3D CAD Software
Alternatives to SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS is built for product work across parts, assemblies, drawings, sheet-metal and framing. It combines parametric modeling, sculpting, animation, a built-in render engine and 3D-print export, with simulation tools for performance, efficiency and durability. The installed application can connect to 3DEXPERIENCE for collaboration and data management, while xDesign brings modeling into a browser. Offline use is supported, and teams can share and mark up designs remotely.
- 01 Rhino 3D
Rhino 3D suits desktop users who need parametric modeling, animation, rendering, or 3D print export on Windows or macOS.
From $95/mo Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS9.4 Visit Specs - 02
Onshape Onshape suits people who need parametric 3D CAD and collaborative design access through a browser or mobile app.
From $125/mo Free plan Web · iOS · Android9.1 Visit Specs - 03
Shapr3D Shapr3D suits people doing 3D CAD modeling who need direct or history-based parametric tools and CAD file exchange.
From $24.92/mo Free plan Windows · macOS8.9 Visit Specs - 04 Alibre Design From $999/mo Free trial Windows · API · Self-hosted8.8 Visit Specs
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Plasticity Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux8.7 Visit Specs - 06
Siemens NX NX suits product development teams that need design, engineering, or manufacturing tools across Windows desktop and browser-based cloud access.
Free trial Web · Windows8.6 Visit Specs - 07 Solid Edge
Solid Edge suits product development teams working across engineering design and manufacturing.
Free trial Web · Windows · iOS · Android8.6 Visit Specs - 08
OwlCAD OwlCAD suits people who want browser-based parametric modeling, file exchange, and print preparation without paying for the core editor.
Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.6 Visit Specs - 09
CATIA CATIA suits people who need parametric modeling for assemblies, sheet metal, or surfaces.
From $544.75/mo Web · Windows8.5 Visit Specs - 10 Autodesk Inventor
Inventor suits mechanical designers who need 3D modeling, assembly, documentation, or simulation tools on Windows.
Free trial Windows8.5 Visit Specs - 11 TopSolid'Design Free trial Windows · API · Self-hosted8.5 Visit Specs
- 12 Zoo Design Studio Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.5 Visit Specs
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nanoCAD It suits engineering, building design, architecture, site design, and landscaping users needing Windows CAD tools.
From $24.08/mo Free trial Windows8.5 Visit Specs - 14
OpenSCAD Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.4 Visit Specs - 15 Autodesk Alias Free trial Windows8.3 Visit Specs
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Cimatron CAD Free trial Windows8.3 Visit Specs - 17
T-FLEX CAD Free trial Windows · Linux8.3 Visit Specs - 18 DesignSpark Mechanical Free plan Windows8.3 Visit Specs
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build123d Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux8.3 Visit Specs - 20 AVEVA E3D Design
It suits multidisciplinary engineering teams in process plant, marine and power work, including energy, chemicals, utilities and mining.
Web · Windows · API · Self-hosted8.2 Visit Specs - 21 Fusion with PowerShape Free trial Windows8.2 Visit Specs
- 22 ICEM Surf
ICEM Surf suits CAD users in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and press-tool design who need to create or assess free-form surfaces.
Free plan Windows8.2 Visit Specs - 23
IRONCAD Free trial Windows8.2 Visit Specs - 24 SolidFace Free plan Windows8.2 Visit Specs
- 25 Ansys SpaceClaim
It suits engineers and manufacturing teams seeking direct modeling on Windows, including workflows for assemblies, sheet metal, reverse engineering, simulation preparation, or 3D printing.
Free trial Windows8.1 Visit Specs - 26
MicroStation It suits infrastructure design teams working in Windows desktop CAD and BIM workflows.
From $221.33/mo Free trial Windows8.1 Visit Specs - 27
FreeCAD FreeCAD suits people needing parametric 3D modeling for design, engineering, architecture, or technical work.
Windows · macOS · Linux8.1 Visit Specs - 28
BRL-CAD Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux8.1 Visit Specs - 29 Zenve3D From $14.99/mo Free plan Web · macOS · iOS8.1 Visit Specs
- 30 OpenPlant Modeler From $486.58/mo Windows8.0 Visit Specs
Choosing instead of SOLIDWORKS
Alternatives appeal when SOLIDWORKS's cost, platform mix or product-design scope does not fit. A free plan is available, but Standard costs $2,820 USD per user yearly before local taxes; Professional and Premium cost more. Client products support Windows, while the Mac product named here is eDrawings. When switching, weigh desktop, browser or mobile access, the modeling and rendering tools you need, export requirements, and whether a free plan, trial or lower paid price matters more than SOLIDWORKS's broader simulation and collaboration offering.