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MetreMate vs AutoCAD
AutoCAD is drafting software for drawing plans, priced like it. MetreMate does one job, measuring PDF plans in your browser, and it is free to start.
Built for
Measuring PDF plans to price workDrafting and designing drawings in 2D and 3DPublished price
Free plan, paid plans on our pricing pageUS$2,095 + tax a year per userPlatform
Any computer with a modern browserDesktop install on Windows or macOS, plus AutoCAD Web for DWG drawingsComputer needed
Whatever runs a modern browser32 GB RAM recommended on Windows, 16 GB or more on Mac
AutoCAD is Autodesk's CAD software for drafting and design, and for producing drawings it is an industry standard. If you are a builder or one of the contractors who needs to measure a PDF plan to price a job, it is a heavy tool for the task: AutoCAD is listed at US$2,095 + tax a year per user, and measuring a PDF in it means importing the file and using drafting commands built for CAD drawings. MetreMate measures PDF plans in your browser, starts free, and gets you to a first measurement in minutes.
MetreMate vs AutoCAD at a glance
| MetreMate |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Measuring PDF plans to price work | Drafting and designing drawings in 2D and 3D |
| Published price | Free plan, paid plans on our pricing page | US$2,095 + tax a year per user |
| Platform | Any computer with a modern browser | Desktop install on Windows or macOS, plus AutoCAD Web for DWG drawings |
| Computer needed | Whatever runs a modern browser | 32 GB RAM recommended on Windows, 16 GB or more on Mac |
| PDF takeoff | The core feature: set the scale, then measure lengths, areas, perimeters and counts | Import the PDF, then measure with drafting commands. Scanned PDFs are not converted to geometry |
| Learning curve | Minutes to a first measurement | Professional CAD software to learn |
| Free option | Free plan | Free trial |
Competitor information checked on 8 October 2026 against AutoCAD's own website. Features and pricing change, so check AutoCAD's site for the latest.
Sources:
AutoCAD is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc.. MetreMate is not affiliated with Autodesk, Inc..
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What AutoCAD is genuinely good at
AutoCAD is a full 2D and 3D drafting tool: precise drawings, documentation, blocks, layers and specialized toolsets for architecture, mechanical and electrical work. A subscription also includes AutoCAD Web for viewing and editing DWG drawings in a browser. If you draw plans every day, or you work with DWG files from designers, it is a strong choice. It just is not made for measuring someone else's PDF plans to price a job.
Why MetreMate is the better tool for measuring plans
Measuring a plan should not need drafting software. AutoCAD desktop is an install for Windows or macOS, and Autodesk recommends 32 GB of RAM on Windows. To measure a PDF you import it, and Autodesk's own help notes that AutoCAD does not convert raster images to vector geometry, so a scanned plan comes in as a picture rather than lines you can snap to. The MEASUREGEOM command then shows distances and areas at the command prompt and in a tooltip, one check at a time. MetreMate opens the PDF in any browser, you set the scale once, and your lengths, areas, perimeters, counts, angles and arcs stay on the plan as you work. It costs a fraction of an AutoCAD subscription, and you can start free.
Choose AutoCAD if
Choose AutoCAD if you draft or design drawings, work with DWG files every day, and a yearly per-user subscription is part of running your business.
Choose MetreMate if
Choose MetreMate if you need to measure PDF plans to price work. You get takeoff in the browser on the computer you already have, without paying for drafting software you will not use, and you can start free.
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No install, no scale ruler. Upload a plan and measure in your browser in minutes.
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