AutoCAD LT vs. DraftSight

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
AutoCAD LT
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
AutoCAD LT computer-aided design (CAD) software that architects, engineers, construction professionals, and designers rely on to produce solely 2D drawings, drafts, and documentation. AutoCAD LT is a CAD software used for 2D drawing, drafting, and documentation whereas AutoCAD is a CAD software used to create 2D drawings and 3D models. While AutoDesk's AutoCAD includes industry-specific toolsets that can provide productivity gains, both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT include the AutoCAD web and…
$58
per month
DraftSight
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
DraftSight is a 2D and 3D CAD solution for architects, engineers and construction service providers, as well as professional CAD users, designers, educators and hobbyists. DraftSight lets users create, edit, view, and markup any kind of 2D and 3D DWG file with greater ease, speed, and efficiency. Its familiar user interface helps to facilitate a quick transition from other CAD applications. DraftSight Offerings: DraftSight Professional: the advanced 2D CAD drafting…
$249
per year
Pricing
AutoCAD LTDraftSight
Editions & Modules
Monthly Subscription
$60
per month per user
Yearly Subscription
$490
per year per user
3-Year Subscription
$1470
3 years per user
DraftSight Professional
$249
per year
DraftSight Premium (3D)
$549
per year
DraftSight Enterprise
Contact sales team
DraftSight Enterprise Plus
Contact sales team
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
AutoCAD LTDraftSight
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsDraftSight Professional, and Premium are available to purchase online directly. DraftSight Enterprise and Enterprise Plus are available to purchase through local resellers.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
AutoCAD LTDraftSight
Considered Both Products
AutoCAD LT
Chose AutoCAD LT
AutoCAD LT can be used by non-engineers, but free programs are usually for professionals.
And other software started to introduce some tools that only AutoCAD LT had, so why waste time looking for what is fully found in AutoCAD LT.
DraftSight
Chose DraftSight
AutoCAD LT is a good product, with similar features to DraftSight, however, the value that DraftSight offers makes it a much better choice for our organization, as we can have it in use by a much larger pool of our employees vs. having LT installed on just a few workstations.
Chose DraftSight
The initial cost has AutoCAD LT beat. Draftsight functions similarly, It has been a number of years since using AutoCAD so I don't have the current experience to compare them. We selected Draftsight because, for our small business, it made no financial sense to continue with Aut…
Chose DraftSight
Being a user for almost 10 years of DraftSight, the ease of use, the distribution of functions, etc. make switching to another program a bit painful and in need of a learning period.
Chose DraftSight
We selected DraftSight because Autodesk wanted too much money for their LT software. Initially, I was impressed with the seamless integration, I could use the command line just like AutoCAD. As I became more familiar with DraftSight, and also had more exposure, I started to …
Chose DraftSight
overall my favorite since it was free. The interface is friendly and highly customizable, you can find a lot of resources on youtube because it is a widely used software, it has never betrayed me by crashing (and I have been using it for many years). I have no intention of …
Chose DraftSight
We use Draftsight in conjunction with the above products. Some users are primarily reviewing drawings and they use DraftSght while others need the 3D modelers for conceptual work and more detailed analysis.
Chose DraftSight
I picked DraftSight because I started with the free version and upgraded because it proved to have all the features I needed and the cost was great!
Chose DraftSight
I do the same with DS than I did with AutoCAD, but at a much lower price.
DS is more intuitive and powerfull than NanoCAD
Chose DraftSight
Very similar, identical user interface, seamless transition
Chose DraftSight
DraftSight is much less expensive, just as professional.
Chose DraftSight
Draftsight is way more cost-effective. I have been using it for a long time so I do know the out-of-the-box version is a lot better now, but initially, when I started it took a bit of effort to get everything to how I wanted it. One thing that would be nice would be dynamic …
Chose DraftSight
Having being used to using AutoCAD it was easy to trial and then move on to using DraftSight full time, there are slight differences in using the package but as long as you know your CAD, you will be fine using DraftSight. The reason I selected Draftsight was purely financial, …
Chose DraftSight
AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, and a bunch of free software.
The paid versions were super expensive and complicated with a high learning curve. The free software all had caveats and limited what you could do on the drawing. You could pay for it if needed but at this point, I've used …
Chose DraftSight
Company actually uses both products. They both have their use for us, but it stacks up pretty well compared to features and tools. The cost between the two products definitely swings in DraftSight's favor.
Chose DraftSight
Initially because it was free.
Chose DraftSight
The cost/benefit between DraftSight and AutoCAD is why I decided to use DraftSight.
Chose DraftSight
DraftSight doesn't even compare to CREO. CREO is a 3D parametric solid modeler. DraftSight is just a 2D tool. So, I guess it depends on what you want to do. If you need to do some layout work, use a 2D tool. Otherwise use a 3D tool.
Chose DraftSight
Most free CAD alternatives had serious drawbacks. We used some of them for some time before we ended up choosing DraftSight. DraftSight is surprisingly more intuitive than other well known and used applications.

As a designer I've used more expensive and complex CAD applications …
Chose DraftSight
AutoCAD is a great product, but it is very expensive to buy. We do use DraftSight because it is not very expensive. It is easy to learn.
We already use SOLIDWORKS and these to programs work great together.
Features
AutoCAD LTDraftSight
Computer-Aided Design Software
Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Product A and Product B
AutoCAD LT
7.5
3 Ratings
2% above category average
DraftSight
7.0
6 Ratings
5% below category average
2D Drafting10.03 Ratings8.56 Ratings
Parametric Design8.01 Ratings7.31 Ratings
Collaboration and Sharing7.52 Ratings7.45 Ratings
Compatibility with other software and formats4.73 Ratings8.36 Ratings
Assembly Design8.52 Ratings7.33 Ratings
Simulation and Analysis7.01 Ratings4.01 Ratings
Documentation and Annotation6.03 Ratings6.76 Ratings
Customization and Extensions8.52 Ratings6.95 Ratings
3D Modeling00 Ratings7.42 Ratings
Rendering and Visualization00 Ratings6.13 Ratings
Best Alternatives
AutoCAD LTDraftSight
Small Businesses
Onshape
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Score 7.5 out of 10
Onshape
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Score 7.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.5 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.3 out of 10
Rhino
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Score 8.3 out of 10
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User Ratings
AutoCAD LTDraftSight
Likelihood to Recommend
8.7
(6 ratings)
9.1
(416 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(23 ratings)
Usability
8.7
(3 ratings)
8.1
(23 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(7 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(6 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
4.6
(15 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.9
(16 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(6 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(4 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
7.4
(7 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(4 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
7.9
(5 ratings)
User Testimonials
AutoCAD LTDraftSight
Likelihood to Recommend
Autodesk
AutoCAD LT is suitable for engineers that uses DWG formats casually and don't rely on AutoCAD as the main tool to issue drawings in the workflow. AutoCAD LT is best suited for firms that do not use LISP functions in AutoCAD and do not care about 3D modeling. Although AutoCAD LT has other missing functions when compared to standard AutoCAD, these features are of less importance and can't be noticed.
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Dassault Systemes
2D design work
3D design work
Large area (500m²+) analysis and assessment
From product design, including production drawings to lay out of large (10m x 1m footprint) layouts DraftSight is a cost effective solution providing all appropriate interfaces for BIM.
The level of detail during rendering (while it can be slow) is good for visualization and for use in installation and training materials
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Pros
Autodesk
  • The library feature for all areas is to me AutoCAD LT's extra strong point, it makes it easier to find information within the program itself.
  • The fast solutions and precise development of drawings and projects is also another strong point.
  • I use the floor plans, elevations, sections and the hydraulic designs to work with my students on physics projects.
  • The software allows you to scale model and remodel as many times as you need, from simple to more complex designs
  • Importing and exporting files is also very simple to perform making corrections and quick feedback to students easy.
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Dassault Systemes
  • You can easily bring in a dwg format drawing into the programme and it will display the information just as well as AutoCAD.
  • The programme supports shortcut features or one-click buttons for the most commonly used operations.
  • Script files can be used which is a bonus.
