Diaz Editor vs DraftSight
$1,495 over 5 years for 2D — or €99 once for 3D + 2D.
Honest comparison for construction, installation, and work-preparation pros. DraftSight dropped its free version and now runs on subscription. Diaz Editor does 3D AND 2D in one tool, one-time payment, local.
TL;DR
DraftSight offered a free 2D version for years; that has been discontinued. The current plans are subscriptions: Professional $299/year, Premium $599/year. The subscription stops working when you stop paying. Diaz Editor includes a 3D building editor AND a 2D CAD module for €99 founding or €997 once. For self-employed people drawing buildings, installations, and PDF-ready deliverables, that saves around $1,400 over 5 years — with 3D included.
When DraftSight is the right choice
- You have an existing DraftSight or SolidWorks archive and a team workflow on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
- Your clients or contractors require native .dwg delivery without a DXF intermediate step.
- You purely do 2D drafting and value DraftSight's mature dimensioning and annotation tools.
- A $299/year subscription fits your margin and you accept the recurring model.
When Diaz Editor fits better
- You're self-employed or a small firm and don't want a subscription that expires the moment you stop paying.
- You need 3D for client presentations OR 2D for the installer — Diaz does both, DraftSight Professional only 2D.
- Your workflow ends in PDF + DXF, not strictly .dwg.
- You want to work offline, with no account, no cloud sync, no entitlement check.
- You work in carpentry, installations, work-preparation, or solar — trades that benefit from 3D building geometry.
Side-by-side: features that matter
| Feature | Diaz Editor | DraftSight |
|---|---|---|
| 3D building editor | ✓ hierarchical | — (3D only in Premium $599/yr) |
| 2D CAD module | ✓ DXF in/out | ✓ DWG/DXF native |
| PDF export | ✓ built-in | ✓ via print/plot |
| Component library | 30+ trade items | — (manual blocks) |
| Works offline | ✓ | ✓ (after activation) |
| Account required | — (none) | ✓ (3DEXPERIENCE ID) |
| Free version | — (14-day trial) | — (free version discontinued) |
| No subscription | ✓ one-time | — ($299/yr) |
| Works after subscription ends | ✓ forever | — (stops) |
Source: public DraftSight pricing page (June 2026) + Diaz Editor changelog. Prices exclude VAT.
Pricing over 5 years — concrete numbers
DraftSight Professional
Diaz Editor — Founding
Difference over 5 years: around $1,400 stays in your pocket — plus 3D included. After the 100 founding spots, the regular Pro price is €997 once, still well below a 5-year DraftSight subscription.
Honest verdict
For self-employed builders, carpenters, contractors, installers
Diaz Editor wins on pricing model and scope. You get 3D + 2D for €99 once. DraftSight gives you 2D for $1,495 over 5 years, and the free version you may have started with no longer exists. For trades that benefit from building geometry, this is a clear choice.
For .dwg-dependent shops in a fixed ecosystem
DraftSight may still be needed for native .dwg delivery to clients or bodies that mandate it. Common pattern: keep one DraftSight seat for the final export, design everything in Diaz Editor.
Frequently asked questions
Is DraftSight still free?
No. The free version has been discontinued. The current plans are subscriptions: Professional from $299/year, Premium $599/year, Enterprise $399/year. Diaz Editor is €99 founding once (regular €997).
Does Diaz Editor work with .dwg from DraftSight?
Diaz Editor reads and writes DXF, the open interchange format DraftSight also supports. Direct .dwg support is on the v0.5 roadmap. Export your DraftSight work to DXF and open it in Diaz Editor.
Is DraftSight cheaper over 5 years?
No. $299/year × 5 = $1,495, and it stops working the moment you stop paying. Diaz Editor founding is €99 once and never expires.
Does DraftSight do 3D?
DraftSight Professional is mainly 2D. 3D and the BIM module are only in the more expensive Premium subscription ($599/year). Diaz Editor includes 3D AND 2D in the same one-time price.
Is Diaz Editor cloud-tethered?
No. Local desktop application. No account, no internet required after activation. Your files stay on your own machine.
Try Diaz Editor — €99 lifetime
100 founding spots. No subscription. 3 device seats. 3D + 2D in one tool.
Claim founding spot — €99