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Design vs AutoCAD: catalog facts
Design	AutoCAD
Best for: Linux users who need a free 2D drafting tool that exchanges DXF files	Best for: Professionals who draft and exchange DWG drawings
Free Free and open source under the GPL-3.0-or-later licence.	Paid Commercial software sold by Autodesk, with a trial available.
Linux, Web	Web
Reads and writes the standard DXF format Command line prompts guide each operation All 4 strengths for Design Reads and writes the standard DXF format Command line prompts guide each operation Dimensions with full dimension style support Desktop and in-browser versions	Native DWG format used widely across industries Desktop and web versions share drawings All 3 strengths for AutoCAD Native DWG format used widely across industries Desktop and web versions share drawings Covers both 2D drafting and 3D modeling
Desktop version is Linux only 2D drafting only, no 3D modelling	Expensive commercial licensing Requires an Autodesk account
Downloadable app, Web application	Downloadable app, Web application
Open source	Not open source
License: GPL-3.0-or-later	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Design design-app.readthedocs.io Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for AutoCAD autodesk.com/products/autocad/overview Catalog checked September 23, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.