Software · head to head
Alibre Design vs OnShape
The short version
- Only OnShape has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Alibre Design perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates; OnShape the free plan is non commercial only and makes every document publicly accessible, so nothing designed on it can be kept private
- They diverge on capability: Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Alibre Design and OnShape actually diverge.
| Attribute | Alibre Design | OnShape |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/month | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows | Web, IOS, Android |
| Founded | 1997 | 2012 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Alibre Design
- Parametric modeling
- Sheet metal
- 2D drawings
- BOM
- Rendering
- PDM
- License key
- Windows support
Only in OnShape
- Cloud-native CAD
- Real-time collaboration
- Version control
- Part studios
- Drawings
- FeatureScript
- Mobile access
- Arena PLM
Both cover
- Assemblies
- CAM software
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Alibre Design
- Parametric 3D solid modelling for mechanical partsnot OnShape
- Producing 2D manufacturing drawings from 3D modelsnot OnShape
- Designing parts for 3D printing and small shop machiningnot OnShape
OnShape
- Cloud based parametric CAD without local workstation installsnot Alibre Design
- Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot Alibre Design
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Alibre Design
- Perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates
- Sheet metal, PDM data management and rendering are Design Expert only at $1,999
- Scripting is excluded from the $199 Atom3D edition
- CAM capability is sold as separate EZ-Mill, EZ-Turn and EZ-EDM products costing up to $2,999
- A dedicated account manager is excluded from Atom3D
OnShape
- The free plan is non commercial only and makes every document publicly accessible, so nothing designed on it can be kept private
- The Standard plan is $1,500 per user per year and Professional $2,500
- Simulation, rendering, CAM and advanced PDM all require the Professional plan
- SSO, analytics and advanced administration are Enterprise only with no published price
Pricing, plan by plan
Alibre Design
$29/month- Atom3D$199/month
- Basic modeling
- Design$999/month
- Professional CAD
- Expert$1999/month
- Full features
OnShape
Free- FreeFree
- Limited features
- Public documents
- Standard$1500/month
- Private documents
- Full features
- Professional$2100/month
- Advanced simulation
- Enterprise features
Which should you pick?
Choose Alibre Design if
- You need parametric modeling.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want sheet metal.
Choose OnShape if
- You need cloud-native cad.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want real-time collaboration.
Questions people ask
- Is Alibre Design or OnShape better?
- Neither clearly leads. Alibre Design starts at $29/month and OnShape at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Alibre Design or OnShape?
- OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Alibre Design and Free for OnShape.
- Does Alibre Design or OnShape run on more platforms?
- Alibre Design runs on Windows. OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- Can I use OnShape for free?
- Yes. OnShape has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Alibre Design starts at $29/month.
- What is Alibre Design best used for?
- Alibre Design is most often used for parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts, producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models, designing parts for 3d printing and small shop machining. Of those, parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts and producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models are not what OnShape is typically brought in for.
- What can Alibre Design do that OnShape cannot?
- Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Sheet metal, 2D drawings, BOM. OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. Both handle Assemblies, CAM software.
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