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Cons
Autodesk
  • The differences between the Mac and PC versions are quite difficult to navigate. It would be better to have a more streamlined experience between the two platforms
  • It would be nice to have feature like geolocation on the online or mac version and not just the PC version
  • Make it more compatible with other AutoCAD formats so that I can at least view things when they are coming from Civil 3D
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Dassault Systemes
  • The text search and replace is very crude and barely works. Needs a major revamping.
  • The layout tabs are very clunky and hard to use. Needs to be fixed.
  • DraftSight will fix a problem in one version, mess it up in another version, then fix it again later on. And so forth, and so forth, and so forth. Very poor software update control.
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Likelihood to Renew
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Dassault Systemes
It has given us, a small startup, the ability to compete effectively with far larger competitors by evening the playing field at a low cost.
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Usability
Autodesk
It’s easy to use, easy to customize, easy to understand on the logic behind it and the guides provides everything to improve further. the buttons are well displaced and easy to use and remember. everything seems really well fought to make it easier to use. in a single word: polished.
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Dassault Systemes
Easy if you know how to use CAD software. But is not very difficult to learn using DraftSight if this is your first CAD software. As soon as you get in to it the work flow will save you a lot of time and its simple interface is very nice.
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Reliability and Availability
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Dassault Systemes
Other than a bug created by a VAR tech support that didn't get resolved until I installed the next version, DraftSight has worked fine.
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Performance
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Dassault Systemes
In general it's very quick to load drawings...now it depends a lot on the file we're opening or working on.
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Support Rating
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Dassault Systemes
Technical support seems to be overseas with broken English and difficulty to read English. I asked for a trial license to try the fix but it was declined. Ask pratiksha.dahotre and gayatri.keskar for details. In summary, they released a broken version, I helped to fix by providing feedback and error logs. They claimed it is fixed but I can't test it.
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In-Person Training
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Dassault Systemes
Based on some knowledge of AutoCad, using Draftsight took a short time before I felt comfortable using it.
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Implementation Rating
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Dassault Systemes
Take time to get used to where commands are and how the interface can be customized to suit your needs and work style. The keyboard commands are very helpful and can make work more efficient if time is taken to learn them.
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Alternatives Considered
Autodesk
Although AutoCAD LT is the lite software when compared to standard AutoCAD, it does all the work when it comes to 2D modeling and issuing design drawings. When comparing it to BricsCAD, AutoCAD LT shines, as it works without freezing and is usually more responsive than BricsCAD, it just outclasses it.
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Dassault Systemes
While SketchUp is free, DraftSights cost is minimal and its abilities are much greater. It is so much easier to layout and modifies a system design. Since DraftSight is compatible with all versions of CAD, it makes it easy to collaborate with customers on their specific system design. We spend less time and see greater sales on our projects.
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Contract Terms and Pricing Model
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Dassault Systemes
It's a typical contract for cad software. It was inexpensive at the time I started. But now the more useful features are on the more premium (priced) version.
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Scalability
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Dassault Systemes
As a startup, we really appreciate scalable software or tools, and because we use it for diverse types of projects, flexibility is key.
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Professional Services
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Dassault Systemes
Quite responsive when I have an issue, and with little to no delay in responding. They are professional and know the software so have been able to solve all of the issues that I have had with both using the software and also with making revisions as required. Non-technical issues like invoices have also been resolved quickly.
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Return on Investment
Autodesk
  • The impact is always positive in my case when I use AutoCAD LT, because I provide intelligent lessons with few resources
  • The negative impact usually happens with professionals who don't like to innovate, study, or put a little more effort into their work. AutoCAD LT enables the enchantment at the end of the project by the public and at the beginning by the students that are delighted with so many tools
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Dassault Systemes
  • Draftsight has been very cost effective, it was free a few years ago then £79 a year, which it still is if you have the standard version. Now the minium level is Profession edition at £159+ VAT per year. Which is still very good value for money, just more that what we currently pay with the standard licences we have.
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ScreenShots

DraftSight Screenshots

Screenshot of Plate InsertScreenshot of Image TraceScreenshot of 2D and 3D DWG filesScreenshot of HomeByMe Integration