| Aspect | Full AutoCAD (Desktop) | AutoCAD Portable (Unofficial) | AutoCAD Web/Mobile (Official) | |---|---:|---:|---:| | Distribution | Autodesk installer | Third-party packages | Browser / App stores | | Licensing | Official subscription | Often violates EULA | Official subscription/free tiers | | Feature set | Full | Partial / unpredictable | Core drafting/editing | | Plugins/customization | Extensive | Limited | Minimal | | Performance | High (local HW) | Variable | Network dependent | | Security | Supported updates | High risk | Managed by Autodesk | | Use cases | Professional, complex projects | Not recommended | Field work, quick edits | | Cost | Higher | Often free but risky | Lower / freemium |
Sam, meanwhile, pulled a tiny, high-speed USB drive from his pocket. "It's about agility," Sam countered. "I don't need a 10GB footprint on my internal drive. I carry my workspace in my pocket." autocad portable vs autocad