Onshape vs AutoCAD

by Gralio Apr 24, 2025

Onshape and AutoCAD cater to different needs within the design space. Onshape excels with its modern, cloud-native platform emphasizing real-time collaboration, built-in data management, and accessibility, making it strong for teams prioritizing agility and remote work. AutoCAD remains the industry standard for robust 2D drafting with extensive customization, better suited for established workflows heavily reliant on its specific toolsets and compatibility, despite concerns about cost and performance.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 4840 reviews and 50 websites, saving 1 day, 3 hours, 18 minutes of reading.

Logo of Onshape
Logo of AutoCAD

About

Onshape is a cloud-based design platform for creating and managing product designs. It combines powerful 3D modeling tools with built-in collaboration and version control features. This means your design team can work together in real-time, from any location, without worrying about file compatibility or data loss. Onshape aims to speed up the design process, improve collaboration, and eliminate the headaches of traditional design software.
AutoCAD is a design and drafting software to create 2D and 3D models. It offers industry-specific tools for fields like architecture and manufacturing. AutoCAD stands out with its web and mobile apps, enabling work from anywhere. It promises increased productivity through specialized features and a familiar interface.

Summary

Main difference
Onshape is a fully cloud-based CAD platform centered around real-time collaboration and built-in data management. AutoCAD is a long-established, primarily desktop-based software renowned for 2D drafting, now with web/mobile extensions.

Relative strengths of Onshape (compared to AutoCAD)

  • Cloud-Native Architecture & Collaboration: Onshape enables real-time co-design and access from any device without installs or IT overhead, thanks to its pure cloud foundation.

  • Integrated Data Management (PDM): Onshape includes built-in version control, branching, and merging, simplifying design exploration and eliminating the need for separate PDM systems common with AutoCAD.

  • Superior Value and Ease of Implementation: User reviews indicate Onshape offers better value and is easier to implement compared to AutoCAD, which receives negative feedback on pricing and setup complexity.

Relative weaknesses of Onshape (compared to AutoCAD)

  • Internet Dependency: Onshape requires a stable internet connection for optimal performance, whereas AutoCAD's core functionality is desktop-based.

  • Less Developed 2D Drafting Tools: While capable, Onshape's 2D drawing and annotation features are generally considered less mature and comprehensive than AutoCAD's industry-leading toolset.

  • Smaller Ecosystem and Legacy Compatibility: AutoCAD benefits from a vast library of legacy files, extensive third-party plugins, and a larger pool of experienced users compared to the newer Onshape platform.

What companies are using Onshape and AutoCAD?

Formlabs is a customer
Formlabs
No data

Who should use Onshape VS. AutoCAD

Onshape is a cloud-based CAD platform ideal for design and engineering teams who value real-time collaboration and built-in version control. We find it's particularly loved by teams working on group projects, especially startups, as it simplifies file management and allows access from any computer. Users appreciate the agile approach it enables for faster product development, although reliable internet is necessary for optimal performance. It's a solid choice for teams looking to move away from traditional desktop CAD headaches.

AutoCAD is a long-standing leader in 2D and 3D design, widely recognized across many industries. We find that users really appreciate its familiar interface for detailed drafting and the vast online support available. It's a solid choice for technical drawing, though some users note performance issues with large files and find the subscription cost high. Its web and mobile apps are a plus for flexible working

  • We see Onshape working well for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises needing flexible design collaboration.

  • In our experience, Onshape is a strong fit for manufacturing, engineering, and design teams across various industries needing modern CAD tools.

  • In our experience, AutoCAD works well for businesses of all sizes, from small teams to large enterprises needing robust design tools.

  • We see AutoCAD widely used in architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and even media & entertainment for design tasks.

Onshape and AutoCAD features

Supported
Partially supported
Not supported
Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

  • Assembly Design
    Supported

    Onshape fully supports creating assemblies and defining relationships between parts.

    Supported

    AutoCAD enables assembling multiple parts into larger assemblies and defining relationships between them.

  • Drafting
    Supported

    Onshape allows creation of 2D drawings from 3D models, including annotations and DWG support.

    Supported

    AutoCAD allows creation of 2D drawings from 3D models using various built-in tools.

  • Part Design
    Supported

    Onshape fully supports creating and modifying individual parts with precise dimensions.

    Supported

    AutoCAD allows creating and modifying parts with precise dimensions using 2D and 3D tools.

  • Dimensioning
    Partially supported

    Onshape supports manual and automatic dimensioning during sketching, but not for finished 2D drawings.

    Supported

    AutoCAD supports manual and automatic dimensioning tools for 2D drawings.

  • 2D Sketching
    Supported

    Onshape supports 2D sketching for defining part geometry.

