AutoCAD vs SOLIDWORKS
Both are on the Electrical Design Software list. Here is what each maker publishes, side by side.
| AutoCAD | SOLIDWORKS | |
|---|---|---|
| Place on the list | #1 7.8 | #2 7.0 |
| Maker | AutoCAD | SOLIDWORKS |
| Starts at | $260 a month | $48 a year |
| Free | Free trial | Free plan |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone/iPad, Mac, Web, Windows | Mac, Web, Windows |
| Open source | No | No |
| Plans | AutoCAD Monthly: on request AutoCAD Monthly: on request AutoCAD Annual: on request AutoCAD Annual: on request | 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 |
| Verdict | AutoCAD combines 2D and 3D work with specialized toolsets and collaboration features. Check the subscription terms and price against your needs, particularly the named-user and one-device-at-a-time limits. | SOLIDWORKS combines locally installed design tools with optional cloud collaboration and browser-based modeling. Its plans differ in included capabilities, and the listed Standard price is an annual single-device license. |
| Visit AutoCAD | Visit SOLIDWORKS |