Frequently as an AutoCAD user I get asked “Are there any cheap AutoCAD Alternatives?” while on the inside my immediate answer is NO!!! Though I know that’s only because I bleed autodesk, I don’t go through a day without using one of their products and honestly I haven’t used anything better. At the same time I can fully understand that the price of a full autoCAD product runs into the thousands and thousands of dollars and most freelance or just home users will never need all the features included in the latest AutoCAD release. So it is because of this that I write this post, when asked this question I ask a few simple questions.
How much would you like to spend? and
Do you plan to work with or on projects that are completely AutoCAD Based?
If your answer is yes it will be difficult to find an alternative that will be 100% compatible for you. My first recommendation in this case is AutoCAD LT 2012 With this Light version of autoCAD you get the Full featured AutoCAD software toned back for home and personal use for a fraction of the full cost! In all honesty this is the best CAD software for the budget minded user. It is currently much cheaper than AutoCAD for only $911.98 at amazon. But this may simply be too much money, or overkill for someone who just wants to draw up their bedroom, or new deck plans.
For this group I then suggest either TurboCAD Deluxe currently $39.99 on amazon or Design CAD 3D MAX currently $51.98 on amazon. Both of these are excellent cheap CAD software packages that offer an alternative to AutoCAD at a discount. Each CAD program provides some autocad file compatibility for .dwg, .dxf, .ctb, .stb etc.. as well as other common drawing and design file types. Both programs also have tutorials and help available while staying low in price and very affordable for an autoCAD alternative. I’ve outlined in the table below some of the features for each package along with the msrp and the best deal I found on amazon.
- best AutoCAD alternatives
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| Autocad Alternative | TurboCAD v.17 Deluxe 2D/3D | Design CAD 3D MAX | AutoCAD LT 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Link to Current Sale Price | Currently $39.00 | Currently $51.98 | Currently $896.99 |
| File Types Supported | Supports AutoCAD Files: .dwg, .dxf, .CTB and .STB types | Supports: dwg, dxf, WMF, and HPGL | Supports all AutoCAD files, formats and options |
| Ease of Use (1 to 5) | 4.5: Easy to pick up, comes with well made tutorials. Many similarities to AutoCAD with transferable skills. | 4: Easy to learn, wide variety of functions that are intuitively layed out. | 4.5: The same options, layout and commands as full autoCAD with a fraction of the cost. Easy to find and free tutorials available |
| Highlighted Features | Supports both 2D and 3D drawing, layer management, pen, plot and linetype style. Section Detail tool. | Easy-to-use, versatile CAD tool that’s perfect for novice designers, but powerful enough to create high-quality 2D/3D designs, models and animations. | Works perfectly with entire AutoCAD suite of products, the industry standard for Drafting, engineers and architectural Drawings |
| MSRP Cost | $99.99 | $99.99 | $1,200 |
As always if you have any questions or a suggestion for an AutoCAD alternative you use please let me know below!
Cheers,
Brandon
I also want to recommend a software. A very similar and autocad compatible software is gstarcad. The website is http://www.gstarcadsoft.com where you can get a free trial for 30 days.