Design Master vs ETAP ADMS Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated May 2026 8 min read

Design Master

0.0 (0 reviews)

Design Master provides specialized electrical and HVAC engineering software that automates complex calculations and drafting tasks directly within AutoCAD and Revit to streamline your entire building design process.

Starting at $90/mo
Free Trial 30 days
VS

ETAP ADMS

0.0 (0 reviews)

ETAP ADMS is a unified management platform that integrates SCADA, distribution management, and outage response to help you optimize grid reliability and manage complex electrical distribution networks efficiently.

Starting at --
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature Design Master ETAP ADMS
Website designmaster.biz etap.com
Pricing Model Subscription Custom
Starting Price $90/month Custom Pricing
FREE Trial ✓ 30 days free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment desktop on-premise cloud desktop
Integrations AutoCAD Revit BricsCAD ArcGIS SAP Oracle Microsoft SQL Server OSIsoft PI DNP3 ICCP IEC 61850 Modbus Web Services
Target Users small-business mid-market enterprise mid-market enterprise
Target Industries construction engineering Energy Utilities Government
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2001 1986
Headquarters Seattle, USA Irvine, USA

Overview

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Design Master

Design Master offers a suite of engineering tools specifically created for electrical and HVAC professionals who work in AutoCAD and Revit. Instead of jumping between separate spreadsheets and drafting programs, you can perform complex calculations like load analysis, short circuit studies, and duct sizing directly within your design environment. This integration ensures your schedules and drawings stay synchronized automatically as you make changes.

You can choose between specialized modules for electrical, HVAC, or plumbing needs depending on your project requirements. The software is designed for MEP engineering firms and individual consultants who need to increase accuracy while reducing the time spent on repetitive drafting tasks. By automating the technical math, you can focus more on high-level design and less on manual data entry.

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ETAP ADMS

ETAP ADMS provides you with a unified platform to manage, control, and optimize your electrical distribution network. It integrates real-time data with advanced analytical applications, allowing you to transition from reactive maintenance to proactive grid management. You can visualize your entire network through a digital twin that syncs with live field data to improve situational awareness across your operations team.

The software helps you solve critical challenges like integrating renewable energy sources, reducing peak demand, and minimizing outage durations. Whether you are managing a municipal utility or a large-scale electrical cooperative, you can use its modular tools to scale your capabilities. It focuses on increasing grid resilience while lowering operational costs through automated switching and intelligent fault location.

Overview

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Design Master Features

  • Integrated Electrical Calculations Perform short circuit, voltage drop, and arc flash calculations instantly as you place components in your drawings.
  • Automated Panel Schedules Generate and update panel schedules automatically, ensuring your documentation always matches the latest version of your design.
  • One-Line Diagram Tools Create dynamic one-line diagrams that stay linked to your floor plans to eliminate coordination errors between views.
  • HVAC Load Calculations Calculate heating and cooling loads directly from your building geometry to size equipment accurately without external tools.
  • Duct and Pipe Sizing Size your ductwork and piping systems based on flow requirements and pressure drop limits with built-in automation.
  • Revit Integration Enhance your BIM workflow with specialized tools that add advanced engineering data and calculations to standard Revit elements.
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ETAP ADMS Features

  • Advanced SCADA. Monitor and control your field devices in real-time with a high-performance interface designed for mission-critical utility operations.
  • Fault Management. Locate faults instantly and use automated isolation and restoration sequences to get your customers back online faster.
  • Volt-Var Optimization. Reduce energy losses and manage voltage profiles across your feeders to improve overall grid efficiency and stability.
  • Outage Management. Track outages from the first customer call to final restoration using integrated prediction engines and crew dispatch tools.
  • Network Model Manager. Maintain a single, accurate digital twin of your network that synchronizes GIS data with your real-time analytical models.
  • Renewable Integration. Forecast and manage the impact of solar and wind generation on your distribution circuits to maintain power quality.
  • Load Forecasting. Predict short-term and long-term demand patterns using historical data and weather inputs to plan your operations effectively.
  • Switching Management. Create, simulate, and execute complex switching plans safely with built-in safety interlocking and real-time validation.

Pricing Comparison

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Design Master Pricing

Electrical for AutoCAD
$90
  • Short circuit calculations
  • Voltage drop analysis
  • Automated panel schedules
  • One-line diagram generation
  • Photometric lighting levels
  • Equipment and wire sizing
E

ETAP ADMS Pricing

Pros & Cons

M

Design Master

Pros

  • Significant reduction in manual calculation errors
  • Excellent technical support from knowledgeable engineers
  • Seamless integration with existing AutoCAD workflows
  • Automatic updates to schedules save hours
  • Highly specialized for NEC compliance standards

Cons

  • Initial setup requires significant time investment
  • Interface feels dated compared to modern apps
  • Learning curve for customizing specific block libraries
A

ETAP ADMS

Pros

  • Unified platform eliminates data silos between SCADA and OMS
  • Exceptional analytical depth for complex power flow calculations
  • Highly scalable architecture supports growing distribution networks
  • Strong integration capabilities with existing GIS and ERP systems
  • Digital twin technology provides highly accurate network simulations

Cons

  • Significant initial configuration required for complex networks
  • Requires specialized training to master advanced analytical modules
  • Higher price point compared to basic standalone SCADA tools
  • Hardware requirements for on-premise deployments can be intensive
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