AutoCAD vs Onshape

AutoCAD9.4Visit Onshape8.9Visit

Higher score AutoCAD #1 in CAD Software 9.4/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit AutoCAD

vs

Onshape #6 in CAD Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Onshape

• AutoCAD fits best

  Established general-purpose CAD teams

• Onshape fits best

  Cloud-first collaborative product teams

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Side by side

Feature	AutoCAD 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Onshape 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in CAD Software	#6 in CAD Software
Best for	Established general-purpose CAD teams	Cloud-first collaborative product teams
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$1,500/user/yr
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Live chat, Community, Docs	Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	50+ integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AutoCAD 0/4 · Onshape 1/4
Parametric modeling	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Direct modeling	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Simulation tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Cloud collaboration	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Modeling dimension	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
File format support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Native DWG workflows plus DXF export and PDF underlays Parametric constraints and batch plotting support detailed drawing work Web and mobile access, including offline mobile access	Real-time collaboration, commenting and version history support shared design work. Browser and mobile access includes CAD tools and mobile editing. Professional adds simulation, rendering, CAM and advanced PDM.
Cons	Paid subscription only, with monthly, annual, and 3-year terms Desktop use requires periodic internet verification Seven specialized toolsets may exceed the needs of narrow CAD workflows	Free Plan is limited to non-commercial use and public documents. Standard and Professional are priced per user per year. Enterprise pricing is custom rather than published as a set amount.
Our verdict	AutoCAD is Autodesk’s computer-aided design software for creating, editing, documenting, and sharing precise 2D and 3D drawings. Its audience spans architects, engineers, designers, construction professionals, project managers, students,… Read the review →	Onshape is a cloud-based 3D CAD and product data management platform for product design teams, individual professionals, educators and manufacturers. It supports parametric part and assembly modeling, drawings, surfacing, version history… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• AutoCAD — where it wins

  • Native DWG workflows plus DXF export and PDF underlays
  • Parametric constraints and batch plotting support detailed drawing work
  • Web and mobile access, including offline mobile access

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid subscription only, with monthly, annual, and 3-year terms
  • Desktop use requires periodic internet verification
  • Seven specialized toolsets may exceed the needs of narrow CAD workflows

• Onshape — where it wins

  • Real-time collaboration, commenting and version history support shared design work.
  • Browser and mobile access includes CAD tools and mobile editing.
  • Professional adds simulation, rendering, CAM and advanced PDM.

  Where it doesn't

  • Free Plan is limited to non-commercial use and public documents.
  • Standard and Professional are priced per user per year.
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than published as a set amount.

• AutoCAD9.4/10 · Paid

  A broad DWG-based CAD toolkit for teams working across desktop, web, and mobile.

  Visit AutoCADFull verdict →
• Onshape8.9/10 · Free plan

  Browser-based parametric CAD with collaboration and data management across paid tiers.

  Visit OnshapeFull verdict →