SOLIDWORKS vs AutoCAD

These two are rarely substitutes. SOLIDWORKS is the mid-market mechanical standard, chosen because suppliers, contract machinists and new hires already work in its files. AutoCAD is the DWG original, chosen by offices that exchange drawings daily with clients and consultants. Manufacturers end up with the first, drafting offices with the second, and both now publish annual per-user prices online.

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Both are reviewed in full in our CAD ranking: SOLIDWORKS and AutoCAD.

1. 01

   Mechanical design or DWG drafting

   SOLIDWORKS is mechanical CAD for manufacturing: parts, assemblies and drawings, with sheet metal, weldment and mould tools in every package. AutoCAD is 2D and 3D drafting built around DWG, and the subscription adds seven toolsets, among them Architecture, Electrical, MEP, Mechanical and Plant 3D. Neither replaces the other; which one is right follows from whether you make parts or issue drawings.

   Depends on the buyer

2. 02

   What happens when you stop paying

   AutoCAD has been subscription only since 2016, and the software stops when the subscription lapses, although DWG files kept on your own storage stay readable elsewhere. SOLIDWORKS still lists a perpetual licence with subscription services, sold through reseller partners only, next to quarterly and yearly term licences. SOLIDWORKS leaves you holding more when payment ends, provided you buy that perpetual route.

   Edge: SOLIDWORKS

3. 03

   Published prices

   Both vendors now show a price. AutoCAD is listed at $2,095 per year for one user paid annually, or $260 paid monthly. SOLIDWORKS Design Standard is listed at $2,820 USD per year for a single-user licence, Professional at $3,456 and Premium at $4,716, as USA prices before local tax. Perpetual and quarterly SOLIDWORKS licences remain reseller business without a listed price.

   Edge: AutoCAD

4. 04

   What the subscription includes

   AutoCAD's single plan covers Windows and Mac, the web and mobile apps and all seven toolsets, though the toolsets run on Windows only. SOLIDWORKS splits capability by tier: Standard has modelling, drawings, cloud file management and NC programming, Professional adds rendering, a fastener library and cost estimation, and Premium adds routing, linear static analysis and motion analysis.

   Depends on the buyer

5. 05

   Who already uses it

   Both win on network rather than features, but in different networks. SOLIDWORKS has the deepest supplier ecosystem in mechanical work: machinists, hires who need no training and an add-in market covering most niches. AutoCAD has the drafting network: any drafter you hire already knows it and everyone sends DWG. The stronger network is simply the one your counterparties sit in.

   Depends on the buyer

Is SOLIDWORKS or AutoCAD better for mechanical engineering?

For parts and assemblies made with suppliers and contract manufacturers, SOLIDWORKS is the natural fit: every package has sheet metal, weldment and mould tools, and Premium adds routing, linear static analysis and motion analysis.

AutoCAD includes a Mechanical toolset with a large parts library, but its core strength is DWG drafting.

Can I buy SOLIDWORKS or AutoCAD outright?

SOLIDWORKS still lists a perpetual licence with subscription services, but only through a reseller partner and tied to a single device; the licences sold online are yearly terms.

AutoCAD ended perpetual licences and has been subscription only since 2016, so access to the software stops when the subscription does.

Which costs more over ten years, SOLIDWORKS or AutoCAD?

At the list prices shown on the check date, ten annual terms of AutoCAD at $2,095 come to $20,950 per user, and ten of SOLIDWORKS Design Standard at $2,820 USD come to $28,200 before tax.

Higher SOLIDWORKS tiers cost more, and a reseller-quoted perpetual licence follows a different calculation.

Does AutoCAD run on a Mac, and does SOLIDWORKS?

An AutoCAD subscription covers AutoCAD for Windows and AutoCAD for Mac plus the web and mobile apps, but the seven specialised toolsets are Windows only.

SOLIDWORKS Design is described by its vendor as locally installed on a PC; the separate browser-based SOLIDWORKS xDesign runs on any device with a web browser.

• SOLIDWORKS Design plans and pricing page: SOLIDWORKS Design tier prices and what each tier includes.
• SOLIDWORKS licensing page: perpetual licence only through reseller partners; quarterly and yearly terms.
• SOLIDWORKS buying options and FAQ page: SOLIDWORKS is locally installed; xDesign is browser based.
• Autodesk AutoCAD buy page: AutoCAD annual and monthly prices.
• Autodesk AutoCAD overview page: the seven AutoCAD toolsets and 2D and 3D drafting.
• Autodesk AutoCAD subscription FAQ: Windows and Mac coverage, web and mobile apps, toolsets Windows only.