Skip to main content
TrustRadius
AutoCAD

AutoCAD

Overview

What is AutoCAD?

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.

Read more
Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

AutoCAD is a versatile software widely used in various industries for its ability to create detailed 2D and 3D models. Many users rely on …
Continue reading
TrustRadius Insights
TrustRadius Insights

AutoCAD Review

10 out of 10
October 26, 2023
AutoCAD is one of the most used software for desigining and and preparing the civil Engineering design in my firm. As of AutoCAD I use it …
Continue reading

A review of AutoCAD

9 out of 10
September 18, 2023
We use AutoCAD for 2D drafting, and creating drawing deliverables for multiple clients. We import data from other engineering/design …
Continue reading

Well oriented tool

8 out of 10
December 27, 2021
This is one of the best software for preparing engineering drawings. It has many features for preparing drawings for clients. 1. Preparing …
Continue reading
Read all reviews

Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

Reviewer Pros & Cons

View all pros & cons
Return to navigation

Pricing

View all pricing

Monthly Subscription

$245

On Premise
per month per user

Yearly Subscription

$1975

On Premise
per year per user

3-Year Subscription

$5925

On Premise
3 years per user

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.autodesk.com/products/autoc…

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Starting price (does not include set up fee)

  • $245 per month
Return to navigation

Product Demos

AutoCAD 2010 Demo: Block Tables

YouTube

AutoCAD 2010 Demo: 3D Printing

YouTube

Demo AutoCAD 2010 en Español

YouTube

AutoCAD 2010 Demo: PDF Output

YouTube

AutoCAD 2010 Demo: PDF Underlay

YouTube

AutoCAD Architecture 2010 Demo

YouTube
View more demos
Return to navigation

Product Details

What is AutoCAD?

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.

It can be used to
  • Design and annotate 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects
  • Automate tasks such as comparing drawings, replacing blocks, counting objects, creating schedules, and more
  • Create a customized workspace to maximize productivity with add-on apps and API

AutoCAD includes 7 toolsets:

  • Architecture toolset
  • Mechanical toolset
  • Map 3D toolset
  • MEP toolset
  • Electrical toolset
  • Plant 3D toolset
  • Raster Design toolset

Key Features of AutoCAD 2024 now include:

  • Smart Blocks - Automatically place blocks based on previous placements or quickly find and replace existing blocks
  • My Insights - Faster project completion with helpful tips and features from My Insights
  • Floating windows - Displays drawing windows side by side or on multiple monitors within the same instance of AutoCAD
  • Activity Insights - Keeps the user informed of recent changes to a shared DWG through an activity log
  • Drawing History - Comparison of past and present versions of a drawing to see how work has evolved
  • Sharing - A controlled copy of a drawing can be sent to teammates and colleagues for viewing or editing from anywhere
  • Markup Import and Markup Assist - Imported feedback from paper or PDFs and add changes automatically, without altering an existing drawing
  • AutoCAD anytime, anywhere - CAD drawings can be created, edited, and viewed with a browser using AutoCAD on mobile or on web
  • Push to Autodesk Docs - CAD drawing sheets can be pushed as PDFs directly from AutoCAD to Autodesk Docs

AutoCAD Videos

Introducing AutoCAD
Introducing AutoCAD 2023
Introducing AutoCAD 2024

AutoCAD Competitors

AutoCAD Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise
Operating SystemsWindows, Mac
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

AutoCAD starts at $245.

ZWCAD, BricsCAD, and FreeCAD are common alternatives for AutoCAD.

Reviewers rate Usability highest, with a score of 8.

The most common users of AutoCAD are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
Return to navigation

Comparisons

View all alternatives
Return to navigation

Reviews and Ratings

(546)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

AutoCAD is a versatile software widely used in various industries for its ability to create detailed 2D and 3D models. Many users rely on AutoCAD for Bim modeling, specifically for creating 3D models of building services like HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection. Engineers and architects appreciate its features in preparing engineering drawings, such as spool drawings, 2D sheets for construction sites, and detailed connections of plumbing and HVAC. Its ease of use and fast documentation make it a favorite among professionals for managing multiple project drawings.

