ElectroCAD vs alternatives

A neutral framework to help engineering offices choose their tool for electrical schematics, plans and planning.

To produce electrical schematics, plans and planning documents, two major families of tools coexist on the market: the dedicated software on the market (separate environment, built-in article database, 3D cabinet views, advanced variant management) and the AutoCAD plugins that add trade-specific functions directly into the CAD environment your teams already master.

ElectroCAD belongs to the second category: ElectroSchema, ElectroCAD Tools and ElectroBlocs turn AutoCAD 2025 and 2026 into a complete electrical suite, without changing software or training teams on a new environment.

Summary comparison table

A neutral comparison between an approach based on dedicated software of the market and the approach AutoCAD plugin (ElectroCAD). The indicative values apply to a team of 3 to 10 workstations in an electrical engineering office in Switzerland.

Criterion Dedicated software on the market ElectroCAD (AutoCAD plugin)
Annual cost per workstation Several thousand CHF (often 2'000 à 5'000+ CHF/year depending on module) From 399 CHF/year (Essentiel pack) — 599 or 799 CHF/year (Pro/Ultimate)
File format Proprietary format (DWG export often partial or flattened) Native AutoCAD DWG — interoperable with architects and other trades
Learning curve Several weeks to several months depending on the software's depth A few hours for users already familiar with AutoCAD
IEC 60617 symbols Built-in library, generally complete 1187 IEC 60617 symbols in ElectroBlocs, EBFIND search palette
SIA / NIBT compliance Variable — often geared to the German or French market Swiss-focused: SIA 380/4, EN 12464-1, NIBT
Support International support, often in English or German, variable response times Support in French, response within 24h, team based in Switzerland
Multi-seat Costly network licences, physical dongles common Per-seat licence, 3 transfers/month included, offline mode for several weeks
Updates Annual, sometimes at extra cost depending on the maintenance contract Continuous and automatic, included in the subscription

Total cost over 5 years

The criterion of total cost of ownership (TCO) over five years is often the most telling for the management of engineering offices. For a team of five workstations, comparing an equivalent schematic production scope (pack Ultimate, which includes ElectroSchema):

Dedicated software · 5 seats · 5 years
75'000 – 100'000 CHF

Licences (approx. 3'000 CHF × 5 seats × 5 years) + annual maintenance + initial training (often 2'000 CHF per user).

ElectroCAD Ultimate · 5 workstations · 5 years
19'975 CHF

799 CHF × 5 workstations × 5 years. No training cost — the team already uses AutoCAD. Updates included.

Within this scope, ElectroCAD represents an investment four to five times lower to dedicated software, with equivalent production functionality for standard schematics, plans and planning documents.

Who is ElectroCAD particularly suited for?

ElectroCAD targets engineering offices and installers who:

  • already master AutoCAD 2025 or 2026 and want to capitalise on that investment;
  • produce electrical schematics (single-line, multi-line, IEC terminal blocks), installation plans and the electrical planning documents for buildings or light industry;
  • are looking for a controlled total cost and support in French;
  • favor the native DWG format for exchanges with architects and other trades;
  • operate on the Swiss market and must comply with local standards (SIA 380/4, NIBT, EN 12464-1);
  • want to try without commitment (30-day free trial, no credit card).

When dedicated software remains relevant

ElectroCAD does not cover every use case. A dedicated software package on the market remains more relevant for:

  • the design of complex industrial cabinets with 3D views, thermal analysis and multi-supplier parts lists;
  • large-scale industrial variant management (machine configurations, multi-PLM);
  • engineering firms that do not use not AutoCAD as their primary CAD tool and have no intention of doing so.

For the vast majority of electrical engineering firms in Switzerland producing schematics and plans for residential, commercial or light industrial buildings, ElectroCAD covers the needs at a far lower cost.

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To go further: discover the three ElectroCAD products, see the detailed pricing or request a personalized demonstration.