# Global Mapper, Plex-Earth vs AutoCAD Comparison | | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 30 | 20 | 1,934 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (40.0% of reviews) | Small-Business (50.0% of reviews) | Small-Business (46.9% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | Starting at $700.00 With One-Time Purchase | $0.00 1 PC Licence | $260.00 1 user | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### Global Mapper **Not enough data** ### Plex-Earth **Not enough data** ### AutoCAD Pros: - Ease of Use (180 reviews) - Drawing (115 reviews) Cons: - Expensive (65 reviews) - Learning Curve (48 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 8.5 (26 reviews) | 9.4 (16 reviews) | 8.8 (1579 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 7.8 (25 reviews) | 8.9 (17 reviews) | 8.3 (1587 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (347 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (204 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 8.2 (22 reviews) | 9.7 (13 reviews) | 8.2 (1423 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (203 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.4 (27 reviews) | 10.0 (17 reviews) | 8.0 (1548 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### Global Mapper #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Global Mapper Price: Starting at $700.00 With One-Time Purchase Description: Perpetual license with annual Maintenance and Support Key Features: - Single User Node-Locked license - Single User Floating license - USB Dongle License [Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/global-mapper/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes ### Plex-Earth #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Lite Price: $0.00 1 PC Licence Description: The design essentials for connecting AutoCAD with Google Earth. Key Features: - Quick views from Google Maps - View imagery and terrain models created with paid plans - Zoom & Sync Google Earth [Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/plex-earth/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes ### 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 --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Global Mapper** | N/A | N/A | | **Plex-Earth** | N/A | N/A | | **AutoCAD** | 8.1/10 | 490 | #### Design | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Visualizing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (411 reviews) | | **Rendering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.3 (378 reviews) | | **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.2 (428 reviews) | | **Editing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (410 reviews) | | **Sequence Steps** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (371 reviews) | | **Dynamic Updating** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (199 reviews) | #### Collaboration | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Multi User** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (368 reviews) | | **File Import/Export** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (422 reviews) | | **Annotating ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (416 reviews) | | **Document Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (396 reviews) | #### Construction | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Fabrication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (367 reviews) | | **Reinforcement Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (357 reviews) | | **Clash Detection ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.5 (335 reviews) | | **Grading** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (187 reviews) | | **Earthwork** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.8 (180 reviews) | #### Generative AI | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.2 (48 reviews) | | **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.1 (46 reviews) | | **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 6.2 (48 reviews) | #### Common Data Environment (CDE) - Building Design and Building Information Modeling | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Role-Based Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Centralized Data Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Cost Estimation - Building Design and Building Information Modeling | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Lifecycle Cost Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Quantity Takeoff & Cost Estimation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.0 (5 reviews) | #### Electrical & Circuit Design - Building Design and Building Information Modeling | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Clash Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Electrical System Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **MEP Coordination** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Load Calculation & Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Interoperability with BIM & CAD** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.3 (5 reviews) | | **Circuit Design Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Civil Engineering Design | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Global Mapper** | N/A | N/A | | **Plex-Earth** | 8.4/10 | 12 | | **AutoCAD** | N/A | N/A | #### Plan | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Documentation ** | Not enough data | 9.4 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Sequence** | Not enough data | 8.1 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Annotate** | Not enough data | 7.7 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Collaborate ** | Not enough data | 8.1 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Design | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **3D Modeling** | Not enough data | 9.4 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | | **3D Rendering ** | Not enough data | 9.2 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Drawing** | Not enough data | 9.0 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Editing ** | Not enough data | 9.2 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Construction | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Fabrication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Reinforcement** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Clash Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Grading** | Not enough data | 8.8 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Earthwork** | Not enough data | 7.7 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Engineering | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Hydraulic engineering** | Not enough data | 7.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Hydrologic engineering** | Not enough data | 7.8 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Transportation engineering** | Not enough data | 7.2 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Structural engineering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### General-Purpose CAD | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Global Mapper** | N/A | N/A | | **Plex-Earth** | N/A | N/A | | **AutoCAD** | 8.4/10 | 599 | #### Design | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.5 (532 reviews) | | **Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (498 reviews) | | **Visualize ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (491 reviews) | | **Rendering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.4 (428 reviews) | #### Edit | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **File Import ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (496 reviews) | | **Push/Pull** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (439 reviews) | | **Views** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (485 reviews) | | **Grips ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (459 reviews) | #### Collaboration | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Annotate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (480 reviews) | | **Documentation ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (473 reviews) | | **Data Extract** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (448 reviews) | ### GIS | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Global Mapper** | 8.2/10 | 5 | | **Plex-Earth** | 9.1/10 | 5 | | **AutoCAD** | 8.4/10 | 46 | #### Data Management | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Data Capture** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 8.6 (37 reviews) | | **Data Storage** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 8.8 (38 reviews) | | **Data Manipulation** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 8.6 (36 reviews) | | **Data Visualization** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 8.8 (37 reviews) | #### Map Creation | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Geocoding** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (37 reviews) | | **Buffer Zone Query** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (32 reviews) | | **Overlaying** | 8.0 (5 reviews) | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 8.7 (36 reviews) | | **Publishing** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 8.6 (34 reviews) | #### Analysis | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Spatial Analysis** | 8.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.5 (34 reviews) | | **Reporting ** | Not enough data | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 7.9 (34 reviews) | | **Real-Time Streaming ** | Feature Not Available | Feature Not Available | 8.0 (29 reviews) | ### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Global Mapper** | N/A | N/A | | **Plex-Earth** | N/A | N/A | | **AutoCAD** | 8.2/10 | 22 | #### Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.5 (14 reviews) | | **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.0 (14 reviews) | | **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.0 (15 reviews) | | **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.9 (14 reviews) | | **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (14 reviews) | #### File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Export Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (14 reviews) | | **Import Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.9 (14 reviews) | | **File Interoperability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (16 reviews) | | **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (14 reviews) | | **File size** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (15 reviews) | #### Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (15 reviews) | | **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (15 reviews) | | **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (13 reviews) | | **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (17 reviews) | #### Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Hardware support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (14 reviews) | | **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (13 reviews) | | **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (13 reviews) | | **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (14 reviews) | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (1):** [GIS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/gis) **Unique to Global Mapper (1):** [Drone Analytics Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/drone-analytics) **Unique to Plex-Earth (1):** [Civil Engineering Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/civil-engineering-design) **Unique to AutoCAD (3):** [Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/building-design-and-building-information-modeling-bim), [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 | Global Mapper | Plex-Earth | AutoCAD | |---|---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 33.3% | 50.0% | 46.9% | | **Mid-Market** | 40.0% | 30.0% | 34.2% | | **Enterprise** | 26.7% | 20.0% | 18.9% | ### By Industry #### Global Mapper - **Oil & Energy:** 26.7% - **Civil Engineering:** 23.3% - **Information Technology and Services:** 6.7% - **Environmental Services:** 6.7% - **Wireless:** 3.3% - **Utilities:** 3.3% - **Telecommunications:** 3.3% - **Renewables & Environment:** 3.3% - **Mining & Metals:** 3.3% - **Maritime:** 3.3% - **Other:** 16.7% #### Plex-Earth - **Civil Engineering:** 55.0% - **Renewables & Environment:** 10.0% - **Oil & Energy:** 10.0% - **Architecture & Planning:** 10.0% - **Telecommunications:** 5.0% - **Higher Education:** 5.0% - **Environmental Services:** 5.0% #### 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% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to Global Mapper - [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews) - [Google Earth Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (384 reviews) - [QGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (154 reviews) - [Surfer](https://www.g2.com/products/surfer/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (126 reviews) - [MapInfo Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/mapinfo-pro/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (120 reviews) - [Maptitude](https://www.g2.com/products/maptitude/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (148 reviews) - [ArcGIS Online](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-online/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (190 reviews) - [BatchGeo](https://www.g2.com/products/batchgeo/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1047 reviews) - [Xactly](https://www.g2.com/products/xactly/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (1091 reviews) - [Octave Imagine (ERDAS IMAGINE)](https://www.g2.com/products/octave-imagine-erdas-imagine/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (31 reviews) ### Alternatives to Plex-Earth - [Google Earth Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (384 reviews) - [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews) - [BatchGeo](https://www.g2.com/products/batchgeo/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1047 reviews) - [Xactly](https://www.g2.com/products/xactly/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (1091 reviews) - [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (412 reviews) - [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (349 reviews) - [GeoHECRAS](https://www.g2.com/products/geohecras/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (348 reviews) - [Badger Maps](https://www.g2.com/products/badger-maps/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews) - [Smarty](https://www.g2.com/products/smarty-smarty/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews) - [Civil 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/civil-3d/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (304 reviews) ### Alternatives to AutoCAD - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews) - [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1000 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 (191 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 (599 reviews) - [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews) - [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (527 reviews) - [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (412 reviews) - [ZWCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/zwcad/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (349 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### Global Mapper No discussions available for this product. ### Plex-Earth No discussions available for this product. ### 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" --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/global-mapper-vs-plex-earth-vs-autocad)