Comparison

AutoCAD vs Elevation Survey

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

AutoCAD

Access and edit CAD drawings on the go with this official application. It provides essential drafting and design tools for creating, updating, and sharing 2D drawings from any device. Collaborate with teams and simplify workflows by accessing files from various cloud storage services.

Highlights
  • 2D file viewing
  • Create, edit, and share 2D drawings
  • Offline work and sync
  • Insert blocks
  • Manage layers
  • Drafting and geometry editing
  • Measure tools
Read full description

The official AutoCAD app. View & edit CAD drawings anytime, anywhere! Essential drafting and design capabilities for your everyday needs: Autodesk® AutoCAD® Web on mobile is a trusted solution that gives you access to the core AutoCAD commands that you need for light editing and generating fundamental designs, all at an attractive price. AutoCAD Web subscription plans are available in the following options: • Monthly for $9.99 • Yearly for $99.99 • Included free with AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT subscriptions Use familiar AutoCAD drafting tools on your mobile device in a simplified interface, allowing you to access, create, and update DWG™ files anytime, anywhere. 30 day trial: Enjoy a fully functional free trial of AutoCAD Web for 30 days. After the trial is completed, you can access limited read-only functionality without a paid subscription. Current AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT desktop subscribers: Sign in with your Autodesk account to access AutoCAD Web on mobile. Key Benefits: • Work offline on your projects without an Internet connection and sync later • Safeguard drawings in your Autodesk account or with your own external accounts • Collaborate in real time with team members and reduce mistakes • Replace blueprints at job sites with drawings on mobile • Simplify workflows by opening DWG files directly from Autodesk Drive, Autodesk Docs, Microsoft OneDrive, Box, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Features: • 2D file viewing • Create, edit, and share 2D drawings • Work offline and sync your changes once back online • Insert blocks from your DWG drawing • Manage layers and layer visibility • Drafting and geometry editing tools • Annotation and markup tools • Measure distance, angle, area, and radius • View and edit DWG files from your internal storage, email, or from the cloud • View coordinates and properties All new users have access to a free trial of AutoCAD Web for 30 days. Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your Apple ID. Subscriptions are automatically renewed unless cancelled at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. You will not be able to cancel a subscription during the active period. Manage your subscriptions in Account Settings after purchase. *Free products and services are subject to the Autodesk Terms of Use at https://www.autodesk.com/company/terms-of-use/en/general-terms Learn more: Autodesk Website: https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad-web Term of Use: https://www.autodesk.com/company/legal-notices-trademarks/terms-of-service-autodesk360-web-services/autodesk-autocad-mobile-terms-of-service AutoCAD Service is not provided to children under the age of 14, and users under 14 cannot use this Service.

About

Elevation Survey

This app simplifies leveling surveys by automatically calculating instrument and ground heights. It allows for instant computation of staff readings for layout work and offers flexible data entry modes. Survey data can be easily exported and shared.

Highlights
  • Automatic HI and GH calculation
  • Instant staff reading computation for layout
  • Color-coded input and results
  • Add notes for projects
  • Export data as CSV
  • Standard and Staff data entry modes
  • In-app tutorial
Features
Read full description

Make leveling surveys smarter at any construction site. With the Elevation Survey app, you no longer need a field notebook, calculator, or pencil. Just enter the staff readings and the app instantly performs all the calculations, helping you complete surveying tasks efficiently and smoothly. Results are saved within the app and can be exported as CSV files or images. Share data instantly with colleagues using various methods for fast on-site delivery. The app supports the Instrument Height (HI) method, with a built-in tutorial that explains both app usage and surveying basics for beginners. 【Key Features】 • Automatically calculate Instrument Height (HI) and Ground Height (GH) from the benchmark elevation and staff readings • Enter design elevation to instantly compute the staff readings needed for batter board (layout) work • Add or delete rows freely • Color-coded display for input values and calculation results, improving readability • Add memos for each project or site • Export survey data as CSV, editable in Excel • Switch between Standard Mode and Staff Mode • Staff Mode allows intuitive entry, just like reading the staff directly through the level • Duplicate, delete, or edit past survey data • Built-in "How to Use" guide explains app operations, the HI method, and basic surveying for beginners • Cloud backup protects your valuable data — recover anytime from the cloud, even if your device is lost or damaged. Share data with various methods. • Multi-language support — available in 40+ languages • Convert recorded data between meters, feet & inches, and decimal feet • Data input units: meters, feet & inches, or decimal feet • 10-day free trial. After that, free for one project. Unlock all limits with a monthly or yearly subscription • Cancel your subscription anytime — use with peace of mind • Subscribers get unlimited project registration and unlimited data sharing Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

AutoCAD4 screens
Elevation Survey4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: AutoCAD at 51% against Elevation Survey's 32%. Elevation Survey's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. AutoCAD sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Elevation Survey sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AutoCAD ships an update every 2 months, Elevation Survey every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
AutoCAD versus Elevation Survey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAutoCADElevation Survey
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (6.3K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews51.0% of reviews — better32.3% of reviews
Number of ratings6.3K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size502 MB75 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAutodesk Inc.Booth

Customer experience

AutoCAD

All ratings6,263 ratings
Positive86.2%
Neutral4.8%
Negative9.0%
Written reviews692 reviews
Positive51.0%
Neutral10.5%
Negative38.4%

Elevation Survey

Written reviews31 reviews
Positive32.3%
Neutral9.7%
Negative58.1%

Bugs and requests

AutoCAD

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to open DXF files
  • Numeric keypad not appearing for editing dimensions
  • Syncing and saving issues causing data loss
  • Compatibility problems with newer iPad models

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for Arabic text
  • Improve Apple Pencil integration
  • Allow creating and saving custom blocks
  • Implement PDF export functionality
  • Restore removed features like GPS positioning

Elevation Survey

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

AutoCAD

Subscriptions3
  • AutoCAD Web monthly$9.991 Month
  • AutoCAD Web annual$99.991 Year
  • AutoCAD Web annual (Ultimate)$99.991 Year
2 purchases

Elevation Survey

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$59.991 Year

Questions

Is AutoCAD free?
AutoCAD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Elevation Survey free?
Elevation Survey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AutoCAD or Elevation Survey have ads?
Neither AutoCAD nor Elevation Survey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AutoCAD or Elevation Survey?
AutoCAD ships an update every 2 months, and Elevation Survey every 3 months. Most recently, AutoCAD was updated on September 24, 2026 and Elevation Survey on September 16, 2026.

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