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About AutoCAD
AutoCAD is Autodesk's long-running CAD program for 2D drafting and 3D design, built around the DWG file format. The 2027 release adds AI-assisted automation, performance improvements and shared DWG collaboration across the desktop and web versions.
It suits architects, engineers and drafters who work with DWG drawings or exchange files with firms that do. It is commercial software offered through Autodesk's site with a trial before purchase.
Strengths
- Native DWG format used widely across industries
- Desktop and web versions share drawings
- Covers both 2D drafting and 3D modeling
Limitations
- Expensive commercial licensing
- Requires an Autodesk account
Details
- Pricing
- PaidCommercial software sold by Autodesk, with a trial available.
- License
- Proprietary
- Developer
- Autodesk
- Platforms
- Web
- How it runs
- Downloadable app, Web application
- Account
- Required
- Best suited for
- Professionals who draft and exchange DWG drawings
- Categories
- 3D and CAD
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to AutoCAD
Compare allSoftware that can replace AutoCAD for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
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.
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.
TurboCAD
Commercial 2D and 3D CAD software for drafting and mechanical and architectural design on Windows and Mac.
TurboCAD covers 2D drafting and 3D modelling on Windows and Mac without a large-vendor subscription, though Mac and Windows editions are separate paid products.
AutoCAD as an alternative
Listings that name AutoCAD as an alternative.
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 necessarily a direct replacement.
Drawboard PDF
A pen-friendly PDF markup app with live-synced annotations across desktop, mobile and web.
Autodesk Revit
Commercial BIM software for designing, documenting and coordinating architectural, structural and MEP building projects.
Archicad
Graphisoft's BIM software for architectural design, construction documentation and team collaboration.
Mayo
An open-source 3D CAD viewer and converter for STEP, IGES, STL and other formats.
FreeCAD
A parametric 3D modeller for real objects: design by sketching constrained 2D shapes, then change the parameters later.
