ARES Commander 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing

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Overview
Pricing and Plans
Features
Integrations
User Reviews

Overview

ARES Commander

4.9

(20)

Pricing

Starting at $375.00 per year

About ARES Commander

ARES Commander is 2D and 3D CAD software that caters to architects, engineers, and designers across building design, civil engineering, and product design teams. ARES Commander offers powerful 2D drafting and 3D modeling capabilities. Key features include parametric 3D modeling, 2D drafting tools, reusable content libraries, and BIM support. The software integrates with various design tools and supports open standards, including IFC and DWG.

ARES Commander is available as a desktop application for Windows and macOS. It offers licensing options for commercial and educational use. Support is provided through an active online community, video tutorials, and a help center. Local resellers and support partners provide additional services.

ARES Commander Screenshots

ARES Commander Pricing and Plans

Starting price: $375.00 per year

Free Trial

Free Version

Annual Plan - 1 year (with Trinity)

$375.00

per user, per year

Plan includes:

2D CAD
3D CAD with solid modeling and push/pull
DWG native support (read and save directly in DWG)
DGN Import/Export
PDF Import/Export
CorelDRAW (CDR) and Corel Designer (DES) Import/Export
Blocks & dynamic blocks
2D Geometric and Dimensional Constraints
Trinity block library (online library of blocks)
Tool palettes

3 Years Plan (with Trinity)

$750.00

per user, per year

Plan includes:

2D CAD
3D CAD with solid modeling and push/pull
DWG native support (read and save directly in DWG)
DGN Import/Export
PDF Import/Export
CorelDRAW (CDR) and Corel Designer (DES) Import/Export
Blocks & dynamic blocks
2D Geometric and Dimensional Constraints
Trinity block library (online library of blocks)
Tool palettes

Perpetual Standalone (without Trinity)

$1,020.00

per user, one time

Plan includes:

2D CAD
3D CAD with solid modeling and push/pull
DWG native support (read and save directly in DWG)
DGN Import/Export
PDF Import/Export
CorelDRAW (CDR) and Corel Designer (DES) Import/Export
Blocks & dynamic blocks
2D Geometric and Dimensional Constraints
Tool palettes
Data link with Excel

Flex Network 1 year (without Trinity)

$485.00

per user, per year

Plan includes:

2D CAD
3D CAD with solid modeling and push/pull
DWG native support (read and save directly in DWG)
DGN Import/Export
PDF Import/Export
CorelDRAW (CDR) and Corel Designer (DES) Import/Export
Blocks & dynamic blocks
2D Geometric and Dimensional Constraints
Tool palettes
Data link with Excel

Flex Network Perpetual

$1,290.00

per user, one time

Plan includes:

2D CAD
3D CAD with solid modeling and push/pull
DWG native support (read and save directly in DWG)
DGN Import/Export
PDF Import/Export
CorelDRAW (CDR) and Corel Designer (DES) Import/Export
Blocks & dynamic blocks
2D Geometric and Dimensional Constraints
Tool palettes
Data link with Excel

Flex Cloud 1 year (with Trinity)

$550.00

per user, per year

Plan includes:

2D CAD
3D CAD with solid modeling and push/pull
DWG native support (read and save directly in DWG)
DGN Import/Export
PDF Import/Export
CorelDRAW (CDR) and Corel Designer (DES) Import/Export
Blocks & dynamic blocks
2D Geometric and Dimensional Constraints
Trinity block library (online library of blocks)
Tool palettes

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ARES Commander Features

Popular features found in Engineering CAD
2D Drawing
3D Imaging
Collaboration Tools
Data Import/Export
Data Visualization
Design Analysis
Design Management
Document Management
Presentation Tools
Version Control
More features of ARES Commander
Bills of Material
CAD Tools
Content Library
Customizable Fields

ARES Commander Integrations

Dropbox Business

Microsoft SharePoint

OneDrive

Nextcloud

Google Drive

Onshape

See all 8 integrations

ARES Commander User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.9

Ratings Breakdown

90%

10%

Secondary Ratings

Ease of Use

4.7

Value for money

4.9

Customer support

4.9

Functionality

4.8

Have you used ARES Commander and would like to share your experience with others?

Mohammad M.

Verified reviewer

Civil Engineering

51-200 employees

Used daily for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed January 2023

A cost-effective CAD utility that meets my architectural demands

I'm very satisfied with the overall quality & user experience Ares Commander delivers. It's a reliable piece of software with plethora of features & stellar performance even with the most sophisticated, highly-detailed drawings.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Ares Commander surpasses my (& my team's) expectations with its robust capabilities & feature-rich interface. The software is easy to use & requires no steep learning curve to master its usability. The cloud collaboration functionality is downright outstanding as it saves time in delivering end-results & performing changes before deadline submission. Also, I really appreciate how importing data is seamlessly incorporated into the currently-utilized CAD file without causing any problems.

Cons:

Though I have no issues whatsoever with the software; however, we've received complaints from some of our team members regarding intensive CPU usage on their Ryzen 2200G-based machines that lead to short-period stutters when panning through the schematic every now & then.

Reasons for choosing ARES Commander

The set of features & asking price made Ares Commander a more attractive option to go with.

Reasons for switching to ARES Commander

Some of the issues formerly faced were DWG corruption from imports, plethora of interruptive updates, occasional slowdowns when zooming & panning through drawings on my i7 11th gen. machine that's no longer existent ever since making the switch to Ares Commander.

Frank M.

Verified reviewer

Utilities

201-500 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed June 2025

Wirtschaftliche CAD-Alternative mit gutem Service

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Der Umstieg von AutoCAD zu ARES Commander ist für versierte Anwender problemlos. Die unkomplizierte Bereitstellung der Softwareverteilungstools und schnelle Installation der Anwendung innerhalb von Minuten. Die Nutzung von Concurrent Lizenzen auch unter Citrix Der gute Support bei Fragen Regelmäßige Informationen und Veranstaltungen zu Neuerungen in der Software. Die angebotene Vorort-Schulungen wurden von unseren Teilnehmern sehr positiv bewertet.

Cons:

Im Layer-Manager ist die Farbe des Anzeige-Status (grün für Layer wird angezeigt) und (grau-blau für Layer wird nicht angezeigt) schlechter zu als unter AutoCAD zu unterscheiden.

Reasons for switching to ARES Commander

Keine Nutzung von Concurrent Lizenzen Citrix Kosten

Uwe U.

Verified reviewer

Construction

51-200 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed October 2024

Powerful CAD Software

I have been using ARES Commander since version 2016, and over time the software has been enhanced with more and more features that increase productivity. Especially with the addition of Custom Blocks, which I used to use extensively in AutoCAD, I can now create my drawings completely in one system with ARES Commander.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

ARES Commander is a complete CAD system that leaves nothing to be desired. Switching from AutoCAD takes less than 1 hour of training.

Cons:

Because of the ongoing development, I can't think of any disadvantages.

Reasons for choosing ARES Commander

It was important for us to have a native DWG format and the ability to extend the system and make it even more user friendly through our own developments.

Reasons for switching to ARES Commander

High costs and the possibility to create plug-ins.

Klaus S.

Verified reviewer

Architecture & Planning

Self-Employed

Used daily for less than 6 months

Review source

Reviewed January 2025

Beste AutoCAD-Alternative zum fairen Preis

Ich komme aus der AutoCAD-Welt und habe nach einer Alternative gesucht, weil die Abos von Autodesk total überteuert sind. Mit ARES Commander habe ich eine super Alternative gefunden mit dem mir der Umstieg sehr gut gelungen ist. Der Aufbau des Programmes hat Ähnlichkeiten. In der Einstellungsmaske sogar wesentlich besser gestalltet als AutoCAD. Rund um ein gelungenes CAD ohne versteckten Anwendungseinstellungen, die man nur mit gezielten Schulungen erfahren kann (Beispiel Anpassung der Benutzeroberfläche - sehr kompliziert in AutoCAD).

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Der übersichtliche Aufbau der Befehlsleisten und den Anpassung für eigene Bedürfnisse.

Cons:

Konnte bis dato keine Nachteile entdecken.

Reasons for choosing ARES Commander

Zum einen der günstige Preis und zum anderen die Kundenbetreuung während der Entscheidungsfindung. Ebenfalls hat mit das Angebot an Tutorials von ARES Commander für das Selbststudium sehr gut gefallen.

Reasons for switching to ARES Commander

Die Preispolitik von Autodesk wurde immer monströser. Für ein kleines Büro viel zu teuer. Auch habe ich das Gefühl, das AutoCAD nicht wirklich weiter entwickelt wird und man immer mehr in Richtung Revit gelenkt wird. Dieses Programm ist allerdings ein Monster zum erlernen und nicht wirklich für die Baustellenplanung geeignet. Man verbringt mehr Zeit in der Tool-Erstellung als für den Entwurf.

Dominik S.

Verified reviewer

Construction

2-10 employees

Used weekly for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed February 2025

Grundsolide CAD-Anwendung

Im normalen Arbeitsalltag gibt es keine Funktion die man vermissen könnte. Die Ähnlichkeit zu AutoCAD macht den Umstieg sehr angenehm. Es gibt Verbesserungspotential hinsichtlich "quality of life". Die Spurverfolgung und angenommene Schnittpunkte funktionieren zum Beispiel nicht immer auf anhieb bzw. sind etwas hakelig. Bis jetzt haben die Service Packs immer spürbare positive Auswirkungen gehabt.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Die Ähnlichkeit zu AutoCAD und die Benutzeroberfläche.

Cons:

Das Erstellen von Blöcken ist etwas aufwändiger als unter AutoCAD.

Reasons for choosing ARES Commander

Aufgrund der Ähnlichkeit zu AutoCAD und der Lizenz-Modelle.

Reasons for switching to ARES Commander

In erster Linie der Preis und die Einschränkung der LT/OEM Version hinsichtlich LISP.

Anja K.

Verified reviewer

Construction

51-200 employees

Used daily for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2025

Umstieg nicht bereut.

Die Hilfe Funktion ist zu allg. gehalten und hilft nicht bei der schnellen Lösungsfindung. Sehr freundlicher und hilfbereiter Kundenbetreuung.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Für unsere 2D Darstellung ausreichende Funktionen. Einfacher Wechsel von Auto CAD

Cons:

Wenig Hilfe im Netz zu finden. Schlagwortsuche funktioniert nicht so wie wir uns das wünschen.

Reasons for switching to ARES Commander

Die Kosten sind ein wichtiger Faktor da wir nur im 2 D Bereich arbeiten.

Lothar W.

Verified reviewer

Computer Software

11-50 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed November 2024

ARES Commander in Verbindung mit CAFM-Software

Meine Erfahrungen liegen auf dem Gebiet der CAFM-Software in Verbindung mit ARES-Commander. All meine Aufgaben bei der Erstellung von Grundrissen, Lageplänen u.s.w., in Verbindung mit unseren firmeninternen Schnittstellen konnte ich problemlos erledigen. Die Lizensierung ist sehr nutzerfreundlich und flexibel.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Das Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis ist super für ein solch professionelles CAD-Tool. Der Umstieg von Autocad zum ARES-Commander fällt leicht, da viele Befehle gleich oder ähnlich sind. Am besten gefällt mir die Blockstrukturpalette.

Cons:

Nachteile habe ich noch nicht festgestellt.

Reasons for switching to ARES Commander

Mein Firmenwechsel, Umstellung auf ARES-Commander

Edward C.

Verified reviewer

Machinery

11-50 employees

Used daily for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed August 2020

ARES Commander

ARES Commander has been an absolute joy to use.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

ARES Commander has proven itself a very worthy competitor to the other major CAD software supplier. I have been very happy with the quality and functionality of ARES Commander. The customer support has been excellent for the few questions I have had regarding the product. I evaluated many other suppliers before choosing ARES Commander and have zero regrets. Give it a try and see what you think.

Cons:

I would like the ability to choose a window when converting a drawing to PDF vs. printing the entire drawing. Other than that this application is great!

Reasons for switching to ARES Commander

I wanted to own a perpetual license of the program.

Darius P.

Glass, Ceramics & Concrete

51-200 employees

Used daily for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed March 2022

Ares Commander is a great choice

Very good, very happy to have such a tool in our portfolio

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Ares commander is great and easy to use. All environment is user friendly and fast to use

Cons:

To be honest can't think of any at this point

Reasons for switching to ARES Commander

Firstly, because of possibility to work on remote desktops, Autocad didn't had that option on that moment, only possibility to have program on local computers. Ares commander has "Flex license" which solves this issue in less pricy way

Vishwajeet G.

Verified reviewer

Design

11-50 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed June 2020

Amazing Experiance and Support