AutoCAD is highly regarded for its role in architectural and interior projects, allowing designers to create high-quality and easy-to-interpret engineering drawings. Architects, engineers, and designers also utilize AutoCAD to exchange files between teams seamlessly. The software's versatility extends beyond construction-related projects as well; it is used for vehicle turn radius studies, traffic flow analysis, PCB mechanical drawings, panel forms, electrical meter items in 2D, and editing and cleaning up drawings received from customers.

Additionally, AutoCAD plays a primary role in design teams' processes by producing engineering drawings for client approval and construction purposes. It is also extensively used in educational settings to prepare students for their field of study. Its applications reach beyond designing and drafting; AutoCAD is utilized in laser cutting for precise design verification before sending the designs to the laser cutter. With compatibility with other file formats and seamless integration with other Autodesk software packages, AutoCAD has become a staple tool in many organizations across different disciplines.

Users highly recommend AutoCAD for various design purposes, including 2D drawing generation, detailing, plumbing, and electrical plans production. It is particularly recommended for architectural and engineering professionals.

Users suggest considering if AutoCAD is suitable for GIS users and checking its compatibility with other third-party tools. They also highlight that AutoCAD is considered the industry standard for 2D drawings.

Overall, users recommend using AutoCAD due to its extensive capabilities, industry reputation, and suitability for different design tasks.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-25 of 82)
Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
October 26, 2023

AutoCAD Review

Osman Shaikh | TrustRadius Reviewer
Osman Shaikh
Design Engineer
Indovance (Civil Engineering, 501-1000 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
Well for me I regulary use AutoCAD as I all my clients prefer AutoCAD to complete their drawings. So based on Data AotoCAD is used for Engineering Designs and most use it as logo provigind service as well. So mostly AutoCAD is used as Desigining and drafting software as you can Draft anything using it. Well the less appropiate for creating 3D models as pepole prefer high defination details of models so. i wouls say a 3D model in AutoCAD would be less useful.
September 18, 2023

A review of AutoCAD

Verified User
Professional in Engineering
Civil Engineering Company, 10,001+ employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
January 20, 2023

Good Software for CAD Drafting, just get ready to learn or have experience

Janeil Harricharan | TrustRadius Reviewer
Janeil Harricharan
Freelancer
Cross Company (Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering, 1-10 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD is a good applicant for most technical drawing needs. The additional version of the software cover electrical wiring, and even architectural design. Someone who knows what they're doing and has a good grasp of the software will be able to create the appropriate solutions that they need.

This software is not suited for beginners, someone less technologically inclined and someone who doesn't memorize shortcuts, workspace setups and understands system requirements. Simple things such as viewports and layers can confuse a new user and even one with basic understanding of AutoCAD. Training and education is required to use this software.
November 15, 2022

AutoCAD as a fundamental basis of architectural design

FS
Felipe Salgueiro
Manager in Marketing
RWTH Aachen (Design, 11-50 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
when it comes to almost all drawing components of an architectural or engineering project, AutoCAD is definitely one of the most suitable softwares in the world to use, due to its very intuitive and well organized layout and user interface, making the workflow with the software very easy. Otherwise, when it comes to the 3d visualization of projects, it is necessary to use other software like ARCHICAD and Revit, which are more oriented to the 3D components of a project and therefore are more suited for this type of visualization
September 20, 2022

M3a Architects - Christen's Review

CA
Christen Ayoub
Architect
M3A Architecture (Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It takes a longer time than other programs because you have to draw line by line. Whereas other programs allow you to draw plans and the program itself generates a model that allows you to get elevations and sections. Works well with other people opening the same file.
June 14, 2022

Best application for modelling.

