Carbon vs Cascadia PLM
Carbon
carbon.ms
Cascadia PLM
cascadiaplm.comSide by side
| Figure | Carbon | Cascadia PLM |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $40/mo | $254.17/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 11 |
| Spec score · Bill of Materials Software | 8.6 (#7) | 9.3 (#1) |
| API | Carbon provides REST endpoints, webhooks and an MCP server, with typed client generation for TypeScript, Python, Go, Ruby, C# and PHP. | The free core includes REST and SysML v2 APIs; managed-cloud API access is an optional paid add-on. |
| Configuration | It can generate bills of materials, routings and quoted prices from product rules, with revision control and effectivity dates. | Item types, workflows, lifecycles, and permissions can be configured in TypeScript files and reviewed through pull requests. |
| Deployment | Carbon can run in managed cloud, a customer cloud account, Docker, on-premises or an air-gapped network; air-gapped deployment is an Enterprise feature. | Cascadia is self-hostable and documents Docker Compose, single-server, distributed high-availability, and Kubernetes deployments. |
| Integrations | The site lists Onshape, SolidWorks, Slack, Linear, Jira, QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct, Stripe, Ramp, Okta and Microsoft Entra among its integrations. | The pricing page lists optional Solid Edge and SolidWorks add-ins, and configurable ERP, MES, or CRM connectors including Epicor, Global Shop, and Odoo. |
| Product | Carbon combines ERP, MRP, MES and QMS to plan materials, run production, manage quality and track actual costs. | Cascadia connects requirements, parts, bills of materials, engineering changes, and work orders in a product lifecycle management record for manufacturers. |
| Security | Self-hosted deployments use a Postgres database with row-level security, and the customer controls the network, encryption, backups and retention. | The security documentation describes role-based and program-based access controls, session security, CSRF checks, and same-origin CORS by default. |
| Self-hosting | Carbon can run in a customer cloud account, on-premises or air-gapped; air-gapped deployment and licensing are Enterprise features. | Deployment options include Docker Compose, single-server installations, distributed high-availability setups, and Kubernetes. |
| Support | Enterprise engagements can include architecture, installation, legacy data migration, training and an SLA. | The documentation directs users to installation and quick-start guides, troubleshooting, FAQs, GitHub Discussions, and GitHub Issues. |
Plans
Cascadia PLM
- Self-Hosted CoreFree
- Self-Hosted CoreFree
- Managed Cloud$850 a month
- Managed Cloud — up to 20 editors$850 a month
- Managed Cloud — up to 50 editors$1,750 a month
- Commercial License — Pilot$2,090, paid once
- Managed Cloud — up to 100 editors$3,000 a month
- Commercial License — Growth$3,050 a year
- Commercial License$30,000 a year
- Commercial License — Enterprise$60,120 a year
In their own words
Carbon
Carbon combines ERP, MRP, MES, and QMS functions for manufacturers planning materials, running production, managing quality, and tracking actual costs. Product rules can generate bills of materials, routings, and quoted prices, with revision control and effectivity dates. Shop-floor tools include digital travelers, work instructions, QR and barcode tracking, and finite-capacity scheduling. First articles, nonconformances, CAPAs, and calibrations can be linked to production records, serials, and lots. Carbon is aimed at discrete manufacturers, including makers in defense, aerospace, automotive, medical devices, electronics, robotics, energy, space, semiconductors, and industrial equipment. Integrations include Onshape, SolidWorks, Slack, Jira, QuickBooks, Xero, and others. It provides REST endpoints, webhooks, an MCP server, and typed client generation for several languages. Deployment options include managed cloud, customer cloud accounts, Docker, on-premises, and air-gapped networks; air-gapped deployment is an Enterprise feature. Community includes core functionality under AGPL-3.0. Starter costs $40 a month, billed per user monthly, and a 30-day trial is listed.
Cascadia PLM
Cascadia PLM connects requirements, parts, bills of materials, engineering changes, and work orders in a product lifecycle record for manufacturers. Its core includes documents, multi-level BOMs, workflows, lifecycles, revision schemes, a file vault, search, import and export, APIs, and a 3D viewer. Engineering change orders can have separate workspaces for review before a team merges them. Item types, workflows, lifecycles, and permissions can be configured in TypeScript files and reviewed through pull requests. Documentation describes converting STEP and IGES files to STL and GLB for browser-based 3D viewing. Cascadia is self-hostable, with documented Docker Compose, single-server, distributed high-availability, and Kubernetes deployments; managed cloud is also offered. The free core includes REST and SysML v2 APIs, while managed-cloud API access is an optional paid add-on. Self-Hosted Core costs nothing. Managed Cloud — up to 20 editors costs $850 a month, billed $10,200/yr annually, and includes up to 20 editor seats and unlimited viewers. The maker describes the product as built for engineering and manufacturing teams.