# Compare ETAP vs AutoCAD Electrical 2026 | Capterra > Unsure of what to choose? Check Capterra to compare ETAP and AutoCAD Electrical based on pricing, features, product details, and verified reviews. Source: https://www.capterra.com/compare/87535-179916/ETAP-Software-vs-AutoCAD-Electrical --- # ETAP vs AutoCAD Electrical 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: ETAPAutoCAD Electrical2/4 selected [ETAP](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/)[4.5 (82)](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/reviews/) [AutoCAD Electrical](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/)[4.6 (96)](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/reviews/) [## ETAP](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/)[4.5 (82)](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/reviews/) Starting Price $1.00/year Value-for-Money 4.2 Functionality 4.4 Ease of Use 4.2 Customer Service 4.3 Reviews Sentiment GS Based on [82 reviews](#user-reviews) Positive 80 Neutral 2 Negative 0 [## AutoCAD Electrical](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/)[4.6 (96)](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/reviews/) Starting Price Contact vendor Value-for-Money 4.3 Functionality 4.6 Ease of Use 4.2 Customer Service 4.2 Reviews Sentiment Based on [96 reviews](#user-reviews) Positive 91 Neutral 4 Negative 1 ## Summary * * * Features in Electrical Design Software Best performer 26 / 44 Only ETAP - 2D Drawing - API - Automatic Formatting 8 / 44 Only AutoCAD Electrical - Document Generation - PLC Tools User satisfaction User satisfaction 4.5 User reviews[82](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/reviews/) Ease of use 4.2 Functionality 4.4 Value for money 4.2 Customer support 4.3 User satisfaction 4.6 User reviews[96](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/reviews/) Ease of use 4.2 Functionality 4.6 Value for money 4.3 Customer support 4.2 Price starts from Price starts from $1Flat Rate, Per Year - Free version - Free trial Price starts from \-- - Free version - Free trial Best for Best for Transmission & Distribution Industry, Utilities, all industries Best for Electrical CAD software for electrical engineers to create industry-specific control system documents. ## User reviews Pros & cons GS Given S. Self Employed > "It lets you to finish many extraordinary varieties of studies, from load waft to arc flash,..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3475523) GS Given S. Self Employed > "Problems with the installation, the extrade from check model to complete model creates many..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3475523) GS Given S. Self Employed > "Etap could be very beneficial for an electrical engineer, and is first-rate to version electric..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3475523) GS Given S. Self Employed > "It Lacks a few common products (e.g. cable library)."" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3475523) PG Percy G. Electrical Engineer > "The software is good for asset management, real time simulation and for everyday problem..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3092698) ML Michel L. Senior Electrical Engineer > "The lower version ETAP can't open a higher version ETAP file." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___2793240) JM Jennifer M. Project Engineer > "We are solving the requirements set up by NFPA 70E and IEEE requirements to keep workers same." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3089270) PG Percy G. Electrical Engineer > "Exchange of models between clients and designers wont be easy if we are using different..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3092698) CB Christopher B. President > "I can make a model very quickly and run cases as fast as can design them. " [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3088717) VR Verified Reviewer Building Services Engineer > "Students and any Professionals can't use this except the Free Demo for 30 days unless he having..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___2926915) YB Yasceine B. Quality Manager > "I really like the software and am become more comfortable with it from beginning till end of..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3546399) CB Christopher B. President > "I do not need to see all when it turn it on in the display options. " [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3088717) AD Apparao D. Assistant Professor > "The one-line diagram approach and report generation are quite useful." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3102036) YB Yasceine B. Quality Manager > "It is extremely expensive." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3546399) ML Michel L. Senior Electrical Engineer > "ETAP is friendly to new user. And it covers all the required electrical calculation we may..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___2793240) JA James A. Global CAD Manager > "I am still waiting on feedback from the users and what they feel is missing from the tool." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3104403) PG Percy G. Electrical Engineer > "I would love to see features like infinite busbar being able to be implemented" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3092698) CB Christopher B. President > "I have to reset License Manager EVERY time. " [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3088717) JA James A. Global CAD Manager > "My work with the support folks when we had issues went very well and the support teams were..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3104403) CB Christopher B. President > "It muddies the screen." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3088717) JA James A. Global CAD Manager > "I am looking forward to seeing if the tool meets our expectations it should help us achieve..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___3104403) CP Carlos P. Senior Electrical Engineer > "Not very easy to use" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#Capterra___2229247) [View Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/reviews/) MK Manasseh K. Technical Director > "With the use of AutoCAD Electrical software, designing single line diagrams (SLG), lighting and power layouts has become much simpler." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___5026323) Favio R. Project Architect > "The software is not very friendly with 3D designs and does not snap lines." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___4399876) MH Maria H. University teacher > "It is very important to teach classes with this kind of applications, since they allow students to learn new tools that will make them more..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___5022582) VR Verified Reviewer Mechanical Engineer > "Sometimes at the startup, the software becomes slow and unresponding" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___4340058) VR Verified Reviewer Geographer > "Additionally, it offers the ability to create both 2D and 3D designs, and the 3D modeling feature is efficient and allows for faster creation." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___4372169) VR Verified Reviewer Project Engineer > "It also had a bit of a learning curve, which made it difficult to pick up quickly." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___4386244) VR Verified Reviewer Mechanical Engineer > "Includes a variety of features (such as PLC tools) and a library with symbols used in electrical planning, which is a huge time saver." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___4340058) VR Verified Reviewer Researcher > "Not very user-friendly for a new user, it needs a lot of practice to have a complete grasp on this software." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___3731093) VR Verified Reviewer Electrical Engineer > "The Cad files help me in measurement, Check Properties , Edit properties, add new part/or updates to the files and help in locating a precise..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___4456842) Hithesh T. Application Engineer > "Not helpful in 3D environment usage, there is a limitations in routing of wires." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___2820298) FC Filipe C. Resident Engineer > "Very powerfull software for creation and modification of eletrical controls systems." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___4881476) RH Richard H. Controls Engineer > "Expensive, extremely steep learning curve, very resource intensive & crashed a lot." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___2214427) SS Sasha S. Environmental designer > "Autocad downloads from the internet speed up workflow if you hit a wall- Revisions can be made on the same file when shared to different..." [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___4511581) VR Verified Reviewer Electrical Engineer > "I don't like toggling between Model and Paper !" [See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#Capterra___2640225) [View Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/reviews/) ## User interface 4.55 (82) [AutoCAD Electrical](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/) 4.57 (96) ### Features ETAP Top features 26/44 - 2D Drawing - 3D Design & Modeling - AI Copilot - Annotations - API - Automatic Adjustments - Automatic Formatting - Bills of Material - Built-In Database - CAD Tools - Change Management - Collaboration Tools - Compliance Management - Content Library - Customizable Templates - Data Import/Export - Data Synchronization - Data Visualization - Design Management - Document Generation - Document Management - Drag & Drop - For Commercial and/or Industrial Electrical Contractors - Functions/Calculations - Generative AI - Modeling & Simulation - Multiple Format Support - Offline Access - One Line Diagram - Parts Management - PLC Tools - Project Management - Prototype Creation - Real-Time Updates - Reporting & Statistics - Reusable Designs - Rules-Based Workflow - Scenario Planning - Scheduling - Symbol Library - System Design Tools - Template Management - Third-Party Integrations - Version Control [See all features](https://www.capterra.com/p/87535/ETAP-Software/#features) AutoCAD Electrical 8/44 - 2D Drawing - 3D Design & Modeling - AI Copilot - Annotations - API - Automatic Adjustments - Automatic Formatting - Bills of Material - Built-In Database - CAD Tools - Change Management - Collaboration Tools - Compliance Management - Content Library - Customizable Templates - Data Import/Export - Data Synchronization - Data Visualization - Design Management - Document Generation - Document Management - Drag & Drop - For Commercial and/or Industrial Electrical Contractors - Functions/Calculations - Generative AI - Modeling & Simulation - Multiple Format Support - Offline Access - One Line Diagram - Parts Management - PLC Tools - Project Management - Prototype Creation - Real-Time Updates - Reporting & Statistics - Reusable Designs - Rules-Based Workflow - Scenario Planning - Scheduling - Symbol Library - System Design Tools - Template Management - Third-Party Integrations - Version Control [See all features](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/#features) ### Recognition No recognitions have been awarded to ETAP No recognitions have been awarded to AutoCAD Electrical ### Deployment & support ETAP 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 Electrical 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 ETAP - By ETAP - Located in United States - Founded in 1986 AutoCAD Electrical - By Autodesk - Located in United States - Founded in 1982 ## Popular Comparisons [AutoCAD Electrical](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/)[4.57 (96)](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/reviews/) vs [SolidWorks Electrical Schematics](https://www.capterra.com/p/179919/SolidWorks-Electrical-Schematics/) [4.38 (26)](https://www.capterra.com/p/179919/SolidWorks-Electrical-Schematics/reviews/) Contact vendor for pricing Price Contact vendor for pricing 4.6 Features 4.4 4.2 Ease of Use 4.1 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/179916-179919/AutoCAD-Electrical-vs-SolidWorks-Electrical-Schematics) [AutoCAD Electrical](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/)[4.57 (96)](https://www.capterra.com/p/179916/AutoCAD-Electrical/reviews/) vs [EPLAN Electric P8](https://www.capterra.com/p/152595/Electric-P8/)[3.94 (16)](https://www.capterra.com/p/152595/Electric-P8/reviews/) Contact vendor for pricing Price $1one time 4.6 Features 3.9 4.2 Ease of Use 3.2 [View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/152595-179916/Electric-P8-vs-AutoCAD-Electrical)