# Compare 3ds Max vs AutoCAD 2026 | Capterra > Unsure of what to choose? Check Capterra to compare 3ds Max and AutoCAD based on pricing, features, product details, and verified reviews. Source: https://www.capterra.com/compare/206897-265024/3ds-Max-vs-AutoCAD --- # 3ds Max vs AutoCAD Features and Cost Comparison Last updated March 13th, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team.[Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) Your comparison: 3ds MaxAutoCAD2/4 selected [3ds Max](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/)[4.6 (113)](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews/) [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/)[4.7 (3,205)](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/reviews/) [## 3ds Max](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/)[4.6 (113)](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews/) Starting Price $205.00/month Value-for-Money 4 Functionality 4.6 Ease of Use 3.7 Customer Service 4.1 Reviews Sentiment Based on [113 reviews](#user-reviews) Positive 104 Neutral 7 Negative 2 [## AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/)[4.7 (3,205)](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/reviews/) Starting Price $250.00/month Value-for-Money 4.2 Functionality 4.6 Ease of Use 4.1 Customer Service 4.2 Reviews Sentiment Based on [3,205 reviews](#user-reviews) Positive 3,111 Neutral 82 Negative 12 ## Not a match? Find software alternatives tailored to your priorities. These software suggestions are similar to those you’re currently comparing. Highest Rated ### Hover 4.8 (59) * * * Starting Price $999.00 Flat Rate,Per Year Free Trial Free Version * * * User rating 98% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars * * * ### Altium Develop 4.6 (181) * * * Starting Price Contact vendor for pricing Free Trial Free Version * * * User rating 94% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars * * * ### Onshape 4.5 (341) * * * Starting Price $1500.00 Per User,Per Year Free Trial Free Version * * * User rating 94% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars * * * ### CET Essentials for Material Handling 0 * * * Starting Price $1500.00 Per User,Per Year Free Trial Free Version * * * User rating 0% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars * * * ## Summary * * * Key features rated by users Features selected based on 2,875 reviews from 3d cad software users. about the Fit Score methodology. Fit Score methodology Our Fit Score reflects how reviewers rate a product’s performance against a set of features reviewers rate as most important. A higher score indicates the product is rated better in delivering what reviewers most care about. If the Fit Score is not shown for a specific product, that only means there are currently not enough relevant data points to develop a meaningful score. It does not indicate that the product should be excluded from further evaluation. Best for Methodology 60%Fit Missing features Feature ratings 3D Design & Modeling 4.9 Data Import/Export NA 2D Drawing 3.9 Annotations 3.7 Component Library NA 87%Fit High performer Feature ratings 3D Design & Modeling 4.3 Data Import/Export 4.5 2D Drawing 4.7 Annotations 4.4 Component Library 4.4 User satisfaction User satisfaction 4.6 User reviews[113](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews/) Ease of use 3.7 Functionality 4.6 Value for money 4.0 Customer support 4.1 User satisfaction 4.7 User reviews[3,205](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/reviews/) Ease of use 4.1 Functionality 4.6 Value for money 4.2 Customer support 4.2 Price starts from Price starts from $205Per Month - Free version - Free trial Price starts from $250Per User, Per Month - Free version - Free trial Best for Best for Project Manager , Designer , Architect , Construction Manager , Structural Engineer , Geographic Information System Specialist , Drafter , Computer Aided Design Manager , Urban Planner , Mechanical, E... Best for Designed for architects, designers, engineers, project managers, real estate developers, students, construction professionals who want to create precise 2D and 3D drawings. ## User reviews Pros & cons VR Verified Reviewer Principal Architect > "It was helpful to take advantage of this tool to render my ideas, plans, and concepts from 2D to 3D. Gives a real feel of the..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___7039098) MP Marissa P. Owner and Designer > "Also I didn't like that you couldn't open projects from older version." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___7083700) IS Ignacio S. Real Estate Agent > "Commentators applaud the realistic rendering and flexible modeling features, which support smooth virtual home tour customization..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___7014527) FA Federico A. OWNER > "its hard at first to understand the interface, it is not so dynamic." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___6787988) BA BISHNU A. Project Engineer > "I have been using AutoCAD for more than 10 years and 3D Max for 5+ yrs. Although they have separate set of commands, having similar..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___7076252) YM Yogesh M. Game Artist > "It's a difficult software to learn plus the material creation and render part is not great." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___6651245) EM Eslam M. Freelancer > "I am a graphic designer and I always need it in my work and it helps me a lot to the point that I recommended it to my friends at..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___6798718) VR Verified Reviewer Principal Architect > "Hard to teach a newbie." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___7039098) YM Yogesh M. Game Artist > "It's a useful tool for creating plans and precise interior and exterior designs." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___6651245) VR Verified Reviewer designer > "It was quite expensive and difficult for animation" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___6729231) MAP MARCO ANTONIO P. DESIGN DIRECTOR > "THE BEST SOFTWARE TO CREATE PURE PHOTO-REALISTIC IMAGES." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___6674842) ST Samarth T. 3d artist > "For Animation Industry or Gaming Industry This Software is Very Heavy taking too much render time ." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4891848) VR Verified Reviewer CEO > "It's still a major tool for 3D creation and still very useful in Vfx, with its new Boolean modifier that allows more complex assets..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___5036273) Ali A. Freelancer > "The least I liked was the lack of merging the materials in the same file as the sketchup program to reduce the movement of the..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3486740) MP Marissa P. Owner and Designer > "Highly recommend this software to anyone interested in 3D design and modeling" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___7083700) MC Mihai C. Designer > "The interface lacks antialiasing, it lags sometimes on low-poly objects and the shading viewport model could use some work." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3469611) Souleymane D. Training assistant > "What I like about it is that it offers advanced animation tools to bring objects to life." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4996302) Roldan A. Senior Web Designer and Developer > "So, now if you add more libraries and other third-parties the load will even be more heavy." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4204280) AB Alison B. SEO copywriter > "I like that you can install add-ons for the software, i like to render scenery, including oceans and this software renders realistic..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3617241) Géovanny N. graphic designer > "I find that while 3ds Max is a top-notch 3D design software, it also has some potential drawbacks." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4593772) Géovanny N. graphic designer > "In addition, its extensive library of models and authoring tools allow me to work on a variety of projects, such as video games,..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4593772) KS Kanishka S. Executive Technical sourcer > "Rendering is difficult to use Low configuration, compare with other it has a low quantity of work." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4562734) TM Thomas M. engineer > "As another cool feature I can point that from the assembly file for printing, you can make another copy and set it for the product..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4427968) IY Ilker Y. Production Planner > "The interface is a bit complicated, this is the reason why it is difficult to have so many features." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4244968) VR Verified Reviewer CEO > "it's a tool that has enabled me to create very realistic architectural models" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___5036273) EC Erwin C. Architect/Designer > "Also, it lags when in shading viewport." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3709155) AP Arumuga P. Freelancer > "In many ways it is similar to photoshop in that there is an extensive array of control options, though some are quite more..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3876220) AE Adnaan E. Game Director > "Additionally, the cost of the software may also be prohibitive for some users, as it is quite expensive." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4606222) Géovanny N. graphic designer > "The animation tools are also very advanced and allow me to create fluid and realistic movements for characters and objects." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4593772) IH Ibrahim H. Engineer > "It is true that anyone can use it, but as many who have tried it know, it has a very steep learning curve. And unless you have a..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3048472) MC Mihai C. Designer > "I also like about it that it supports the majority of the plugins offered by the market that enhance its options, like realistic..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3469611) Roldan A. Senior Web Designer and Developer > "It takes time and persistence as 3DS Max is not an easy software to learn." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4204280) AE Anthony E. 3D Artist > "It is the best 3D software for architectural visualization from modeling to render, but you might find a better software when..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3852828) Roldan A. Senior Web Designer and Developer > "It's harder to learn than, say, Cinema 4D. It is kind of verbose and complex to learn." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4204280) MH Mike H. Planning Manager > "ds Max is very easy to create animations and map materials." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___6124775) AR Alma R. Architect > "Sometimes it has taken me hours to apply certain parameters to the model, but the equipment I have has a lot to do with that." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___2970184) BJ Bacheter J. Senior modeler / VFX Artist > "DS Max allows me to do all my work in VFX with total guaranteed exceptional final quality." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4592622) IH Ibrahim H. Engineer > "The only drawback is the cost, so after my paid subscription expires, I'll be returning to Blender." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3048472) Géovanny N. graphic designer > "In addition, it can handle large file sizes and high resolutions, providing fast and efficient performance." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4593772) Prashant C. Senior 3D artist > "Just they removed my mental ray default render option from software" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3159669) VR Verified Reviewer BE > "ds Max is surprisingly fast and lightweight compares to other similar software." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___6095680) CS Carlo S. architect > "it is not fast and easy to be able to draw base lines directly on this software." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___2877657) BJ Bacheter J. Senior modeler / VFX Artist > "What surprised me most pleasantly is that in the new versions, 3DS max has a smart archiving tool that is available to you." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4592622) David A. Graduate Architect > "It's sometimes really difficult to track an error." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3249102) GZ Gal Z. Industrial Designer > "ds Max is a well-rounded software that allows you to manage your projects from beginning to end." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3695283) AG Ailsa G. Student > "Very difficult to learn, and with not many up to date guides it is a huge learning curve." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___2815152) Favio R. Project Architect > "Even if you manage curves, the snap function helps a lot for precision." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4483213) Simeón R. Developer > "The main con of this software is its price." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___3011851) Robson G. Architect and 3D modeler > "The product is complete and complex, it has a bunch of features, like 3d modeling, animation with engaging light physics and camera..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___2952349) Victor Conde B. Owner > "Its way too expensive." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___2838458) Zibusisozenkosi M. 3D Modeler > "The Architectural modeling process in this software is very interesting because it makes it easy to produce accurate structures." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___4169858) SG Sridharini G. Architect > "Not very straightforward and takes time to get a hang of it. " [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#Capterra___2639336) [View Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews/) WJ Walter J. Sr Project Manager MEP > "Even as architectural disciplines shift toward Revit and BIM software, AutoCAD remains essential, seamlessly integrating with the Autodesk suite and standing tall as..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6810354) VR Verified Reviewer Electrical Engineering Student > "Sometimes, even in simple files (like a small house plan), placing a single object/block causes the software to freeze indefinitely, forcing me to restart my entire..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___7071099) Saara P. Interior Designer > "floorplans, elevations, electrical drawing, ceiling drawing, false ceiling drawing. Once the drawing is properly detailed it can be very hassle free to execute it in..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___7012847) WJ Walter J. Sr Project Manager MEP > "there is very little easy ways to fix it if you make an error early on , newer version cannot understnad when you are using an old version what AEC object are and..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6810354) VR Verified Reviewer Electrical Engineering Student > "For my electrical engineering projects, the layer management is perfect for separating lighting circuits from the architectural floor plan." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___7071099) WJ Walter J. Sr Project Manager MEP > "the thing i used to hate the most was when an error occured and you could spend 100 hours making this plan that looks so great and one error will keep it from..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6810354) WJ Walter J. Sr Project Manager MEP > "Viewports allow for real-world-scale drawings that can be effortlessly resized for print in any metric or imperial format." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6810354) WJ Walter J. Sr Project Manager MEP > "Those masters engineers may know how to solve the real problem in the field or have the deepest understanding of the code and those people get the hardest problems..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6810354) SS Steven S. Show Manager > "In my opionion it is the pinnacle of software for technical creation that needs to be finite in details or measurements." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___7099858) JS Jalal S. Optical Engineer > "AutoCAD lacks specialized optical simulation tools, so it won’t handle lens design, ray tracing, or optical performance analysis." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6492422) Jose L. Salesman - Engineering > "What I like most about AutoCAD is the ability to create blueprints for architectural designs and create 3D images of an engineering product / idea." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6473310) Caleb T. Mechanical Engineer > "The only other thing is that it does not use the native file explorer very well, and sometimes it is a little tricky to find files on your computer inside the..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___7012159) Jose L. Salesman - Engineering > "I really like AutoCAD because it allows me to create drawings for my machine shop and helps the machinist see exactly what needs to be done with visual dimensions." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6473310) VR Verified Reviewer Project Manager, Architectural Technician > "At first, there was a bit of a learning curve to AutoCAD. As it can be a big program, my computer had a bit of a hard time operating efficiently while running..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6595744) WH Waleed H. Freelance Writer > "With its fully packed toolset and effective drafting abilities, AutoCAD brings out even the smallest details in your 2D and 3D design." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6526746) MGK Muhammad Ghufran K. Documents Controller > "These cons suggest that while AutoCAD is a powerful and versatile software, it may not be the best fit for everyone, particularly those who require real-time..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6240039) Caroline B. Bachelor in Supply Chain Management > "This design software has saved me time by being able to create 3D and 2D drawings in a very perfect way, which completely eliminated the need to make manual drawings..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6510370) M Marek Ž. Service Team Leader > "When we were zooming in/out while drawing into the schemas, we had some strange bugs that the screen went white on upper half and grey on the lower." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6402612) VR Verified Reviewer DESIGNER > "Auto Cad is an indispensable tool for professionals in various industries, offering versatility, precision, efficiency, collaboration, customization, and innovation..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6268382) JA Jana A. Student > "It takes time to learn,especially for beginners some tools are very not intuitive at first and it can be heavy on weak devices" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6837673) JS Jamal S. safety officer > "AutoCAD developed by autodisk,is a highly versatile and powerfull computer aided design software used by proffesional accross various industries including..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6417740) VB Virginia B. Security Specialist > "I'm not totally happy with its cost and licensing plan, quite complex and not so intuitive sometimes. Although it is very suitable also for simple designs, in this..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6395918) SS Steven S. Show Manager > "From updating to the newest software each year to keeping it up and going on multiple devices working in tandem, I never once had a software issue. " [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___7099858) LS Leila S. Research Scientist > "the file sizes are too large and some functions take very long time to process if the computer that you are using is not a high speed one." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6452560) PK Pradeep K. Assistant Professor > "Supports 2D as well as 3D modeling, which makes it more comprehensive in handling different users' requirements at different stages in a project." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6544789) IA Ian A. Student > "The processor requirements for AutoCAD are quite high for those who do not have a specific computer built for handing the software." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6500676) JS Jalal S. Optical Engineer > "I'm an optical engineer and AutoCAD excels in precision drafting, making it suitable for designing mechanical and optical systems with exact dimensions." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6492422) VR Verified Reviewer team manager > "Large projects and 3D work require a lot of power from your computer, and can be slow on some lower-end PCs." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6645923) AT Aniruddha T. Operations Support > "I have been using this software since 2021 and upgraded to AutoCAD 2023 version last year and it has helped me work on my facility layout projects with ease and..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6506180) VR Verified Reviewer Product Marketing Manager > "It takes a lot of computer memory to install and it is unsuitable for small RAM Laptops and then it didnt work properly" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6615545) SA Subhan A. Assitant professor > "Its intuitive interface and vast library of features support efficient workflows, especially with 2D drafting and 3D modeling." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6581175) MAN Muhammad Abid N. Renewal Specialist > "It can be resource-intensive, requiring a powerful computer for optimal performance, which can be a barrier for some users." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6496626) HE Henry E. Waste Manager > "I mainly use AutoCAD to produced 2D detailed floor plan drawings and for this purpose it is extremely good, I find it extremely useful in my day-to-day work life and..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6281323) GA Greyson A. Research Scientist > "I've had to completely start from scratch more than a handful of times which can be frustrating. Once you find out the things that tend to bog it down, there's work..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6408549) JD Jacob D. designer > "I like how easy it is to go from a digital model to a 3D print—just export to STL and you're good to go. Plus, it automatically updates things like the bill of..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6771703) PK Pradeep K. Assistant Professor > "It sometimes becomes too messy when designing something but it can't be helped with, I guess as the complexity of the tasks demands it." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6544789) JA Jana A. Student > "Very precise and professional.i like hpw it allows me to draw electrical diagrams with high accuracy and flexibility." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6837673) AT Aniruddha T. Operations Support > "Still some glitches which causes me to close entire application before I can work back normally." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6506180) NS Nicole S. Project Manager > "AutoCAD is essential to our structure and design capabilities with 3D modeling and understanding our jobs in detail." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6464271) Vishal G. BIM Dynamo Specialist > "Its not good for 3d modelling. When working with 3d and blocks, I have observed that it gets slow sometimes." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6244588) WJ Walter J. Sr Project Manager MEP > "OSNAP instantly snaps to precise locations, ensuring every connection is clean and mathematically perfect." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6810354) Gowtham S. Manufacturing Engineering > "The only con i saw in this software is that you cannot section view the drawing created and also we cannot assemble the drawing to analysis the assembly" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___4827909) AA Ana A. Estagiário de Investigação > "The precision drawing tools are perfect for creating detailed architectural plans and technical layouts." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6700856) NV Nitin V. Student > "Sometimes AutoCAD can be a bit frustrating to use as it might be a little less intuitive to use than other CAD softwares." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6517834) AS Adam S. Founder > "Even though we don't use this software as close to its full potential, it helped us convey ideas into realistic 3D models instead of pitching them in the form of..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6345219) MM Maverick M. Electrical Engineer > "If you havent used a CAD platform before, its very difficult to learn all the different options with AUTOCAD." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6483052) JD Jacob D. designer > "It handled the layout and precision really well, which made it easy to manage spacing, measurements, and alignment." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6771703) SY Saurabh Y. student > "Interface can be visually cluttered and overwhelming due to the sheer number of options" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6450009) JD Jacob D. designer > "I liked how detailed I could get, especially when working with layers and snapping tools—it kept everything clean and organized." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6771703) VR Verified Reviewer Traffic Engineer > "The software cannot handle the large CAD files/" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6453221) EC Edwin C. Technical Designer > "Overall Autocad is fantastic for simple Line Drawings, however can be very time consuming for larger projects as one drawing does not correlate with one another." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6585328) Basanta T. owner > "Some features and workflows feel outdated or clunky compared to modern software" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6616830) GA Greyson A. Research Scientist > "It's really an industry standard for a reason, and is incredibly powerful when it comes to land development and other civil and environmental engineering design..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6408549) KS Kevin S. BIM Manager > "I think I least like the 3D aspect of AutoCAD, mostly because there are other Autodesk products that does this better." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6657835) JT Jake T. IT System Administrator > "AutoCAD is a very useful tool for engineers to be able to do their design work and prototype." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6775052) ME Marcelo E. Student > "The number of features can be overwhelming at first, and it takes time to understand how everything works together." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6491347) Caleb T. Mechanical Engineer > "There is basically no learning curve, and even if you do get stuck, it has a convenient search bar that works well." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___7012159) SA Subhan A. Assitant professor > "Additionally, it’s resource-intensive, requiring a powerful system and can be costly for individual users." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6581175) TM Thandwa M. Draughtsman > "I also allows a flexible space in making inorganic shapes too ,not only a very geometric work space." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6602452) VR Verified Reviewer team manager > "High license fees can be prohibitive for individual users or small businesses." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6645923) AE Ali E. Purchasing Manager > "The best application that can be used for drawing in projects, there is no other program that can replace it from the past to the present." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6500697) PS PARNEET S. ARCHITECT > "There are two things i want to mention first the pricing its expensive for a fresher architect its impossible to buy it sometimes." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6592166) Nilesh C. BIM Lead > "It is the lighter variant of the AutoCAD Programming, and hence, it's working, and execution is excessively smooth and useful, particularly the individuals who work..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6312716) KS Kevin S. BIM Manager > "These types of projects usually do not need a 3d model developed." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6657835) AE Ali E. Purchasing Manager > "We use it for electrical projects, it is a program that we can use to run our business more cleanly and easily." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6500697) UA Usman A. Lecturer in Engineering > "D modelling within AutoCAD is slightly messy." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6568260) TM Thandwa M. Draughtsman > "It has allowed for me to utilize tools that have made tons of my projects quicker compared to ,having used tools and hands." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6602452) SM Saravanakumar M. Engineering manager > "Changes in new version may affect the previous version so its hard to use sometime." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6637521) Xavier C. Plan Drawer and administration > "besides the design options that have been great for a number of versions, maintaining quality, and coherence for commands and user interaction" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6631379) PR Pranita R. Freelancing > "The software interface is little more complex and confusing to the beginners." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6380380) FF Fahed F. Senior Electrical Engineer > "Its strengths lie in its precision, extensive toolset, and ability to handle both 2D and 3D projects." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6555792) MT MICHAEL T. Design Engineer > "occasional freezes, trouble with printing to pdf" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6334752) TT Tommy T. AV Technician > "The amount of features and ability to design from wiring diagram to product design itself is amazing." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6562613) VR Verified Reviewer Engineering Intern > "steep learning curve which can prevent usage of its full potential." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6469894) CB Chris B. SDR - Sales Development Rep > "Used this software for many years and has delivered for us in every part of our design business." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6821535) SG Shan G. CTO > "The implement can be a little too complex with other platforms." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6624553) VR Verified Reviewer project manager > "It is great for both 2D drafting and 3D modelling, though it can be a bit heavy on system resources." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6546595) ME Marcelo E. Student > "On the downside, the learning curve can be steep, especially for beginners." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6491347) CJ Chris J. Operations Engineering Intern > "Perhaps my favorite feature was the ability to customize shortcuts and tools, which made things so much faster! " [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6564050) WJ Walter J. Sr Project Manager MEP > "I didnt go to any college for engineering , i had no degree ." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#Capterra___6810354) [View Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/reviews/) ## User interface [3ds Max](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/) 4.60 (113) [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/) 4.65 (3,205) ## Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ### Features Do these products fit your needs? Prioritize real-user-identified key features according to your needs to find your best fit. \--% Fit vs \--% Fit 2D Drawing 207 Important 3D Design & Modeling 150 Important Activity Dashboard 120 Important 3ds Max 12/44 - 2D Drawing - 3D Design & Modeling - Activity Dashboard - AI Copilot - Animation - Annotations - API - Bill of Materials Management - Collaboration Tools - Compliance Management - Component Library - Configurable Workflow - Configuration Management - Content Library - Customizable Branding - Customizable Templates - Data Capture and Transfer - Data Import/Export - Data Synchronization - Data Visualization - Design Management - Document Generation - Document Management - Drag & Drop - File Management - For 3D Printing - For Architects - For Manufacturers - Generative AI - Image Editing - Modeling & Simulation - Multiple Format Support - Multiple Projects - Projections - Real Time Comparisons - Real-Time Updates - Reference Management - Reporting/Analytics - Rules-Based Workflow - Secure Data Storage - Sketching and Annotation Tools - Third-Party Integrations - Version Control - Workflow Management [See all features](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/#features) AutoCAD Top features 26/44 - 2D Drawing - 3D Design & Modeling - Activity Dashboard - AI Copilot - Animation - Annotations - API - Bill of Materials Management - Collaboration Tools - Compliance Management - Component Library - Configurable Workflow - Configuration Management - Content Library - Customizable Branding - Customizable Templates - Data Capture and Transfer - Data Import/Export - Data Synchronization - Data Visualization - Design Management - Document Generation - Document Management - Drag & Drop - File Management - For 3D Printing - For Architects - For Manufacturers - Generative AI - Image Editing - Modeling & Simulation - Multiple Format Support - Multiple Projects - Projections - Real Time Comparisons - Real-Time Updates - Reference Management - Reporting/Analytics - Rules-Based Workflow - Secure Data Storage - Sketching and Annotation Tools - Third-Party Integrations - Version Control - Workflow Management [See all features](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/#features) ### Recognition No recognitions have been awarded to 3ds Max No recognitions have been awarded to AutoCAD ### Deployment & support 3ds Max Deployment - Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based - Desktop Mac - Desktop Windows - Desktop Linux - On-Premise Windows - On-Premise Linux - Desktop Chromebook - Mobile Android - Mobile iPhone - Mobile iPad Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos AutoCAD Deployment - Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based - Desktop Mac - Desktop Windows - Desktop Linux - On-Premise Windows - On-Premise Linux - Desktop Chromebook - Mobile Android - Mobile iPhone - Mobile iPad Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos ### Company Details 3ds Max - By Autodesk - Located in United States - Founded in 1982 AutoCAD - By Autodesk - Located in United States - Founded in 1982 ## Popular Comparisons [3ds Max](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/)[4.60 (113)](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews/) vs [SolidWorks Premium](https://www.capterra.com/p/93121/SolidWorks-Premium/)[4.63 (755)](https://www.capterra.com/p/93121/SolidWorks-Premium/reviews/) $205/month Price Contact vendor for pricing 4.6 Features 4.6 3.7 Ease of Use 4.3 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/93121-206897/SolidWorks-Premium-vs-3ds-Max) [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/)[4.65 (3,205)](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/reviews/) vs [Altium Develop](https://www.capterra.com/p/175058/Altium-Designer/)[4.56 (181)](https://www.capterra.com/p/175058/Altium-Designer/reviews/) $250/month Price Contact vendor for pricing 4.6 Features 4.6 4.1 Ease of Use 4.3 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/175058-265024/Altium-Designer-vs-AutoCAD) [3ds Max](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/)[4.60 (113)](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews/) vs [SketchUp](https://www.capterra.com/p/211798/SketchUp/)[4.49 (1,046)](https://www.capterra.com/p/211798/SketchUp/reviews/) $205/month Price $19.99/month 4.6 Features 4.3 3.7 Ease of Use 4.4 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/206897-211798/3ds-Max-vs-SketchUp) [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/)[4.65 (3,205)](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/reviews/) vs [SolidWorks Premium](https://www.capterra.com/p/93121/SolidWorks-Premium/)[4.63 (755)](https://www.capterra.com/p/93121/SolidWorks-Premium/reviews/) $250/month Price Contact vendor for pricing 4.6 Features 4.6 4.1 Ease of Use 4.3 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/93121-265024/SolidWorks-Premium-vs-AutoCAD) [3ds Max](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/)[4.60 (113)](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews/) vs [Alibre Design](https://www.capterra.com/p/172312/Alibre-Design/)[4.69 (181)](https://www.capterra.com/p/172312/Alibre-Design/reviews/) $205/month Price $10/month 4.6 Features 4.6 3.7 Ease of Use 4.6 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/172312-206897/Alibre-Design-vs-3ds-Max) [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/)[4.65 (3,205)](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/reviews/) vs [Alibre Design](https://www.capterra.com/p/172312/Alibre-Design/)[4.69 (181)](https://www.capterra.com/p/172312/Alibre-Design/reviews/) $250/month Price $10/month 4.6 Features 4.6 4.1 Ease of Use 4.6 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/172312-265024/Alibre-Design-vs-AutoCAD) [3ds Max](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/)[4.60 (113)](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews/) vs [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.capterra.com/p/178416/Fusion-360/)[4.49 (268)](https://www.capterra.com/p/178416/Fusion-360/reviews/) $205/month Price $85/month 4.6 Features 4.5 3.7 Ease of Use 4.1 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/178416-206897/Fusion-360-vs-3ds-Max) [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/)[4.65 (3,205)](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/reviews/) vs [Onshape](https://www.capterra.com/p/164681/Onshape/)[4.51 (341)](https://www.capterra.com/p/164681/Onshape/reviews/) $250/month Price $1500/year 4.6 Features 4.1 4.1 Ease of Use 4.5 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/164681-265024/Onshape-vs-AutoCAD) [3ds Max](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/)[4.60 (113)](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews/) vs [Revit](https://www.capterra.com/p/265023/Revit/)[4.61 (479)](https://www.capterra.com/p/265023/Revit/reviews/) $205/month Price $365/month 4.6 Features 4.6 3.7 Ease of Use 4.0 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/206897-265023/3ds-Max-vs-Revit) [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/)[4.65 (3,205)](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/reviews/) vs [MATLAB](https://www.capterra.com/p/125813/MATLAB/)[4.60 (2,090)](https://www.capterra.com/p/125813/MATLAB/reviews/) $250/month Price $203.63/year 4.6 Features 4.6 4.1 Ease of Use 4.0 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/125813-265024/MATLAB-vs-AutoCAD) [3ds Max](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/)[4.60 (113)](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews/) vs [Inventor](https://www.capterra.com/p/236745/Inventor/)[4.53 (277)](https://www.capterra.com/p/236745/Inventor/reviews/) $205/month Price $310/month 4.6 Features 4.5 3.7 Ease of Use 4.2 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/206897-236745/3ds-Max-vs-Inventor) [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/)[4.65 (3,205)](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/reviews/) vs [Inventor](https://www.capterra.com/p/236745/Inventor/)[4.53 (277)](https://www.capterra.com/p/236745/Inventor/reviews/) $250/month Price $310/month 4.6 Features 4.5 4.1 Ease of Use 4.2 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/236745-265024/Inventor-vs-AutoCAD)