zCAD topped the Product Hunt daily leaderboard on October 24, 2026. It is an AI-native CAD platform with two products that share one account: zCAD.ai, which generates editable CAD parts and assemblies from an engineering description, and zCAD.online, a browser-based parametric CAD workspace for direct modeling, drawings and team collaboration.
The makers draw a clear line: if a model has to work in the physical world, fit another part, take a screw, or get printed or machined, it needs CAD, with real dimensions, solid geometry and parts that mate. A mesh is not enough. zCAD generates that from a prompt and exports STEP into the tool you already use. Even the free plan exports STEP, because, as the makers put it, a part you cannot take into your own tools is not really yours.
What zCAD does
- Generate from a prompt: describe a part or assembly, including its function, interfaces and dimensions. zCAD.ai generates editable CAD with driving dimensions, geometric constraints and assembly mates, from text or an image.
- Parametric modeling: sketches and constraints, solid features, surfaces and wireframe curves in the browser with zCAD.online.
- Assemblies: multi-level structures, standard and mechanical mates, static interference detection, BOM and motion simulation.
- Sheet metal and structures: bends, unfold and fold, forming tools and flat-pattern drawings, plus weldments, structural members and routing.
- Engineering drawings: chain dimensions, geometric tolerances, surface finish, hole tables and balloons, with model-based definition for 3D annotation.
- Analysis and rendering: static structural analysis and built-in rendering, alongside tools for measuring and inspecting geometry.
- CAD data exchange: reads SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Inventor, Solid Edge, STEP and Parasolid.
- Work as a team: real-time co-editing, version history, project permissions and online review.
Who it is for
zCAD targets mechanical engineers, product designers, hardware makers and teams creating and revising parts, assemblies and drawings, from a single mounting bracket to the next team revision.
Pricing
Two plan families, both listed on the official site. AI plans (zCAD.ai): Free, with 100 credits a month plus a one-time 200-credit Beta gift; Plus at $24.99 a month with 800 credits a month; AI Pro at $89.99 a month with 3,000 credits a month, including Online Standard; Business is priced on request. Online plans (zCAD.online): Personal is free for a single seat and non-commercial use; Standard is $589 a year per user at a Beta price, reduced from $799; Online Pro is coming soon; Enterprise is priced on request. Free accounts have public models and are non-commercial. Pricing may change, so check zcad.ai for current terms.
Sources
- Product Hunt daily leaderboard, October 24, 2026 (zCAD ranked 1st)
- Official website: zcad.ai (features and pricing verified October 25, 2026)
