Created Date：2021.08.17
Updated Date：2025.10.02
As of June 2021, sales of AutoCAD LT have been discontinued. Previously, there were two license types available: AutoCAD, which included full CAD functionality plus specialized toolsets, and the lower-cost AutoCAD LT, which was limited to a subset of CAD features. Although its features were limited, AutoCAD LT gained significant support because it included almost all the drafting functions necessary for creating drawings. So, going forward, which license should you purchase to use AutoCAD at the best value? We will provide a thorough explanation.
Although sales of AutoCAD LT ended on June 6, 2021, the regular version of AutoCAD is now available at the same price as AutoCAD LT. Since you can now use 3D-related features, add-ons, and customizations using LISP and APIs, which were restricted in AutoCAD LT, this change can be considered an effective price reduction.
The plan previously sold as the regular version of AutoCAD is now called 「AutoCAD Plus」. While the regular AutoCAD plan only allows the use of the 2D general-purpose CAD, the AutoCAD Plus plan allows you to use the seven specialized toolsets as before.
| Plan | AutoCAD | AutoCAD Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Features | ・Includes basic drafting features (*) | ・Includes basic drafting features (*) ・7 specialized toolsets available |
| Price | ¥71,500/year | ¥231,000/year |
*...
AutoCAD does not offer a perpetual (one-time purchase) license; it is only available through subscription plans that require renewal every 1 month, 1 year, or 3 years. Additionally, it cannot be used in a completely offline environment. (However, it appears that it can be used offline if it is activated every 30 days).
The seven specialized toolsets are industry-specific toolsets that are available when you subscribe to AutoCAD Plus. Please note that they are available only on Windows.
The "seven" specialized toolsets are the following seven:
In fact, these seven tools were also previously sold as separate, standalone CAD products. For example, the "Mechanical toolset" was sold as AutoCAD Mechanical, which included the basic functions of AutoCAD plus tools to automate common mechanical design tasks and parts libraries based on various standards. The "Electrical toolset" was sold as AutoCAD Electrical, which was equipped with a wealth of features to make drawing and editing for electrical control design more efficient... etc. With AutoCAD Plus, you can use all seven of these toolsets with a single license.
The regular version of AutoCAD is now available for 71,500 JPY/year, an effective price drop. Because of this, those who previously found it difficult to adopt AutoCAD due to cost may now be able to consider it. Many manufacturers besides Autodesk sell general-purpose 2D CAD software, so please compare prices and features to choose the CAD that best suits your needs.
