Revit vs AutoCAD

by Gralio Feb 27, 2025

Revit and AutoCAD are both powerful design tools from Autodesk, but they cater to different needs. Revit excels in BIM for building projects, while AutoCAD offers broader design capabilities across multiple industries. Choose Revit for complex building projects requiring advanced BIM features, and AutoCAD for general-purpose design and drafting across various disciplines.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 5157 reviews and 55 websites, saving 1 day, 5 hours, 6 minutes of reading.

Revit

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AutoCAD

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About

Revit is advanced design software for professionals involved in building projects. It allows architects, engineers, and construction teams to work together on a single, detailed 3D model of a building. This helps everyone stay coordinated, spot problems early, and make better decisions. Any changes made to the model are automatically updated everywhere, keeping documents consistent and reducing errors. Revit is a powerful tool for designing, planning, and constructing better buildings.

AutoCAD is a design and drafting software to create 2D and 3D models. It offers industry-specific tools for fields like architecture and manufacturing. AutoCAD stands out with its web and mobile apps, enabling work from anywhere. It promises increased productivity through specialized features and a familiar interface.

Summary

Main difference

Revit is a powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) software best suited for complex building projects requiring detailed 3D modeling, collaboration, and construction planning. AutoCAD is a versatile computer-aided design (CAD) software ideal for 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and other design tasks across various industries, offering broader applicability but less specialized BIM features.

Relative strengths of Revit (compared to AutoCAD)

Superior BIM capabilities for building design, construction planning, and facility management.
Enhanced collaboration features for multi-disciplinary teams working on complex projects.
Automated documentation and interference detection for improved accuracy and reduced errors.

Relative weaknesses of Revit (compared to AutoCAD)

Steeper learning curve and higher cost compared to AutoCAD.
Less versatile for general-purpose 2D drafting and design tasks outside of BIM.
Larger file sizes and higher system requirements can impact performance on less powerful machines.

Who should use Revit VS. AutoCAD

Revit is collaborative design software ideal for architects, engineers, and construction teams. Users praise its collaborative features and seamless integration with other Autodesk products. However, some find importing external files challenging. Revit facilitates 3D modeling, construction sequencing simulations, and constructability studies, enabling efficient project planning and execution.

AutoCAD empowers architects, engineers, and designers with robust 2D and 3D modeling tools. Users praise its intuitive interface and extensive customization, but some experience performance issues with larger files. Consider AutoCAD if you need industry-specific features and mobile accessibility, but be mindful of the cost.

Best for medium to large businesses (101+ employees).
Ideal for real estate and construction firms.

Best fit for medium to large businesses (101+ employees).
Ideal for Manufacturing, Real Estate & Construction, and Media & Entertainment.

Revit and AutoCAD features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Drafting

Supported

Revit allows creation of 2D drawings from 3D models, useful for construction projects.

Supported

AutoCAD allows creation of 2D drawings from 3D models using various built-in tools.
Dimensioning

Partially supported

Revit supports manual and semi-automatic dimensioning. Full automation is available via plugins.

Supported

AutoCAD supports manual and automatic dimensioning tools for 2D drawings.
Revit integration

Supported

Revit integrates with other Autodesk products and third-party applications.

Supported

AutoCAD and Revit integration is supported, enabling seamless data exchange and workflow.
DWG support

Unknown

Sorry. We were unable to determine if this feature is supported.

Supported

AutoCAD fully supports importing and exporting DWG files.
3D modeling

Supported

Revit fully supports creation and editing of 3D models.

Supported

AutoCAD supports creating and editing 3D models.
Constructability study

Supported

Revit supports constructability studies by enabling design evaluation and collaboration.

Not supported

AutoCAD does not directly support constructability studies, but other Autodesk software does.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

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Customer Service

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Ease of Use

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Reliability and Performance

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Ease of Implementation

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Scalability

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Revit and AutoCAD Pricing

No data

See full Pricing page

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See full Pricing page

Revit and AutoCAD review insights

Users love

Excellent collaboration features.
Workshare feature is excellent.
Seamless integration with other Autodesk products.
Numerous integrations and seamless app connectivity.

Intuitive and user-friendly interface for 2D drafting, praised for its ease of use and familiar commands.
Extensive customization options, including custom commands, shortcuts, and workspaces.
Widely used and recognized as an industry standard, ensuring compatibility and collaboration.
Vast online resources, tutorials, and a large user community provide ample support.
Precise and accurate drawing tools, essential for detailed technical drawings and plans.

Users dislike

Importing and working with external non-Revit tools needs improvement.
Importing geometry from non-Revit formats needs improvement, even from AutoCAD.
Revit doesn\'t allow you to open newer files if you are using an older version.
No option for downgrading Revit files.

