SOLIDWORKS vs Zoo Design Studio
SOLIDWORKS
solidworks.comZoo Design Studio
zoo.devSide by side
| Figure | SOLIDWORKS | Zoo Design Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Spec score · 3D CAD Software | 9.1 (#2) | 8.5 (#13) |
| Audience | SOLIDWORKS says its markets include industrial, medical, scientific, consumer, educational, technology and transportation organizations. | Zoo describes Design Studio as CAD software for anyone, from beginners and non-engineers to expert CAD users and enterprise teams. |
| Founded | 1993 | 2021 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Waltham, Massachusetts, USA | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Integrations | The SOLIDWORKS Solution Partner Program works with hundreds of partners, and Certified Gold Products provide integration inside the SOLIDWORKS interface. | Zoo’s Engine API, Agent API, and File Format API support geometry workflows and file conversion, while Zoo MCP connects to Claude, Codex, and other MCP-compatible clients. |
| Support | Online purchases include technical support and access to getting-started resources covering installation, onboarding and tutorials. | Users can get community help through the forum or Discord; paid customers can submit private support tickets. |
Plans
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
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.
Zoo Design Studio
Zoo Design Studio has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.