Alibre Design vs SOLIDWORKS
Alibre Design
alibre.comSOLIDWORKS
solidworks.comSide by side
| Figure | Alibre Design | SOLIDWORKS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $999/mo | $4/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 4 |
| Spec score · Engineering CAD Software | 9.0 (#1) | 8.4 (#7) |
| Spec score · Engineering Design Software | 8.9 (#1) | 8.3 (#8) |
| Spec score · Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing Software | 9.0 (#1) | 8.4 (#6) |
| Spec score · 3D CAD Software | 8.8 (#5) | 9.1 (#2) |
| Spec score · 3D modeling software | 8.8 (#20) | 8.9 (#15) |
| Spec score · CAD software | 8.6 (#6) | 8.9 (#4) |
| Founded | 1997 | 1993 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Richardson, Texas, United States | Waltham, Massachusetts, USA |
| Offline use | Offline perpetual licenses require no internet on the machine; licensing information must be transferred during initial licensing and yearly thereafter. | SOLIDWORKS Design can be used without an internet connection |
| Parametric modeling | Yes | Yes |
| Platform access | desktop | both |
| 3D print export | Yes | Yes |
| Render engine | built-in | built-in |
Plans
Alibre Design
- Design Pro$999 a month
- Design Expert$1,999 a month
- Alibre Design Pro$999, paid once
- Alibre Design Expert$1,999, paid once
SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Design Standard with Cloud Services$2,820 a year
- SOLIDWORKS Design Professional with Cloud Services$3,456 a year
- SOLIDWORKS Design Premium with Cloud Services$4,716 a year
- SOLIDWORKS for Makers$48 a year
In their own words
Alibre Design
Alibre Design has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS provides 3D software for creating, simulating, publishing, and managing product data. SOLIDWORKS Design supports parts, assemblies, drawings, sheet-metal, and framing workflows; the portfolio also includes simulation tools for evaluating performance, efficiency, and durability. The installed Design application can work offline. With Cloud Services, it connects to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform for collaboration and data management, including sharing and marking up designs and managing revisions. Browser-based xDesign tools provide modeling without a local installation. Standard with Cloud Services costs $2,820 a year for a single machine-locked device, excluding local taxes. Professional costs $3,456 a year and Premium costs $4,716 a year, each for a single user and excluding local taxes. A Makers plan costs $48 a year for personal, non-commercial use, and Design Standard is free for students. The listed platforms include macOS, web, and Windows, though client SOLIDWORKS products list Windows 10 and Windows 11 64-bit support; eDrawings for Mac lists supported macOS releases. Online purchases include support, and orders can be canceled and refunded within 15 days.