How Much Does AutoCAD Cost? Prices, Licenses and How to Save in 2026

AutoCAD is the reference standard for technical drawing and CAD design, used daily by architects, engineers, surveyors, and design studios. Precisely because it is a professional tool, the first question of those who approach - or those who need to renew - is always the same: how much does AutoCAD cost? And here comes the surprise, because the official price is among the highest in the entire software landscape. In this guide updated to 2026, we see how much Autodesk really asks for, why it costs so much, what are the less expensive versions and how it is possible to obtain AutoCAD by spending a fraction of the sum.

How much does AutoCAD cost? The short answer

In summary: the official Autodesk subscription for AutoCAD costs about €290 per month, €2,300 per year or €6,200 for three years (Source: Autodesk). For years, Autodesk has no longer sold perpetual licenses. The reduced version, AutoCAD LT, costs less but remains a subscription. Alternatively, on the license market, it is possible to find AutoCAD with a perpetual license starting from €99 as a one-time fee.

The official price of AutoCAD: how much does Autodesk ask for

On the official website, AutoCAD is only available by subscription. These are the list prices updated to 2026 (Source: Autodesk); they may vary slightly depending on the region and promotions:

• Monthly subscription - approximately 290 €/month

• Annual subscription - approximately €2,300/year

• Three-year subscription - approximately €6,200 for 3 years

The bill is ruthless: three years of official AutoCAD exceed €6,000. And this is where many professionals, especially freelancers and small firms, start looking for more sustainable alternatives.

Why does AutoCAD cost so much?

The high price is not random. AutoCAD is a professional software with decades of development behind it, ongoing updates, formats that have become industry standards (such as DWG), and an ecosystem of specialized tools. Added to this is a specific strategic choice: since 2016 Autodesk has removed the perpetual license from its price list, shifting everything to a subscription model. Those working in the industry know this well - it means that, with the official formula, you never stop paying: the moment the subscription expires, the software is blocked.

AutoCAD LT: the most affordable version of Autodesk

If you don't need 3D modeling and advanced automation tools, Autodesk offers AutoCAD LT, the "light" version designed for 2D drawing. It costs significantly less than the full AutoCAD, but it remains an annual subscription and not a permanent license. It's a good choice for those who work exclusively in two dimensions, but for those who need 3D, it's not enough.

Perpetual license AutoCAD: how much does it cost on Macrosoft

However, there is another path, which is of more interest to those who want to keep costs down: perpetual licenses. On Macrosoft It is possible to purchase AutoCAD with a one-time payment, without a recurring fee. Here are the prices updated to July 2026:

• AutoCAD 2026 — €99.00 one-time fee

• AutoCAD 2027 — €109.00 one-time fee

• AutoCAD 2024 — €149.00 one-time fee

• AutoCAD 2022 — €109.00 one-time fee

• AutoCAD LT 2024 — €99.00 one-time fee

• AutoCAD Web — €59.00 one-time fee

• AutoCAD Civil 3D 2024 - One-time payment of €99.00

The comparison speaks for itself: a perpetual license for AutoCAD 2026 at €99 costs less than a single month of official subscription. If you want to better understand what the software is for and in which sectors it is used, we have explained it in the article on What can be done with AutoCAD .

Subscription or perpetual license: how much do you really save

Let's put the numbers side by side over a three-year horizon, the typical lifespan of a workstation. The official subscription to AutoCAD, over three years, costs around €6,200 (Source: Autodesk). A perpetual license for AutoCAD 2026 costs €99 as a one-time payment and remains yours forever. The difference is not a percentage: it's an order of magnitude. For a studio with multiple workstations, the savings multiply for each license.

What we always recommend is to consider the actual usage: if you constantly need the very latest version and direct Autodesk support for mission-critical projects, the subscription makes sense. If, on the other hand, you need a reliable and stable CAD tool to work with, without chasing every annual update, the perpetual license significantly reduces costs.

Which version of AutoCAD to choose

The choice depends on the type of work. For pure 2D drawing, it may be enough. AutoCAD LT or AutoCAD Web. For complete 3D design, you need the full version of AutoCAD. Those who work in specific fields can focus on specialized toolsets: Mechanical for mechanics, Electrical for electrical plant design, Civil 3D for civil engineering and infrastructure. The practical rule is simple: choose the version that covers what you really need, without paying for modules you would never use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AutoCAD still have a perpetual license?

Not in the official Autodesk price list, which since 2016 only sells subscriptions. However, in the license market, it is possible to find AutoCAD with a perpetual license and one-time payment, starting from €99.

How much does AutoCAD LT cost?

In the Autodesk AutoCAD LT price list, there is an annual subscription, which is cheaper than the full version. Alternatively, the perpetual license for AutoCAD LT 2024 is available at a one-time fee of 99€.

Is there a free version of AutoCAD?

Autodesk offers a free 30-day trial version and free licenses for students and teachers for educational purposes, not to be used for commercial work. For professional use, a paid license is required.

Why does AutoCAD cost more than other CAD software?

Because it is the industry standard, with the DWG format widespread everywhere, constant updates, and a sales model based on continuous subscription. It is precisely this model that makes perpetual licenses such a cost-effective alternative.

In conclusion, how much AutoCAD costs depends entirely on the plan you choose: the official subscription exceeds €2,300 per year, while a perpetual license allows you to have the same software with a one-time cost of a few tens of euros. To compare all available versions and find the one suitable for your work at the best price, you can start from the section. AutoCAD and Autodesk by Macrosoft .