Find out the reasons why companiess are moving from AutoCAD to GstarCAD.
Introduction
Companies have relied on AutoCAD for years, and I personally have over two decades of experience with it—starting in secondary school, through university, and in various professional roles.
Currently, AutoCAD is still widely used for core services such as 3D scanning, measured surveys, and topographical surveys. However, this November (2024), we’re finally making the shift away from Autodesk. Here’s what led to this decision:
Reason #1 – AutoCAD Has Become Too Expensive
AutoCAD remains one of the most recognized names in CAD software, but its price point is becoming increasingly difficult to justify—especially for businesses that rely on multiple licenses.
AutoCAD’s Rising Cost
As of 2024, a single standard AutoCAD subscription in the UK costs £1,986 + VAT per year. Looking back at 2018, that same license cost £1,255 + VAT, marking a 58% increase over six years—an average of nearly 8% per year.
If this trend continues, by 2030, a single license could cost around £3,100 per year.
Now imagine a company needing five licenses over the next 30 years:
That’s nearly £300,000 + VAT spent on software the company never truly owns—with no control over future pricing (see Reason #3).
This is one of the key reasons why many businesses are choosing GstarCAD—a powerful, DWG-compatible CAD solution that offers a perpetual license model and significant long-term savings.
GstarCAD – A Smarter Alternative
After extensive research and hands-on testing of various CAD solutions, we chose GstarCAD—a professional-grade platform built specifically with AutoCAD users in mind. It offers a nearly identical command structure, familiar interface, and full DWG compatibility, making the transition seamless for experienced CAD users.
One of the most compelling reasons to switch is the cost advantage.
While AutoCAD requires an expensive recurring subscription, GstarCAD Professional is available as a perpetual license—pay once, own it forever. Pricing starts around £550–£700 + VAT, depending on the edition and reseller, making it significantly more affordable than AutoCAD.
And unlike other providers, GstarCAD avoids aggressive year-over-year price hikes. This gives companies the predictability and control they need when budgeting long-term.
If current trends hold, GstarCAD could save a business tens of thousands of pounds over the next decade—without sacrificing performance, compatibility, or productivity.
Reason #2 – Easy to Switch From AutoCAD
Transitioning away from AutoCAD can seem overwhelming at first. Concerns about software setup, staff training, and workflow disruption are common—but with GstarCAD, the switch is remarkably smooth.
GstarCAD is designed with AutoCAD users in mind. Its interface, command structure, and file handling are all highly compatible, meaning minimal retraining and no need to rebuild your workflows from scratch.
To support this, GstarCAD provides a variety of migration tools, tutorials, and resources that guide users step-by-step through the transition process. From importing tool palettes and dynamic blocks to using existing templates, most elements transfer effortlessly.
Right now, many businesses—including ours—are using a hybrid setup with both GstarCAD and AutoCAD licenses. The transition has proven to be frictionless, thanks to GstarCAD’s support for the native DWG file format, which ensures perfect compatibility between platforms.
GstarCAD’s familiar layout and commands reduce the learning curve drastically. Most users are up and running within a day, and even advanced features feel intuitive for anyone with prior AutoCAD experience.
For comparison, here’s how GstarCAD stacks up directly against AutoCAD in terms of interface and compatibility: Click.
Reason #3 – Far Better Licensing Options
In today’s world, the subscription model has become the norm across industries—from heated seats in cars to printer ink. The CAD world is no different. Since January 2016, Autodesk has eliminated perpetual licenses, forcing AutoCAD users into a subscription-only model.
While this guarantees access to the “latest version,” real innovation often arrives in infrequent, major updates, rather than meaningful yearly improvements. Yet users must continue paying, year after year—even if they’re happy with their current version.
This creates a frustrating reality: you can’t simply own the software you’ve paid for. Long-time users of AutoCAD 2016 or older still rely on those versions because they work just fine—but any move to upgrade locks them into never-ending fees.
GstarCAD Gives You Choice
GstarCAD offers what AutoCAD no longer does: flexibility.
You can choose between:
- A perpetual license (pay once, own it for life)
- Or a yearly subscription (around £300 + VAT) if you prefer
A GstarCAD Professional perpetual license costs around £550–£700 + VAT, with optional upgrades available every few years if desired. There’s no pressure to upgrade—and no forced subscriptions.
Over a 30-year period, the cost difference becomes massive. For example:
- Five perpetual GstarCAD licenses with optional upgrades every 5 years could total under £50,000
- In contrast, five AutoCAD subscriptions over the same time could exceed £297,000 + VAT
That’s a potential saving of over £240,000, while retaining ownership, freedom, and control.
GstarCAD’s model is customer-focused, letting users upgrade on their own terms, and avoid being locked into ever-rising fees. In an era dominated by subscriptions, this is a breath of fresh air.
Reason #4 – Autodesk Audits Are Painful
Autodesk’s Audits Are Disruptive for Small Businesses. Autodesk conducts license audits every few years, and for small businesses, this can be a highly disruptive and stressful process. While the stated goal is to ensure license compliance, the reality is that these audits often interrupt normal operations, consuming valuable time and resources that would be better spent on client projects or business growth.
The audit process typically involves collecting license documentation, verifying installation counts, and granting auditors access to internal systems. For smaller teams, this can feel invasive and time-consuming. Even a harmless oversight—like a forgotten test install on an old device—can trigger compliance issues. Autodesk’s strict licensing terms mean that any discrepancy, whether intentional or not, can result in penalties or demands to purchase additional licenses immediately.
These unexpected costs can place serious financial strain on small businesses that depend on stable, predictable budgets.
To make matters worse, Autodesk’s move from perpetual licenses to subscription-only models has added complexity. Companies that previously owned lifetime licenses now struggle to track compliance, especially when multiple software versions are in use across teams.
For many smaller firms, the risk of a failed audit—and the financial consequences it brings—is a major reason to reconsider AutoCAD altogether. This is why an increasing number of businesses are turning to GstarCAD, which offers clear, flexible licensing without audit anxiety.
Conclusion – Why We’re Moving to GstarCAD
Moving from AutoCAD to GstarCAD is a strategic, well-considered shift that allows companies like ours to cut costs, gain flexibility, and secure long-term value.
AutoCAD has served the industry for decades, but its escalating subscription fees, rigid licensing terms, and frequent audits have made it increasingly difficult for small and mid-sized businesses to manage efficiently. The pressure of recurring costs and compliance risks no longer align with how we want to operate.
GstarCAD, on the other hand, provides a more sustainable and business-friendly model—with perpetual licensing, full DWG compatibility, and a familiar user interface. This ensures a smooth transition without disrupting our daily workflow or requiring costly retraining.
By switching to GstarCAD, we unlock:
- Substantial long-term savings
- Freedom from forced upgrades
- No surprise audit costs
- True ownership of our software
For our team, it means having access to the professional CAD tools we need—without the ongoing financial burden. GstarCAD gives us the confidence and control to work effectively, grow sustainably, and stay focused on delivering quality service.
As the CAD landscape evolves, GstarCAD empowers us to stay agile, cost-effective, and in control—making it the clear choice for the future of our business.
Where to Buy GstarCAD
Ready to make the switch?
You can purchase GstarCAD directly at:
www.gstarcad.shop
You can download a free trial of GstarCAD from the official UK site here:
GstarCAD Trial Download
✅ How to Get Started:
- Click the link above and download the trial installer.
- Install GstarCAD on your workstation.
- Launch the software and enjoy all features for 30 days—no upfront cost.
