AutoCAD LT vs. FreeCAD

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
AutoCAD LT
Score 8.9 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
FreeCAD
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
FreeCAD is an open-source CAD software that specialized in 3D design. New features are added to FreeCAD by an active community of developers.N/A
Pricing
AutoCAD LTFreeCAD
Editions & Modules
Monthly Subscription
$60
per month per user
Yearly Subscription
$490
per year per user
3-Year Subscription
$1470
3 years per user
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
AutoCAD LTFreeCAD
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
AutoCAD LTFreeCAD
Features
AutoCAD LTFreeCAD
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
FreeCAD
7.4
1 Ratings
0% above category average
2D Drafting10.03 Ratings6.01 Ratings
Parametric Design8.01 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Collaboration and Sharing7.52 Ratings5.01 Ratings
Compatibility with other software and formats4.73 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Assembly Design8.52 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Simulation and Analysis7.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Documentation and Annotation6.03 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Customization and Extensions8.52 Ratings10.01 Ratings
3D Modeling00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Rendering and Visualization00 Ratings5.01 Ratings
Best Alternatives
AutoCAD LTFreeCAD
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.4 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.4 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.4 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.4 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.3 out of 10
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
AutoCAD LTFreeCAD
Likelihood to Recommend
8.7
(6 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Usability
8.7
(3 ratings)
6.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
AutoCAD LTFreeCAD
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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FreeCAD
I see FreeCad as the perfect solution for a startup with limited resources that want to save as much as possible and doesn't mind using non-standard 3D CAD software, i.e., it's not required by customers to use specific software for compatibility. It's perfect for hobbyist use and makers who don't care about brands and pay monthly fees. I see it as very well suited for small businesses that need FEA (finite element analysis) and can't/don't want to pay huge amounts of money for it, just like us. I see FreeCad as less appropriate for big corporations or well-established businesses that need standardized solutions, compatibility with clients or good version management. Don't get me wrong, it can get the job done, but it will be much slower than state-of-the-art CAD systems.
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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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FreeCAD
  • Importing CAD formats
  • Converting mesh formats to solid and surface objects geometry
  • Fixing errors in geometry cad
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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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FreeCAD
  • Overall, the UI feels very old and non-polished.
  • There are some quirky behaviors, like being unable to select a plane by having the cursor over it; it has to be over the edges of the plane.
  • It's overwhelming having those many modules and options for doing things that appear to be similar.
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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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FreeCAD
Usability is awkward. Perhaps if you learn it as your first CAD, it will feel OK. Still, it comes from commercial CAD products like mine (Onshape, Solid Works, Inventor, Solid Edge). You will feel it is less intuitive, with a less polished UI, difficult to customize and, this is a subjective one, less serious. I'd love to see it improve the usability and UI. I believe the engine behind it is powerful, but how you interact with the software is still lacking.
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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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FreeCAD
Freecad is used often when receiving files from multiple sources and the need to work with cad in various forms from meshes to solid cad. Often when receiving scans of 3d objects the format is easy to work with and convert to traditional cad later on. There is no other cad that can bridge the gap between all the cad formats that we found yet.
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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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FreeCAD
  • It has allowed us to do some cad work that no other systems has allowed us to do and is key to getting that done fast
  • It has lots of online support through forums and blogs for trouble shooting
  • It could have an updated interface to make the functionality more user friendly for first time users
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ScreenShots