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CAD · head to head

CATIA vs Rhino 3D

CATIA logo

CATIA

CAD

World's leading solution for product design

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rhino 3D logo

Rhino 3D

CAD

3D computer graphics and CAD application

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Rhino 3D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CATIA no public pricing available on vendor website; Rhino 3D windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • They diverge on capability: CATIA covers Class A surfacing, Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CATIA and Rhino 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where CATIA and Rhino 3D differ
AttributeCATIARhino 3D
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteone-time
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux (some)Windows, Mac, iOS
Founded19811980

Identical on both: 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 CATIA

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

Only in Rhino 3D

  • NURBS modeling
  • 3D visualization
  • Grasshopper
  • Rendering
  • Grasshopper
  • KeyShot
  • V-Ray
  • CAM software

Both cover

  • Surface modeling
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

CATIA

  • 3D product designnot Rhino 3D
  • Simulation and analysisnot Rhino 3D
  • System design and developmentnot Rhino 3D
  • Manufacturing engineeringnot Rhino 3D
  • Advanced modelingnot Rhino 3D

Rhino 3D

  • NURBS-based 3D modelling for product design and engineeringnot CATIA
  • Precision engineering and prototyping (aerospace, automotive, jewellery)not CATIA
  • Generative design with Grasshopper visual programmingnot CATIA
  • Mesh editing and point cloud processingnot CATIA

Where each one falls short

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

CATIA

  • No public pricing available on vendor website
  • Requires direct contact with sales for quotes
  • Enterprise-grade CAD software likely requires substantial investment

Rhino 3D

  • Windows-only for certain features including 3D digitizing hardware support
  • Performance depends on hardware capabilities; complex projects require better equipment
  • Pre-release/Work-in-Progress builds may contain bugs and are not production ready

Pricing, plan by plan

CATIA

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the CATIA review.

Rhino 3D

Free
  • EvaluationFree
    • 90-day trial
    • All features included
    • No credit card required
  • Student License$195/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Commercial License$995/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Support included
    • Service releases
  • Student Upgrade$95/mo
    • Perpetual license
    • Requires prior license key
    • Support included

Which should you pick?

Choose CATIA if

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

Choose Rhino 3D if

  • You need nurbs modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, iOS.
  • You also want 3d visualization.
Rhino 3D review

Questions people ask

Is CATIA or Rhino 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. CATIA starts at On request and Rhino 3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CATIA or Rhino 3D?
Rhino 3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for CATIA and Free for Rhino 3D.
Does CATIA or Rhino 3D run on more platforms?
CATIA runs on Windows, Linux (some). Rhino 3D runs on Windows, Mac, iOS.
Can I use Rhino 3D for free?
Yes. Rhino 3D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. CATIA starts at On request.
What is CATIA best used for?
CATIA is most often used for 3d product design, simulation and analysis, system design and development, manufacturing engineering. Of those, 3d product design and simulation and analysis are not what Rhino 3D is typically brought in for.
What can CATIA do that Rhino 3D cannot?
CATIA covers Class A surfacing, Systems engineering, Simulation, Composites design. Rhino 3D covers NURBS modeling, 3D visualization, Grasshopper, Rendering. Both handle Surface modeling, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CATIA: How much does CATIA cost?

Pricing is not publicly displayed on CATIA's product page. Customers must contact Dassault Systèmes directly or visit user communities to obtain pricing information for CATIA licenses and subscriptions.

Source
Rhino 3D: How much does Rhino 3D cost?

Student licenses cost EUR 195, commercial licenses cost EUR 995. Both are perpetual one-time purchases. Upgrades from prior versions cost EUR 95 for students and EUR 595 for commercial users.

Source
CATIA: Is there a free version of CATIA?

No free version or trial is mentioned on CATIA's product page. CATIA is described as a comprehensive commercial solution for product innovation, and no freemium option is referenced.

Source
Rhino 3D: Is there a free trial?

Yes, a 90-day evaluation license is available free with no credit card required. Full features are included and commercial use is allowed.

Source
Rhino 3D: Can Rhino 3D licenses be shared across multiple users?

Commercial versions support floating licenses that can be shared. Student licenses are limited to single-user perpetual licenses. All licenses include support and service releases.

Source
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