VariCAD is a computer program for 3D/2D CAD and mechanical engineering which has been developed since 1988 in the Czech Republic. VariCAD runs on Windows and Linux. It features many tools for 3D modeling and 2D drafting. VariCAD provides support for parameters and geometric constraints, tools for shells, pipelines, sheet metal unbending and crash tests, assembly support, mechanical part and symbol libraries, calculations, bills of materials, and more.
The program includes a standard part library with screws, nuts, bearings etc. Additionally, it offers many calculation modules for, e.g., springs, beam torsion, volume, mass and center of gravity.
VariCAD allows editing of DWG files without conversion using the Open Design Alliance DWGdirect libraries. VariCAD also supports the ISO industrial product data exchange format STEP/STP. A list of notable supported file formats is listed in the Comparison of CAD software article.
What is VariCAD?
VariCAD by VariCAD s.r.o (developed by VARICAD, spol. s r.o.) is proprietary Windows software in the drawing & design category. The first release dates back to 1988. Besides Windows, it is available for GNU/Linux.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (NSIS) installers for 64-bit Windows. The main installer is 122.0 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2026-2.04, released on May 15, 2026. The version history goes back to July 30, 2025: 10 releases, all linked to the official files.
Popularity and file types
Wikipedia has an article about it in 7 of our languages. On Windows it registers 5 file types, including .dxf, .dwg, .stp, .step and .dwb. Similar programs include draw.io, LibreCAD and Inkscape.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Documented silent install
- Also runs on GNU/Linux
- Mature project (since 1988)
Cons
- Proprietary licence: check the terms and price
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: VariCAD is a drawing & design tool for 64-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is VariCAD safe to download?
- The file is served by upgrade.varicad.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
67EA61D75F1E8C23AC7CFEB80A90989C4347AFF2771934F73E5E5BF3965440B5· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 10 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-2.04Latest | May 15, 2026 | 122.0 MB | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2026-2.03 | May 1, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2026-2.02 | April 2, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2026-2.01 | March 9, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2026-2.00 | March 3, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2026-1.01 | February 18, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2026-1.00 | November 28, 2025 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2025-3.03 | September 23, 2025 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id VariCAD.VariCAD -eVariCAD2026-2.04.exe /SRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- VariCAD s.r.o
- Developer
- VARICAD, spol. s r.o.
- Category
- Drawing & design
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Price
- See the publisher’s site
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (NSIS)
- Other platforms
- GNU/Linux
- Version
- 2026-2.04
- Released
- May 15, 2026
- First release
- 1988
- Added to the catalogue
- July 30, 2025
- Versions listed
- 10
- Website
- varicad.com
- winget ID
- VariCAD.VariCAD
File types it opens (5)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is VariCAD free?
VariCAD is proprietary (closed-source) software (licence: Proprietary). Whether it costs money depends on the edition: check the publisher’s site for prices and free tiers.
Is VariCAD safe to download?
The download comes from upgrade.varicad.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install VariCAD with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can VariCAD be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does VariCAD run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of VariCAD?
The versions page lists all 10 versions with links to their official installer files, back to July 30, 2025.
What are alternatives to VariCAD?
draw.io, LibreCAD, Inkscape, Graphviz and MyPaint. The alternatives page compares them.
