# AutoCAD vs Tekla Structures Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that AutoCAD excels in user satisfaction, with many praising its **precision and flexibility**. Users highlight its ability to create highly accurate drawings, which is essential for engineering and architecture projects.
- **According to verified reviews** , Tekla Structures is recognized for its **user-friendly 3D modeling capabilities**. Reviewers appreciate features like automatic updates after model modifications and a robust numbering system, making it a strong choice for structural modeling.
- **Users say** that AutoCAD's implementation process is notably quick and intuitive, with many new users finding it easy to learn and adopt. This is a significant advantage for teams looking to onboard new members efficiently.
- **Reviewers mention** that while Tekla Structures offers powerful features for detailing complex cross-sections, it faces challenges in setup and administration compared to AutoCAD, which is often seen as more straightforward in these areas.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that both products perform well in terms of support quality, but AutoCAD's larger user base and extensive resources may provide an edge in finding solutions and community support.
- **According to recent feedback** , AutoCAD's capabilities in **2D and 3D drawing** are particularly praised, with users noting that it saves time by allowing for design reuse, a feature that enhances productivity in daily tasks.



| | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 1,934 | 64 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (46.9% of reviews) | Small-Business (50.8% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $260.00 1 user | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### AutoCAD

Pros:
- Ease of Use (180 reviews)
- Drawing (115 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (65 reviews)
- Learning Curve (48 reviews)

### Tekla Structures

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.8 (1579 reviews) | 8.7 (47 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.3 (1587 reviews) | 8.3 (48 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.3 (347 reviews) | 7.4 (14 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.0 (204 reviews) | 7.6 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.2 (1423 reviews) | 8.2 (46 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.5 (203 reviews) | 8.8 (15 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.0 (1548 reviews) | 8.8 (48 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### AutoCAD

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Monthly Subscription

Price: $260.00 1 user

Description: Access software 1 month at a time for the lowest up-front investment.


Key Features:
- Access to the latest software releases
- 1-on-1 online support
- Includes AutoCAD Mobile App

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Tekla Structures

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **AutoCAD** | 8.1/10 | 490 |
| **Tekla Structures** | 8.3/10 | 51 |

#### Design

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Visualizing** | 8.4 (411 reviews) | 8.9 (39 reviews) | 
| **Rendering** | 7.3 (378 reviews) | 8.3 (34 reviews) | 
| **Drawing** | 9.2 (428 reviews) | 8.5 (41 reviews) | 
| **Editing** | 8.8 (410 reviews) | 8.4 (35 reviews) | 
| **Sequence Steps** | 8.2 (371 reviews) | 8.1 (30 reviews) | 
| **Dynamic Updating** | 8.3 (199 reviews) | 8.4 (30 reviews) | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multi User** | 7.9 (368 reviews) | 8.4 (35 reviews) | 
| **File Import/Export** | 8.8 (422 reviews) | 8.3 (37 reviews) | 
| **Annotating ** | 8.7 (416 reviews) | 8.8 (36 reviews) | 
| **Document Storage** | 8.7 (396 reviews) | 8.4 (37 reviews) | 

#### Construction

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fabrication** | 8.4 (367 reviews) | 8.7 (38 reviews) | 
| **Reinforcement Tools** | 8.2 (357 reviews) | 8.3 (38 reviews) | 
| **Clash Detection ** | 7.5 (335 reviews) | 8.5 (40 reviews) | 
| **Grading** | 8.1 (187 reviews) | 8.0 (27 reviews) | 
| **Earthwork** | 7.8 (180 reviews) | 7.2 (23 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Generation** | 7.2 (48 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text Summarization** | 7.1 (46 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | 6.2 (48 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Common Data Environment (CDE) - Building Design and Building Information Modeling

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Role-Based Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Centralized Data Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Cost Estimation - Building Design and Building Information Modeling

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Lifecycle Cost Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Quantity Takeoff & Cost Estimation** | 7.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Electrical & Circuit Design - Building Design and Building Information Modeling

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Clash Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Electrical System Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **MEP Coordination** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Load Calculation & Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Interoperability with BIM & CAD** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Circuit Design Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **AutoCAD** | 8.4/10 | 599 |
| **Tekla Structures** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 9.5 (532 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Modeling** | 8.0 (498 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Visualize ** | 8.1 (491 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering** | 7.4 (428 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Edit

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | 8.7 (496 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Push/Pull** | 8.2 (439 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Views** | 8.5 (485 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Grips ** | 8.4 (459 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | 8.6 (480 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Documentation ** | 8.7 (473 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Extract** | 8.4 (448 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### GIS

