AutoDWG
AutoDWG is a privately held CAD software company founded in 2002 that develops converters, viewers, and developer SDKs for processing DWG, DXF, DWF, and PDF files without requiring AutoCAD, serving software developers, AEC professionals, and enterprise IT teams globally through perpetual licenses and a 40+ country reseller network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- Headquarters—
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What AutoDWG does
AutoDWG is a privately held software company founded in 2002 that develops CAD file processing tools enabling users to view, convert, edit, measure, compare, and protect DWG, DXF, DWF, and PDF files without requiring AutoCAD or any Autodesk product. The company maintains proprietary format compatibility spanning AutoCAD versions from R2.5/R9 through 2027, representing 24+ years of accumulated reverse-engineering expertise. Its product portfolio includes standalone converter applications (PDF to DWG, DWG to PDF, DWG-DXF, DWG to Image, DWG to SVG, DWF to DWG, DGN to DWG, raster-to-vector), the DWGSee viewer/CAD product line, and eight developer SDK ActiveX controls (DWGViewX, DWG2PDF-X, DWG2DXF-X, DWG2SVG-X, DWG2Image-X, DWG2DWF-X, DWGCompare-X, Attribute-X) for embedding CAD processing into third-party software, plus a WebGL-based browser viewer SDK. Notable technical components include Smart Object Recognition for PDF-to-DWG conversion and DWGLock encryption for DWG file protection.
AutoDWG operates on a perpetual license revenue model with desktop products priced $69–$340 and SDK products priced $1,600–$9,900+, supplemented by optional annual upgrade subscriptions at 50% of list price and a server/enterprise license tier. The company sells primarily through its own e-commerce storefront (processed via PayPro Global and FastSpring), free online conversion tools serving as top-of-funnel acquisition, and a global reseller network with regional partners in 40+ countries. The company also offers a free developer portal with browser-based demos and 30-day SDK trials. In 2021, Yiwu Xizai E-commerce Trading Company invested in and became the hosting entity for AutoDWG. The company serves three primary customer segments: software developers integrating CAD functionality into applications, AEC professionals needing CAD file interoperability without full AutoCAD licenses, and enterprise IT teams requiring automated server-side CAD conversion workflows.
The company's go-to-market combines product-led growth (free trials, free online tools) with channel partnerships (40+ resellers), targeting a horizontal market of SMB and individual CAD users as well as enterprise developers. With 11–50 employees, the company remains a focused niche player in the CAD file interoperability segment rather than competing directly with Autodesk's full CAD platform.
AutoDWG firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AutoDWG
- Legal name
- AutoDWG
- Website
- https://autodwg.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AutoDWG is a privately held CAD software company founded in 2002 that develops converters, viewers, and developer SDKs for processing DWG, DXF, DWF, and PDF files without requiring AutoCAD, serving software developers, AEC professionals, and enterprise IT teams globally through perpetual licenses and a 40+ country reseller network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AutoDWG industry classification
Industry- Product category
- CAD Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Developer Tooling & SDK Platforms (BPAMAOAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Developer Portals, SDKs & Documentation Platforms (BPAMADAG)
Keywords
AutoDWG business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software License Sales (Perpetual): AutoDWG sells perpetual (one-time) software licenses for its desktop applications and developer SDKs. Licenses are valid within the major version and include free updates for one year. Server and enterprise licenses are priced higher. The company processes orders through PayPro Global and FastSpring payment platforms.
- Developer/SDK Licensing: Developer SDKs (ActiveX controls) are sold under Developer OEM License, Server License, Site License, and Enterprise License tiers. Developer licenses include authorized OEM redistribution rights for finished integrated software. SDK pricing ranges from $1,600 to $9,900+ depending on license type and features.
- Annual Update/Upgrade Subscriptions: After the initial 1-year free update period included with license purchase, users can renew for major version upgrades at 50% of the listed price. The company also offers floating and concurrent server licenses for enterprise deployments.
