Onshape vs Siemens NX

Onshape is a browser-accessible 3D CAD platform for parametric modeling of solids, surfaces and sheet metal, with iOS and Android apps also available. It supports assembly design, rendering, simulation, CAM and 3D-print export. Simulation covers linear static and modal analysis for stress, deformation and natural frequencies; CAM supports machining from 2.5-axis through 5-axis machines. Collaboration includes multi-user editing, instant sharing, real-time communication and access controls. Built-in product data management includes edit history, version control, release management, search and design-data sharing. The Free Plan is for non-commercial use, with publicly accessible documents and unlimited public storage. Standard costs $1,500/user/yr; Professional costs $2,500 per year. Qualified professionals may be eligible for a Professional trial of up to six months without a credit card. Enterprise uses custom pricing. Onshape says updates arrive every three weeks without installations or downtime. Listed integrations include Slack, Arena PLM, Altium Designer, FeatureScript, REST API and the App Store.

Siemens NX is a product development suite spanning design, engineering, and manufacturing. It uses hybrid modeling and includes assembly design, sheet-metal tools, and surface modeling. Windows desktop use is supported, while NX X Design provides browser access as a cloud SaaS service with built-in data management. NX X Design has Essentials, Standard, Advanced, and Premium tiers, built on a common core with progressively added functionality. The tiers can share data without translation with other Siemens Xcelerator software. NX supports IGES, STEP AP203, STEP AP214, DXF/DWG, STL, and 3MF; NX X data exchange also lists JT, Solid Edge, and SolidWorks open. Design Copilot NX answers questions using documentation for the user's NX version and can link to documentation or launch mentioned commands. Other listed tools include virtual and augmented reality design, model-based inspection characteristics, sketch checking with automatic correction, and routed-systems design with rule checking. NX is paid, with pricing on request and a 30-day free trial; no free plan is listed.