ActCAD vs AutoCAD LT

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Revit

AutoCAD is a design and drafting platform which supports automated design tasks and offers features such as 2D drafting, drawing and...

SketchUp is a design and collaboration solution that helps businesses streamline AEC and interior design workflows. Its intuitive 3D modeler allows users to visualize projects, while its 2D documentation and AR/VR viewing applications keep stakeholders aligned throughout the design-build process.

Revit is a BIM (building information modeling) solution for architects, structural engineers, construction companies, & MEP (mechani...

Retired

Service not been helpful to find the issue

ACTCAD is professional 2D & 3D DWG/DXF CAD software with familiar workflows and affordable perpetual licensing.

2D Drawing

3D Imaging

3D Modeling

Access Controls/Permissions

Annotations

Architectural Symbol Library

Audit Trail

BIM Modeling

CAD Tools

Civil

Collaboration Tools

Component Library

Content Library

Data Import/Export

Design Analysis

Design Modeling

Design Templates

Document Management

Drafting

Electrical

For AEC Industry

For Architects

Image Editing

Landscape Design

Manufacturing Design Data

Mechanical

Mechatronics

Multiple File Format Support

Offline Access

Presentation Tools

Real-Time Updates

Rendering

Sketching and Annotation Tools

Most reviewers indicate that ActCAD delivers excellent value for money, with affordable one-time pricing and robust features. Most users consider the cost-benefit ratio highly favorable, though a few reviewers express concerns about potential future price increases.

Value for money

By industry, ActCAD reviewers are most commonly professionals in architecture & planning (22%). The most frequent use case for ActCAD cited by reviewers is engineering CAD (70% of reviewers).

Proprietary

ActCAD

Windows

AutoCAD LT

MicroStation

Civil 3D

ActCAD 2027 Standard

Frequent stability problems

Architectural Designer

Project Engineer

Just to mention a few: Table Import, Dinamic Blocks, Text Style configuration (it usually crashes the program), overkill rework, export data, etc.

81% of reviewers feel negative about bugs and issues in ActCAD. Some users report frequent crashes, freezing, and glitches that disrupt their workflow and occasionally result in lost data. Reviewers indicate that problems often occur when handling large or complex files, and they sometimes need to restart the software or their computer to resolve issues. They mention that certain features, such as external image management and specific drawing tools, are prone to malfunction. Users say that slow or unresponsive support for bug reports adds to their frustration with these recurring technical problems.

Straightforward user experience

100% of reviewers feel positive about the ease of use. Reviewers indicate that ActCAD is simple to learn and navigate, especially for those familiar with similar CAD programs like AutoCAD. Some users say the interface is intuitive and tasks can be completed quickly without a steep learning curve. They find the software convenient for both beginners and experienced users, mentioning that it streamlines their workflow and reduces the time needed to accomplish design tasks. Users think the straightforward setup and familiar layout contribute to a smooth transition from other CAD tools.

Affordable full-featured CAD

100% of reviewers feel positive about ActCAD as a CAD software. Users think it offers robust CAD functionality at a much lower price than competitors, making it accessible for businesses with budget constraints. Some reviewers find the compatibility with industry-standard formats and similarity to AutoCAD especially valuable, allowing them to work seamlessly with existing files. They appreciate the inclusion of essential features for engineering and architectural design, and note that ActCAD serves as a reliable alternative to more expensive CAD solutions without sacrificing core capabilities.

ActCAD comes with all the latest features & functions which is very helpful for Engineers, designers & draftsman for their day to day engineering activities.

software technician

This may impact usability for Italian-speaking users.

Senior Scheduler

Suggest having the software recognised the location of the user when logging in and the program automatically deactivates and reactivates between the IP addresses.

Developer

fastest , smooth performance , 2d and 3d modeling, Technical support

Engineer

I 'am beginner in ActCAD, I discovered great new software, It is very easy to use, Shortcut keys are good,Also ActCAD is very low price as compared to another CAD.

Design Engineer

Introducing new commands as per the customer requirement.

Need to expand the network , only a few are using this

Designer / CAD Tech.

This product has its pros and cons like any, its strong points is being able to convert other files to DWG format to work within, I like the abilities to customize having the Intellicad work engine this is a great software that can be expanded.

President-Owner

So, after trying several other CAD programs which simply were too limited or have an unfamiliar format that would require too long to master, I happened on ActCAD almost by accident.  

home owner

I mainly use it for house plans for remodels I do, or basic part sketching for things I build in my shop.   

C.T.O

The most of the functionality are same as AutoCAD only except the dim functions. When I use short keys for dim, it never works same with AutoCAD and I feel pretty uncomfortable when I apply dimensions to the design.

Electrical Specialist

I use it to document what I do, and as a lot of our work is repetitive, because of ActCAD, all I have to do is print out a drawing instead of having to lay out the components of the panels we build.

technical designer

Another big problem was that sometimes some objects were randomly invisible and therefore also impossible to select.

I switched the computer I had to manually reset the license on the homepage.

General Manager

It seems a right solution for us since we  use actcad for our basic drawings.

Responsabile Area Tecnica Comunale

Moreover it is necessary to add a light theme in addition to the dark one present by default and to know how to customize the language of some windows / dialogues, not fully translated

geologist

just some trouble in the external images management and visualization, which sometime disappeared in the first stage of use of the software (never happened with Autodesk), but then  after changing the laptop with a powerful one the issue never happened again

Urban planner and regional Developer

There is no separate command for measuring angles! When measuring area and happens to undo a vertex, the boundary of currently selected vertices disappears.

What I liked most about this product is the affordable price for a high end drafting software.

President

The menu update option is non functional, making updates difficult at best because tech support must be contacted for a link and the original program completely uninstalled.  

I am not efficient, but I love the accuracy of being able to draw in scale, print in scale, and produce professional looking drawings.  

Planning Manager

ActCAD also allows users who are unfamiliar with 3D drawing software to examine 3D designs.

architect

The fact that it occasionally has bugs and that it does not have routines to insert doors and windows in the floor plans without having to go through 3d.

Also some small features that felt nice at first (even though I later turned them off).

Can open and edit and save drawings from 20+ years ago that were first drawing in DOS Autocad.  

The overall quality of ActCAD stands out when it comes to a simple CAD program for small and medium companies, includding individuals.

The best business problem solved with ActCAD was that i could afford an official CAD product for my business at low coast!!!!

When snap tracking is on the software can grab points all around you intended target.  

Civil Engineer

Printing  with transparency together with print styles and "print preview" needs improvement.

Project Manager

Nothing. As mentioned, I had to learn a little with the location of and functions as they are all different from my experience with a previous CAD software, but this comes with anything new.

I am a retired Design engineer Actcad is similar to Acad that I have used in my work before retirement and it was cheap enough to fit my limited budget.

Director

Price, features similiar to autocad, interface and commands similiar to autocad.

director

Structural Engineer

You do not get a different dimension layer in the "Annotation" tab where you can set a different layer to only dimension text and lines.

Some of the snap options, especially to snaps, don't always work even when turned on as in options.  

Land Surveying Engineer

Different icons, different feel plus some problems in displaying huge orthos.

ActCAD can be a bit slow at times when trying to sync and this can waste some time.

I used it at work to update drawing done by those who do that full time.  

Design Supervioser

Convertions, 2D drawing, 3D Drawing & addon tools

Designer

went searching for an updated version of design/drafting software as the main stream version is so expensive.

I'd like to know if there's a fix for that.  

Architect 

It’s sometimes gets out of the page when print is given from the layout.

I think it would be nice to have a #D software that you could accomplish better rendering capabilities than another with better graphics and ease of use.  

Supervisor

It required special settings by our IT department to work, and it's still buggy.

engineer

d version appear to function as well as ACAD LT and is a great Cad software for the price.

Head Engineering 

At the same time it helps us with All similar features and requires no additional training for using it.

Bugs and Issues

Drawing

2D and 3D Modeling

Pricing

Printing

Icons and Graphics

Small Industry

File Format

CAD Software

Mid-size Business

Small Business

Large Enterprises

Freelancers

Most reviewers indicate that ActCAD offers significant value for money, especially when compared to other CAD software options. They appreciate that ActCAD provides a wide range of functionalities and advanced tools at a much lower price point, making it an attractive alternative for both frequent and occasional users. Most users consider the software’s one-time purchase model and affordable pricing as major benefits, noting that it allows them to access features similar to those found in more expensive products without ongoing costs. They find ActCAD’s compatibility with industry-standard formats and its familiar interface add to its cost-effectiveness, particularly for businesses and individuals seeking to reduce expenses. Most reviewers highlight that ActCAD’s pricing structure is especially beneficial for small firms, part-time users, and those who need CAD capabilities without a large financial commitment. Some users say they save substantial amounts by choosing ActCAD over more costly competitors. A few reviewers express concerns that ActCAD, like other software, could eventually increase its prices, but overall, most users feel the current cost-benefit ratio is highly favorable.

Altium Develop

Altium Develop is a cloud-based PCB design and electronics product development platform that combines engineering collaboration, BOM management, requirements traceability, and design data management in a unified Altium 365 workspace.

SolidWorks Premium

SolidWorks Premium is the leading 3D design solution in the industry. It seamlessly integrates powerful design tools-including industry-leading part, assembly, and drawing capabilities with built-in simulation, rendering, animation, product data management, and cost estimation. 