- Optional Services (CD, Download Protection): Optional add-on services include physical CD delivery (with additional fee and 1-3 week delivery time) and Download Protection Service offered by the MyCommerce payment platform for software re-downloads in case of computer crash or re-installation needs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | PDF to DWG Converter Stand-Alone $130, Pro $229, Server $1,188 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWG to PDF Converter Standard $99, Pro $129, Server $990 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWG DXF Converter Standard $78, Pro $149, Server $990 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWG to Image Converter Standard $88, Pro $160, Server $990 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWGSee DWG Viewer Standard $69, Pro $98 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWGSee CAD $198 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWG to SVG Converter $199 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DGN to DWG Converter Standard $295, Pro $340, Server $3,000 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWF to DWG Converter Pro $180 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWGLock Standard $330, Server contact sales |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Attribute Extractor Standard $198, Server $1,200 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | VectorNow Raster to Vector $120 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWGViewX SDK Standard $7,140, Pro $9,900 (Royalty-Free) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWG2PDF-X SDK from $1,980, Pro from $2,200 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWG2DXF-X SDK from $1,980 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWG2Image-X SDK from $1,720 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWG2SVGX SDK from $2,400 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWG2DWF-X SDK from $1,600 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DWGCompare-X SDK from $3,000 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Conversion Server from $2,500 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | PDF2DWG for Mac $179 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
AutoDWG product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AutoDWG develops, sells, and licenses CAD file processing software and developer SDKs that read, write, encrypt, share, and convert files in PDF, DWG, DXF, DWF, SWF, and GIF formats without requiring AutoCAD or other Autodesk products. The portfolio includes standalone converter applications, the DWGSee viewer/CAD product family, and ActiveX/COM-based SDK components for developers embedding CAD functionality into their own applications.
Product overview
AutoDWG is a professional CAD solution provider founded in 2002 offering a comprehensive suite of DWG converters, viewers, and developer SDKs. The product portfolio includes standalone converter applications (PDF to DWG, DWG to PDF, DWG DXF Converter, DWG to Image, DWG to SVG, DWG to DWF, DWF to DWG, DGN to DWG, Raster to Vector), DWGSee viewer/editor product line (DWGSee Viewer, DWGSee Pro, DWGSee CAD), developer SDK ActiveX controls (DWGViewX, DWG2PDF-X, DWG2DXF-X, DWG2SVG-X, DWG2Image-X, DWG2DWF-X, DWGCompare-X, Attribute-X), utility tools (DWGLock, Attribute Extractor, Conversion Server), and free online conversion tools. All products work independently without requiring AutoCAD installation, supporting AutoCAD versions from R9/R14 through 2027. The company offers lifetime licenses and provides solutions for both end-users and software developers integrating CAD functionality.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DWGSee CAD
- DWGSee Viewer
- DWGSee Pro
- DWG to PDF Converter
- DWG DXF Converter
- DWG to Image Converter
- PDF to DWG Converter
Companies that use AutoDWG
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AutoDWG technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
AutoDWG partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- ComponentSourceminorComponentSource is listed as a regional reseller for AutoDWG products in Ireland and Japan, distributing AutoDWG SDK and software products to local markets.
- MyCommerce (Digital River)minorMyCommerce (operated by Digital River) serves as AutoDWG's primary payment platform partner, processing online orders and handling Download Protection Service, VAT, refund inquiries, and order management for global customers.
- PayPro GlobalminorPayPro Global is the primary payment processing platform for AutoDWG's direct store purchases, handling credit card, PayPal, and bank transfer payments for software licenses.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AutoDWG competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Autodesk: Autodesk is the maker of AutoCAD and owner of the DWG format. AutoDWG's entire value proposition is built around circumventing AutoCAD license requirements. While not a direct competitor in standalone converters, Autodesk's ecosystem defines the standard AutoDWG serves.
- Dassault Systèmes: Dassault Systèmes (CATIA, SOLIDWORKS) offers eDrawings and broader 3D/PLM platforms that overlap with AutoDWG's viewer/SDK use cases. Broad enterprise incumbent in CAD-adjacent workflows.
- Adobe: Adobe Acrobat is the dominant PDF creation and conversion platform and competes at the margin with AutoDWG's PDF-to-DWG and DWG-to-PDF tools. A broader incumbent in document workflows that overlap with AutoDWG's converter use cases.
Direct peers
- Bricsys (BricsCAD): Bricsys develops BricsCAD, a DWG-based CAD platform positioned as an affordable alternative to AutoCAD, sharing AutoDWG's core thesis of non-Autodesk CAD tooling. Direct competitor to DWGSee CAD and a parallel alternative to AutoDWG's conversion/viewer stack.
- ZWSOFT (ZWCAD): ZWSOFT sells ZWCAD, a DWG-native CAD platform competing directly with AutoCAD and offering file compatibility similar to AutoDWG products. Comparable business model targeting the same cost-conscious AEC/manufacturing user base.
- CADSoftTools: CADSoftTools develops ABViewer, CAD Converter, and CAD DLL/ActiveX SDK products covering DWG/DXF/CDF viewing and conversion. Closest direct competitor in AutoDWG's exact product categories with overlapping pricing tiers.
- Corel (CorelCAD): Corel offers CorelCAD, a DWG-native CAD platform from a broader graphics software publisher. Directly comparable to AutoDWG's DWGSee CAD offering and competes for the same budget-CAD buyer.
- Apryse (formerly PDFTron): Apryse provides document and CAD SDKs (PDF, viewing, conversion, annotation) for enterprise developers, directly competing with AutoDWG's DWGViewX, DWG2PDF-X, and DWGCompare-X SDK product lines on similar OEM/embed use cases.
- GstarCAD: GstarCAD provides a DWG-format CAD platform positioned as an AutoCAD alternative with similar file compatibility requirements. Direct competitor across conversion, viewer, and CAD editing categories.
- IMSI/Design (TurboCAD): IMSI/Design (now part of Avanquest) sells TurboCAD, a long-standing lightweight 2D/3D CAD alternative to AutoCAD. Comparable affordable-CAD positioning and overlapping DWG/DXF conversion needs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AutoDWG financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AutoDWG leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
AutoDWG funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AutoDWG M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AutoDWG
What does AutoDWG do?
AutoDWG develops, sells, and licenses CAD file processing software and developer SDKs that read, write, encrypt, share, and convert files in PDF, DWG, DXF, DWF, SWF, and GIF formats without requiring AutoCAD or other Autodesk products. The portfolio includes standalone converter applications, the DWGSee viewer/CAD product family, and ActiveX/COM-based SDK components for developers embedding CAD functionality into their own applications.
Is AutoDWG a public or private company?
AutoDWG is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AutoDWG founded?
AutoDWG was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
How does AutoDWG make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software License Sales (Perpetual) is the primary driver. The others are developer/SDK Licensing, annual Update/Upgrade Subscriptions and optional Services (CD, Download Protection).
Who are AutoDWG's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes and Adobe. Direct peers are Bricsys (BricsCAD), ZWSOFT (ZWCAD), CADSoftTools, Corel (CorelCAD), Apryse (formerly PDFTron), GstarCAD and IMSI/Design (TurboCAD).
Does AutoDWG have an API?
Yes. AutoDWG offers SDK tools for developers including DWGViewX (DWG viewer ActiveX control), DWG2PDF-X (DWG to PDF conversion control), DWG2DXF-X (DWG DXF converter control), DWG2SVG-X (DWG to SVG conversion control), DWG2Image-X (DWG to image conversion control), DWG2DWF-X (DWG to DWF conversion control), DWGCompare-X (DWG comparison control), Attribute Extract-X (attribute extraction control), and Conversion Server for automated batch conversion. These are ActiveX/COM controls developed in VC++ that work with Visual C++, VB, Delphi, FoxPro, VBScript, JavaScript and other Windows-based development environments. They enable embedding DWG viewing, conversion, and CAD data processing capabilities into custom software applications. Custom API development and library expansion services are also offered for CAD file manipulation and integration. The SDK supports cross-platform solutions including .NET, Java, and Python environments.
What industry is AutoDWG in?
AutoDWG's product category is CAD Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAOAD, Developer Tooling & SDK Platforms, with a secondary code of BPAMADAG, Developer Portals, SDKs & Documentation Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.