AutoCAD
7.5#1 in electrical design softwareAndroidiOSWebmacOS
VisitAutoCAD vs SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS
8.3#3 in 3d cad softwareFrom $48 a yearWebmacOSWindows
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | AutoCAD | SOLIDWORKS |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1982 | 1993 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California | Waltham, Massachusetts, USA |
| Refund policy | 30-day return for annual and multi-year subscriptions; 15-day return for monthly subscriptions | Orders can be cancelled and refunded within 15 days after purchase |
AutoCAD plans
- AutoCAD MonthlyPriced on request
- AutoCAD Monthly—
- AutoCAD AnnualPriced on request
- AutoCAD Annual—
- AutoCAD 3-YearPriced on request
- AutoCAD 3-Year—
SOLIDWORKS plans
- SOLIDWORKS Design Standard with Cloud Services$2,820 a year
- SOLIDWORKS Design Professional with Cloud Services$3,456 a year
- SOLIDWORKS Design Premium with Cloud Services$4,716 a year
- SOLIDWORKS for Makers$48 a year
Pick AutoCAD if…
AutoCAD suits people who need precise 2D or 3D drafting and modeling, including teams collaborating on DWG files. Its specialized toolsets address several design fields, and eligible students and educators can use renewable education access.
Pick SOLIDWORKS if…
SOLIDWORKS suits people and organizations working with 3D product design, including industrial, medical, scientific, consumer, educational, technology, and transportation markets. Students can use Design Standard at no cost, while Makers is aimed at personal, non-commercial use.