• Saturday, May 09, 2026

The following guide explores the top free and open-source CAD solutions available for download, categorized by their primary use cases. 1. Top Open-Source CAD for Public Safety

Open-source platforms are ideal for agencies with technical expertise who want full control over their data and infrastructure.

While these tools are free to download, self-hosted versions (like Resgrid or Tickets CAD) typically require a degree of technical knowledge to install and maintain on a server.

You can download the source code from Resgrid's GitHub to self-host on your own servers, effectively eliminating recurring subscription costs.

Integrates dispatching, messaging, personnel tracking, and reporting into a unified system.

Includes real-time mapping, a keyboard-first design for fast dispatching, and a personnel roster with certification tracking. Download: Available for free download on SourceForge. 2. Industry-Specific Free Dispatch Solutions

By replacing phone calls and text chains with digital dispatch, agencies gain real-time visibility into personnel status and location.