Our verdict: DraftSight is a cheaper alternative to AutoCAD for people who work with DWG files every day: the commands and interface will feel familiar, and AutoLISP routines carry over. It is no longer free, so after the 30-day trial you need a subscription from $299 a year. For occasional 2D drafting, LibreCAD or FreeCAD cost nothing.
About DraftSight
DraftSight is developed by Dassault Systèmes, the company behind SOLIDWORKS. It creates, edits and views DWG, DXF and DGN drawings and uses a command set and interface close to AutoCAD, so teams can switch with little retraining. DraftSight Professional covers 2D drafting with an API and AutoLISP; Premium adds parametric constraints, 3D modeling, a BIM module, Sheet Set Manager, STEP import and DGN export.
The free edition of DraftSight was discontinued. The official trial is a 30-day, full-featured version of DraftSight Premium that needs no payment details, but you must fill in a form to get the download. After the trial, DraftSight Professional costs $299 a year and Premium $599 a year; perpetual and network licenses are sold only through resellers.
What it does well
- DWG, DXF and DGN. Creates, edits and shares DWG and DXF drawings and works with DGN files.
- Familiar commands. An AutoCAD-like interface and command line shorten the learning curve.
- AutoLISP and API. Runs AutoLISP routines and supports automation through an API.
- Parametric constraints. Premium keeps geometric and dimensional relationships between objects.
- 3D and BIM. Premium creates 3D solids and meshes and includes a BIM module for model data.
Who it is for
Good fit
Engineers, architects and drafters who exchange DWG files daily and want an AutoCAD-like tool at a lower price.
Look elsewhere
Hobbyists and students who need free 2D CAD, and Windows 10 users, since DraftSight 2026 supports only Windows 11.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Close to AutoCAD in commands and interface
- Native DWG and DXF editing
- AutoLISP support for existing routines
- Cheaper than most professional DWG editors
Cons
- No free version anymore; the trial lasts 30 days
- Annual subscription only when bought online
- Trial download is behind a contact form
How to install DraftSight
The official page asks for your name and contact details before it shows the trial download, so there is no direct link here. The trial is DraftSight Premium for 30 days and needs no card. DraftSight 2026 requires 64-bit Windows 11, at least 8 GB of RAM and does not support ARM processors.
Questions about DraftSight
Is DraftSight free?
No. The free edition was discontinued. DraftSight offers a 30-day trial of the Premium edition that needs no payment details but requires a form; after that it stops working until you buy DraftSight Professional for $299 a year or Premium for $599 a year.
Can DraftSight open AutoCAD files?
Yes. DraftSight creates, opens and edits DWG and DXF files, the formats used by AutoCAD.
Does DraftSight run on Windows 10?
DraftSight 2026 lists only 64-bit Windows 11 in its system requirements. macOS 14 and later is also supported.
