AutoCAD vs. Simulink

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
AutoCAD
Score 8.1 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
Simulink
Score 10.0 out of 10
N/A
MathWorks offers the Simulink product family including the Simscape physical modeling suite, simulation, validation, and testing tool set, a 3D animation module, signal processing toolbox for wireless communication, control systems, and event-based monitoring, to aid in the design of complex systems.N/A
Pricing
AutoCADSimulink
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
AutoCADSimulink
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
AutoCADSimulink
Considered Both Products
AutoCAD
Chose AutoCAD
PTC Creo and SOLIDWORKS have a separate module wherein we can create 2D drawings of the parts and assemblies modelled in them. But they generally created problem in creating circuit diagrams where in we need to manually sketch using different option. And when it comes to …
Simulink

No answer on this topic

Features
AutoCADSimulink
Computer-Aided Design Software
Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Product A and Product B
AutoCAD
7.0
7 Ratings
6% below category average
Simulink
-
Ratings
3D Modeling5.97 Ratings00 Ratings
2D Drafting8.77 Ratings00 Ratings
Rendering and Visualization6.37 Ratings00 Ratings
Parametric Design7.57 Ratings00 Ratings
Collaboration and Sharing8.67 Ratings00 Ratings
Compatibility with other software and formats8.77 Ratings00 Ratings
Assembly Design6.67 Ratings00 Ratings
Simulation and Analysis4.66 Ratings00 Ratings
Documentation and Annotation7.67 Ratings00 Ratings
Customization and Extensions5.47 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
AutoCADSimulink
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 6.5 out of 10
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS
Score 8.7 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 6.5 out of 10
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS
Score 8.7 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.4 out of 10
Navisworks
Navisworks
Score 9.4 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
AutoCADSimulink
Likelihood to Recommend
7.7
(88 ratings)
9.0
(3 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.3
(9 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
6.9
(13 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
AutoCADSimulink
Likelihood to Recommend
Autodesk
Once again, for jobs/companies where you are doing a lot of design and modelling of tanks, pipework or filling machine or basic electronics its fantastic as a 3D and 2D modelling tool, however once again when it comes to testing these actual products in the real world, I feel like AutoCAD is let down by its clunky fitting and spec management and also in very limited in-house engineering simulations.
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MathWorks
Thanks to the Simulink program, an electrical and electronics engineer can easily design and have information about the system before applying it. After performing the calculations mathematically, it can be tested with this correct program. One of the biggest advantages of the simulation program is that it gives results close to real results. It is also possible to find many training videos.
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Pros
Autodesk
  • Compatibility of different file formats, and also exports to different file formats.
  • CLI Commands as well as internal functions which are exposed can be used for automation of various tasks.
  • The new 2025 comes with .NET Core support which helps AutoCAD to connect with Cloud based features.
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MathWorks
  • Control system design for continuous and discrete systems. The control systems toolbox includes many pre-built blocks for common functions, signals and plant models that help you analyse input vs. output responses.
  • Greatly responsive and easy to use graphic based environment ideal for the easy representation of processes using signals that go from one block into another. Most engineering and scientific models including systems of equations can be translated to a Simulink model.
  • Many pre-built toolboxes allow you to save time and facilitate access to create models applicable to many areas of science/engineering like fluid mechanics, robotics, decision making and embedded or electrical systems.
  • Simulink comes bundled within the standard MATLAB package and most of its coding features/packages are compatible and can be used within the Simulink development environment.
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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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MathWorks
  • Simpler codification data
  • Better layout of document usage
  • Option of codification manual
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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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MathWorks
No answers on this topic
Usability
Autodesk
It is very usable once you understand the program. I believe there is room for improvement in the 2D to 3D modeling capability. We have to use other apps to 3D model and that can be time consuming and sometimes AutoCAD doesn't transfer work that well between apps. They can improve there.
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MathWorks
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.
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MathWorks
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.
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MathWorks
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Autodesk
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 using it after starting in Revit.
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MathWorks
Control blocks and more detailed algorithms can be run in Matlab Simulink. Simulation and PCB drawing of electronic circuit boards are performed in Proteus.
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Return on Investment
Autodesk
  • As an educational institute there are no overall business objectives.
  • As a negative, the licensing is expensive and we have to limit the number of computers we put it on.
  • As a positive, many of our students will have a leg up when entering into programs or companies that use this software.
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MathWorks
  • Reduced investment to achieve desired outcomes in research projects.
  • Opened the doors for our students to experiment with previously unknown engineering methods.
  • Fostered the adoption of model-based design by a great portion of our faculty, especially in more technical areas.
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ScreenShots