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Software · head to head

CATIA vs OnShape

CATIA logo

CATIA

Software

World's leading solution for product design

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OnShape logo

OnShape

Software

Full-cloud 3D CAD platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OnShape has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CATIA pricing page discloses no figures and instead asks buyers to "Speak with a CATIA expert" or "Contact us" through a how-to-buy form, making pricing available only by quote; 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: CATIA covers Surface modeling, OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CATIA and OnShape actually diverge.

Attributes where CATIA and OnShape differ
AttributeCATIAOnShape
Starting price$29/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux (some)Web, IOS, Android
Founded19812012

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 CATIA

  • Surface modeling
  • Class A surfacing
  • Systems engineering
  • Simulation
  • Composites design
  • Electrical design
  • Knowledge-based engineering
  • ENOVIA PLM

Only in OnShape

  • Cloud-native CAD
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Version control
  • Part studios
  • Assemblies
  • Drawings
  • FeatureScript
  • Mobile access

Both cover

  • Enterprise security

What people use each for

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

CATIA

  • Complex surface designnot OnShape
  • Aerospace engineeringnot OnShape
  • Systems designnot OnShape

OnShape

  • Cloud based parametric CAD without local workstation installsnot CATIA
  • Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot CATIA

Where each one falls short

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

CATIA

  • Pricing page discloses no figures and instead asks buyers to "Speak with a CATIA expert" or "Contact us" through a how-to-buy form, making pricing available only by quote

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

CATIA

$29/month
  • Design$6600/month
    • Core design capabilities
  • Engineering$11000/month
    • Design + simulation
  • Experience$16500/month
    • Full suite with collaboration

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 CATIA if

  • You need surface modeling.
  • You work on Windows, Linux (some).
  • You also want class a surfacing.
CATIA review

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.
OnShape review

Questions people ask

Is CATIA or OnShape better?
Neither clearly leads. CATIA 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, CATIA or OnShape?
OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for CATIA and Free for OnShape.
Does CATIA or OnShape run on more platforms?
CATIA runs on Windows, Linux (some). 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. CATIA starts at $29/month.
What is CATIA best used for?
CATIA is most often used for complex surface design, aerospace engineering, systems design. Of those, complex surface design and aerospace engineering are not what OnShape is typically brought in for.
What can CATIA do that OnShape cannot?
CATIA covers Surface modeling, Class A surfacing, Systems engineering, Simulation. OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. Both handle Enterprise security.
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