When comparing AutoCAD vs SolidWorks, the Slant community recommends SolidWorks for most people. In the question“What is the best 3D modeling software?” SolidWorks is ranked 11th while AutoCAD is ranked 26th. The most important reason people chose SolidWorks is:
Because Solidworks is so used, most companies/universities/research institutes have at least some licenses for it, even if it's not their main CAD program. This facilitates exchanging CAD models in native formats between institutions.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Great for engineers
AutoCAD helps make engineering drafts quickly. It's designed to help with things like plumbing diagrams and electrical wiring diagrams.
Pro Free trial available
AutoCAD is available for free for 30 days.
Pro Easy CAD model exchange
Because Solidworks is so used, most companies/universities/research institutes have at least some licenses for it, even if it's not their main CAD program. This facilitates exchanging CAD models in native formats between institutions.
Pro Advanced modelling
Solidworks is one of the most advanced, commercial CAD applications on the market today. For solid modeling, it uses a parametric and feature-based philosophy. Its operations library is enough to build the products/objects that most designers/engineers will ever need to model.
Cons
Con Interface is difficult to customize
Con Can be glitchy
The software can sometimes be laggy, glitchy and unstable to the point of crashing.
Con Mac version is weaker than the Windows version
Con Expensive for individuals and freelancers
Solidworks typical clients are big organizations, so buying licenses can be quite expensive for individuals. Usually they only sell them in packs and will only give quotations when requested directly.
Con Weak analysis modules
Solidworks has analysis modules ( structural, thermal, flow, ... ), but they are quite simplistic and their solving abilities aren't the best, so analysis results should be looked at with a critical eye. These modules should only be used for preliminary analysis.