Both draw in 2D. They aim at different people. AutoCAD LT is the mature, native-DWG workhorse for people who live in CAD. CADdillo is the fast, browser-based, AI-native tool for everyone who just needs to change the vendor's drawing — at a third of the price. Here's the straight version, including where LT still wins.
| Feature | CADdillo | AutoCAD LT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free CAD editor, viewer and converter, plus 50 free AI credits. More AI credits pay-as-you-go from $10; no subscription. | ~$60/mo (about $500/yr billed annually). |
| Runs in | Any browser — desktop, tablet, phone. No install. | Windows/Mac desktop install; per-seat license. |
| Setup | Open a tab and draw. No account needed for the free viewer. | Download, install, sign in, license. |
| Block library | 472 professional blocks free, forever, in every tier. | Core symbols included; many trades buy $99+ symbol packs. |
| AI drafting | Dillo Bot engine drafts, previews and checks its own work. | No native generative drafting. |
| DXF support | Opens & exports DXF natively in the browser. | Full DXF read/write. |
| DWG support | DWG import via the free converter and 3 free DWG exports; native in-browser DWG read is on the roadmap (convert to DXF today). | Native, mature DWG — the format is Autodesk’s own. |
| Drafting depth | Real verb set: trim, fillet, array, offset, snap, layers, dynamic input. | Decades of depth — the deepest 2D toolset there is. |
| File privacy | Files parse in your browser — never uploaded. | Local desktop files; cloud features optional. |
| Learning curve | Built for occasional users — minimal ceremony. | Powerful but steeper; command-line heritage. |
| Ecosystem | Young, focused product. | Huge ecosystem, plugins, decades of tutorials. |
AutoCAD LT pricing per Autodesk's public subscription rates (~$60/mo month-to-month, about $500/yr billed annually), 2026. CADdillo is not affiliated with Autodesk; AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT are trademarks of Autodesk, Inc.
We're not going to pretend LT isn't the more mature tool — it is. We win on price, AI, simplicity and free blocks. Try the free tier and decide for yourself.
For occasional and price-sensitive users, yes. CADdillo runs free in any browser (AI credits are pay-as-you-go, no subscription), ships 472 professional blocks free, and has built-in AI drafting. AutoCAD LT is the more mature 2D tool with native DWG and a deep ecosystem — if you live in CAD all day and need native DWG, LT is still the safer pick.
DXF opens natively in the browser today. DWG import goes through the free converter and the free tier includes 3 DWG exports; native in-browser DWG reading is on the roadmap, so for now you convert a DWG to DXF first. AutoCAD LT reads and writes DWG natively because DWG is Autodesk’s own format.
CADdillo is free: a fully usable editor with all 472 blocks and 50 free AI credits, with more credits pay-as-you-go from $10 and no subscription. AutoCAD LT runs roughly $60/mo, about $500/yr billed annually. For someone who opens a drawing a few times a month, that difference is the whole argument.
No. CADdillo runs in any modern browser on desktop, tablet or phone — no download, no per-seat license, no IT ticket. AutoCAD LT is a Windows or Mac desktop install that has to be licensed and signed in to.
It depends how deep you go. CADdillo ships the verb set most people actually use — trim, extend, fillet, chamfer, offset, array, mirror, object snap, layers and dynamic input with feet-and-inches. AutoCAD LT still has decades more depth, native DWG and a huge plugin ecosystem. If CAD is your full-time job, LT remains the more complete tool.
