Top HydroCAD Alternatives & Competitors

Finding the right software for your business can be challenging, and while HydroCAD is a popular choice, it may not be the perfect fit for everyone. If you're exploring HydroCAD alternatives, you're in the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the top competitors that offer similar features, pricing, and benefits. Compare the best alternatives to HydroCAD and discover the ideal solution tailored to your needs.

HydroCAD is also listed in these categories:

All Competitors and Alternatives to HydroCAD

AutoCAD

Computer-aided design software to create precise 2D and 3D drawings.

AutoCAD from Autodesk is a computer-aided software used for making detailed drawings and plans. It's like a digital tool that architects and designers use to create visual blueprints. With AutoCAD, you can draw in two dimensions (2D) or three dimensions (3D), making it versatile for different projects. This software helps professionals map out buildings, machines, and various structures before the... Read more about AutoCAD

Free Trial

15 Days

Pricing Type

$250 Per month

Location

United States

AutoCAD LT is a leading 2D drafting and design software widely used in engineering, architecture, and construction. This powerful tool provides users with intuitive drafting capabilities, allowing for precise technical drawings and schematics. AutoCAD LT’s extensive library of customizable templates and design tools enhances productivity, making it ideal for professionals looking to streamline t... Read more about AutoCAD LT

Free Trial

Available

Pricing Type

$60 Per month

Location

United States

Fusion 360 is a state-of-the-art 3D CAD software developed by Autodesk, designed to provide a comprehensive solution for product design, engineering, and manufacturing. This powerful platform integrates industrial and mechanical design, simulation, collaboration, and machining into a single, unified environment, streamlining the product development process from concept to production. Fusion 360’... Read more about Fusion 360

Free Trial

Available

Pricing Type

$495 Per year

Location

United States

Civil 3D is an advanced engineering CAD software designed for civil engineering professionals to create, analyze, and manage land development projects. The platform offers powerful tools for designing roads, highways, grading, drainage, and utility networks, enabling engineers to work efficiently and accurately. Civil 3D integrates with other Autodesk tools, such as AutoCAD, to enhance collaborati... Read more about Civil 3D

Free Trial

Available

Pricing Type

$320 Per month

Location

United States

Inventor is a powerful 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software designed to empower engineers, designers, and manufacturers in creating detailed and precise digital models. Ideal for a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, machinery, and consumer products, Inventor offers a comprehensive suite of tools for 3D modeling, simulation, and documentation. The software's intuitive int... Read more about Inventor

Free Trial

Available

Pricing Type

$300 Per month

Location

United States

MATLAB

Easiest and most productive software environment for engineers and scientists.

MATLAB is a high-level programming and interactive environment used by millions of engineers and scientists worldwide. It specializes in matrix operations, data visualization, and algorithm development, offering a versatile platform for technical computing. MATLAB simplifies complex numerical calculations and makes data analysis and visualization easy with its intuitive programming language and bu... Read more about MATLAB

Free Trial

30 Days

Pricing Type

$887.95 Per year

Location

United States

CATIA

Shape the World We Live In

CATIA is a powerful software suite widely used in engineering and design. Developed by Dassault Systèmes, CATIA facilitates the creation, modification, and analysis of complex 3D models across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing. With an intuitive interface, CATIA enables users to design intricate components, simulate their behavior, and optimize performance. It... Read more about CATIA

Free Trial

30 Days

Pricing Type

$7,560 Per year

Location

France

SolidWorks Premium is an advanced engineering CAD software designed for professionals in product design and development. This comprehensive platform offers a wide array of tools for 3D modeling, simulation, and product data management, enabling engineers to create and optimize designs efficiently. With its intuitive interface and powerful capabilities, SolidWorks Premium supports complex geometrie... Read more about SolidWorks Premium

Free Trial

Available

Pricing Type

Contact Vendor

Location

United States

Creo

Industry’s leading 3D CAD software

Creo is a cutting-edge Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software renowned for its ability to enhance the product design process. Its strength lies in its versatility, supporting a range of functionalities from 2D drafting to advanced 3D modeling. Creo stands out with its robust parametric design capabilities, allowing designers to easily modify designs by changing parameter values. This software is par... Read more about Creo

Free Trial

30 Days

Pricing Type

Contact Vendor

Location

United States

Altium Designer is a leading computer-aided design (CAD) software specifically developed for electronics engineers and PCB (printed circuit board) designers. It provides a unified environment for designing, simulating, and manufacturing complex PCB designs. Altium Designer integrates design schematic capture, PCB layout, component management, and simulation into a single platform, improving workfl... Read more about Altium Designer