Ashish Mathur | TrustRadius Reviewer
Ashish Mathur
Senior Engineer
Pinnacle Infotech (Information Technology & Services, 5001-10,000 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
This software suits best at accuracy which is required in fabrication work. As the parts needed to fabricate they need to be dimensioned up to the parts of inches and that work is done perfectly with the help of the fabrication part. Although the manual commands need to execute each task are way lengthier than other similar platforms. This meets the requirements in terms of output required but lacks in automating the processes.
May 10, 2022

AutoCAD, benchmark software

Verified User
Employee in Other
Design Company, 1-10 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
I have used a large number of CAD and other drawing packages like TurboCAD, CorelCAD, Draftsight, Inkscape and CorelDRAW to name a few. Although there are a number of free and cheaper options, AutoCAD is the industry standard or benchmark, user friendly GUI (Graphical User Interface), online help is usually easy to get.
May 09, 2022

Industry Standard for Drafting and Designing

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Company, 501-1000 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
If you are heavily invested in 2D design or need to make simple shop drawings or manufacturing of less complex parts, AutoCAD would be a good choice. It also works well for sketching ideas and is fairly customizable. You can build templates and run macros to suit your needs although there are better options out there for that specifically. If you are wanting 3d in any form, you will be disappointed with AutoCAD's capabilities.
March 31, 2022

Basic of Cad with Autocad

Abhijeet Kumar | TrustRadius Reviewer
Abhijeet Kumar
Executive Engineer
Pinnacle Infotech (Construction, 1001-5000 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
This is a good platform to work and learn. We can do business in the BIM field like a whole project of modeling and creation of 2d sheets for constant and creating 3d models for coordination in Navisworks. We can give training to our trainees from this software because of its simple interface.
March 05, 2022

AutoCAD--Best suited for 2D drafting

VIKAS RANA | TrustRadius Reviewer
VIKAS RANA
senior engineer
General Energy Management Systems P. Ltd. (Oil & Energy, 501-1000 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD is best suited for people who are more interested in doing 2D drafting than designing the real part in a 3D environment. It is well suited to design pipeline layouts before installing pipelines in real time. It gives me the opportunity to rethink my layout design beforehand. On the other hand, AutoCAD is not at all suited to study the flow of fluid through the pipelines. I use other software for that purpose.
December 27, 2021

Well oriented tool

Mahmoud obaid | TrustRadius Reviewer
Mahmoud obaid
Graduate Mechanical Engineer
AECOM (Civil Engineering, 201-500 employees)
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
If you are planning for 2D drafting, then AutoCAD is the best option such as designing buildings, infrastructure, HVAC & MEP all related civil works. One of the amazing benefits is a boundless area to create and design anything you would like to do. Limitless possibilities for different designs. Unfortunately, using it for 3D models isn't easy and quite difficult since you need to add for each item a certain block, hence you will have a family. Using it for 3D projects won't help too much and clients don't like presenting their projects " if it was 3D" using AutoCAD.
November 02, 2021

2d AutoCAD design KING

DHIRAJ PATEL | TrustRadius Reviewer
DHIRAJ PATEL
Floor Manager
lasertech cutting solution (Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering, 51-200 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
It is used for some complicated design work such as big sheet metal design parts. AutoCAD helps to [redefine] parts that were designed in 3d and it can flatten all parts [for] cutting and bending. Also, nesting parts in a specific [dimension] sheet is easy too. We can manage big design child parts very easily in AutoCAD.
June 21, 2021

Flexible and easy drafting CAD with the most powerful features.

Joyce Williams | TrustRadius Reviewer
Joyce Williams
Mechanical Design Engineer
Epiroc (Civil Engineering, 10,001+ employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD capabilities like drafting and drawings detailing are effective and useful on project drawing detailing, and also 2D drawings production for various engineering projects. Importing other CAD tools files and the engineering project document and drawing management.
June 02, 2021

King of CADs

Alejandro Daniel Copati | TrustRadius Reviewer
Alejandro Daniel Copati
CoFunder & Hardware Head
Xavia IOT (Internet, 1-10 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD is suitable for use in the technical office, where 2D plans of work plants, part diagrams, or any other type of CAD development are developed.
It is widely accepted in the industry so its use is practically universal when exchanging files with clients or suppliers.
However, due to its complexity of use and the amount of resources that the software uses, it is sometimes not so comfortable to use when making a quick sketch or for some real-time demonstration.
May 15, 2021

