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CAD · head to head

CATIA vs SolidWorks

CATIA logo

CATIA

CAD

World's leading solution for product design

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SolidWorks logo

SolidWorks

Manufacturing

3D CAD design software for engineers and designers

From
$3300/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CATIA no public pricing available on vendor website; SolidWorks windows-only software with no native macOS or Linux support
  • They diverge on capability: CATIA covers Surface modeling, SolidWorks covers 3D solid modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CATIA and SolidWorks actually diverge.

Attributes where CATIA and SolidWorks differ
AttributeCATIASolidWorks
Starting priceOn request$3300/year
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
PlatformsWindows, Linux (some)Windows
CategoryCADManufacturing
Founded19811993

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 CATIA

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

Only in SolidWorks

  • 3D solid modeling
  • Assembly design
  • Technical drawings
  • Rendering
  • PDM systems
  • ERP systems
  • CAM software
  • PLM platforms

Both cover

  • Simulation
  • Enterprise security
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

CATIA

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

SolidWorks

  • Product designnot CATIA
  • Engineering analysisnot CATIA
  • Manufacturing documentationnot CATIA
  • Prototypingnot CATIA
  • Quality controlnot 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

SolidWorks

  • Windows-only software with no native macOS or Linux support
  • High perpetual licensing costs compared to cloud-based competitors like Fusion 360
  • Performance can degrade with very large assemblies containing thousands of parts
  • Requires separate licensing for advanced simulation features in Professional and Premium editions

Pricing, plan by plan

CATIA

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the CATIA review.

SolidWorks

$3300/year
  • Standard$846/year
    • Parametric modeling
    • Assemblies and drawings
    • Basic analysis
  • Professional$4995/year (approx)
    • Advanced simulation
    • Surfacing tools
    • Sheet metal design
  • Premium$7100/year (approx)
    • All Professional features
    • Reverse engineering
    • Advanced analysis

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 SolidWorks if

  • You need 3d solid modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want assembly design.
SolidWorks review

Questions people ask

Is CATIA or SolidWorks better?
Neither clearly leads. CATIA starts at On request and SolidWorks at $3300/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CATIA or SolidWorks?
CATIA starts at On request and SolidWorks at $3300/year.
Does CATIA or SolidWorks run on more platforms?
CATIA runs on Windows, Linux (some). SolidWorks runs on Windows.
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 SolidWorks is typically brought in for.
What can CATIA do that SolidWorks cannot?
CATIA covers Surface modeling, Class A surfacing, Systems engineering, Composites design. SolidWorks covers 3D solid modeling, Assembly design, Technical drawings, Rendering. Both handle Simulation, Enterprise security, 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
SolidWorks: What is the cost of SolidWorks?

SolidWorks pricing varies by license type. Standard Edition costs approximately $846 on average, while Professional and Premium editions are priced higher depending on reseller and licensing model. Costs typically range from $3,300 to $7,100 depending on features and add-ons.

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
SolidWorks: What editions of SolidWorks are available?

SolidWorks offers three main editions: Standard (essential CAD with parametric modeling and assemblies), Professional (adds advanced simulation and surfacing), and Premium (comprehensive engineering suite with reverse engineering and complex analysis).

Source
SolidWorks: Does SolidWorks run on macOS?

SolidWorks is primarily a Windows-only application. While macOS users can run it via virtual machines or Boot Camp, native macOS support is not available.

Source
SolidWorks: What AI capabilities does SolidWorks 2026 include?

SolidWorks 2026 integrates native AI assistants LEO and AURA directly into the interface. These AI features provide design assistance and automation for tasks like optimization and feature creation.

Source
SolidWorks: Can I create assemblies and complex 3D models in SolidWorks?

Yes. SolidWorks includes unlimited assembly capabilities, parametric modeling for complex designs, detailing and drawing tools, and built-in analysis for stress simulation and dynamic motion.

Source
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