Comparison

AutoCAD vs Microsoft Excel

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

Microsoft Excel

This powerful productivity app allows you to create, view, and edit spreadsheets on the go. Manage data, perform calculations, and analyze information with robust formatting and charting tools. Share your work easily with others.

Highlights
  • Create, view, and edit spreadsheets
  • Data analysis with charts and graphs
  • Budgeting and accounting tools
  • Customizable tables and formatting
  • Share files with collaborators
  • Draw and annotate with ink
Read full description

Review files and run data analysis on the go. Customise tables the way you want with robust formatting tools and great features. Excel lets you build your spreadsheet to meet your specific needs. Get the power of AI with Copilot in your favourite apps when you sign in with your Microsoft 365 subscription. Create templates, edit spreadsheets, organise charts and share with ease when you download Microsoft Excel. Tables and Spreadsheets: Create, Calculate and Analyse • Jump-start your budget, task list, accounting or financial analysis with Excel’s modern templates. • Rich productivity features and formatting options make your workbook easier to read and use. Productivity App: Review, Edit and Work Anywhere • Refresh sheet data or update your task list from anywhere. • Spreadsheet features like sort and filter columns help focus your reviews. • Create, duplicate, hide and unhide sheets easily. Data Analysis: Discover Key Insights on the Go • Analyse data using charts and graphs. • Highlight key insights using chart labelling features. • Visualise data at a glance. Finance Budgeting and Accounting: Simplify Personal Finance • Use spreadsheets and charts to help manage budgets. • Familiar tools to help you drill down to your exact finance needs. • Calculate tax estimates, personal finances and more. Draw and Annotate with Ink: Capture Ideas on the Page • Make notes, highlight your worksheet, create shapes or write equations using the draw tab feature on devices with touch capabilities. Sharing Made Easy: Collaborate Anywhere • Share your files with a few taps to quickly invite others to edit, view or leave comments directly in your workbooks. • Copy the content of your worksheet in the body of an email message with its format intact or attach or copy a link to your workbook for other sharing options. • Send worksheet content in an email while preserving formatting or send a link to your workbook. AI Assistance with Copilot* • Summarise data and highlight trends quickly. • Generate charts and tables from raw data with simple prompts. • Get intelligent recommendations for budgeting and forecasting. REQUIREMENTS: 1 GB RAM or above To create or edit documents, sign in with a free Microsoft account on devices with a screen size smaller than 10.1 inches. *Unlock the full Microsoft 365 experience with a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription for your phone, tablet, PC and Mac. This app is provided by either Microsoft or a third-party app publisher and is subject to a separate privacy statement and terms and conditions. Data provided through the use of this store and this app may be accessible to Microsoft or the third-party app publisher, where applicable, and transferred to, stored and processed in the United States or any other country where Microsoft or the app publisher and their affiliates or service providers maintain facilities. Please refer to Microsoft's EULA for Terms of Service for Microsoft 365 on iOS. By installing the app, you agree to these terms and conditions: http://aka.ms/eula

Screenshots

AutoCAD4 screens
Microsoft Excel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Microsoft Excel at weekly against AutoCAD's every 2 months. Microsoft Excel also leads on ratings volume (1.5M vs 6.3K) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). AutoCAD's advantage is review sentiment (51% vs 24%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Microsoft Excel sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Microsoft Excel holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Excel has 1.5M ratings behind it against 6.3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of AutoCAD's written reviews are positive against 24% of Microsoft Excel's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AutoCAD ships an update every 2 months, Microsoft Excel weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
AutoCAD versus Microsoft Excel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAutoCADMicrosoft Excel
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (6.3K ratings)4.7 (1.5M ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.0% of reviews — better24.4% of reviews
Number of ratings6.3K1.5M — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#20 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size502 MB436 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAutodesk Inc.Microsoft Corporation

Customer experience

AutoCAD

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

Microsoft Excel

All ratings1,460,557 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews3,588 reviews
Positive24.4%
Neutral6.4%
Negative69.2%

User reviews

AutoCAD

From 6.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Intuitive and easy to learn
  • 📱 Convenient mobile solution
  • 👍 Great for site visits and field work
  • 🔍 Useful for viewing and marking up drawings

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🔒 Difficult login and account management
  • 🔍 Limited functionality compared to desktop version
  • 📱 Lacks basic CAD features like hatching and dimensioning
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model

Microsoft Excel

From 1.5M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💻 Powerful and feature-rich
  • 🔍 Useful for data management and analysis
  • 🔧 Convenient for on-the-go work
  • 🤝 Good integration with Microsoft ecosystem
  • 🤩 Excellent for personal and professional use

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Subscription required for full functionality
  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 📱 Limited features compared to desktop version
  • 🤔 Confusing user interface changes
  • 🤯 Frustrating syncing and file management issues

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

Microsoft Excel

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Inability to open or edit files
  • Unexpected app closures
  • Syncing problems with OneDrive
  • Formatting issues when copying and pasting
  • Slow performance on high-end devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Conditional formatting options
  • Ability to open password-protected files
  • Improved Apple Pencil and keyboard support
  • Customizable keyboard shortcuts
  • Better compatibility with Dropbox and other cloud storage

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
12 purchases

Microsoft Excel

Subscriptions12
  • Office 365 Personal1 Month trial$5.991 Month
  • Office 365 Personal1 Month trial$6.991 Month
  • Microsoft 365 Personal Student1 Month trial$9.991 Month
Show 9 more
  • Microsoft 365 Personal1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Microsoft 365 Family1 Month trial2 variants$12.991 Month
  • Office 365 Home1 Month trial$12.991 Month
  • Microsoft 365 Premium Monthly1 Month trial$19.991 Month
  • Microsoft Copilot Pro$20.001 Month
  • Office 365 Personal$69.991 Year
  • Microsoft 365 Personal1 Month trial$99.991 Year
  • Office 365 Home$129.991 Year
  • Microsoft 365 Family1 Month trial$129.991 Year

Questions

Is AutoCAD free?
AutoCAD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Microsoft Excel free?
Microsoft Excel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AutoCAD or Microsoft Excel?
Microsoft Excel is rated higher. AutoCAD averages 4.4 out of 5 from 6.3K ratings, while Microsoft Excel averages 4.7 from 1.5M ratings.
Do AutoCAD or Microsoft Excel have ads?
Neither AutoCAD nor Microsoft Excel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AutoCAD or Microsoft Excel?
AutoCAD ships an update every 2 months, and Microsoft Excel weekly. Most recently, AutoCAD was updated on September 22, 2026 and Microsoft Excel on September 24, 2026.

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