DIgSILENT PowerFactory vs SOLIDWORKS
DIgSILENT PowerFactory
digsilent.deSOLIDWORKS
solidworks.comSide by side
| Figure | DIgSILENT PowerFactory | SOLIDWORKS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $4/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 4 |
| Spec score · Electrical Design Software | 8.0 (#11) | 8.3 (#6) |
| Founded | 1985 | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Gomaringen, Germany | Waltham, Massachusetts, USA |
| Support | Commercial perpetual licences include maintenance and support for the first 12 months, and subscriptions include them for the subscription term; software support requests go through the Customer Portal. | Online purchases include technical support and access to getting-started resources covering installation, onboarding and tutorials. |
Plans
DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- Demo licenceFree
- Commercial licence — perpetualPrice not published
- Commercial licence — subscriptionPriced on request
- Commercial licence — time-limitedPriced on request
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
DIgSILENT PowerFactory
DIgSILENT PowerFactory is software for analyzing electrical generation, transmission, distribution and industrial power systems. Its study areas include renewable integration, distributed generation, and medium- and low-voltage networks. Available analyses cover load flow, short circuits, contingencies, protection, stability and electromagnetic transients. Users can automate work with Python, DIgSILENT Programming Language, a C++ API or a parallel task automation tool. The base package imports and converts network data; its DGS interface exchanges data in ASCII, XML, CSV and ODBC formats for GIS and SCADA connections. Additional interfaces include OPC DA/UA, IEEE C37.118 simulation and FMI 2.0 co-simulation, though some require separate licences. Editions range from a local SQLite setup to licence-server management and shared project data using Oracle, SQL Server or PostgreSQL. The 28-day demo is free for one user, with predefined functions, and excludes DGS, exports and API. Commercial pricing is available on request; platforms listed are Windows, API and self-hosted.
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.