I also prefer ChemDraw, especially for drawing larger schemes. But I also recommend MarvinSketch from ChemAxon. It is also free and has improved much over the last years. Since it is Java based, it´s platform independent - you can use it on PC, mac or linux. I think it´s almost comparable to ChemDraw and it´s still improving from release to release.
Chemdraw which is a application of the ChemBiodraw office, developed by cambridgesoft. It comes into 2 type one is ultra and other is professional where professional has an superior edge over the ultra.
Meanwhile it is paid and can also downloaded some torrents or educational software sites but the problem with them they often gets hang.
The best option is to go for ACD's......Chemsketch. its free and easy to use...
In case you can spend money then better to go for ChemBiodraw office...
I agree with Arvind Negi. I use ACD's Chemsketch, mainly due to its price, free. For Academic institutions (and tight budgets), you can get this software and use all you want, AND save files that are ChemDraw compatible. It is also very easy to use. I combine this with Adobe Illustrator to make graphics for all my papers, posters, and presentations.
I could try to use MarvinSketch (http://www.chemaxon.com/products/marvin/marvinsketch/) on-line or locally. It is a software free for academic or on-line tryouts.
I doubt that they care what program you draw with . . . more likely they want files in CDX (Chemdraw) format, because that's what they use at their end. (Not sure why they'd squawk about having to use the import function - it's not exactly labor-intensive.)
In any event, MarvinSketch can export (and import) CDX drawings. (The newer CDXML format is imported, but not yet exported. I don't know of any journals that require it.)
99% use chem draw, but ACD/ ChemSketch is the best and it is free software I see it easier than chem draw and have more features. moreover u can found NMR processor software
Chembiodraw is fine, however, chemistry drawing also can be done using latex programming and the output is excellent. Please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XyMTeX.
In contrast to others, Marvin Sketch is better than other drawing soft like Chem Draw(chem office). may be in the past chem draw have many advantage and merits, but at know Marvin in contrast to chem draw have many advantage like free of charge, easy loading time and lower computer cost. beside of these merits its contain many chemical applicable tools that facilitated the drawing of complex structure .