CADCraft vs AutoCAD
CADCraft vs AutoCAD
Both use the same command-line-driven 2D drafting workflow. The difference is in price, openness, platforms and how mature each one is. Here is a fair, side-by-side look.
CADCraft
$0
Forever. No account, no seats.
AutoCAD
~$2k
Per user per year, US list price (2026).
Side-by-side comparison
 CADCraft | AutoCAD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | Subscription; about $2,000/year or $245/month list price (US, 2026; check Autodesk for current pricing) |
| License | Open source, MIT OR Apache-2.0 | Proprietary, per-user subscription |
| Account required | No | Yes, Autodesk account |
| Desktop platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD | Windows, macOS |
| In the browser | Full app via WebAssembly; can be self-hosted | AutoCAD Web app (subscription) |
| AI agent control | Native: MCP server, JSON control channel, headless CLI | Autodesk AI features; automation via AutoLISP, .NET, ObjectARX |
| Built with | Pure Rust, clean-room implementation | Proprietary codebase |
| DWG | Opens R13-2018; saves R2000 | Native read/write of current DWG |
| DXF | Reads R12-2018 (ASCII & binary); writes R2000 | Full support |
| 2D drafting | Core commands, snaps, dimensions, hatches, blocks, layouts, constraints | Complete, plus specialised toolsets |
| 3D modelling | Not a current focus | Yes |
| Support | Community, GitHub issues | Official Autodesk support and training |
| Maturity | Early, fast development | Industry standard for decades |
Where CADCraft wins
Zero cost, zero lock-in
No subscription, no seat licenses, no account. Install it on every machine in a classroom or office, and read or change the source code if you need to.
Designed for AI agents
Every tool is a command with a JSON form. Agents can draw, query entities, inspect the drawing and render screenshots over MCP, with no UI scraping.
Runs everywhere
Native builds for Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD, plus a WebAssembly version you can host on your own server or intranet.
Familiar for AutoCAD users
Same command names, coordinate notation, snaps, grips and right-click-to-repeat. Your muscle memory still works.
Fast and lightweight
Written in Rust with a GPU renderer (WebGPU, falling back to WebGL2 in the browser).
Automation-friendly
Batch-convert DWG/DXF to SVG or PNG, inspect drawings and script edits from CI pipelines with cadcraft-cli.
Which should you choose?
Choose CADCraft if you…
- need a free 2D drafting tool for learning, hobby projects or simple drawings
- work on Linux or want CAD in the browser without a subscription
- want AI agents or scripts to create and check drawings
- prefer open-source software you can audit and self-host
Choose AutoCAD if you…
- exchange DWG files daily with clients who need full fidelity
- need 3D modelling or industry toolsets (architecture, mechanical, electrical…)
- rely on existing AutoLISP routines, plug-ins or company standards
- need guaranteed vendor support for production work
Comparison based on public information as of October 2026. Prices and features change; check each vendor's official site. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. This site is not affiliated with Autodesk.
Open CADCraft in your browser
No download and no account. Start drafting with nothing to install.