Free Trial

Available

Pricing Type

$358 Per user

Location

United States

Altium 365 is a cloud-based engineering CAD (computer-aided design) software tailored to the needs of electronic engineers and designers. It provides an advanced suite of tools for designing complex circuit boards, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and electronic systems. Altium 365 integrates seamlessly with Altium Designer, offering a collaborative platform where design teams can work together in r... Read more about Altium 365

Free Trial

NA

Pricing Type

Contact Vendor

Location

United States

Alibre Design is a powerful 3D CAD software designed to enhance product design and engineering processes across various industries. This platform provides tools for creating detailed 3D models, simulations, and technical drawings, allowing designers and engineers to visualize and develop their ideas effectively. Alibre Design features an intuitive interface that streamlines the design workflow, en... Read more about Alibre Design

Free Trial

Available

Pricing Type

$10 Per month

Location

United States

GeoHECRAS is a specialized engineering CAD software tailored for hydraulic modeling and river engineering projects. Combining the capabilities of GEH (Geomatics Hydraulic Engineering) with HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System), GeoHECRAS provides engineers with robust tools for simulating water flow, analyzing flood scenarios, and designing hydraulic structures. The sof... Read more about GeoHECRAS

Free Trial

Available

Pricing Type

Contact Vendor

Location

United States

ActCAD is a powerful engineering CAD software that supports 2D drafting and 3D modeling, tailored for architects, engineers, and designers. Built on the IntelliCAD engine, ActCAD provides robust tools for precise drafting, accurate modeling, and efficient project management. It supports multiple CAD file formats, ensuring compatibility with various software platforms, making collaboration seamless... Read more about ActCAD

Free Trial

Available

Pricing Type

$249 Per one-time

Location

India

ClearCalcs is a specialized engineering CAD software that simplifies the design and analysis of structural calculations for engineers. It offers an intuitive platform for creating accurate structural designs while ensuring compliance with industry standards. Users can perform calculations for various materials, including steel, concrete, and timber, and generate detailed reports that summarize des... Read more about ClearCalcs

Free Trial

Available

Pricing Type

$79 Per month

Location

Australia

FAQs About HydroCAD Alternatives

Some of the best alternatives to HydroCAD include AutoCAD, Inventor, Civil 3D, AutoCAD LT, Fusion 360, MATLAB, CATIA, SolidWorks Premium, Creo, Altium 365, Altium Designer, Alibre Design, GeoHECRAS, ActCAD and ClearCalcs. These alternatives offer similar features, better pricing, and more flexibility depending on your business needs.

There are various reasons why users look for alternatives to HydroCAD, such as pricing concerns, missing features, better integration options, or improved customer support. Exploring alternative solutions ensures that businesses find the best fit for their specific requirements.

Yes! Depending on the product, you may find:

  • Free Trial options like AutoCAD, Inventor, Civil 3D, AutoCAD LT, Fusion 360, MATLAB, CATIA, SolidWorks Premium, Creo, Altium Designer, Alibre Design, GeoHECRAS, ActCAD and ClearCalcs (test premium features before subscribing).

These no-cost or low-cost alternatives can be ideal for startups and small businesses with budget constraints, but often come with feature limitations or usage caps. Always check each option’s details to ensure it fits your specific needs.

Small businesses looking for an easy-to-use and cost-effective alternative to HydroCAD can consider AutoCAD, Inventor, Civil 3D, AutoCAD LT, Fusion 360, MATLAB, CATIA, SolidWorks Premium, Creo, Altium 365, Altium Designer, Alibre Design, GeoHECRAS, ActCAD and ClearCalcs. These software options offer affordable pricing, simple setup, and essential business features tailored for growing teams.

Enterprises seeking a robust alternative to HydroCAD can explore AutoCAD, MATLAB, CATIA and Creo. These platforms offer scalability, advanced automation, top-tier security, and enterprise-grade customer support to meet large-scale business needs.

Some of the best cloud-based alternatives to HydroCAD include AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Fusion 360, MATLAB, CATIA, SolidWorks Premium, Creo, Altium 365, Altium Designer and ClearCalcs. These platforms offer seamless remote access, real-time collaboration, automatic updates, and enhanced security for smooth software management.

Yes, most HydroCAD alternatives provide mobile apps for iOS and Android. Options like AutoCAD and Fusion 360 offer full-featured mobile applications that allow users to manage tasks, track progress, and collaborate on the go.