    Supported

    AutoCAD supports 2D sketching for defining part geometry.

Qualities

  • Value and Pricing Transparency
    +1
    Strongly positive sentiment
    -0.69
    Rather negative sentiment
  • Customer Service
    +0.67
    Rather positive sentiment
    +0.64
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Ease of Use
    +1
    Strongly positive sentiment
    +0.71
    Strongly positive sentiment
  • Reliability and Performance
    +0.68
    Rather positive sentiment
    +0.31
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Ease of Implementation
    +0.71
    Strongly positive sentiment
    +0.11
    Neutral sentiment
  • Scalability
    +1
    Strongly positive sentiment
    -0.38
    Rather negative sentiment

Onshape and AutoCAD Pricing

No data

User sentiment

Strongly positive
+1

See full Pricing page

No data

User sentiment

Rather negative
-0.69

See full Pricing page

Onshape and AutoCAD review insights

4839 reviews analysed from and

Users love

  • Real-time collaboration, perfect for startups and group projects.
  • Agile product design approach for faster product development.
  • Cloud-based access from any computer.
  • Simple user interface, easy to learn.
  • Integrated version control and file management.
  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface for 2D drafting, praised for its ease of use and familiar commands.
  • Extensive customization options, including custom commands, shortcuts, and workspaces.
  • Widely used and recognized as an industry standard, ensuring compatibility and collaboration.
  • Vast online resources, tutorials, and a large user community provide ample support.
  • Precise and accurate drawing tools, essential for detailed technical drawings and plans.

Users dislike

  • Dependency on internet connectivity.
  • Limited drawing annotation features.
  • Occasional performance throttling with poor internet connection.
  • Challenges with importing SolidWorks files and drawings.
  • Mobile app functionality is underwhelming.
  • Performance issues, slowdowns, and crashes are frequently reported, especially with larger files and 3D modeling.
  • High cost of licensing and subscription model is a major concern for individuals and small businesses.
  • 3D modeling capabilities are considered limited compared to dedicated 3D software.
  • Steep learning curve and complex interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
  • Limited file format compatibility and occasional issues with importing/exporting files.

Onshape and AutoCAD Ratings

  • G2
    4.7/5
    (656)
  • Capterra
    4.5/5
    (288)
  • Glassdoor
    4.2/5
    (2767)
  • G2
    4.4/5
    (1446)
  • Capterra
    4.7/5
    (2449)
  • Glassdoor
    4.3/5
    (4861)

Company health

Employee growth

2% decrease in the last year
2% increase in the last year

Web traffic

3% increase in the last quarter
2% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

November 2017 - $1B
February 2020 - $0

How important is real-time collaboration for your design team?

Real-time collaboration appears to be a significant factor if your team operates similarly to the users who prefer Onshape. Onshape emphasizes its secure, real-time collaboration capabilities, allowing dispersed teams to work simultaneously on a single design, which users particularly appreciate for group projects. AutoCAD, while offering web and mobile apps for accessibility and being an industry standard that facilitates compatibility, doesn't highlight real-time, simultaneous editing as a core strength in the same way. Therefore, if your team frequently needs multiple designers working on the exact same model concurrently, real-time collaboration is highly important.

Which product's file management system better suits your current workflow?

Onshape offers a fundamentally different file management system compared to AutoCAD. Onshape utilizes a cloud-native approach with built-in Product Data Management (PDM), including features like version control, branching, merging, auto-saving, and infinite restore history, eliminating traditional file management overhead. AutoCAD appears to rely on a more conventional file-based system, which might necessitate separate PDM tools, and users report performance issues with large files and some compatibility challenges. Therefore, Onshape's integrated, cloud-based system provides a more streamlined and robust file management experience directly within the application.

What are the advantages of Onshape?

Onshape's primary advantages stem from its cloud-based architecture, enabling secure, real-time collaboration among dispersed team members working simultaneously on a single design source. It runs on any device without requiring IT intervention for installation or updates, ensuring everyone is always on the latest version. Onshape features built-in Product Data Management (PDM) with version control, branching, merging, and auto-saving, which eliminates data loss and simplifies design exploration. Users find its interface simple and easy to learn, and appreciate the platform's support for agile product design, leading to faster development cycles.

What are the disadvantages of Onshape?

Onshape's primary disadvantage is its complete dependency on internet connectivity, meaning users cannot work offline and may experience performance throttling with poor connections. Users also report limitations in its drawing annotation capabilities compared to other CAD software. Additionally, there can be challenges when importing files and drawings from SolidWorks, and the mobile application's functionality is considered underwhelming by some users.

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Page co-authored by
MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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