The Best AutoCAD Alternatives

A look at the cheap cad alternatives to AutoCAD 2012

[autocadalternatives]

Buy AutoCAD on amazon for the Best Deal!

With each new year we get to look forward to a new version of autoCAD, and with each year I ask myself where can I get a deal on AutoCAD for cheap?

Now typically when the decision has been made to upgrade to the newest and best version of a software, money isn't typically an issue. This is simply because I need to buy the latest version regardless of cost since having autoCAD is a necessity when you're a freelance AutoCAD designer..

But why shouldn't I be able to save a bit of money on AutoCAD in the process? Sure, I won't be getting it for under $50 like these cheap autoCAD alternatives, but at the very least I'll save myself some taxes and probably even more.

With an hour or two to look around I was able to track down what I believe is the best deal on AutoCAD in terms of cost as well as fast shipping, service, and ease of use, where is this deal you ask? Amazon! Many autoCAD customers and deal seekers often forget to check out amazon and instead just buy directly from autodesk. I've since started using Amazon for most of my software purchases, for some reason I always believed the best deal would be directly from the producers website but I've since realized differently.

By going through Amazon you not only save time (their one-click buying option is awesome) but you also get a $450 savings on AutoCAD 2012!

[autocadalternatives]

Want to Buy an AutoCAD Alternative? This is Your Guide

Frequently as an AutoCAD user I get asked "Are there any cheap AutoCAD Alternatives?" while on the inside my immediate answer is NO!!! Though I know that's only because I bleed autodesk, I don't go through a day without using one of their products and honestly I haven't used anything better. At the same time I can fully understand that the price of a full autoCAD product runs into the thousands and thousands of dollars and most freelance or just home users will never need all the features included in the latest AutoCAD release. So it is because of this that I write this post, when asked this I first ask a few simple questions.

How much would you like to spend? and

Do you plan to work with or on projects that are completely AutoCAD Based?

If your answer is yes it will be difficult to find a Autocad alternative that will be 100% compatible for you. My first recommendation in this case is AutoCAD LT 2012 With this Light version of autoCAD you get the Full featured AutoCAD software toned back for home and personal use for a fraction of the full cost! In all honesty this is the best CAD software for the budget minded user. It is currently much cheaper than AutoCAD for only $911.98 at amazon. But this may simply be too much money, or overkill for someone who just wants to draw up their bedroom, or new deck plans.

For this group I then suggest either TurboCAD  Deluxe currently $39.99 on amazon or Design CAD 3D MAX currently $51.98 on amazon. Both of these are excellent cheap CAD software packages that offer an alternative to AutoCAD at a discount. Each CAD program provides some autocad file compatibility for .dwg, .dxf,  .ctb, .stb etc.. as well as other common drawing and design file types. Both programs also have tutorials and help available while staying low in price and very affordable for an autoCAD alternative. I've outlined in the table below some of the features for each package along with the msrp and the best deal I found on amazon.