Dev tools · alternatives · 2026
24 alternatives to JermCAD – A YAML-powered, vibe-coded, browser-based CAD software
I had a hard time figuring out CAD software like Fusion, OnShape, etc., and decided to go about making my own CAD modeling software that I can "program" my models similar to how I think about them in my head. I used Cursor to write like 95+% of this, giving it my YAML examples and making it implement the actual code to make those work. Currently 100% self-hosted, and it is just a static HTML/CSS/JS, so it might just work without running npm at all. Very few features working currently, basically just modeling a few primitive solids, and boolean operations.
Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes.
- 1FP
Hello HN users, This is a CAD by code project I have been working on on my free time for more than year now. I built it with 3 goals in mind: - It should be familiar to CAD designers who have used other programs. Same workflow, same terminology. - Reduce the mental effort required to create models as much as possible. This is achieved by: - Provide live rendering and visual guidance as you type. - Allow the user to reference existing edges/faces on the scene instead of having to calculate everything. - Provide interactive mouse helpers for features that are hard to write by code: Only 3…
Apr 2026 · fluidcad.io · its alternatives →
- 2

Hey HN. Over the last half a year I have been working on a 3D CAD programming language called DSLCAD. Today I am here to show my first release! It is heavily inspired by OpenSCAD which got me hooked on the idea of a CAD programming language and what it can do. Please let me know what you think. Ill be in the thread to answer any questions you may have.
2023 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 3

Hey HN! I'm Zach from Adam (https://adam.new/). We’re building an AI co-pilot for mechanical CAD software. As part of our broader research, we built a browser-based Text-to-CAD app (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44182206) and are now open sourcing it. This is a React SPA with a Supabase backend. What it does: * Generates parametric 3D models from natural language descriptions, with support for both text prompts and image references * Outputs OpenSCAD code with automatically extracted parameters that surface as interactive sliders for instant dimension…
2025 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 4CA
I'm currently developing Chili3D, an open-source, browser-based 3D CAD application. By compiling OpenCascade to WebAssembly and integrating Three.js, Chili3D delivers near-native performance for powerful online modeling, editing, and rendering—all without local installation. Access it here: https://github.com/xiangechen/chili3d Features: Modeling Tools: Create basic shapes (boxes, cylinders, cones, etc.), 2D sketches (lines, arcs, circles, etc.), and perform advanced operations (boolean operations, extrusion, revolution, etc.). Snapping and Tracking: Precisely snap to…
2025 · its alternatives →
- 5RT
The library to build browser based 3D models with code.
2023 · replicad.xyz · its alternatives →
- 6
FreeCAD 1.1▲218Extremely powerful, completely free 3D CAD modeling
Mar 2026 · wiki.freecad.org · its alternatives →
- 7
PixyCAD ▲126Fast & precise 3D CAD built natively for iPad and Mac
Jul 2026 · pixycad.com · its alternatives →
- 8

I'd like to share a new workbench I've been working on called DiffCAD. Coming from a software engineering background, not having the ability to properly diff my CAD model changes was driving me crazy. This project scratches my own itch, and maybe someone elses', too! I'm open to feedback, ideas, and contributions. Cheers!
May 2026 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 9

- 10

Hi HN, I’m the creator of SynapsCAD, an open-source desktop application I've been building that combines an OpenSCAD code editor, a real-time 3D viewport, and an AI assistant. You can write OpenSCAD code, compile it directly to a 3D mesh, and use an LLM (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, ...) to modify the code through natural language. Demo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN8a5UozS5Q A bit about the architecture: - It’s built entirely in Rust. - The UI and 3D viewport are powered by Bevy 0.15 and egui. - It uses a pure-Rust compilation pipeline (openscad-rs for parsing and csgrs…
Feb 2026 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 11

SolidCraft: an open-source parametric 3D CAD application built in pure Rust. Desktop, web, and automation through MCP. - bherbruck/solidcraft
10d ago · github.com · its alternatives →
- 12

Jerrica is a small, bare bones, 100% scheduled, web audio native, MOD player designed to be embedded in Javascript games - trevorjay/Jerrica
2022 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 13

"Game" is a stretch, but I put together this repo containing a pure Rust app which uses SDL2 and compiles to WASM (and can be run in a browser). Older resources were a bit out of date and a bit too verbose for my purposes, so here's a minimal working example.
2024 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 14

Hey! A while back, I wrote a templating engine (MIT License), which I mostly use for small side projects, either static or ssr generated. Simplicity is one of the main goals. I'll be happy to answer any questions. The main goal for sharing it is to simply get some feedback. Best, Emil
2024 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 15
agentcad▲110A CAD design tool for coding agents (free + open source)
Jun 2026 · agentcad.dev · its alternatives →
- 16
Whisker▲94Create and edit CAD models into production-ready prototypes
Mar 2026 · whisker.spatialkittens.com · its alternatives →
- 17
NodeBox▲79Node-based software application for generative design
2015 · nodebox.net · its alternatives →
- 18

Hi everyone started this project a year ago to generate the CAD for a Jet Engine Axial Compressor. I am now open sourcing this tool that can take in a JSON file with specs and generate the CAD assembly. Still has a lot of work to improve designs but there isn't anything the Open Source community can't accomplish!
2023 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 19OC
2013 · fabfabbers.com · its alternatives →
- 20

Contribute to itta611/ChokokuCAD development by creating an account on GitHub.
2021 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 21

Spicy templating for node and the browser inspired by Twig, Dust.JS and Hogan.JS - deoxxa/node-ginger
2012 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 22

- 23

Contribute to sdegutis/immaculatalibrary.com development by creating an account on GitHub.
2023 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 24CW
This is the first time I manage to publish a side project in 12 years of web development (achievement unlocked!). I’ll be happy to read your thoughts about it. I’m interested in all types of feedback, and particularly I’d like to know if you’re aware of similar projects, as I haven’t found any. This is about helping makers build things, wooden things for now, when they don’t want to invest time to use or learn CAD softwares. I think the value will be tied to the size of the catalog, for now there is only two examples. Stack wise this is React, React-three-fiber and Nuxt.js. Three.js may not…
2023 · beta.otterplans.com · its alternatives →
Also compare
- FluidCAD – Parametric CAD with JavaScript alternatives
- DSLCad – a programming language and interpreter for building 3D models alternatives
- Open-sourcing our text-to-CAD app alternatives
- Chili3d – A open-source, browser-based 3D CAD application alternatives
- Replicad, the Library for CAD in the Browser alternatives
- FreeCAD 1.1 alternatives
Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →