AutoCAD vs Design Flex

SolidWorks Premium

Revit

ARCHICAD

FreeCAD

Chief Architect

Inertia

Compare AutoCAD and Design Flex based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

Revit is a BIM (building information modeling) solution for architects, structural engineers, construction companies, & MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) services. The platform facilitates coordinated 3D design & offers tools such as floor plan design, 3D visualizations, & a WYSIWYG editor.

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.

FreeCAD is an on-premise open-source paramedic 3D modeler, which helps businesses design objects of all sizes. Programmers can sketch constrained 2D shapes and utilize them as a base to create other objects. It supports several file formats such as IGES, SVG, DXF, DE, IFC, STL, STEP, OBJ, and more.


AutoCAD is a design and drafting platform which supports automated design tasks and offers features such as 2D drafting, drawing and annotation, 3D modeling and visualization, and more.

2D Drawing

3D Design & Modeling

3D Modeling

Access Controls/Permissions

Animation

Annotations

Bills of Material

CAD Tools

Change Management

Civil

Collaboration Tools

Commercial

Compliance Management

Component Library

Configurable Workflow

Content Library

Customizable Fields

Data Import/Export

Design Management

Design Templates

Document Generation

Document Management

Document Storage

Drafting

Drag & Drop

Electrical

Estimating

File Management

Floor Plans & Maps

For 3D Printing

For AEC Industry

For Architects

For Manufacturers

For Residential

Landscape Design

Manufacturing Design Data

Mechanical

Mobile Access

Offline Access

Parts Management

Planning Tools

Product Data Management

Project Management

Project Templates

Project Workflow

Real-Time Updates

Rendering

Reporting/Analytics

Reusable Designs

Rules-Based Workflow

Scheduling

Search

Search/Filter

Secure Data Storage

Sketching and Annotation Tools

Third-Party Integrations

Workflow Management

AutoCAD

Android

Linux

Web-based

Windows

iPad

iPhone

Search Engine Optimization Manager

The biggest disadvantage of AutoCAD is that it comes with a lot of problems, which is to be expected from a tool that can do so much. It seems reasonable to me.

Civil engineer

WOW, all that I can say is that probably this is the most important software to make blueprints in the world.

interior designer 

The AutoCAD is very good to be used for many industries like construction and industrial / manufacturing process as well, good for beginners and professional level as well.

architecture

I use this program all of the time because their Features are awesome powerful tool and easy for professional and beginners.

excellent application

Excellent for architects and engineers, all functions and tools are easy to use, and have an excellent cost benefit.

Co Founder

It is the most accessible CAD software to date with lots of documentation and a great and responsive community. Very user friendly and a well designed interface.

Telecommunications Specialist

I have been using AutoCAD (Mostly 2D) for almost 9 years now and I found it very useful, easy to use, and great platform for drafting anything you like.

Sometimes the user interface becomes annoying, file can get very big and may crash the computer, drawings can get corrupt.

Web Developer 

It was one and still is the best Architectural software they was and will every be. I remember how easy it was to make designs and configure settings to my liking.

Student

Great software with a great user interface that has a ton of functionality to it.

Firstly, I like all the features in AutoCAD which make the software one of the best in engineering designs. Also, it is not complected and that make the software easy to use for any user.

INDEPENDENT BUSINESS CONSULTANT

I love the shortcut keys for various tools, it makes the job a lot quicker. As a Mechanical Engineer , I really love spending time with different drawings in this cool software.

Front-End Web Developer

Overall, I think AutoCAD has been a great addition to our company. We needed a 3D drawing tool and even with the price, I believe AutoCAD was the best software for us.

Landscape Architect

I love how easily other pieces of software can integrate with it and how you can produce quality looking technical drawings within a relatively short time-span.

Planner

It is frustrating when in the AutoCAD updates over the years that the interface has changed so much that it makes it hard to adjust and find things.

Applications Engineer

This is also backed up by AutoDesk's excellent customer service and a very large catalogue of training documentation and tutorials online.

Innovation Manager

The 3d is terrible and right now the 3d is absolutely need for design.

Freelancer

The software keeps improving with update and the integration with other software as well as the online version gives me interest working experience.

AutoCAD screenshot: AutoCAD design models

AutoCAD screenshot: AutoCAD manage model design

AutoCAD screenshot: AutoCAD customize workspace 

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Non Profit

Public Administrations

Small Business

Chief Architect is a complete architectural design solution that helps remodeling professionals and interior designers create and share home design plans, 3D models, and renderings via a unified portal. The platform enables users to create floor plans, building elevations and perspectives, dormers, window details, and more.

Archicad from Graphisoft is an architectural CAD and building information modeling software for architects, interior designers and planners, with Archicad adding enhancements including CineRender engine, remastered Façade Design tool, Parametric Profile Editor and BIMx mobile model visualizations

Inertia is a construction management software that helps businesses with project management, job site coordination, and compliance management. The platform enables managers to collaborate, track progress, and communicate across teams.

Design Flex is architecture software that helps businesses design kitchen and bathroom spaces by generating photorealistic renders and 360° panoramic views. It gives designers the ability to use real products in designs through the largest selection of manufacturer catalogs in the industry.

3D Imaging

Billing & Invoicing

BIM Modeling

Contact Management

Data Visualization

Presentation Tools

Quotes/Estimates

Summary Reports

Task Management

Task Progress Tracking

Task Scheduling

Template Management

Timesheet Management

Design Flex

Interior Designer - Kitchen and Bath

The ability to print of floor plans and elevations with ease is a great feature. It is a very easy program to learn and integrate.

kitchen & bath designer

I am quite impressed with the 2020 learning videos. They are so helpful and it's nice to go back and revisit them when I am not quite sure how to do something.

Owner and lead designer 

I love the rendering and ability to accurately draw my spaces. Love the huge portfolio online to use.

Cabinet Designer

I love that I can show clients what they're getting. I love that it generates all the trim for me as well.

Estimator

Oh, and the crashes, the crashes alone are making me bald. This is a very frustrating program, but almost required in the industry.

We use this everyday for cabinetry design, proposals, and presentations. It is very nice and pretty user friendly.

owner

I like the ability to visualize the design with 3-d renderings. I appreciate cabinet catalogs include pricing to be able to price, design and visualization simultaneously.

Design/Sales Support

Efficient and definitely helps me do my job to the best of my ability.

Manager Kitchen and Bath 

The ease of using multiple catalogs makes the system work much better. Also, whenever calling customer service they are very helpful.

Designer

It is so user friendly and the rendering are amazing.

Kitchen Designer

Crashes a lot, files become corrupted and don't save into recovery. Can be quite frustrating.

Product Specialist

Big kudos to them for taking that seriously b/c that's what makes/breaks a product.

Owner/Kitchen Designer

2020 design lives helps me draw kitchens quickly and accurately and allows my customers to envision what their space will look like.

I was basically trained on this program, it gives me everything required to professionally do my job. It is easy to use and the customer support is invaluable and user friendly.

Design & Sales Administration

It's like I'm being forced to create a very specific drawing, without actually having the specifics. That results in a misleading rendering.

President/CEO

2020 design has several drawbacks which lead to a negative user impression. Overall cost is significantly too high for small business usage.

Interior Designer

I like the integration with LiveOrder because it makes placing orders through our various cabinet companies a lot easier and more streamlined.

Cabinetry Designer - Home Project Specialist

Some of the applications are hard to determine and understand.

Design Flex screenshot: 2020 Design Live space planning

Design Flex screenshot: 2020 Design Live dimension calculation

Design Flex screenshot: 2020 Design Live visualization

Design Flex screenshot: Kitchen, bath and closet design software. Create high quality renderings to wow your clients.

Design Flex screenshot: Real manufacturer products in real-time. Not only does 2020 Design Live provide the largest selection of manufacturer catalogs to designers but offers online configurable cabinetry, appliance and plumbing that is uniquely available on 2020 Cloud.

Design Flex screenshot: Personalizing a design is the finishing touch that will tug at your clients' heart strings. 2020 Design Live has native decorative cloud items & SketchUp integration to offer you all the decor you need to sell your designs

Design Flex screenshot: Created to help designers sell more spaces from space planning to photorealistic renderings to 360 panoramas 2020 Design Live has all the tools that will help designers create stunning kitchens & bathrooms that are easy to show off to clients

AutoCAD vs Design Flex Comparison (2026)

AutoCAD

Design Flex

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives