AutoCAD vs. Navisworks

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
AutoCAD
Score 8.4 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
Navisworks
Score 9.3 out of 10
N/A
Autodesk's Navisworks is a 3D model and construction project review and coordination software allowing the user to combine design and construction data into a single model, and identify and resolve clash and interference problems before construction.
$135
per month
Pricing
AutoCADNavisworks
Editions & Modules
Monthly Subscription
$245
per month per user
Yearly Subscription
$1975
per year per user
3-Year Subscription
$5925
3 years per user
Navisworks Simulate - Monthly
$135
per month per user
Navisworks Manage - Monthly
$335
per month per user
Navisworks Simulate - Yearly
$1,080
per year per user
Navisworks Manage - Yearly
$2,670
per year per user
Navisworks Simulate - 3 Year
$3,240
3 years per user
Navisworks Manage - 3 Year
$8,010
3 year per user
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
AutoCADNavisworks
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
AutoCADNavisworks
Considered Both Products
AutoCAD
Chose AutoCAD
I use Revit far more than I use AutoCAD. AutoCAD is great for simple linework, but even then I will often create the lines in Revit and then export to AutoCAD for final touches and printing. AutoCAD is a bit easier for large-format prints, which is why I almost always end up …
Chose AutoCAD
As we all know that AutoCAD is a basic Drafting software used to drawing all of 2D object so all above softwares mentioned as as used as 2nd one after developing the plan on AutoCAD. So I do prepare plans on AutoCAD and develops them on above software. So basically my first …
Chose AutoCAD
This is the most primitive application in the field of design and drafting hence it has the simplest workflow system. It is quite easy to comprehend the processes for any user hence they can access the mistakes easily. Man-to-machine interaction of this software is best among …
Navisworks
Chose Navisworks
Navisworks allows viewing of our model content with others to know whether our design is correct and can be assembled for final stage. As compared to Bentley software, Navisworks is good in terms of asset management, reporting, and analysis. Its model viewing and navigation …
Chose Navisworks
Navisworks is a master tool if we want to do any 3D model coordination with any trade of a building. It allows us to view our model content with all elements to visualize and understand for certain where our design stands in terms of accuracy and how all things can be assembled …
Chose Navisworks
Navisworks is the go-to system for 3D BIM/MEP coordination. I don't know of many other options that are standardized/uniformly recognized as the base system in 3D coordination.
Chose Navisworks
Our company only uses Autodesk software, so I could not find and alternative to Navisworks to match the functionality of Naviswork with Revit, Civil 3D and Plant 3D. The only alternative for us is to use BIM 360 Model Coordination which lacks the search and visual impact of …
Chose Navisworks
BIM 360 Glue - Not as user-friendly and the fact that your orientation in the model resets every time you refresh your model drives me insane. I much prefer the Navisworks clash detection and file management.

Chose Navisworks
I have not found any other programs that allow you to coordinate in the same fashion as Navisworks manage.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
AutoCADNavisworks
Computer-Aided Design Software
Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Product A and Product B
AutoCAD
6.1
3 Ratings
15% below category average
Navisworks
-
Ratings
3D Modeling6.03 Ratings00 Ratings
2D Drafting9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Rendering and Visualization5.33 Ratings00 Ratings
Parametric Design4.73 Ratings00 Ratings
Collaboration and Sharing5.73 Ratings00 Ratings
Compatibility with other software and formats8.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Assembly Design5.33 Ratings00 Ratings
Simulation and Analysis1.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Documentation and Annotation7.73 Ratings00 Ratings
Customization and Extensions8.33 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
AutoCADNavisworks
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.5 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.5 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.5 out of 10
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.5 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
AutoCADNavisworks
Likelihood to Recommend
7.9
(84 ratings)
10.0
(17 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.5
(5 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
6.9
(13 ratings)
7.4
(9 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
AutoCADNavisworks
Likelihood to Recommend
Autodesk
AutoCAD is great for large-scale printing, simple drawing, and manipulating exports from Revit to understand coordinate systems. We often use AutoCAD to create overlays that we then take into Navisworks. Understanding AutoCAD is crucial when working with subcontractor models. I have subs who only work in AutoCAD and I use it to make sure their models will work in my process.
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Autodesk
Navisworks is a key tool if doing any 3D model coordination with other trades. It will allow you to view your model content with others to know for certain that your design is accurate and can be assembled. Navisworks also comes with a lot of additional tools to make this process easy.
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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.
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Autodesk
  • Model Viewing, the navigation tools are really easy to use for walking through the model, especially if viewpoints are set up for key locations.
  • The take-offs work really well and can be very quick and easy if the model was built right.
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Cons
Autodesk
  • User Interface Customisation: AutoCAD's user interface could benefit from more robust customisation options. Allowing users to rearrange toolbars, menus, and panels according to their specific workflows and preferences would enhance productivity.
  • Enhanced 3D Modeling Tools: While AutoCAD is capable of 3D modeling, it's not as intuitive or feature-rich as dedicated 3D modeling software. Streamlining the process and adding more advanced modeling tools would be a welcome improvement.
  • Enhanced Collaboration and Version Control: AutoCAD could improve its collaboration tools, such as real-time editing and version tracking, to facilitate smoother teamwork, especially in multi-disciplinary projects.
  • Intelligent Object Libraries: AutoCAD could benefit from an expanded and more intelligent library of standard objects and components. This would save time for designers who often have to create custom components from scratch.
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Autodesk
  • A link to BIM 360 Model Coordination is a serious shortcoming. It used to be easy to link to models loaded to BIM 360 Glue for more in depth clash detection.
  • I would have liked the ability to export a simulation created in Navisworks to 3DS Max for a more immersive animation with decent material mapping and better animation tools.
  • I would like to be able to view/create BIM 306 Docs/Field issues directly in Navisworks. In the current workflow we have to use other file formats to work within BIM 360. It would be more productive to be able to navigate the model through Navisworks and to create viewpoints and issues from within Navisworks.
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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.
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Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Usability
Autodesk
The use case of AutoCAD as a CAD software is highly relevant today as it focuses or targets to tasks types which involve creating 2D drawings of a number of types like electrical drawings, hydraulic drawings, layout diagrams, floor plans, etc. thereby addressing a large number of industries like Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and in most case Architectural Engineering as well
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Autodesk
Users are very happy with it and hear no complains from them
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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.
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Autodesk
Autodesk owns Navisworks, and it seems to have a pretty good support network. A lot of the troubleshooting or support information is provided through an online database, so you most likely would not be getting any personal attention with your issues. Since there are so many users for Navisworks, there is a lot of information on the web.
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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.
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Autodesk
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.
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Autodesk
Navisworks is a master tool if we want to do any 3D model coordination with any trade of a building. It allows us to view our model content with all elements to visualize and understand for certain where our design stands in terms of accuracy and how all things can be assembled on site. Navisworks also comes with a lot of additional tools to make BIM process easy.
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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.
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Autodesk
  • It helps in coordination on BIM projects. We have had major project coordination saving millions on jobs.
  • Helps us win more projects as we can coordinate them
  • Used to use the animation tools for site logistics. Now we use game engines.
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ScreenShots