AutoCAD in my life for 29 years so far

TH
Temesgen Hussein
Project Detailer / CAFM Specialist
Jackson National (Facilities Services, 1001-5000 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD is appropriate for representing spaces and objects accurately, precisely, and to scale. It is not appropriate to free-hand sketching, drawing, or abstract painting. It is also not appropriate for information specific intelligent 3D modeling.
May 12, 2021

AutoCAD is the best

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering Company, 51-200 employees
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Perfect for 2D design tasks, object snap feature is nicely designed and very efficient, software is well optimized and runs quick with less lag--important for repetitive mouse strokes. UI design is well sorted so it's easy to start up as a first-time user. Working space is fully customizable and less buggy.
May 11, 2021

Best 2D software ever!!!

RS
radu stancescu
IT
Mitek (Construction, 1001-5000 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD is the best solution for a 2D drawing; also [a] great tool for a layout design. Our people create proficient details and elevation drawings without any difficulty. Some users use parameters to make it smarter and update faster. Excel capabilities could be added to enhance the results. AutoCAD provides a great solution in management files by using Sheet Set. Also using Vault Data management could be a viable solution. Using templates in AutoCAD is a MUST. If you [don't] use them you lose a lot. That automates your workflow adding stability to your work.
AutoCAD can be used as 2D sketches in Inventor to create 3D parts. AutoCAD drawings can be copied or referenced so the established relation helps the 3D to be automatically updated when AutoCAD 2D drawing changes.
April 09, 2021

AutoCAD is the GOAT for me

Adrienne Gould-Choquette, P.E. | TrustRadius Reviewer
Adrienne Gould-Choquette, P.E.
Principal Engineer
Adicot, Inc. (Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering, 1-10 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
  • Anyone in my industry not using AutoCAD is producing a sub-par product.
  • I recently had a tile installer ask what software I used to do the conceptual isometric of our bathroom renovation. I told her I used AutoCAD but certainly did not recommend it for her purposes based on the expense or the time required to learn the software. It is sophisticated software, not recommended if only using for simple sketches.
April 09, 2021

Industry Standard CAD!

Verified User
Manager in Other
Events Services Company, 11-50 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD is great in situations where you need accurate technical drawing with industry standard markups, it helps us work with building and architect businesses as we are using the same software solution as them. For the basic uses that we do, for example, the floor plans, drawing these with AutoCAD is sort of like killing an ant with a hammer, while AutoCAD offers a great many features, we only use a portion of them in our day to day drawings. However, having the extra features and the skills with an industry standard software on hand is far more valuable.
April 09, 2021

AutoCAD review

Verified User
Manager in Research & Development
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Company, 501-1000 employees
Score 4 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Mainly only suited for us in lab and manufacturing facility layouts. The general shape of objects and ability to drag and move them around is our main use of this software internally. We have much more 3D modeling work needed for our main products and have an easier time rendering them into a usable format for structural simulation and analysis in another software package. Due to this fact, I do not recommend for mechanical engineering work.
April 09, 2021

AutoCAD is a great software for architects

FA
Fernanda Alonso
CX
Obra (Design, 1-10 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD is suitable for creating robust projects that will require interoperability between teams and that need to use common software and AutoCAD ends up being the most used in the market. When it is necessary to create a project that integrates 3D and material calculation, it becomes easier and less bureaucratic to use other software on the market.
April 08, 2021

AutoCAD is the industry standard for 2D project documentation and is right for the smallest offices and largest firms.

Verified User
Professional in Other
Architecture & Planning Company, 1-10 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
For all of its faults, AutoCAD is the industry standard for 2D CAD drawings. It is appropriate for single users, small offices, or large firms. CAD libraries are easily developed and shared over networks or via the cloud. Scaling and collaboration with consultants is easy.
Return to navigation