AutoCAD LT vs. Microsoft Visio

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
Microsoft Visio
Score 7.7 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft offers Visio, a diagramming tool for building flowcharts, diagrams (e.g. network diagrams), org charts and floor plans, available online as a subscription and also in enterprise level packages (e.g. Visio Professional).
$5
per month per user
Pricing
AutoCAD LTMicrosoft Visio
Editions & Modules
Monthly Subscription
$60
per month per user
Yearly Subscription
$490
per year per user
3-Year Subscription
$1470
3 years per user
Visio Plan 1
$5.00
per month per user
Visio Plan 2
$15.00
per month per user
Visio Standard 2024
$309.99
one-time fee On-premises diagramming solution, licensed for one PC
Visio Professional 2024
$579.99
one-time fee On-premises diagramming solution, licensed for one PC
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
AutoCAD LTMicrosoft Visio
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
AutoCAD LTMicrosoft Visio
Features
AutoCAD LTMicrosoft Visio
Computer-Aided Design Software
Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Product A and Product B
AutoCAD LT
7.5
3 Ratings
1% above category average
Microsoft Visio
-
Ratings
2D Drafting10.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Parametric Design8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Collaboration and Sharing7.52 Ratings00 Ratings
Compatibility with other software and formats4.73 Ratings00 Ratings
Assembly Design8.52 Ratings00 Ratings
Simulation and Analysis7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Documentation and Annotation6.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Customization and Extensions8.52 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
AutoCAD LTMicrosoft Visio
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.6 out of 10
OmniGraffle
OmniGraffle
Score 9.7 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.6 out of 10
Cvent Event Diagramming
Cvent Event Diagramming
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.4 out of 10
Cvent Event Diagramming
Cvent Event Diagramming
Score 9.3 out of 10
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User Ratings
AutoCAD LTMicrosoft Visio
Likelihood to Recommend
8.7
(6 ratings)
8.5
(71 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
Usability
8.7
(3 ratings)
8.0
(6 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(14 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
AutoCAD LTMicrosoft Visio
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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Microsoft
Visio is by far and away the best tool that I have used to do Value Stream Mapping sessions with the warehouse I support. It has all of the shapes needed built in to be able to represent all areas of the processes. I also like how you are able to make the drawing as big as needed and when printing it out of Visio you have the ability to use the necessary paper size. The biggest complaint that I have with the software if how it can be cumbersome for non-Visio users (that is, people without a license in the orgnaization) to interact with the Visio Map. We normally have to dedicate one Visio SME to be able to make the changes that Process SME's find since they do not have access to the software.
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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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Microsoft
  • Microsoft Visio is excellent for organizing thought processes related to our more complex research.
  • The diagrams created with Microsoft Visio are ideal for graphically displaying the internal organization of work and research groups through flow diagrams.
  • Microsoft Visio is a great tool for managing our students' activities by creating flowcharts that help us graphically visualize the steps of their group work.
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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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Microsoft
  • When navigating through swim lanes, the user must be careful between switching from the point to the connection features as it can be difficult to remember which mode you’re in.
  • When drawing “decision points,” it can be difficult to type words like “yes” or “no” between the connection lines.
  • The exporting options aren’t ideal. They are hard to create in PDF format.
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Likelihood to Renew
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
We use Microsoft Visio to keep our diagrams updated and to that end we will need the subscription to keep using the software. Otherwise we will be left with PDF versions of the diagrams.
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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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Microsoft
I have always struggled with some basics, such as connection points, object alignment, font consistency, arranging layers and their order (bring forward, send backward), and managing overlap. I usually need to create an initial rough draft and then do a separate cleanup pass to bring the diagram up to my quality standards. If I skip that step, the result generally does not look very good. And once a diagram becomes busy or the file gets large, Visio has been unstable for me in the past, including occasional crashes that caused non-recoverable edits.
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Support Rating
Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
Overall, I feel that Microsoft's support is weak. They are now such a behemoth that their model of putting documentation online for their users to sift through is totally outgrown. Given the amount of money you pay for these licenses, Microsoft should provide easy one-on-one support for their products via email or chat. The idea of paying their rates for support incidents is ridiculous. If you have an enormous amount of time on your hands, use their support websites and you will eventually find a solution most of the time.
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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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Microsoft
Even though it’s a more expensive solution, Vizio is built for the enterprise. Therefore, it integrates perfectly with our existing Microsoft stack, and quite frankly, because it’s such a more mature product, it provides exactly the functionality we need and expect.
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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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Microsoft
  • Reduces the amount of time I need to create process flow diagrams. In the past I would use Powerpoint or Word which required a lot more effort and time and never looked as good. Visio just takes that headache away.
  • Only negative is that I personally believe it should always have been part and parcel of the Office suite, thus giving more users the opportunity to use it rather than specifically having to justify its separate purchase within our organisation. Different now with Office 365 of course!
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ScreenShots