I have been using AutoCAD Electrical for 20 years. I really love it but it can be intimidating because it is so flexible.
I did try using Solidworks electrical and after six months I was ready to pull my hair out. It was not easy to use at all. For example, it did not do item numbering on the panel layout. The only way to get item numbers on the panel was to draw it up in Solidworks 3d and import it in. You also could not do any detail views of the panel without using Solidworks 3d.
Rson, I would like to speak to your not wanting to go subscription.
I wrestled with this as well. I found that when I was paying full price for AutoCAD and only updating every three years I was paying about the same by going subscription and getting all the updates and changes every year. This allowed me to take advantage of all the new things that came available. Just my two cents....
As a panel/schematic designer, if you are not using some kind of Electrical CAD you are hurting yourself. The ability to create BOMs, Wiring Reports, To/From Lists, Terminal Marker reports for printing, Wire Number Reports, etc are were these packages really shine.
If are interested in reading through a bunch of tips/tricks for ACE, Doug McAlexander's website is full of information. http:/ecadconsultant.com