Performance issues, slowdowns, and crashes are frequently reported, especially with larger files and 3D modeling.
High cost of licensing and subscription model is a major concern for individuals and small businesses.
3D modeling capabilities are considered limited compared to dedicated 3D software.
Steep learning curve and complex interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
Limited file format compatibility and occasional issues with importing/exporting files.

Revit and AutoCAD Ratings

G2

4.5/5

(869)
Capterra

4.6/5

(411)
Glassdoor

4.3/5

(4861)

G2

4.4/5

(1446)
Capterra

4.7/5

(2449)
Glassdoor

4.3/5

(4861)

Company health

Employee growth

3% increase in the last year

Web traffic

2% increase in the last quarter

Financing

May 2020 - $0

How do Revit's collaboration features compare to AutoCAD's web and mobile apps for team workflows?

Revit excels in collaboration through its central 3D model, enabling all stakeholders to work on the same design concurrently with automatic updates, minimizing errors and enhancing coordination. While AutoCAD offers web and mobile apps for access and editing on different devices, it doesn't provide the same level of real-time, integrated collaboration within the model itself as Revit. AutoCAD's strength lies in individual design tasks and accessibility, while Revit focuses on collaborative project management and BIM workflows.

Which product better supports my needs for primarily 2D drafting versus 3D modeling?

AutoCAD is a better choice for primarily 2D drafting. While both AutoCAD and Revit offer 2D drafting capabilities, Revit is heavily geared towards 3D modeling and BIM, making its 2D tools less of a focus. AutoCAD is known for its robust and user-friendly 2D drafting features, extensive customization options, and industry-standard compatibility, making it ideal for drafting-focused projects. While AutoCAD also offers 3D modeling, its strength remains in 2D, whereas Revit excels in 3D and BIM workflows.

What are the advantages of Revit?

Revit's advantage lies in its robust 3D modeling and collaboration features specifically designed for building information modeling (BIM). This allows architects, engineers, and construction teams to work together on a single, coordinated model, improving coordination, identifying potential issues early, and enabling better design decisions. While AutoCAD is a versatile design and drafting tool, Revit's focus on BIM provides a more comprehensive and integrated approach for building projects, ultimately leading to more efficient workflows and better building outcomes.

What are the disadvantages of Revit?

Revit's main disadvantages include difficulties importing and working with files from other software, even from AutoCAD. Users report that importing geometry from non-Revit formats needs improvement. Additionally, using older versions of Revit restricts access to newer files, and there's no downgrade option for Revit files, potentially hindering collaboration and workflow.

Alternatives to Revit and AutoCAD

BricsCAD

BricsCAD is a cost-effective computer-aided design (CAD) software that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and building information modeling (BIM). BricsCAD aims to be familiar to users of other CAD software, enabling a quick transition. It boasts innovative features like machine learning to improve drawing accuracy and efficiency. BricsCAD offers both permanent and subscription licensing options to fit various needs and budgets.

SketchUp

SketchUp is a 3D modeling software that's easy to use, yet powerful enough for professionals in architecture, interior design, and construction. Visualize projects of any size, create detailed 2D drawings from your models, and share your vision with colleagues and clients through presentations and immersive visuals. SketchUp is known for its intuitive interface and is used by individuals and companies worldwide, from small design studios to large architectural firms.

PIPEPHASE

PIPEPHASE is a software used by oil and gas companies to simulate the flow of oil and gas through pipelines. It helps companies design, plan, and optimize their pipeline systems. PIPEPHASE allows companies to model different scenarios, like changing production rates or pipeline diameters, to see how it impacts efficiency and profitability. This helps companies make informed decisions about their pipeline operations, leading to improved performance and reduced costs.

Onshape

Onshape is a cloud-based design platform for creating and managing product designs. It combines powerful 3D modeling tools with built-in collaboration and version control features. This means your design team can work together in real-time, from any location, without worrying about file compatibility or data loss. Onshape aims to speed up the design process, improve collaboration, and eliminate the headaches of traditional design software.

Foxit eSign

Foxit eSign is a cloud-based electronic signature service designed for businesses of all sizes. It allows you to prepare, send, sign, track, and manage legally-binding documents electronically. You can automate your document workflow with features like reusable templates, bulk sending, and integrations with popular business apps. Foxit eSign prioritizes security and compliance, providing audit trails and tamper-proof archiving for your signed documents.

XTEN-AV

XTEN-AV is a cloud-based software designed for the audiovisual industry. It helps businesses create professional AV designs and proposals with tools like automated drawing generation, a library of over 1.5 million AV products, and proposal templates. XTEN-AV offers collaboration features, integrations with popular business applications, and a virtual reality platform to visualize room designs. Pricing is tiered based on user count and feature access.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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