AutoCAD vs FreeCAD:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, AutoCAD had more branded searches than FreeCAD among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand. AutoCAD had about 2,990 branded searches, while FreeCAD had 1,300. AutoCAD made up 5.7% of all CAD and 3D design software searches we track, and FreeCAD accounted for 2.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about CAD and 3D design software, AutoCAD appeared in four of the five answers and FreeCAD in three. AutoCAD and FreeCAD were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
AutoCAD, about 2 searches for every 1 for FreeCAD
Who does AI mention more?
AutoCAD, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, FreeCAD in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top CAD and 3D design software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, AutoCAD was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. FreeCAD was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. AutoCAD and FreeCAD were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Fusion 3601st
SketchUp2nd
SolidWorks3rd- AutoCAD4th
- Revit5th
FreeCAD6th
Blender7th
Onshape8th
Tinkercad9th
Cadpro10th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- SketchUp5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Fusion 3605 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- SolidWorks5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Onshape4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- AutoCAD4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Blender4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Revit3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- FreeCAD3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Cadpro3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Tinkercad1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about CAD and 3D design software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which CAD or 3D design tool should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best CAD and 3D design tools in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best CAD or 3D design tool in New Zealand for design work?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cad software nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“3d design software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is AutoCAD or FreeCAD more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for AutoCAD and FreeCAD by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten CAD and 3D design software we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for AutoCAD, FreeCAD. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Tinkercad | SketchUp | Onshape | Fusion 360 | AutoCAD | Revit | FreeCAD | SolidWorks | Blender | Cadpro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 54.5% | 21.5% | 7.2% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 2.7% | 2.1% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 0.64% |
| Dec 2025 | 43.2% | 19.5% | 8.5% | 8.1% | 5.1% | 4.7% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 2.4% | 0.74% |
| Jan 2026 | 26.6% | 21.8% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 8.7% | 6.1% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 3.1% | 1% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.2% | 19.1% | 11.9% | 6.4% | 4.1% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.58% |
| Mar 2026 | 49.9% | 24% | 9.9% | 4.5% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 2% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 0.48% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.4% | 23.9% | 10.5% | 6.2% | 4.3% | 3.9% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 0.62% |
| May 2026 | 45.2% | 27% | 11% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.43% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.1% | 25.2% | 10.2% | 3.9% | 2.8% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0.33% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.8% | 26.8% | 13.3% | 6.5% | 5.2% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 0.52% |
| Aug 2026 | 45.3% | 27.2% | 11% | 4.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.29% |
| Sep 2026 | 49.9% | 24% | 9.9% | 4.2% | 3.6% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.48% |
| Oct 2026 | 42.5% | 24.9% | 10.3% | 6.2% | 5.7% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.5% |
How has branded search for AutoCAD and FreeCAD changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- AutoCAD was ahead of FreeCAD in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, AutoCAD’s share of searches among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand moved from 3.6% to 5.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2K to 3K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, FreeCAD’s share of searches among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand moved from 2.1% to 2.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand CAD and 3D design software in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, AutoCAD gained share of searches among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand, from 3.6% to 5.7%.
In October 2026, FreeCAD gained share of searches among CAD and 3D design software in New Zealand, from 1.9% to 2.5%.
How are AutoCAD’s and FreeCAD’s branded searches counted?
11 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using AutoCAD’s and FreeCAD’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among CAD and 3D design software
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