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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

Learn from top reviewers

the best software

Rating: 8 out of 10
June 12, 2025
Vetted ReviewVerified User
We use AutoCAD for the design and layout of HVAC and plumbing systems in construction projects such as hospitals. The software allows us to produce accurate, standards-complia...
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Verified user
Engineer
AutoCAD8 years of experience

AutoCAD Review

Rating: 7 out of 10
May 27, 2025
Vetted ReviewVerified User
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 daily for projects. The pros of softw...
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Osman Shaikh
Employee - Engineering
Design Engineer
Indovance
AutoCAD3 years of experience

AutoCAD the industry best software for Modeling and Development

Rating: 10 out of 10
April 25, 2025
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
AutoCAD has become an integral part of AEC industry over the years and being a part of software development as well as architectural team, I can definitely say that it is one ...
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Verified user
Engineer
AutoCAD2 years of experience

AutoCAD review

Rating: 5 out of 10
April 25, 2025
Vetted ReviewVerified User
We use AutoCAD to draft layout and materials plans for design. AutoCAD allows us to create construction documents that a contractor can then build from. It also allows for pre...
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Verified user
Employee
AutoCAD8 years of experience

Industry Standard for Drafting and Designing

Rating: 8 out of 10
March 11, 2025
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
We use AutoCAD for making changes and additions to existing jobs as it was our legacy software before we switched to Visio. We have over 4,000 jobs with multiple AutoCAD files...
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Verified user
Engineer
AutoCAD10 years of experience
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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
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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
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Features

Computer-Aided Design Software

Computer Aided Design Software features aid in automating the design processes.

6.4
Avg 7.2
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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 2D Drafting highest, with a score of 9.

The most common users of AutoCAD are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Comparisons

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CATIA

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Reviews From Top Reviewers

View all reviews
(1-5 of 52)

AutoCAD review from a casual user

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
September 12, 2019
DQ
Daniel Quinn
Event Director
Encore Event Technologoes (Events Services, 5001-10,000 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
AutoCAD
10 years of experience
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
AutoCAD is used on a per case basis as required for an event. Typically as a business, we use 3D modeling software and pull AutoCAD out when complex 3D designs need to be completed more accurately. I prefer to design and measure in AutoCAD and export out for fancier rendering requirements. AutoCAD is a great design tool when accuracy is required.
Pros
  • Architectural design.
  • System flow design.
  • Material design and application.
Cons
  • The user interface has an extremely steep learning curve.
  • Blocks/symbols integration is sometimes hard to understand.
  • Limited material database.
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD isn't suited for abstract modelling and rendering work, where more artistic input is required with less accuracy. There are better products for that.

Long-time AutoCAD users, it just keeps getting better.

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
April 01, 2021
JP
Jeff Prainito
Architectural Surveyor
HLM Group (Design, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
AutoCAD
29 years of experience
View profile
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
AutoCAD is a solid tool in our organization and has been for many years. Many of our customers require an AutoCAD DWG format for the As-Built drawings that we create. We mainly use it for creating blueprints of existing conditions and also new architectural designs.
Pros
  • Ease of use for us given there is no learning curve after all these years.
  • Flexibility to draw and represent what you see.
  • Extensive customized block library for creating blueprints.
Cons
  • There are many commands that are rarely or never used depending upon your industry. It does take some effort to create custom tool bars.
  • Dimension styles can be tricky to learn, other programs like Revit are easier in my opinion.
  • Navigating in 3D is difficult.
Likelihood to Recommend
AutoCAD is great for quickly creating very detailed blueprints, site plans, and 2D elevations. We quite often import and scale PDF or Image files that can be "traced" to easily transfer needed information. By connecting laser measurement equipment via Bluetooth we are able to efficiently gather data in the field. Sometimes it is quicker to create basic floor plan in AutoCAD and import that into Revit.

