Many architects and engineers ask “Why is AutoCAD so expensive?”

AutoCAD is obviously the standard for architecture and engineering software, and is used by major architecture firms and engineering firms to accomplish unimaginable tasks.

The cost of AutoCAD is $1775. Buy AutoCAD here.

The computing power of AutoCAD is equal to hundreds of architects from the 1900s.

I have seen so many proud projects come to life from AutoCAD.

Commercial, residential, mixed-use buildings.

AutoCAD does everything to perfection.

So when you ask, “why is AutoCAD so expensive”, my response is that AutoCAD is the best, and the standard for architecture, so don’t worry too much.

But more importantly, I don’t think AutoCAD’s that expensive.

I’ll explain in the next section.

If you are ready to take a leap of faith, buy AutoCAD here for $1775.

How Much Does AutoCAD Really Cost, Anyway?

AutoCAD costs $1775 to use for a year.

That is objectively a lot of money.

However, when you take a look at the monthly cost, things begin to look more affordable.

$1775 is equal to $149 a month.

Reasonable.

If you look at the weekly price, and factor in 2 weeks of vacation, then AutoCAD costs $35 a week.

That’s the equivalent of one dinner.

So we’re looking at $7 a day to use AutoCAD.

For the cost of a cup of coffee and a sandwich from your local coffee shop, you can use AutoCAD.

Which AutoCAD should I get?

We can even go further.

Assuming an 8-hour work day, you’re looking at $0.88 an hour to use AutoCAD.

When you realize that $1775 a year is only 88 cents an hour, AutoCAD all of a sudden looks affordable as it gets!

Buy AutoCAD for 88 cents an hour.

How Much Does AutoCAD Cost Per Day?

AutoCAD costs only $7 per day.

That’s an unbelievable number, but I explained my mathematics.

$7 a day is equal to $35 a week.

There are 50 work weeks in a year.

$35 * 50 = $1750, which is very close to the $1775 price tag.

So AutoCAD costs only $7 a day.

When you think about other things that cost $7, you might be surprised by the value of AutoCAD.

For $7, you can buy lunch at some major restaurants (though not all).

That’s not a lot of money, and most architects have an extra $7 a day to buy AutoCAD.

How much does it cost to buy AutoCAD?

At the end of the day, AutoCAD costs only $7 a day.

And that, to me, is an unbelievable value.

So why is AutoCAD so expensive?

Well, we can get into all the engineering, all the design work, all the coding that it takes to make AutoCAD real and improve AutoCAD every year.

At the same time, $7 a day is very affordable.

So affordable, in fact, you might be ready to buy right now.

Buy AutoCAD today for $7 a day.

Why AutoCAD Is Worth 20 Times The Price Tag

AutoCAD is easily worth 20 times the price tag.

With AutoCAD, you get a value that far exceeds the price of the software.

For many smaller architectural firms, we bring in $100,000 – $500,000 a year in revenue.

Some of us bring in $500,000 to $2,500,000 in revenue.

And some of us bring in $2,500,000 – $10,000,000 in revenue.

If you are making some money with your architecture firm, then all your work is going to be done on AutoCAD, most likely.

Can I teach myself AutoCAD?

If not, your work would have improved returns with AutoCAD.

AutoCAD is the standard used by architecture firms nationwide.

AutoCAD is also the standard of small business architects.

The best way to quantify the value of AutoCAD is to quantify how much you made, and subtract how many hours you worked (at a reasonable rate of pay), other expenses, and then the cost of AutoCAD.

What you will find is that you generated easily 20-100 times the value of AutoCAD because of using AutoCAD at work.

Thank you for seeing the light.

AutoCAD is so valuable, and really helps you get your best architecture work done.

Buy AutoCAD for $1775 here.

What Is An Alternative To AutoCAD I Can Afford?

An Alternative to AutoCAD is Revit.

Lesser known but very valuable to the world of architecture, Revit has many features similar to AutoCAD, but also adds on a large number of features in addition.

For example, Revit does analysis to optimize building performance.

You can run cost estimates, and monitor performance to determine costs well before you build.

Revit has ultra-realistic 3D renderings.

Because Revit is a BIM software – BIM stands for Building Information Modeling – Revit is great for design build, because it appeals to both architects and construction.

There is so much you can do with Revit.

Revit is also a powerful tool for engineers.

Structural engineers, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers all have used for Revit to master buildings, improve engineering outcomes, and fit necessary parameters with greater ease than ever before.

Whether you are an architect or engineer, you will have a lot of work with Revit.

Find out more about Revit, and buy Revit for $2,545.

How Can I Save $500 On AutoCAD?

For those of you that are sticklers for AutoCAD, as well as for a great deal, read on.

I have figured out a way to save a total of $500 on your AutoCAD purchase.

When you are worried about why is AutoCAD so expensive, you will be gratified to know that you can save $500 on AutoCAD over a 3 year period.

The answer is to sign up for a 3 year subscription to AutoCAD.

When you buy AutoCAD for 3 years at a time, the makers of AutoCAD will save you more than $500 on your purchase price.

If you take the 1 year subscription cost of AutoCAD ($1775) and multiply by 3, you get $5,325.

However, when you buy a 3 year subscription to AutoCAD, you pay only $4,795 every three years, which is the best value you can find.

The difference between the two numbers is $530, and that’s $530 in savings to you when you buy AutoCAD 3 years at a time rather than 1 year at a time.

Buy AutoCAD and save $500 here.

Conclusion

Why is AutoCAD so expensive?

Aside from all the great design and product engineering within AutoCAD, I did the math and determined that AutoCADonly costs $7 per day.

AutoCAD costs only $7 per day.

Again, AutoCAD costs only $7 a day.

What an incredible deal!

What an interesting value!

I am interested to know that when you take that $7 a day and divide by 8 hours, you see that AutoCAD is only $0.88 an hour.

Pretty good if you ask me.

AutoCAD is worth easily 20 times the price.

I say this because you can factor in the money you will make doing projects on AutoCAD.

Worth the money when you look at it, because if you make $100,000 in a year, and you spent $1775 on AutoCAD, then you still have $98000 in upside before expenses.

If you are looking for an alternative to AutoCAD, choose Revit.

Revit is more BIM than CAD, but does a beautiful job designing buildings.

With such detail and clarity, the 3D renderings are something else, too.

Finally, Revit is great for both architects and engineers, and helps you meet your numbers.

If you want to save $500 on AutoCAD, then buy AutoCAD for 3 years.

Buy AutoCAD here.

Buy Revit here.

Thank you for reading, and please share this article on social media!

Why buy AutoCAD? AutoCAD is the #1 CAD software for architects. You can buy AutoCAD at Autodesk.com. Buy AutoCAD any time of year, or during the holiday season when there are great Black Friday and Christmas deals. AutoCAD is made for architects. Alternatives to AutoCAD include Revit, a 3D building modeling software from Autodesk.com, where there are great resources. AutoCAD is a great deal at $1,610 / year. This web site does contain affiliate links. Buy AutoCAD. Buy Revit. Buy the Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection.