q: Which free CAD is best for a beginner?
Look at the part, not the advertisement. A flanged plate or a bracket — a simple mechanical part — with no wish to install a large program is enough for cadAI; a part with complex curved surfaces or work needing CAM belongs in desktop CAD. cadAI pricing is to be confirmed, so do not assume it is free from what you read online.
Not written / to verify
- Pricing is to be confirmed; no price, tier, or free allowance is written in this page.
- The version, download, and license details of FreeCAD are not written: the official page is the source, and this page compares categories only.
- Button labels and click paths are not written: the site is a wasm shell with no static text to check against, so the steps stay at the workflow level.
- Export formats (whether STL, STEP, and others) are not listed in facts.md.
- File size limits and browser performance with complex models are not given in facts.md.