ADSK vs ANSS Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
Autodesk and ANSYS both sell mission-critical engineering and design software, but Autodesk focuses on broad design and drafting tools across architecture, engineering, and construction, while ANSYS specializes in deep simulation software now being integrated into Synopsys's broader semiconductor design ecosystem.
Autodesk offers exposure to a broad, recurring-revenue design software franchise across multiple industries, while ANSYS offers a more specialized simulation software position now embedded within a larger semiconductor design platform. Consider whether you prefer Autodesk's diversified design software base or ANSYS's specialized simulation depth.
ADSK holds the edge across 3 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. ANSS has delivered stronger 1-year price return (+16.88% vs -33.24%), though ADSK has the better forward P/E setup (18.34x vs 34.00x for ANSS). ADSK leads on both revenue growth (16.10%) and operating margin (29.23%), suggesting a stronger fundamental setup on both dimensions. Analyst consensus implies meaningfully more upside for ADSK (+21.07%) than for ANSS (-6.22%).
Human Wall Street analysts' price targets, typically implying a ~12-month view — a separate signal from this site's own AI Prediction Signal further down the page, which is a 5-/30-day machine-learning forecast based on price history alone.
- Want exposure to a broad, entrenched design software franchise across architecture, engineering, and construction
- Value predictable subscription-based recurring revenue and cash flow
- Are comfortable with near-term execution risk from ongoing billing model transitions
- Believe AI-assisted design features can extend the company's competitive moat
- Want specialized exposure to engineering simulation software with high switching costs
- Believe integration with Synopsys can create a broader design-to-simulation software platform
- Are comfortable with capital spending cycle sensitivity in aerospace and automotive end markets
- See simulation software as a durable, technically differentiated niche within enterprise software
| Metric | ADSK | ANSS |
|---|---|---|
| AI scorei | 50.2 | N/A |
| AI ranki | #520 | N/A |
| Latest closei | $217.90 | $374.30 |
| 1M returni | -12.52% | +10.42% |
| 6M returni | -16.43% | +8.68% |
| 1Y returni | -33.24% | +16.88% |
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | ADSK | ANSS |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $6.67K (-33.3%) started 2025-09-08 | $11.86K (+18.6%) started 2024-07-18 |
| 5Y ago | $7.57K (-24.3%) started 2021-09-09 | $12.11K (+21.1%) started 2020-07-20 |
| 10Y ago | $32.6K (+226.0%) started 2016-09-09 | $40.24K (+302.4%) started 2015-07-20 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
| Metric | ADSK | ANSS |
|---|---|---|
| Market capi | $55.04B | $32.91B |
| Trailing P/Ei | 33.76 | 55.53 |
| Forward P/Ei | 18.34 | 34.00 |
| Price/Salesi | 10.04 | N/A |
| EV/Revenuei | 6.97 | 12.37 |
| Analyst targeti | $315.57 | $351.00 |
| Target upsidei | +21.07% | -6.22% |
| Metric | ADSK | ANSS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growthi | 16.10% | 8.20% |
| Earnings growthi | 59.60% | 47.70% |
| EPS growthi | +59.60% | +47.70% |
| FCF margini | +41.59% | +29.91% |
| Operating margini | 29.23% | 11.66% |
| Profit margini | 21.08% | 22.95% |
| ROIC proxyi | 53.85% | 10.23% |
| Return on equityi | 53.85% | 10.23% |
| Dividend yieldi | N/A | N/A |
| Betai | 1.30 | 1.19 |
| Debt/equityi | 109.52 | 13.93 |
| Current ratioi | 0.85 | 3.66 |
| Quick ratioi | 0.73 | 3.56 |
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
| Period | Metric | ADSK | ANSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growthi | -33.32% | +18.57% |
| CAGRi | -33.38% | +18.62% | |
| Volatilityi | 36.78% | 26.35% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | -1.04 | 0.62 | |
| Sortino ratioi | -1.36 | 0.88 | |
| Max drawdowni | 42.56% | 21.38% | |
| Current drawdowni | 33.32% | 4.69% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 20.46% | 5.72% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 23.41% | 7.11% | |
| Max daily dropi | 8.26% | 7.60% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 16.40% | 11.21% | |
| 5Y | Growthi | -24.26% | +21.09% |
| CAGRi | -5.41% | +3.91% | |
| Volatilityi | 36.00% | 32.22% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | -0.10 | 0.14 | |
| Sortino ratioi | -0.14 | 0.20 | |
| Max drawdowni | 50.75% | 51.28% | |
| Current drawdowni | 34.69% | 8.98% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 26.56% | 20.52% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 29.46% | 23.50% | |
| Max daily dropi | 15.49% | 12.17% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 22.28% | 17.30% | |
| 10Y | Growthi | +226.00% | +302.43% |
| CAGRi | +12.55% | +14.95% | |
| Volatilityi | 36.75% | 30.40% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 0.38 | 0.46 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 0.55 | 0.68 | |
| Max drawdowni | 51.99% | 51.28% | |
| Current drawdowni | 36.34% | 8.98% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 17.91% | 13.17% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 23.04% | 17.60% | |
| Max daily dropi | 15.86% | 12.35% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 26.10% | 17.58% |
| Category | ADSK | ANSS |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Autodesk, Inc. | ANSYS, Inc. |
| Sector | Technology | Engineering Software |
| Industry | Software - Application | N/A |
| Core business | A design software company best known for AutoCAD and a broad portfolio of tools used across architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing, delivered primarily through a subscription-based licensing model. | A leading provider of engineering simulation software used to model and test product performance virtually across industries such as aerospace, automotive, and semiconductors before physical prototypes are built. |
| Investor focus | Subscription annual recurring revenue growth, transition progress on new transaction and billing models, and adoption of AI-assisted design features across its product suite. | Simulation software adoption across new industries, integration progress following its acquisition by Synopsys, and the pace of AI-driven simulation feature rollout. |
- Deeply entrenched design software franchise with high switching costs across architecture, engineering, and construction customers
- Recurring subscription revenue model provides predictable cash flow and visibility into future results
- Broad product portfolio spanning multiple industries reduces dependence on any single end market
- Dominant position in engineering simulation software with deep technical expertise that is difficult for competitors to replicate
- High switching costs as simulation workflows become embedded in customers' core product development processes
- Combination with Synopsys creates potential for broader design-to-simulation workflow integration across the semiconductor and electronics value chain
- Ongoing transition to new billing and transaction models introduces execution risk and short-term revenue recognition complexity
- Faces competitive pressure from both established rivals and newer cloud-native design software entrants
- Growth has moderated as its core markets mature, requiring new product categories to sustain historical growth rates
- Integration with Synopsys following the acquisition introduces execution risk during the combination process
- Simulation software adoption can be sensitive to capital spending cycles in industries like aerospace and automotive
- Faces competition from both established engineering software vendors and emerging AI-driven simulation tools
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