AutoCAD vs Autodesk Inventor

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and integrations.

Quick Verdict

AutoCAD offers more features (69 vs 21) and more integrations (6 vs 3). Both start at Free. AutoCAD has 68 unique features while Autodesk Inventor has 20 unique features, with 1 features in common.

AutoCADAutodesk Inventor
CategoryLegal TechLegal Tech
Total Features6921
AI-Powered Features60
Starting PriceFreeFree
Pricing Tiers57
Integrations63
Shared Features1
Shared Integrations1
Data Quality90%70%

Feature Comparison by Category

2D Drafting (14 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Arrays
Center Marks and Centerlines
Dimensions
Dynamic Blocks
Fields
Hatch
Layouts
Leaders
Parametric Constraints
Purge
Revision Clouds
Tables
Text Settings
Views

3D Modeling (8 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
3D Navigation
Cloud Rendering
Model Documentation
Point Clouds
Rendering
Section Planes
Solid, Surface, and Mesh Modeling
Visual Styles

AI (1 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Autodesk Assistant

AI Automation (2 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Markup Import and Markup Assist
Smart Blocks: Detect and Convert

Analysis (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Simulation

Analytics (1 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
My Insights

Automation (7 vs 1)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Action Recorder
AutoLISP Web API
Count
Enhanced AutoLISP
Smart Blocks: Placement
Smart Blocks: Replacement
Smart Blocks: Search and Convert
iLogic Automation

Collaboration (16 vs 2)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Activity Insights
ArcGIS Basemaps
Batch Plot to PDF
Built-in Collaboration Tools
Cloud-Based Design Review
Connected Support Files
DGN Files Support
DWG Compare
Desktop, Web, and Mobile Support
Geographic Location and Online Maps
Model References and Import
Multi-User Markup for AutoCAD on the web
PDF Files Support
Save to Web and Mobile
Shared Views

Compatibility (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Multi-CAD Translation

Core Design (2 vs 1)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
2D Drafting
3D Modeling

Customization (4 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Application Programming Interface (API)
Autodesk App Store
CAD Standards Checker
Floating Windows

Data Management (1 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Data Extraction

Design (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Mechanical Design Tools

Documentation (0 vs 2)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Documentation Tools
Model-Based Definition

File Support (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Native DWG Support

Industry-Specific (7 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Architecture Toolset
Electrical Toolset
MEP Toolset
Map 3D Toolset
Mechanical Toolset
Plant 3D Toolset
Raster Design Toolset

Integration (3 vs 4)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Autodesk Docs Integration
Autodesk Platform Services
BIM Compatibility
Data Linking
Informed Design for Inventor
Inventor API
Push to Autodesk Docs

Libraries (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Content Center

Performance (1 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Performance Enhancements

Platform Support (1 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Apple Silicon Support

Project Management (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Product Development Lifecycle Tracking

Specialized Design (0 vs 4)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Cable and Harness Design
Frame Design
Sheet Metal Design
Tube and Pipe Design

Support (1 vs 0)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Autodesk Access

Visualization (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutoCADAutodesk Inventor
Visualization

Unique Features

Only in AutoCAD (68)

Arrays
Center Marks and Centerlines
Dimensions
Dynamic Blocks
Fields
Hatch
Layouts
Leaders
Parametric Constraints
Purge
Revision Clouds
Tables
Text Settings
Views
3D Navigation
Cloud Rendering
Model Documentation
Point Clouds
Rendering
Section Planes

+ 48 more unique features

Only in Autodesk Inventor (20)

Simulation
iLogic Automation
Built-in Collaboration Tools
Cloud-Based Design Review
Multi-CAD Translation
Mechanical Design Tools
Documentation Tools
Model-Based Definition
Native DWG Support
Autodesk Platform Services
BIM Compatibility
Informed Design for Inventor
Inventor API
Content Center
Product Development Lifecycle Tracking
Cable and Harness Design
Frame Design
Sheet Metal Design
Tube and Pipe Design
Visualization

Want to build your own alternative to AutoCAD or Autodesk Inventor?

Analyze it with Reap