Alternatives to AutoCAD
Autodesk's 2D drafting and 3D CAD application, available on the desktop and in the browser. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
AutoCAD
Autodesk's 2D drafting and 3D CAD application, available on the desktop and in the browser.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as AutoCAD.
BricsCAD
Native-DWG CAD software with 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM, and mechanical variants.
BricsCAD works with native DWG without conversion and runs as a desktop app on Windows, macOS and Linux, though its plugin ecosystem is smaller.
ZWCAD
Commercial 2D drafting and 3D CAD software with native DWG compatibility, offered as an AutoCAD alternative.
ZWCAD offers native DWG compatibility with a perpetual licence option instead of a subscription, but runs on Windows only and is closed source.
GstarCAD
Commercial CAD software for 2D drafting and 3D design that works natively with DWG files.
GstarCAD works directly with DWG files for 2D drafting and 3D design on Windows, with separate industry editions for mechanical and architectural work.
progeCAD Professional
AutoCAD-compatible 2D and 3D DWG CAD software for Windows sold with a perpetual licence.
progeCAD Professional is AutoCAD-compatible DWG software for Windows sold with a perpetual licence, and it imports Revit, IFC, STEP and PDF files.
nanoCAD
A DWG-compatible 2D drafting and 3D modelling CAD platform for Windows with optional modules.
nanoCAD is a lower-cost DWG-compatible CAD platform for Windows with a freemium model and optional modules for mechanical, construction, raster and survey work.
DraftSight
A commercial 2D CAD desktop application for drafting and editing DWG drawings, from Dassault Systèmes.
DraftSight from Dassault Systèmes supports DWG with a familiar interface on Windows, focusing mainly on 2D drafting, and is paid after the trial.
LibreCAD
A 2D CAD program for DXF and DWG drawings, built from the free edition of QCAD.
LibreCAD is free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux, reads DWG and writes DXF and DWG, but offers 2D drafting only.
QCAD
A 2D CAD program for technical drawings: floor plans, mechanical parts, schematics and diagrams, with DXF and DWG in and out.
QCAD is open source and easy to pick up for 2D technical drawings, but has no 3D modelling and puts DWG support in the paid Professional edition.
Also worth comparing
These listings name AutoCAD as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
TurboCAD
Commercial 2D and 3D CAD software for drafting and mechanical and architectural design on Windows and Mac.
AutoCAD is Autodesk's paid 2D and 3D CAD using native DWG, with web and desktop versions sharing drawings, and requires an Autodesk account.
Vectorworks
Commercial CAD and BIM software for architecture, landscape design and entertainment lighting and stage design.
AutoCAD is Autodesk's paid 2D and 3D CAD built on native DWG, available on web and desktop, without dedicated BIM or landscape tools.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
FreeCAD
A parametric 3D modeller for real objects: design by sketching constrained 2D shapes, then change the parameters later.
Autodesk Revit
Commercial BIM software for designing, documenting and coordinating architectural, structural and MEP building projects.
Autodesk Inventor
Parametric 3D CAD software for mechanical design, simulation and engineering documentation.
Drawboard PDF
A pen-friendly PDF markup app with live-synced annotations across desktop, mobile and web.
Mayo
An open-source 3D CAD viewer and converter for STEP, IGES, STL and other formats.