SolidWorks will help you get work done faster and easier than before, using innovative phases of product creation to achieve a more productive 3D design experience.

AutoCAD LT 2D drafting software helps you create, edit and share your 2D drawings. It is specifically designed for small design team...

Some users say AutoCAD LT is a more affordable alternative with enough features for basic needs, and reviewers appreciate flexible subscription options. However, some reviewers feel the price remains high and dislike the move away from perpetual licenses.

By industry, AutoCAD LT reviewers are most commonly professionals in architecture & planning (20%). The most frequent use case for AutoCAD LT cited by reviewers is engineering CAD (56% of reviewers).

Web-based

Subscription

High cost and licensing concerns

53% of reviewers feel negative about AutoCAD LT’s pricing. Some users report that the software’s cost is prohibitively high, especially for small businesses and beginners, and prevents wider adoption. Reviewers express frustration with the shift to a subscription model, feeling it disadvantages those who previously invested in perpetual licenses. They indicate that frequent reminders to upgrade and the inability to purchase a full license are inconvenient. Users mention that the high price, combined with licensing restrictions, sometimes leads them to consider alternative, more affordable CAD solutions.

Flexible file sharing and compatibility

87% of reviewers feel positive about AutoCAD LT’s file management features. Reviewers indicate that the software simplifies saving, sharing, and recovering files, which is important for collaborating with colleagues and clients. Some users say they value the compatibility with common file formats like DWG, PDF, and DXF, making it easy to exchange files across different platforms and with other professionals. They find the cloud connectivity and file synchronization useful for accessing work from multiple devices and ensuring data is not lost. Users also mention that importing, exporting, and integrating files with other applications streamlines their workflow.

Efficient and precise drafting tools

LT excels in precision, offering intuitive drafting tools, accurate measurements, and a user-friendly interface.

88% of reviewers feel positive about AutoCAD LT’s drafting and CAD capabilities. Users say the software offers robust 2D drafting tools that enhance productivity and accuracy, allowing them to create professional-quality drawings efficiently. Reviewers appreciate the intuitive interface, customizable workspace, and precise geometry controls, which make technical drawing straightforward even for beginners. Some users report that the wide range of features, including design visualization and compatibility with various file formats, supports a variety of drafting needs. They indicate that the software is dependable for both basic and detailed design tasks, saving significant time compared to manual methods.

Asset Care Manager

Layers feature - on complex site drawings, having the ability the add drawings onto seperate layers means you can individually edit/turn then off to shoe exactly what is needed at the time.

Even for potential project work, less detailed drawings can be taken and formed as proof of concept with minimal dimensions which can be very handy for project feasability studies.

User

Really great application for architectural drawings and visualizing objects in 3D view, Accuracy is on point, we can draw precise drawings are true to scale as well

Sales Manager

Newer versions of CAD place high demands on computer performance.

It is good software that can be used to make precise 2d and 3d drawings

There is a big online community that can help troubleshoot any issues

it's a scary tool to use for the first time, because it contains a lot of commands and buttons, and when you're a beginner you need a lot of practice to understand its automation principle.

Project manager

It is easy to use and to make update to the drawings as the project gets underway in the field.

Lead facade designer

It's good to set out cladding panes and SFS design and getting pages set up for our construction team

Driver Manager

It has the ability to load a file that generates a picture and allows the user to trace the picture and drawing.

Researcher's 

The most impactful features of AutoCAD LT are 3D modeling, design visualization tools, a customizable interface, 2D drafting tools, and cloud connectivity.

Systems Engineer

The Online AutoCAD HELP guide is user-friendly and has all the details required for any topic you may want to learn.  

Software Engineer Intern

Users can create custom toolbars, menus, and shortcut keys, making the software more efficient and personalized.

AutoCAD LT is an excellent tool for streamlining the design process and helping to provide clarity, accuracy, and precision in designs.

The command section is really helpful for any user who is working for the first time. When I started as a first-time user, I didn't know anything about the software.

The library function for all sections, which makes it simpler to discover information within the application itself, is to me AutoCAD LT's extra strong point.

The most useful feature so far is match properties which makes the overall experience very efficient.

It does not allow for customization with LISP routines, and 3D work is limited. If you’re working very much in 3D you ought to be using Inventor or Revit anyway.

Industrial Engineer

The feature I like most of AutoCAD LT is the easy designing of 2D draws and building plans.

Junior Engineer

I can easily draw and modify all the engineering drawings necessary for my project.

Autocad LT is a great value for what it does, it is exactly like using it’s big brother “full” Autocad with some specific but reasonable limitations.

surveying 

A program that helps me in my work in a distinctive way, and helps me to show my work in a decent and organized manner, an accurate program.

ActCAD vs AutoCAD LT Comparison (2026)

ActCAD

AutoCAD LT

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives