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Construction InfrastructureTop 10 Best Pallet Rack Design Software of 2026
Ranked comparison of pallet rack design software for warehouse and engineers, covering AutoCAD and SketchUp options like AR Racking Easy Rack.
How we ranked these tools
An editor sets the topic, the inclusion criteria, and the evaluation framework before research starts.
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Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%
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AR Racking Easy Rack is the best fit if you need fast rack plan drawings and BOMs straight from parametric inputs, whereas AutoCAD works better for teams that prioritize controlled, vendor-ready CAD deliverables when built-in rack automation isn’t the focus.
Editor’s top 3 picks
Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.
AR Racking Easy Rack
BOM generation remains synchronized with plan and elevation geometry during parametric edits.
Best for: Fits when teams need fast rack plan drawings and BOMs from parametric inputs without heavy automation work.
Lantek
Editor pickBOM generation tied to parametric rack configuration keeps procurement data synchronized with CAD deliverables.
Best for: Fits when warehouse engineering teams need repeatable rack designs with BOM-ready outputs for build and procurement.
Mecalux Easy WMS with Easy Rack
Editor pickEasy Rack generates drawings and rack configuration that maps directly into Easy WMS storage structure for execution consistency.
Best for: Fits when warehouses want rack design to feed operations without location drift across systems.
Comparison Table
AR Racking Easy Rack
vertical specialistPallet racking manufacturer offering software for rack design, configuration, and quotation workflows.
BOM generation remains synchronized with plan and elevation geometry during parametric edits.
AR Racking Easy Rack is geared toward engineers and warehouse teams who need rack layout drawings and component lists from the same configuration session. The modeling flow supports plan view and elevation outputs, and the BOM generation ties structural choices to itemized materials. CAD export supports handoff into standard drawing workflows when DWG, DXF, or STEP formats are required.
A tradeoff appears in advanced engineering checks that depend on broader structural analysis scope, because the workflow focuses on rack configuration and documentation outputs rather than deeper load-combination engines. Easy Rack fits best when the goal is repeatable rack planning for selective pallet rack layouts and document generation for permitting or internal review. It is less suited to teams that require extensive custom calculation logic or automation through a documented API surface.
- +Plan view, elevations, and BOM generation stay linked to one configuration
- +3D modeling supports faster visual checks during rack layout iteration
- +CAD export outputs usable for downstream documentation workflows
- +Parametric inputs reduce manual redraw time for repeat projects
- –Deeper structural analysis and code checks are not the primary workflow
- –API and integration automation are limited for WMS or ERP data sync
Warehouse engineering teams
Produce rack drawings and BOMs
Fewer redraw cycles and faster approvals
Facilities coordinators
Iterate pallet positions and aisles
More layout iterations with less rework
Show 1 more scenario
CAD drafters
Handoff rack geometry to CAD
Cleaner handoff to drafting workflow
Drafters use CAD exports to integrate rack drawings into existing drawing sets.
Best for: Fits when teams need fast rack plan drawings and BOMs from parametric inputs without heavy automation work.
Lantek
vertical specialistCAD/CAM software for sheet metal cutting used in rack component manufacturing.
BOM generation tied to parametric rack configuration keeps procurement data synchronized with CAD deliverables.
Lantek fits engineering teams that need consistent rack geometry across rack plan view and elevation drawing sets, not just conceptual 3D sketches. Parametric inputs such as pallet load dimensions and upright geometry feed configuration results into drawings and downstream deliverables like BOM generation.
A tradeoff appears in how tightly the workflow is linked to engineering configuration, since early layout iterations can be slower than tools focused on quick visual studies. It works well when a warehouse team iterates a rack layout to meet structural constraints and then must produce consistent drawings and BOMs for procurement and fabrication.
- +Parametric configuration drives consistent drawings and component-level BOM generation
- +CAD export outputs support downstream detailing in common CAD workflows
- +Rack plan view and elevation drawing sets stay aligned to input parameters
- +Structural component definitions remain trackable from configuration to deliverables
- –Engineering-configuration workflow can slow early, exploratory layout iterations
- –3D modeling depth depends on the chosen export path and CAD tools downstream
- –Some automation relies on configuration discipline across teams
- –Complex rack variants can require careful parameter setup to avoid rework
Warehouse engineering teams
Iterate rack layouts with consistent drawings
Fewer geometry mismatches
Fabrication and procurement teams
Generate BOMs from configured racks
Tighter material coordination
Show 2 more scenarios
Systems integration leads
Route rack outputs into ERP workflows
Reduced manual data transfer
Integration options help connect rack configuration results to enterprise processes that expect CAD and component data.
CAD drafters
Export drawings for downstream detailing
Faster document handoffs
CAD export supports transferring geometry and documentation to other drawing and detailing steps.
Best for: Fits when warehouse engineering teams need repeatable rack designs with BOM-ready outputs for build and procurement.
Mecalux Easy WMS with Easy Rack
vertical specialistWarehouse software vendor with pallet racking design and configuration tools tied to storage system planning.
Easy Rack generates drawings and rack configuration that maps directly into Easy WMS storage structure for execution consistency.
Easy Rack is aimed at engineers who need both a rack layout and a rack-aware warehouse structure without rekeying. The product supports pallet rack plan view and elevation drawing generation from configured parameters, then ties those rack elements into the Easy WMS warehouse model. This coupling reduces drift between engineering drawings and the locations used for picking and storage. Mecalux positions the workflow around provisioning a rack configuration once, then reusing it for operational planning and execution.
A key tradeoff is that the value depends on adopting the Easy WMS catalog model alongside Easy Rack, because exports and handoffs have less importance than maintaining internal consistency. Easy Rack fits well for warehouses that standardize rack geometry and want configuration-driven throughput from rack design to execution.
- +Rack layout drawings stay aligned with Easy WMS storage locations
- +Plan view and elevation output reduce manual drafting effort
- +Rack configuration reuse lowers rekeying across engineering and ops
- +BOM-ready outputs support procurement workflows
- –Best results depend on using the Easy WMS rack structure
- –File export formats are less central than internal configuration reuse
- –Iterative CAD-level edits can require a separate engineering loop
- –Advanced structural checks need engineering sign-off workflow
Warehouse engineering teams
Design rack and connect locations
Fewer mismatches during launch
WMS implementation teams
Provision warehouse structure from rack
Faster onboarding of operations
Show 1 more scenario
Logistics operations managers
Control movements by planned rack
More stable execution routing
Runs picking and storage against the same rack structure created in Easy Rack.
Best for: Fits when warehouses want rack design to feed operations without location drift across systems.
AutoCAD
enterpriseEngineering and architectural CAD software widely used for structural and pallet rack design layouts.
DWG-centric drawing management with exchange exports for consistent rack plans, elevations, and 3D models across teams.
AutoCAD is a DWG-first CAD environment that fits pallet rack design where detailed drawings, controlled revisions, and exchange formats matter. It supports 2D rack plan views and elevation drawings, plus 3D modeling using solids and surfaces, which helps standardize layout and drawing sets.
- +DWG-based workflow preserves rack drawing fidelity through revision cycles
- +Strong DXF and STEP export paths for vendor and fabrication exchange
- +Parametric-style customization can enforce company drafting standards
- +3D modeling supports collision checks against facility elements
- –No built-in rack BOM generation or engineered load combination output
- –Rack configuration requires templates and scripting rather than native configurators
- –Automated checks for rack deflection limits need external processes
- –Data accuracy depends on disciplined block attributes and layer standards
Best for: Fits when warehouse teams need controlled CAD deliverables and vendor-ready exports, even without built-in rack engineering automation.
StrucSoft Solutions
vertical specialistSoftware for steel storage rack design and detailing integrated with CAD platforms.
Bill-of-material output stays linked to the same parametric configuration used to generate plan and elevation drawings.
StrucSoft Solutions generates parametric pallet rack designs from spreadsheet-like inputs and produces CAD deliverables for rack plans and elevations. The workflow centers on configuring rack geometry, selecting members, and generating a bill of materials tied to the selected structure.
- +Parametric configuration ties chosen members to BOM outputs
- +DWG and DXF export supports common engineering handoff workflows
- +Rack plan and elevation generation reduces manual redraw time
- +Member selection workflow fits repeatable warehouse spec cycles
- –Limited evidence of a full API connector for live system integration
- –Advanced structural checks feel less guided than spreadsheet-led design flows
- –Configuring atypical rack layouts can require manual correction passes
- –Automation for large BOM edits is less direct than scripted batch tools
Best for: Fits when warehouse engineers need repeatable CAD outputs from configured rack specs.
FlexSim
enterpriseSimulation software for warehouse operations including rack and storage layout modeling.
Simulation-driven rack layout evaluation that links aisle geometry to pallet travel, congestion, and throughput outcomes.
FlexSim is a rack planning and logistics simulation environment that connects physical rack layouts to flow behavior. It supports 3D rack modeling workflows and generates rack-plan outputs that can be reused for layout reviews.
- +Ties 3D rack layouts directly to pallet movement simulation logic
- +Supports detailed aisle and layout iterations with measurable flow impacts
- +Produces actionable rack plan views for engineering review workflows
- +Extensibility through scripting for custom handling and layout rules
- –Rack structural documentation is not its primary strength versus CAD-centric tools
- –Advanced CAD-style export workflows can require extra formatting work
Best for: Fits when warehouse teams need simulation-backed rack layout comparisons without building a standalone structural CAD pipeline.
SmartDraw
SMBDiagramming and floor plan software with warehouse layout templates that can be used for pallet rack planning.
Template-based rack diagram creation with reusable objects for consistent plan and elevation output.
SmartDraw focuses on diagram-first rack planning with templates and quick layout tools, which can be faster than CAD-only workflows. Rack layouts can be produced as plan and elevation drawings, then exported into common drafting formats for downstream markup.
- +Template-driven rack drawings speed plan and elevation documentation
- +Direct export supports downstream review in DWG-based workflows
- +Diagram tools reduce manual alignment work for multi-bay layouts
- +Library objects help standardize labeling and rack callouts
- –Limited support for engineering calculation workflows like load combinations
- –3D rack modeling is not a substitute for STEP-based coordination
- –BOM generation is not designed for full engineering spec traceability
- –WMS or ERP integration requires separate tooling and mapping work
Best for: Fits when teams need fast rack drawings and exports for coordination, not full engineering signoff calculations.
Constructor Dexion Easy Select
enterpriseStorage solutions vendor with product selection and warehouse layout tooling for pallet racking systems.
Config-driven rack selection that ties chosen pallet and beam parameters directly to generated drawings and structured outputs.
Constructor Dexion Easy Select is a pallet rack design configurator from constructor.net that focuses on fast selection and engineering checks for standard warehouse rack configurations. It generates rack layouts with sizing guidance, supports structured component outputs, and can produce CAD-ready deliverables like DWG and DXF drawings.
- +Guided configuration keeps rack sizing and component selection tightly linked
- +DWG and DXF drawing export supports direct coordination in common CAD toolchains
- +Structured outputs reduce manual re-entry between selection and drawing steps
- +Clear selection workflow suits repeatable designs across multiple warehouse locations
- –Limited freedom for custom geometry beyond the supported rack configuration space
- –Fewer automation hooks for external systems than API-first design tools
- –Advanced engineering workflows can require extra manual checks outside the configurator
- –Complex stability and load case review depends on the provided guidance depth
Best for: Fits when warehouse engineers need fast, repeatable pallet rack selections with drawing outputs for coordination workflows.
RISA-3D
enterpriseStructural analysis software used to model and assess steel structures, including storage racks.
Coupled 3D rack modeling with structural analysis results mapped back to rack member utilization for design documentation.
RISA-3D generates 3D pallet rack models and ties those models to structural member design checks within the same workflow. The tool supports parametric rack configuration and produces design outputs such as member forces, utilization, and engineering-ready drawings.
- +Integrated 3D modeling and structural analysis for rack frames
- +Automates load combinations and utilization reporting from rack inputs
- +CAD export supports downstream coordination with drawing standards
- +Stable workflow for generating elevation views and member-based outputs
- –Less direct support for warehouse layout iteration like aisle optimization
- –Design output set can require manual cleanup to match drawing templates
- –Workflow can feel engineering-centric compared with rack-only configurators
- –Automation depth for BOM generation depends on how outputs are post-processed
Best for: Fits when engineers need connected rack geometry and structural checks with CAD exports for documentation.
SteelKing Rack Designer
vertical specialistSteelKing offers a pallet rack configuration tool for designing selective and drive-in rack systems with load specifications.
Rack bill of materials generation tied to parametric rack geometry updates across exported drawings.
SteelKing Rack Designer targets warehouse engineering work where racking needs to be configured and drawn from dimensional inputs. It supports parametric rack layout creation and produces CAD outputs such as DWG and DXF for rack plan and elevation deliverables.
- +Parametric rack configuration turns dimensional changes into updated geometry
- +DWG and DXF export supports plan and elevation deliverables
- +Bill of materials generation reduces manual component takeoffs
- +3D rack modeling helps visual checks before handoff
- –CAD output is not a full engineering workflow for every custom condition
- –Deep structural analysis and load combinations are limited versus dedicated engineering tools
- –Automation via API and integration options are not a first-class focus
- –Complex assemblies may take extra iterations to reach drafting-ready results
Best for: Fits when warehouse teams need repeatable pallet rack layouts with CAD exports and BOMs for coordination.
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 pallet rack design software, AR Racking Easy Rack stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.
Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.
How to Choose the Right Pallet Rack Design Software
Pallet rack design software turns rack plan view and elevation documentation into parameter-driven geometry, BOM outputs, and exchange files used by fabrication and coordination teams. This guide covers AR Racking Easy Rack and AutoCAD, plus the other evaluated tools for warehouse engineering and CAD-linked workflows.
The included tools differ most in how BOM generation stays synchronized with plan and elevation edits, how much structural checking is built in, and how well CAD exports fit DWG, DXF, and STEP-driven handoffs.
Pallet Rack Design Software for CAD-Driven Rack Plans, BOMs, and Structural Outputs
Pallet rack design software supports rack plan view and elevation drawing generation from defined pallet and rack parameters, then produces exchange files used for downstream detailing. AR Racking Easy Rack emphasizes synchronized BOM generation that stays linked to the plan and elevation geometry during parametric edits, which reduces reconciliation work when configurations change.
AutoCAD anchors rack documentation in a DWG-centric workflow with consistent revision control, and it provides DXF and STEP export paths for vendor and fabrication exchange. Lantek and StrucSoft Solutions also focus on parametric configuration to drive component-level BOM generation tied to the same configuration used for drawing outputs.
Synchronized rack configuration outputs and structural responsibility boundaries
Pallet rack design software lives or dies on whether the plan view geometry, elevation drawing geometry, and rack bill of materials move together when rack parameters change. AR Racking Easy Rack ties BOM generation to the same parametric edits used for plan and elevation so configuration swaps do not create reconciliation work.
The next deciding factor is how far the tool goes past documentation into engineered design outputs. AutoCAD delivers DWG-centric revision stability and export paths but it does not produce BOMs or engineered load combination outputs from a rack configuration, while RISA-3D couples rack geometry to structural analysis and utilization reporting.
BOM synchronization with parametric geometry edits
AR Racking Easy Rack keeps BOM generation synchronized with plan and elevation geometry during parametric edits, which reduces mismatch risk during layout iteration. Lantek and StrucSoft Solutions also drive BOM generation from the same parametric configuration used for drawing outputs.
CAD export paths that fit DWG and fabrication exchange workflows
AutoCAD anchors rack documentation in a DWG-based workflow and provides strong DXF and STEP export paths for vendor and fabrication exchange. Constructor Dexion Easy Select and SteelKing Rack Designer also produce DWG and DXF drawing deliverables for coordination in common CAD toolchains.
Structural checking depth and load combination automation
RISA-3D automates load combinations and maps 3D rack structural results back to rack member utilization for design documentation. FlexSim focuses on layout simulation and throughput outcomes and it does not position rack structural documentation as its primary strength.
Warehouse execution alignment when rack structures must map into WMS storage
Mecalux Easy WMS with Easy Rack keeps rack layout drawings aligned with Easy WMS storage locations so execution stays consistent across systems. AR Racking Easy Rack can iterate faster for parametric drawing and BOM generation but its API and integration automation for WMS or ERP sync are limited.
Automation and integration surface for external systems
Tools built around CAD workflows like AutoCAD focus on drawing management and exchange exports and they require external automation for rack-engineering workflows. AR Racking Easy Rack limits automation and integration automation for WMS or ERP data sync, and RISA-3D provides a coupled structural workflow that does not center on external integration hooks.
Pick the tool that matches where rack design responsibility lives
The decision splits into two philosophies. Some tools keep rack design intent inside a parametric rack configurator and then generate drawings and BOMs from that single source. Other tools emphasize CAD deliverables and revision control in DWG, so structural checking and engineered outputs must be handled elsewhere.
A second decision axis is the workflow boundary between engineering and warehouse execution. A WMS-first tool pushes rack configuration into storage location structures, while simulation-first tools evaluate aisle geometry against pallet travel and congestion outcomes instead of running a full engineered rack design pipeline.
Choose based on configuration-to-document linkage strength
If changing pallet load dimensions or member selections must update BOMs and drawings with no manual reconciliation, select AR Racking Easy Rack or Lantek. If BOMs must stay tied to the same parametric configuration used for plan and elevation drawings, StrucSoft Solutions also matches that workflow.
Decide how much CAD control needs to live inside the same tool
If the team already runs DWG-centric drawing management and needs reliable DWG revision cycles plus DXF and STEP exchange files, choose AutoCAD. If the team needs quicker diagram generation with template-driven plan and elevation output, choose SmartDraw.
Match structural checking to the deliverables that must be engineered
If engineered load combinations and utilization reporting must be generated from rack inputs with connected 3D structural results, choose RISA-3D. If design verification is not the primary goal and aisle throughput comparisons drive the decision, choose FlexSim.
Align rack design outputs to warehouse execution structures
If rack layout drawings must map directly to Easy WMS storage locations for execution consistency, choose Mecalux Easy WMS with Easy Rack. If rack drawings and BOMs are needed for coordination without requiring tight WMS structure mapping, choose AR Racking Easy Rack or Constructor Dexion Easy Select.
Set expectations for automation and integration depth
If automation must extend into WMS or ERP data sync with minimal handoffs, AR Racking Easy Rack signals limited automation and integration automation in its evaluated workflow. If the team can stay inside CAD exports and manual integration points, SteelKing Rack Designer and Constructor Dexion Easy Select provide parametric configuration with drawing exports.
Who should buy Pallet Rack Design Software
Warehouse engineering teams buy pallet rack design software when the workflow needs parameter-driven rack plans and elevations plus BOM outputs that stay consistent after configuration changes. AR Racking Easy Rack is a strong match when parametric edits must keep plan and elevation geometry synchronized with BOM generation.
Operations and planning teams buy these tools when the rack layout decision depends on aisle geometry outcomes. FlexSim supports measurable flow impacts by linking 3D rack layouts to pallet movement simulation logic, while CAD-centric tools like AutoCAD support coordination deliverables without built-in rack BOM or engineered load combination output.
Warehouse engineering teams generating BOMs and drawing deliverables from parametric rack specs
AR Racking Easy Rack and Lantek tie BOM generation to the same parametric rack configuration used for drawing outputs, which keeps procurement data synchronized with CAD deliverables.
Warehouse operations teams running layout tradeoffs based on throughput and congestion
FlexSim ties 3D rack layouts to pallet movement simulation outcomes so aisle and layout iterations produce measurable throughput impacts.
Warehouses that must keep rack design aligned with WMS storage locations
Mecalux Easy WMS with Easy Rack keeps rack configuration mapped directly into Easy WMS storage structure to prevent location drift between design and execution.
CAD-managed engineering groups that require DWG revision stability and exchange files
AutoCAD preserves DWG-based drawing fidelity through revision cycles and supplies DXF and STEP export paths for vendor and fabrication exchange.
Common buying and implementation mistakes
Teams often misjudge where the tool’s automation boundary ends. AutoCAD supports CAD deliverables and exchange exports but it does not provide rack BOM generation or engineered load combination output, which forces additional engineering steps outside the CAD environment.
Other mistakes come from workflow misalignment. Mecalux Easy WMS with Easy Rack produces best results when the Easy WMS rack structure is used, and SmartDraw accelerates diagram output without providing load combination workflows.
Expecting AutoCAD to generate rack BOMs and engineered load combinations from a rack configuration
AutoCAD provides DWG-centric drawing management and DXF and STEP export paths but it does not include built-in rack BOM generation or engineered load combination output, so rack engineering deliverables need a separate workflow.
Picking a parametric rack configurator but planning to do heavy exploratory layout changes outside its configuration flow
Lantek’s engineering-configuration workflow can slow early exploratory layout iterations, so the workflow needs planning for how quickly configurations will stabilize before generating procurement-ready outputs.
Using Mecalux Easy WMS with Easy Rack without adopting the Easy WMS rack structure
Mecalux Easy WMS with Easy Rack depends on using the Easy WMS rack structure so rack layout drawings map into storage locations, and skipping that structure reduces the execution consistency value.
Treating simulation output as structural documentation
FlexSim is centered on simulation-backed rack layout evaluation and it does not position rack structural documentation as its primary strength, so engineering signoff must come from an engineered structural workflow.
How We Selected and Ranked These Tools
We evaluated AR Racking Easy Rack, AutoCAD, Lantek, Mecalux Easy WMS with Easy Rack, StrucSoft Solutions, FlexSim, SmartDraw, Constructor Dexion Easy Select, RISA-3D, and SteelKing Rack Designer on features, ease, and value. Features accounted for 40% of the score, and ease and value each accounted for 30% of the score.
AR Racking Easy Rack separated itself by keeping BOM generation synchronized with plan and elevation geometry during parametric edits, which directly reduces reconciliation effort when rack parameters change. AR Racking Easy Rack also scored highly for linked configuration workflows that keep the rack plan view, elevations, and BOM output consistent as the configuration evolves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pallet Rack Design Software
Which pallet rack design tools produce BOMs synchronized with plan and elevation geometry during edits?
How does a DWG-first CAD workflow compare with dedicated rack configurators for pallet rack drawings?
When does rack planning benefit from simulation of pallet flow rather than structural parametric drafting?
What breaks if a team needs the rack design configuration to feed the warehouse execution layer without location drift?
How are CAD exchange outputs used across different tools when coordinating with fabrication and downstream teams?
Which tools support deeper engineering check outputs rather than only drawing generation?
How does data migration usually work when moving from spreadsheets or legacy drawings into a rack design tool?
What security and access control gaps appear when a warehouse requires SSO and RBAC for design workflows?
Which tool-to-tool automation path is most practical when engineers need CAD output plus programmatic integration?
Tools reviewed
Primary sources checked during evaluation.
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
Funding and competing interests
This study was co-funded by several of the vendors assessed in it. No single vendor funded it. Funders could propose the market studied.
They had no role in selecting vendors, setting or weighting criteria, analysing data or drawing conclusions, and they received the same factual-accuracy check as every other vendor assessed.
Market definition, inclusion rules and criteria weights were fixed by an editor before research began and did not change afterwards. Editorial process →
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