AutoCAD vs. NanoCAD

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
AutoCAD
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
AutoCAD is a CAD product from Autodesk. It allows designers to work in 2D and 3D, and is available on Windows and Mac, but with extensive online collaboration tools.
$245
per month
NanoCAD
Score 9.4 out of 10
N/A
NanoCAD is a free to use design software including both 2D and 3D design features. NanoCAD also includes premium features that users can upgrade to as needed.N/A
Pricing
AutoCADNanoCAD
Editions & Modules
Monthly Subscription
$245
per month per user
Yearly Subscription
$1975
per year per user
3-Year Subscription
$5925
3 years per user
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
AutoCADNanoCAD
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
AutoCADNanoCAD
Considered Both Products
AutoCAD
Chose AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a lot more powerful then NanoCAD. It is easier to navigate and more powerful in some situations. One thing I like is that NanoCAD allows you to delete layers if there is something drawn on them.
Chose AutoCAD
All of the alternatives above work well if you are starting from scratch and are in the market for new software. DraftSight is no longer free. If you have any legacy AutoCAD drawings you are going to encounter problems as we did. Sometimes old files won't open or save …
NanoCAD
Chose NanoCAD
Nano cad is a little simpler to operate and understand how to do features. AutoCAD is what we would say a little more powerful piece of software but you end up paying more as well. Nanocad is a lot quicker to make small floor plans. It also allows you to delete layers with …
Chose NanoCAD
NanoCAD has been the best solution after using other high-priced software systems. It has all the tools I need and no need to upgrade my computer system. I run it on a Windows 11, Core i5 Computer with 8 gb of ram and integrated graphics with no issues. It does not use up much …
Top Pros

No answers on this topic

Top Cons
Best Alternatives
AutoCADNanoCAD
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.0 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.0 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.0 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.8 out of 10
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
Score 8.8 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
AutoCADNanoCAD
Likelihood to Recommend
9.1
(82 ratings)
9.4
(2 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(3 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
7.2
(14 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
AutoCADNanoCAD
Likelihood to Recommend
Autodesk
I think AutoCAD is great for creating precise site plans that show the layout of buildings, roads, parking lots, and other features on a piece of land. you can use it for designing roads and highways, including lane configurations, intersections, signage, and pavement markings, as well as for designing utility systems like water, sewer, and stormwater drainage. Engineers can create detailed layouts and profiles for these systems. However, I think it is less appropriate for advanced 3D modelling tasks compared to dedicated 3D modelling software, BIM (Building Information Modelling), advanced geospatial analysis.
Read full review
NanoSoft Ltd.
It is great when cleaning up CAD files and allowing for 3rd party add-ins. It allows you to delete used layers. It would be nice if it saved to smaller file sizes when saving as an older DWG. It is easy to scale drawings and make floor plan layouts. It would be nice if it would pick up the default units that I set for my preference when opening up a converted file from pdf.
Read full review
Pros
Autodesk
  • The tools are easy to use and the learning curve is fairly minimal to be able to create blueprints.
  • The 3D application is very fun to use and it is nice to be able to see your product instead of having to imagine what it will look like.
  • The speed and accuracy in which students can create plans is a huge bonus. Students can plan their industrial art projects out and use their own set of plans to build them.
Read full review
NanoSoft Ltd.
  • Easy to use
  • Great for Drafting
  • Opens all CAD files from other systems
  • Same commands as other CAD programs
Read full review
Cons
Autodesk
  • It needs more help in 3D world, eventually some parametric support
  • Better connection with Revit or Inventor
  • Dynamic blocks could get some updates
  • Parameters can be more developed; excel capabilities could be added
  • Sheet set could be more evolved to support a workflow involving data management
Read full review
NanoSoft Ltd.
  • It lacks some functions that AutoCAD has, but for the price, it could be worth it on your end.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Autodesk
Because rarely we [would] rather wait for a whole year to update, sometimes the new updates don't bring many new features and we are still ok with the current version. Also the change of interface is always something that takes time for every partner in the company to get comfortable with. So those are the main reasons we may want to keep the same version.
Read full review
NanoSoft Ltd.
We like NanoCAD for what it does for us and will renew or license when the time comes. There is no question of doubt because we are very happy with it.
Read full review
Usability
Autodesk
Is an extremely usefull and accurate software , yo certainly can do almost every task requiered to document a project drawings and specifications , the only is that to be confortable with it you need a little of practice and to be familiarized with the commands and the core functioning to get expected results.
Read full review
NanoSoft Ltd.
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Autodesk
AutoCAD has the issue of crashing or slowing down the design procedure once a heavy design that includes several disciplines or multiple families/blocks is involved. Customer services gets the feedback from the crash reports but this issue seems like it has never been addressed in the software updates past several years.
Read full review
NanoSoft Ltd.
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Autodesk
the implementation was realy easy , to set up our workstation we pay for the licenses we are about to use , there was a little bit of delay to get the payment processed to receive the serial but after that the install runs without any problem , so you can fell secure there will be not issue with the implementation.
Read full review
NanoSoft Ltd.
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Autodesk
I have experience with Autodesk Maya, and am familiar with their user interface with creating 3D objects. AutoCAD while from the same family, requires a steeper learning curve and more in-depth knowledge of the software.
I have experience with this software because it is the industry standard in the jobs that I applied to, and was required to the company that I interviewed for. Part of the interview process was a proof-of-work test to create a mock solution for a client, which would demonstrate knowledge and skill with using AutoCAD.
I have little experience with CorelCAD, but I found AutoCAD to be more in-depth with your options and what you could create.
Read full review
NanoSoft Ltd.
NanoCAD has been the best solution after using other high-priced software systems. It has all the tools I need and no need to upgrade my computer system. I run it on a Windows 11, Core i5 Computer with 8 gb of ram and integrated graphics with no issues. It does not use up much space in my ssd.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Autodesk
  • AutoCAD has helped our smaller firm produce lots of finished products matching that of a much larger size firm. With its many features, we have been able to do so much more and meet deadlines that much faster.
  • Since we do use AutoCAD, we're able to work with many other engineering firms to collaborate together to complete various building projects.
  • We have many clients now who expect us to provide for them at the end of a project not just printed construction drawings but also the digital AutoCAD drawing so they can in turn use it for future modifications themselves.
Read full review
NanoSoft Ltd.
  • It's free to use
  • No need to buy special high end computers
Read full review
ScreenShots