About AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a 2D and 3D design and drafting platform for architects, engineers, construction professionals, field technicians and contractors, which supports 2D drafting, drawing and annotation tools, alongside 3D modeling and visualization technology. With native iOS and Android mobile apps, AutoCAD also gives users the flexibility to view, create, edit and share drawings on the go, via any smartphone or tablet.
AutoCAD’s 2D drafting, drawing, and annotation tools allow users to manage text settings, smart dimensioning, and leaders, as well as tables, layouts, fields and more. The 3D modeling and visualization tools enable users to manage solid, surface and mesh modeling, 3D navigation, and visual styles, alongside photorealistic rendering, 3D scanning, point clouds and more.
Collaboration tools such as PDF and DGN import/export, 3D model import, geographic location information and online maps allow users to share and reuse data, as well as add location information into a drawing. To streamline the design workflow, AutoCAD includes ribbon tabs and panels, tool palettes, multifunctional grips, dynamic blocks, and more. Other key features include external file references, object selection and text to Mtext enhancements.
AutoCAD’s mobile app tools allow users to create, edit and mark-up drawings, as well as measure accurately while working remotely on site. Users can also access multi-touch zoom, advanced drawing tools, such as arc and offset, as well as manage layers and blocks. A simple design feed allows users to provide updates for team with notes, photos and feedback on project progress.
Pricing starting from:
US$1 470,00/year
- Free Trial
- Subscription
Compare with Popular Alternatives
Key benefits of AutoCAD
Devices
Business size
Markets
Supported Languages
Pricing starting from:
US$1 470,00/year
- Free Trial
- Subscription
Compare with Popular Alternatives
Images
Features
Total features of AutoCAD: 13
- API
- Alerts / Escalation
- Collaboration Tools
- Content Management
- Data Extraction
- Data Format Management
- Data Import/Export
- Data Migration
- Design Management
- File Management
- Geographic Maps
- Offline Access
- Search Functionality
Alternatives
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mHelpDesk
Reviews
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- Industry: Events Services
- Company size: 2-10 Employees
- Used Other for 2+ years
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 8.0 /10
Autocad for "part-time" civil engineer
Reviewed on 2019/07/28
Once I tried to draw my own home's plan but could not manage software requires a lot of time and...
Once I tried to draw my own home's plan but could not manage software requires a lot of time and patience.
Pros
It manages extremely large projects with exact measures and details. It gives availability to work in 3D Space. Cloud function helps to get advantage to work as a team.
Cons
It needs strong computer resources. Without qualified tutorials, it is like impossible to work on this program. Besides the price is so expensive.

- Industry: Media Production
- Company size: 11-50 Employees
- Used Weekly for 1+ year
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10
CAD Can
Reviewed on 2020/04/10
It’s a very powerful tool and professional grade. The software’s capacity and presence, in the...
It’s a very powerful tool and professional grade. The software’s capacity and presence, in the creative industry, provides an alleviating affect to its audience and users.
Pros
I have a lot of flexibility in terms of the mediums I can ease into and AutoCAD truly helps in that aspect. It delivers the workspace to bring a flat design to life in a way that most dimensional design products don’t. One thing for certain is the application’s versatility in making the space feel less technically tedious and more straightforward. The functionality is very simple and gives its user the chance to apply their personal preference into the art board without losing resolution and methodology.
Cons
My only note of interest would be the application’s need for dimensional guidance. While it provides a very nice approach to freeform, it lightly loses touch of having a snap to grid like essence about it more than a majority.
- Industry: Civil Engineering
- Company size: Self Employed
- Used Other for Free Trial
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 7.0 /10
There is a reason that the name AutoCAD is synonymous with drafting
Reviewed on 2020/11/24
There is a reason that AutoCAD has been the market leader for decades. The software is the gold...
There is a reason that AutoCAD has been the market leader for decades. The software is the gold standard. The software keys getting better and easier to use with multiple ways to use the software (online, desktop, mobile). The price can be prohibitive for those who only have occasional usage like myself.
Pros
The online version is quick and easy to use. They offer a by month use plan which is great for my occasional use. The integration with AutoDesk's other software is useful. The UI is clean and intuitive. New features and updates keep the software fresh and on the cutting edge.
Cons
The software is expensive for my needs and navigating the various licenses and options can be a bit challenging.

- Used Monthly for 2+ years
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10
Autocad, it was my design school.
Reviewed on 2018/03/13
With autocad I learned to design with a computer, I learned to model, I learned CAD, it was my...
With autocad I learned to design with a computer, I learned to model, I learned CAD, it was my initial school.