"The great software for Architects, Designers & Engineers"

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized
October 03, 2018
NC
Neha Chopra
Signalling Design Assistant
Softech Global Ltd. (Transportation/Trucking/Railroad, 51-200 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
AutoCAD
3 years of experience
View profile
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We use AutoCAD for some 2D & 3D layouts and a lot of signal design schematics. As an engineering firm, AutoCAD is very useful for our designs and internal projects. As an Assistant Signal designer, without this software I think I could not work, it is really essential to use this software now in my life for my work, I have presented a lot of drawings for large and small projects by using AutoCAD. It has helped me in various projects and every day I learn more about the tools, which allows me to say that AutoCAD is the best professional quality engineering and architecture program for the design .
Pros
  • In AutoCAD,it can be easy to draw details of anything needed for projects. AutoCAD has a variety of detail levels, from simple stick line drawings to full detail wireframe 3D models.
  • Because AutoCAD is primarily a line drawing software, it will require editing and redrawing to get exactly what you want from it. But it's simpler and easier to jump in to, and will be more cost effective for smaller projects or customers with smaller budgets.
  • We can use AutoCAD by Commands like copy command, move command, stretch command.
Cons
  • Nothing, everything is just perfect with this software, the only thing I would just say is the performance and compatibility with RAM and the memory you need free on your computer. Also, the updates from AutoDESK are a little tedious and can slow down your performance but you then only need to downgrade your service packs and problem fixed.
  • It crashes all the time and I lose work and have to do it all over again. Also the fact that is a basic app for many people, to work in more specific subjects, AutoCAD is too simple, and there are other apps that can provide other new an advance tools.
  • It is expensive and it takes up a lot of storage space. The license of the program has a high cost and it requires a computer with a lot of memory space in to it.
  • Hatch processing is not good . It is slow and unresponsive at times.
Likelihood to Recommend
It is well suited to create drawings with specific dimensions and details to present a clean plan for clients. We use it as a 2D and 3D drawing tool! We use it for our production technical drawings and also for 3D presentation to our customers.It can crash at random times or hangup on large files. The ability to combine multiple tasks in one programmer, such as 2D drawings, 3D renderings, and schedules, is desirable as an architect when efficiency and coordination is key. AutoCAD falls down or less appropriate at this, as it does not have these multiple functions.

The aroma of first love

Rating: 6 out of 10
Incentivized
March 07, 2019
AG
Arlex Guzman
VICEPRESIDENT
EYEMAR EXPRESS (Airlines/Aviation, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
AutoCAD
20 years of experience
View profile
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
I have used AutoCAD since 1998 when I was finishing high school. I started with the version of AutoCAD 12 for MS DOS. I found it fascinating, when the Windows version came I loved it even more. I specialized, I got to develop routines and programs in AutoLISP. In 2004 when I used SolidWorks, AutoCAD happened to play a more specific and less preponderant role in my professional career. Today in our company the use of AutoCAD focuses on the development of 2D drawings in the .dxf format required for the CNC application of a TRUMPF punching machine, which makes it a very important tool for the manufacturing of sheet metal parts.
Pros
  • AutoCAD is one of the oldest CAD platforms, AutoDesk owes its success and prestige to it.
  • Its use is very simple.
Cons
  • It is necessary to understand that AutoCAD is a non-design drawing platform.
  • AutoCAD has evolved and matured but I think that AutoDesk must decide if it continues to strengthen its 3D modeling capabilities or if it definitely leaves those functions to Autodesk Inventor.
Likelihood to Recommend
It's simple, I see AutoCAD being introduced to users need to CAD and/or any industry where 2D drawing plays an important role, such as in the fabrication of sheet metal components.

AutoCAD as a fundamental basis of architectural design

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized
November 15, 2022
Verified User
Manager in Marketing
Design Company, 11-50 employees
Vetted Review
Verified User
AutoCAD
3 years of experience
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
In my workflow the use of AutoCAD is extremely important, not only on the beginning of every project but also on the development of the following steps. At this point, the resourcefull library of commands available on AutoCAD makes the drawing process much easier and intuitive in comparison to other drawing software. This one of the main reasons why I have always choose to work with AutoCAD on the development of my projects.
Pros
  • simple but very well organised interface for users
  • very intuitive comands that make the workflow with the software very easy, also for starter users without too many experience
  • the software responds very well to large and hard to read files, without slowing down or interrupting the workflow due to reading erros that normaly disrupt users and make the experience with the software more stressfull
Cons
  • improvements on the 3D modelling area, making the interface easier to deal with
  • an easier possibility to change the language settings of the software
  • improving the array command, making it more easier to handle with, considering that it often causes unespected erros to the software, interrupting the constant worflow
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
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