Software · head to head
Alibre Design vs Shapr3D
The short version
- Only Shapr3D 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; Shapr3D the free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
- They diverge on capability: Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Shapr3D covers Direct modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Alibre Design and Shapr3D actually diverge.
| Attribute | Alibre Design | Shapr3D |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/month | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows | IPadOS, MacOS, Windows |
| Founded | 1997 | 2015 |
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
- Assemblies
- Sheet metal
- BOM
- Rendering
- CAM software
- PDM
- License key
Only in Shapr3D
- Direct modeling
- Parametric history
- Visualization
- Apple Pencil support
- Import/export
- Annotations
- Fusion 360
- SolidWorks
Both cover
- 2D drawings
- Windows support
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 Shapr3D
- Producing 2D manufacturing drawings from 3D modelsnot Shapr3D
- Designing parts for 3D printing and small shop machiningnot Shapr3D
Shapr3D
- Direct modelling CAD on iPad with Apple Pencilnot Alibre Design
- Producing manufacturable solid models and technical drawingsnot Alibre Design
- Sharing CAD projects with collaborators on desktop and tabletnot 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
Shapr3D
- The free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
- Free plan exports only basic resolution 3MF and STL, so no STEP or IGES output
- Free plan caps generative renders at 3 per day; Pro raises this to 50 per day and only Enterprise is unlimited
- Importing SLDPRT and SLDASM SolidWorks files requires Pro
- Importing NX, JT, CREO, Solid Edge and Rhino files requires Enterprise
- Exporting ACIS, FBX, Parasolid and PRC requires Enterprise
- On premises and single tenant data storage is Enterprise only
- Enterprise pricing is by quote with no published rate
Pricing, plan by plan
Alibre Design
$29/month- Atom3D$199/month
- Basic modeling
- Design$999/month
- Professional CAD
- Expert$1999/month
- Full features
Shapr3D
Free- FreeFree
- 2 active designs
- Basic features
- Pro$25/month
- Unlimited designs
- All export formats
- Business$199/month
- Team features
- Visualization
Which should you pick?
Choose Alibre Design if
- You need parametric modeling.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want assemblies.
Choose Shapr3D if
- You need direct modeling.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
- You also want parametric history.
Questions people ask
- Is Alibre Design or Shapr3D better?
- Neither clearly leads. Alibre Design starts at $29/month and Shapr3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Alibre Design or Shapr3D?
- Shapr3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Alibre Design and Free for Shapr3D.
- Does Alibre Design or Shapr3D run on more platforms?
- Alibre Design runs on Windows. Shapr3D runs on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
- Can I use Shapr3D for free?
- Yes. Shapr3D 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 Shapr3D is typically brought in for.
- What can Alibre Design do that Shapr3D cannot?
- Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Assemblies, Sheet metal, BOM. Shapr3D covers Direct modeling, Parametric history, Visualization, Apple Pencil support. Both handle 2D drawings, Windows support.
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