Onshape vs SOLIDWORKS
Onshape and SOLIDWORKS represent different approaches to CAD. Onshape is a modern, fully cloud-based platform excelling in real-time collaboration, accessibility, and built-in data management, ideal for teams valuing flexibility and lower IT overhead. SOLIDWORKS is a powerful, traditional desktop software with deep features, particularly for complex modeling and simulation, favoured in established manufacturing but often criticized for cost, performance stability, and customer service aspects based on user reviews. Onshape is better for you if... you need seamless real-time collaboration, access from any device, built-in version control without extra PDM software, and predictable subscription costs with minimal IT management. SOLIDWORKS is better for you if... your work demands highly specialized modeling or simulation tools, offline access is critical, you handle extremely large assemblies frequently, and your organization already uses or requires compatibility with SOLIDWORKS' extensive ecosystem (and can manage the associated hardware and licensing costs).
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 1504 reviews and 50 websites, saving 8 hours, 46 minutes of reading.
About
About
Summary
Summary
Relative strengths of Onshape (compared to SOLIDWORKS)
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Built-in Collaboration & Accessibility: Onshape allows multiple users to edit the same design simultaneously from any web browser or mobile device, eliminating file check-in/out. SOLIDWORKS collaboration usually needs separate data management systems and doesn't offer simultaneous live editing.
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Integrated Data Management: Onshape includes features like version history, branching, and merging directly within the platform, simplifying design exploration and control. SOLIDWORKS requires separate, often complex and costly, Product Data Management (PDM) software for similar capabilities.
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Lower IT Overhead & Predictable Costs: As a cloud service, Onshape needs no installation, works on less powerful computers (even Chromebooks), and updates automatically, reducing IT burden and hardware costs. SOLIDWORKS requires powerful workstations, manual installs/updates, and has faced criticism for its pricing transparency and overall value proposition based on user feedback.
Relative weaknesses of Onshape (compared to SOLIDWORKS)
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Internet Dependency: Onshape requires a consistent internet connection to work, and performance can suffer with slow or unreliable connections. SOLIDWORKS is installed locally and can function fully offline, which is crucial for some work environments.
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Depth of Advanced Features: While capable for most tasks, Onshape may lack the highly specialized tools found in SOLIDWORKS for complex surface modeling, advanced simulations (like fluid dynamics), or specific industry modules common in demanding manufacturing fields.
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Large Assembly Performance: For extremely large and complex assemblies with thousands of parts, SOLIDWORKS, running on dedicated high-end hardware, can sometimes offer smoother performance compared to browser-based Onshape, which can be limited by internet speed and browser capabilities.
What companies are using Onshape and SOLIDWORKS?
What companies are using Onshape and SOLIDWORKS?
Who should use Onshape VS. SOLIDWORKS
Who should use Onshape VS. SOLIDWORKS
Onshape is a go-to cloud platform for product design teams wanting seamless collaboration. We see it helps teams work together in real-time, anywhere, without traditional CAD issues. Users frequently praise its easy-to-learn interface, built-in version control, and how it supports agile product development. It's particularly effective for groups needing simultaneous access and robust data management, making design faster and smoother for everyone involved in the process according to reviews we analyzed previously submitted user reviews
We find that SOLIDWORKS is a go-to CAD tool for engineers and designers, particularly in manufacturing. It shines with its user-friendly interface for 3D modeling, validation, and data management. Based on user feedback, its ease of learning and robust feature set help teams design better products more efficiently and improve collaboration despite some noted performance issues with large files and concerns about cost structures from some users
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We find Onshape works well for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises needing robust CAD solutions.
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In our experience, Onshape excels for manufacturing, design, and engineering teams, though its flexible platform fits many industries.
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In our experience, SOLIDWORKS fits best with medium to large companies (100+ employees) that require comprehensive design tools.
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We find SOLIDWORKS is used widely, but it's especially well-suited for companies in the manufacturing sector due to its focused tools.
Onshape and SOLIDWORKS features
Supported Partially supported Not supported Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need
Onshape and SOLIDWORKS features
- Assembly DesignSupported
Onshape fully supports creating assemblies and defining relationships between parts.
SupportedSOLIDWORKS allows assembling multiple parts into larger assemblies and defining relationships between them using mates and assembly features.
- DraftingSupported
Onshape allows creation of 2D drawings from 3D models, including annotations and DWG support.
SupportedSOLIDWORKS supports creating 2D drawings from 3D models, including section views and annotations.
- Cloud-Based CADSupported
Onshape is a cloud-based CAD software that supports collaboration and product experience delivery.
SupportedSOLIDWORKS offers cloud-based CAD software with collaboration features.
- Part DesignSupported
Onshape fully supports creating and modifying individual parts with precise dimensions.
SupportedSOLIDWORKS allows creating and modifying individual parts with precise dimensions and features.
- Design SharingSupported
Onshape allows sharing designs with various stakeholders, including suppliers and customers.
SupportedSOLIDWORKS supports design sharing with various stakeholders via the Share and Markup feature.
Qualities
Qualities
- Value and Pricing Transparency+1Strongly positive sentiment-0.82Strongly negative sentiment
- Customer Service+0.67Rather positive sentiment+0.33Rather positive sentiment
- Ease of Use+1Strongly positive sentiment+0.63Rather positive sentiment
- Reliability and Performance+0.68Rather positive sentiment-0.47Rather negative sentiment
- Ease of Implementation+0.71Strongly positive sentiment+0Neutral sentiment
- Scalability+1Strongly positive sentiment-0.14Neutral sentiment
Onshape and SOLIDWORKS Pricing
User sentiment
Onshape and SOLIDWORKS review insights
1503 reviews analysed from and
Onshape and SOLIDWORKS review insights
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.
- User-friendly interface, easy to learn and use
- Extensive features and customization options
- Strong 3D modeling and 2D drawing capabilities
- Wide range of add-ons and plugins for simulation, rendering, etc.
- Large and active user community and readily available resources
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 and crashes, especially with large assemblies
- Steep learning curve for advanced features, such as surfacing
- High cost and subscription model, prohibitive for some users
- Difficulty with file compatibility between versions
- Limited capabilities for certain tasks like mesh and curve modeling
Onshape and SOLIDWORKS Ratings
Onshape and SOLIDWORKS Ratings
G24.7/5(656)
Capterra4.5/5(288)
Glassdoor4.2/5(2767)
- G24.4/5(559)
Company health
Company health
Employee growth
Web traffic
Financing
How important is real-time collaboration and cloud accessibility?
Which product better handles complex assemblies and large files?
What are the advantages of Onshape?
What are the disadvantages of Onshape?
Alternatives to Onshape and SOLIDWORKS
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.
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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