Autodesk vs Lucid Software — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Autodesk starts at $260/mo. Lucid Software starts at $10/mo. Lucid Software is $250/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Autodesk.
See price history: Autodesk · Lucid Software
Multi-product design and engineering software vendor (AutoCAD, Fusion 360, Revit, Maya, Civil 3D, Inventor), founded 1982. Positioned as the industry-standard alternative to Bentley MicroStation (engineering) and open-source FreeCAD (hobbyist). Distinctive for its Collections bundles (AEC, Product Design & Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment) that unlock 5+ apps per subscription. Priced $64-$375/seat/mo depending on product; flagship AutoCAD at $255/mo monthly / $213/mo annual (17% discount). Completed $3.6B all-cash acquisition of MaintainX in Aug 2026 — expanding beyond design into day-to-day operations. Publicly traded (NASDAQ: ADSK), $60B market cap.
The visual collaboration platform bundling Lucidchart (diagrams, flowcharts, ERDs, network maps) + Lucidspark (whiteboarding) into one subscription. Positioned as the professional alternative to Miro (whiteboarding-first) + Visio (desktop diagramming) for teams that need both formal diagrams and casual brainstorming. Distinctive for its data-driven diagrams (auto-generate ERDs from database schemas, org charts from HRIS, network diagrams from cloud accounts). Priced $8-$10/user/mo across Free/Individual/Team plus custom Enterprise. Publicly discussed valuation $3B (2021 Series D). Serves 100M+ users including 99% of Fortune 500.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | Autodesk monthly | Autodesk annual | Lucid Software monthly | Lucid Software annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | — / Free | — | — | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | Fusion 360 / Individual | $85 | $64 | $10 | $8 |
| Mid tier 1 | AutoCAD / — | $260 | $175 | — | — |
| Mid tier 2 | Maya / — | $260 | $175 | — | — |
| Mid tier 3 | Revit / — | $342 | $243 | — | — |
| Pro / power | AEC Collection / — | $375 | $291 | — | — |
| Teams | — / Team | — | — | $12 | $10 |
| Enterprise | — / Enterprise | — | — | Custom | Custom |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
Autodesk is worth it if… architects, engineers, designers, and manufacturers who need industry-standard CAD tools — particularly where deliverables must be DWG or RVT compatible for regulatory or client-handoff reasons. AutoCAD covers general 2D/3D drafting; Fusion 360 for integrated product design; Revit for BIM/architecture; Maya for 3D animation; AEC Collection bundles multiple apps for AEC firms.
Lucid Software is worth it if… teams (3-500 people) that need both formal diagrams (flowcharts, ERDs, network maps) AND brainstorming whiteboards in one subscription — particularly if Miro feels too casual and Visio feels too Microsoft-locked. Free covers 3 documents (personal); Individual for solo pros who need just diagrams OR whiteboard; Team ($10/user annual) bundles both plus real-time collaboration; Enterprise adds SSO + SCIM + advanced admin.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose Autodesk over Lucid Software if…
Choose Autodesk if…
- You're comfortable with Autodesk's from $260/mo entry point.
- You match the profile Autodesk is built for: architects, engineers, designers, and manufacturers who need industry-standard CAD tools — particularly where deliverables must be DWG or RVT compatible for regulatory or client-handoff reasons.
- You need a general-purpose design & creative option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose Lucid Software if…
- You're comfortable with Lucid Software's from $10/mo entry point.
- You match the profile Lucid Software is built for: teams (3-500 people) that need both formal diagrams (flowcharts, ERDs, network maps) AND brainstorming whiteboards in one subscription — particularly if Miro feels too casual and Visio feels too Microsoft-locked.
- You need a general-purpose design & creative option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| Autodesk | Lucid Software | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Entry price | $260/mo | $10/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | — | — |
| Verification | Pricing under review | Checked October 3, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified October 3, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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Common questions about Autodesk and Lucid Software
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- How much does Lucid Software cost in 2026?
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