Pros
Working in AutoCAD is much easier than working on paper. We saved a lot of time and it's much simpler than that. Doing it by hand can be tedious and we also have to consider our prolixity when it comes to doing it on a sheet.
As Autodesk is launching new versions, they do not change much with respect to the previous ones so that the user does not have to update to something completely unknown. The latest versions are very similar, except that they add new small functions.
The configuration to print a drawing in AutoCAD in different formats is very easy. There are many formats included and we can adjust colors, margins, layers, among many other aspects.
AutoCAD has been linked to multiple platforms, with the benefit of being able to export and import files of all kinds. For example, we can bring an image or a block to the software, among other applications.
Cons
The main disadvantage is the high cost of the program, since the license costs a few dollars.
Knowing how to use the software fully requires a lot of time since there are many functions that are not so well known, and even that they are of little application, since they are very specific.
It requires a very powerful computer to work with the latest versions (especially in 3D). At least 2GB of RAM, 2GHz processing speed, and a space greater than 100GB on the hard drive.
If we make an object in 3D, with many details, brightness settings, brightness, details of materials, for the best commercial computer we have, it usually slows down a lot. There are better software to make 3D drawings that are more sophisticated, with more functions and that do not slow down so much when working with a very heavy file.
- Industry: Architecture & Planning
- Company size: Self Employed
- Used Monthly for Free Trial
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Review Source
Overall rating
- Ease of Use
- Likelihood to recommend 5.0 /10
A little outdated but still reasonable tool
Reviewed on 2020/09/24
I used to draw everything in AutoCad at my previous employer. Nowadays it seem slow and cumbersome....
I used to draw everything in AutoCad at my previous employer. Nowadays it seem slow and cumbersome. It's tempting to use because of the ease of copy&paste of previously drawn elements but there is little automation. A single wrong value can snowball into big mistakes. A BIM software is much more desired.
I still use AutoCad to draw detail and simple drawing that do not require much coordination.
Pros
Simple and robust software. File compatibility goes back to 1997. Though limited as it I rarely had any problems and there were never any problems when sending files. It opened all dwg without problems (unlike some other CAD programs I've tried)
Cons
Complicated interface and not intuitive. 3d drawing is especially daunting.
Automation requires even more knowledge - I've never got to learning how to program titleblocks.
Slow startup
AutoCAD FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions for AutoCAD.Q. What type of pricing plans does AutoCAD offer?
AutoCAD offers the following pricing plans:
- Starting from: US$1 470,00/year
- Pricing model: Subscription
- Free Trial: Available
Purchase options include flexible subscription terms to fit the user's needs. Contact Autodesk directly for detailed pricing information.
Q. What are the main features of AutoCAD?
AutoCAD offers the following features:
- 2D drafting, drawing & annotation
- 3D modeling & visualization
- 3D navigation (orbit, wheel)
- 3D scanning & point clouds
- API
- Action recorder
- Associative arrays
- Automated dimensions
- Base, projected, & section views
- CAD drawing management
- CUI customization
- Centerlines & center marks management
- Collaboration tools
- Command line
- Common dialog boxes & toolbars
- Content management
- Customizable tool palettes
- DGN file management
- DWG & image references
- Data extraction
- Data linking
- Data migration
- Design management
- Design view
- Dynamic blocks
- Express tools
- External file references
- Fields management
- Format management
- Geographic location & online maps
- Geometry import
- High-resolution monitor support
- Layouts management
- Leaders creation
- Model documentation
- Model references & import
- Multifunctional grips
- Navisworks model attachments
- Object & layer transparency
- Object selection
- Object selection & isolation
- Offline access
- PDF & DGN import/export
- Parametric constraints
- Photorealistic rendering
- Print studio
- Revision clouds
- Ribbon tabs & panels
- Search functionality
- Section planes
- Sheet set manager
- Shortcut menus
- Solid, surface & mesh modeling
- System variable monitor
- Sysvar monitor
- Tables
- Text settings
- Text to Mtext conversion
- iOS & Android mobile apps
Q. Who are the typical users of AutoCAD?
AutoCAD has the following typical customers:
Small Business, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business
Q. What languages does AutoCAD support?
AutoCAD supports the following languages:
English
Q. Does AutoCAD support mobile devices?
AutoCAD supports the following devices:
Android, iPhone, iPad
Q. What other apps does AutoCAD integrate with?
AutoCAD integrates with the following applications:
12d Synergy, Document Locator, Fulcrum, MIE Trak Pro, Manufacturing X, MediaValet, Revizto, Upchain, WIZZCAD, iOFFICE
Q. What level of support does AutoCAD offer?
AutoCAD offers the following support options:
Knowledge Base, Video Tutorials, Online Support
Related categories
See all software categories found for AutoCAD.