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **AutoCAD** | 8.4/10 | 46 |
| **Tekla Structures** | N/A | N/A |

#### Data Management

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Capture** | 8.6 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Storage** | 8.8 (38 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Manipulation** | 8.6 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | 8.8 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Map Creation

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Geocoding** | 8.4 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Buffer Zone Query** | 8.0 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Overlaying** | 8.7 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Publishing** | 8.6 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Spatial Analysis** | 8.5 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting ** | 7.9 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Streaming ** | 8.0 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **AutoCAD** | 8.2/10 | 22 |
| **Tekla Structures** | N/A | N/A |

#### Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 7.5 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering Tools** | 7.0 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 9.0 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Editing Tools** | 8.9 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | 8.7 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | 8.5 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Import Files** | 8.9 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File Interoperability** | 8.2 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | 8.2 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File size** | 8.0 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | 8.1 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Scripts** | 8.3 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Menus** | 7.9 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Interface** | 8.2 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 7.9 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | 7.9 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 7.9 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Command Clarity** | 8.6 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/building-design-and-building-information-modeling-bim)

**Unique to AutoCAD (3):** [GIS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/gis), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | AutoCAD | Tekla Structures | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 46.9% | 50.8% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 34.2% | 40.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 18.9% | 8.5% | 

### By Industry

#### AutoCAD

- **Architecture & Planning:** 22.3%
- **Civil Engineering:** 10.4%
- **Construction:** 9.2%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 8.6%
- **Design:** 8.4%
- **Oil & Energy:** 3.2%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 2.9%
- **Automotive:** 2.9%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 2.3%
- **Higher Education:** 1.8%
- **Other:** 27.9%

#### Tekla Structures

- **Civil Engineering:** 40.7%
- **Construction:** 35.6%
- **Design:** 5.1%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 3.4%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 3.4%
- **Higher Education:** 3.4%
- **Oil & Energy:** 1.7%
- **Mining & Metals:** 1.7%
- **E-Learning:** 1.7%
- **Building Materials:** 1.7%
- **Other:** 1.7%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to AutoCAD

- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1325 reviews)
- [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1002 reviews)
- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (192 reviews)
- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (606 reviews)
- [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (598 reviews)
- [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews)
- [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (415 reviews)
- [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (350 reviews)

### Alternatives to Tekla Structures

- [Revit](https://www.g2.com/products/revit/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (948 reviews)
- [STAAD.Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/staad-pro/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (75 reviews)
- [Archicad](https://www.g2.com/products/archicad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (291 reviews)
- [ALLPLAN](https://www.g2.com/products/allplan/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (25 reviews)
- [SDS/2](https://www.g2.com/products/sds-2/reviews) — 3.3/5 stars (8 reviews)
- [Navisworks](https://www.g2.com/products/navisworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (204 reviews)
- [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (304 reviews)
- [AutoCAD MEP](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad-mep/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (203 reviews)
- [Vectorworks Architect](https://www.g2.com/products/vectorworks-architect/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (236 reviews)
- [Newforma Konekt](https://www.g2.com/products/newforma-konekt/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (32 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### AutoCAD

- Title: [Can we add simulation?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/15648-can-we-add-simulation) — 4 comments, 3 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "Yes we can do any kind of simulation here. This tool provides great flexibility."
- Title: [Which of the features might be useful for CAD software?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-of-the-features-might-be-useful-for-cad-software) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "3d extend "
- Title: [What is AutoCAD Architecture used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-autocad-architecture-used-for) — 2 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "AutoCAD Architecture is a specialized version of AutoCAD developed for architects and building professionals. It provides intelligent architectural..."
- Title: [Can you do 3d in AutoCAD?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-you-do-3d-in-autocad) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Yes"
- Title: [What is AutoCAD software used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-autocad-software-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "drafting, design and drawing production.  2d and 3d"

### Tekla Structures

- Title: [What is Tekla Structures used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-tekla-structures-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Structural Detailing & Fabrication, Concrete & Rebar Modeling"
- Title: [How much does Tekla structural designer cost?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-does-tekla-structural-designer-cost) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "1 employee is paid 8000 $ annually on 4 years of experience."
- Title: [Is Tekla structure free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-tekla-structure-free) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "no Tekla structure is not free but they provide 1-year free educational license."
- Title: [What is best way to buy Tekla cheap price?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/32610-what-is-best-way-to-buy-tekla-cheap-price) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "buy with someone else who is also need to buy the software and than use it share basis using tekla license borrow tools."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-vs-tekla-structures)