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Fashion · head to head

AVA CAD/CAM vs OpenBOM

AVA CAD/CAM logo

AVA CAD/CAM

Fashion

Professional CAD/CAM system for apparel manufacturing

From
$180/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenBOM logo

OpenBOM

Manufacturing

Cloud bill of materials and part catalogue management priced per seat, with free read-only users

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenBOM has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AVA CAD/CAM built for Apple Macs, so a Windows-based studio is not the target platform; OpenBOM pricing has three axes, editing seats plus data record count plus per-seat CAD add-ins at $25 to $45 each, so the real annual cost is well above the advertised per-seat figure.
  • They diverge on capability: AVA CAD/CAM covers Pattern design, OpenBOM covers Multi-level BOMs.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AVA CAD/CAM and OpenBOM actually diverge.

Attributes where AVA CAD/CAM and OpenBOM differ
AttributeAVA CAD/CAMOpenBOM
Starting price$180/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionPer user per month
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, Windows, macOS, API
CategoryFashionManufacturing
Founded1984Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 AVA CAD/CAM

  • Pattern design
  • Grading
  • Marker creation
  • Nesting optimization
  • CAM integration
  • Production control
  • Manufacturing systems
  • CAM equipment

Only in OpenBOM

  • Multi-level BOMs
  • Part catalogue
  • CAD add-ins
  • Change management
  • Free read-only users
  • REST API

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AVA CAD/CAM

  • Design and colour separation for printed textilesnot OpenBOM
  • Repeat and surface pattern creationnot OpenBOM
  • Colourway development for home furnishing and apparel printsnot OpenBOM
  • Preparing artwork for digital and conventional textile printingnot OpenBOM
  • Wallcovering and floor covering print designnot OpenBOM

OpenBOM

  • A hardware startup replacing a shared BOM spreadsheet before its first contract manufacturing runnot AVA CAD/CAM
  • A contract manufacturer sharing structured BOMs with customers who should see but not edit themnot AVA CAD/CAM
  • An electronics team pulling BOMs straight out of Altium and mechanical CAD instead of retyping themnot AVA CAD/CAM
  • A small manufacturer that needs part numbering and revision discipline but cannot fund a PLM projectnot AVA CAD/CAM

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AVA CAD/CAM

  • Built for Apple Macs, so a Windows-based studio is not the target platform
  • Scoped to decorative print for textiles, wallcoverings, flooring and ceramics rather than general CAD
  • Pricing is not published

OpenBOM

  • Pricing has three axes, editing seats plus data record count plus per-seat CAD add-ins at $25 to $45 each, so the real annual cost is well above the advertised per-seat figure.
  • Paying yearly nearly halves the seat price, from $55 to $30 and $165 to $90, so monthly billing carries an unusually heavy penalty for teams that want flexibility.
  • Change management, revision control and CAD file management are absent from the entry Team plan, so the cheapest tier is a catalogue rather than a working PLM.
  • It lacks the approval workflows, effectivity dating and audit depth that regulated medical and aerospace suppliers need, so companies pursuing ISO 13485 or AS9100 typically migrate away.
  • Record count is metered separately and a large imported part library can push a small team into a higher data tier without adding a single user.

Pricing, plan by plan

AVA CAD/CAM

$180/month
  • Standard$180/month
    • Basic features
  • Professional$350/month
    • Advanced features
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Full solution

OpenBOM

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 2,000 data records
    • Basic BOM and catalogue management
    • Non-commercial and educational use
  • Professional Team$55/month
    • $30 per seat per month billed yearly
    • BOM management, part catalogue, inventory
    • RFQ and purchase orders
  • Company$165/month
    • $90 per seat per month billed yearly
    • Everything in Team
    • CAD file management and revision control
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Single sign-on
    • Custom integrations
    • Private or custom hosting

Which should you pick?

Choose AVA CAD/CAM if

  • You need pattern design.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want grading.
AVA CAD/CAM review

Choose OpenBOM if

  • You need multi-level boms.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, API.
  • You also want part catalogue.
OpenBOM review

Questions people ask

Is AVA CAD/CAM or OpenBOM better?
Neither clearly leads. AVA CAD/CAM starts at $180/month and OpenBOM at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AVA CAD/CAM or OpenBOM?
OpenBOM has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $180/month for AVA CAD/CAM and Free for OpenBOM.
Does AVA CAD/CAM or OpenBOM run on more platforms?
AVA CAD/CAM runs on Windows, macOS. OpenBOM runs on Web, Windows, macOS, API.
Can I use OpenBOM for free?
Yes. OpenBOM has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. AVA CAD/CAM starts at $180/month.
What is AVA CAD/CAM best used for?
AVA CAD/CAM is most often used for design and colour separation for printed textiles, repeat and surface pattern creation, colourway development for home furnishing and apparel prints, preparing artwork for digital and conventional textile printing. Of those, design and colour separation for printed textiles and repeat and surface pattern creation are not what OpenBOM is typically brought in for.
What can AVA CAD/CAM do that OpenBOM cannot?
AVA CAD/CAM covers Pattern design, Grading, Marker creation, Nesting optimization. OpenBOM covers Multi-level BOMs, Part catalogue, CAD add-ins, Change management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AVA CAD/CAM: What industries does AVA CAD/CAM serve?

AVA serves fashion and apparel, home furnishings, wallcoverings, flooring, ceramic tiles, furniture, and rugs and carpets industries with design and production solutions.

Source
OpenBOM: Is OpenBOM free?

There is a genuine free tier limited to 2,000 data records and aimed at non-commercial and educational use. Commercial teams start at $30 per seat per month billed yearly.

AVA CAD/CAM: What design features does AVA CAD/CAM provide?

AVA provides design/edit/repeat capabilities, color separations, colourway management, digital print solutions, 3D design and emboss capabilities, and photorealistic visualization tools for design presentation.

Source
OpenBOM: Do I pay for people who only look at BOMs?

No. Read-only users are unlimited and free on every paid plan, which is the main reason the total cost undercuts seat-for-seat PLM tools.

AVA CAD/CAM: How long has AVA CAD/CAM been in business?

AVA CAD/CAM has been providing specialist design and colour software to the decorative printing industry for more than 40 years.

Source
OpenBOM: Are the CAD add-ins included?

No. They are $25 per seat per month billed yearly, $45 monthly, and require an active Team or Company subscription.

AVA CAD/CAM: Does AVA support design workflows for printed and woven products?

Yes. AVA offers an integrated suite of software modules for both printed and woven design workflows, from initial design through color separation to production.

Source
OpenBOM: Can OpenBOM replace a full PLM?

For a startup, usually yes. For regulated manufacturing needing controlled workflows and full audit trails, no.

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