CAD · head to head
V-Ray vs SolveSpace
S
SolveSpace
CAD
Open source parametric CAD with a constraint solver in a few megabytes
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only SolveSpace has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: V-Ray licences are subscription only with no perpetual option listed for any product; SolveSpace the in-house geometry kernel fails on complex boolean operations and fillets, and the failure is sometimes silent bad geometry rather than an error message, so models must be checked before export or manufacture.
- They diverge on capability: V-Ray covers Ray tracing, SolveSpace covers Constraint solver.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which V-Ray and SolveSpace actually diverge.
| Attribute | V-Ray | SolveSpace |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | Open source, no licence fee |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 1997 | Unknown |
Identical on both: platforms (Windows, MacOS, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (CAD).
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 V-Ray
- Ray tracing
- Global illumination
- GPU rendering
- CPU rendering
- Materials
- Lighting
- VR output
- Scene intelligence
Only in SolveSpace
- Constraint solver
- Solid modelling
- Assemblies
- Export formats
- Cross-platform
- Small footprint
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
V-Ray
- Photorealistic rendering for architecture and product visualisationnot SolveSpace
- Real time and ray traced rendering inside CAD and 3D applicationsnot SolveSpace
SolveSpace
- Designing 3D printed parts on a machine that cannot run mainstream CADnot V-Ray
- Teaching constraint-based parametric modelling without buying licences for a classroomnot V-Ray
- Checking that a mechanical linkage moves as intended before cutting metalnot V-Ray
- Producing dimensionally accurate STEP or STL output from a small open source toolchainnot V-Ray
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
V-Ray
- Licences are subscription only with no perpetual option listed for any product
- Subscription terms renew automatically
- Cloud rendering runs on separately purchased credits, with the Pro tier at $25.30 a month for 1,000
- Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales
SolveSpace
- The in-house geometry kernel fails on complex boolean operations and fillets, and the failure is sometimes silent bad geometry rather than an error message, so models must be checked before export or manufacture.
- There is no proper drawing and dimensioning workflow, so manufacturing documentation has to be produced in another application.
- Development is volunteer-led and intermittent; long gaps between releases are normal and there is no support contract available at any price.
- Assembly-level import of external CAD is very limited, so it does not fit a supply chain that exchanges native or assembly-level models with suppliers.
- The interface follows its own conventions rather than mainstream CAD ones, so existing SolidWorks or Fusion users spend time unlearning habits for a tool with a lower ceiling.
Pricing, plan by plan
V-Ray
$29/month- V-Ray Solo$60/month
- 1 workstation
- 5 render nodes
- V-Ray Premium$80/month
- Multiple apps
- Cloud credits
SolveSpace
Free- SolveSpaceFree
- Full application under the GPL
- No seat limit
- Windows, macOS and Linux builds
Which should you pick?
Choose V-Ray if
- You need ray tracing.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want global illumination.
Choose SolveSpace if
- You need constraint solver.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want solid modelling.
Questions people ask
- Is V-Ray or SolveSpace better?
- Neither clearly leads. V-Ray starts at $29/month and SolveSpace at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, V-Ray or SolveSpace?
- SolveSpace has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for V-Ray and Free for SolveSpace.
- Does V-Ray or SolveSpace run on more platforms?
- V-Ray runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. SolveSpace runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Can I use SolveSpace for free?
- Yes. SolveSpace has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. V-Ray starts at $29/month.
- What is V-Ray best used for?
- V-Ray is most often used for photorealistic rendering for architecture and product visualisation, real time and ray traced rendering inside cad and 3d applications. Of those, photorealistic rendering for architecture and product visualisation and real time and ray traced rendering inside cad and 3d applications are not what SolveSpace is typically brought in for.
- What can V-Ray do that SolveSpace cannot?
- V-Ray covers Ray tracing, Global illumination, GPU rendering, CPU rendering. SolveSpace covers Constraint solver, Solid modelling, Assemblies, Export formats.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
V-Ray: What is included in Chaos software subscriptions?
All Chaos subscriptions include free support, access to a large community of professionals, continuous updates, and a 14-day money-back guarantee. Annual subscriptions save 45% versus monthly billing. Use of AI credits voids the refund right.
SourceSolveSpace: Is it really free for commercial work?
Yes. It is released under the GPL with no licence fee and no seat limit. Support is community only.
V-Ray: Does Chaos offer enterprise pricing?
Yes, Chaos provides enterprise pricing plans for teams with more than 10 licenses. Enterprise customers should contact the Chaos sales team directly for custom pricing quotes tailored to their specific needs.
SourceSolveSpace: Can it replace Fusion 360 or SolidWorks?
No. It handles parts and simple assemblies well. Complex geometry, drawings and supply chain interoperability are outside its range.
SolveSpace: What hardware does it need?
Very little. It runs on old laptops and small Linux machines where mainstream CAD will not start.
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- SolveSpace vs Twinmotion
- SolveSpace vs Shapr3D
- SolveSpace vs Houdini
- SolveSpace vs Plasticity
- SolveSpace vs 3D-Coat
- SolveSpace vs Alibre Design
- SolveSpace vs Altium 365
- SolveSpace vs Bambu Studio
- SolveSpace vs BricsCAD
- SolveSpace vs Inventor
- SolveSpace vs Mudbox
- SolveSpace vs FreeCAD
- SolveSpace vs OnShape
- SolveSpace vs Creo
- SolveSpace vs IronCAD
- SolveSpace vs OpenSCAD
- SolveSpace vs Zoo
- SolveSpace vs Bentley MicroStation
- SolveSpace vs CloudCompare
- SolveSpace vs KiCad
- SolveSpace vs PrusaSlicer
- SolveSpace vs Bentley iTwin Capture Modeler
- SolveSpace vs Carlson Software
- SolveSpace vs Corona Renderer
- SolveSpace vs CATIA