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3D & CAD · head to head

DraftSight vs OnShape

DraftSight logo

DraftSight

3D & CAD

Professional 2D CAD drafting

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OnShape logo

OnShape

3D & CAD

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: DraftSight there is no free version any more, only a 30 day trial; DraftSight was previously free for personal use; 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: DraftSight covers DWG/DXF support, OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DraftSight and OnShape actually diverge.

Attributes where DraftSight and OnShape differ
AttributeDraftSightOnShape
Starting price$29/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWeb, IOS, Android
Founded19812012

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (3D & 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 DraftSight

  • DWG/DXF support
  • 2D drafting
  • 3D modeling
  • Batch printing
  • PDF import
  • Layer management
  • SolidWorks
  • CATIA

Only in OnShape

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

What people use each for

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

DraftSight

  • 2D drafting and annotation on DWG filesnot OnShape
  • Opening and editing DWG drawings without AutoCADnot OnShape
  • Architectural and engineering drawing productionnot OnShape
  • Working alongside SOLIDWORKS in a Dassault toolchainnot OnShape

OnShape

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

Where each one falls short

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

DraftSight

  • There is no free version any more, only a 30 day trial; DraftSight was previously free for personal use
  • Split into Professional, Premium and Enterprise tiers, with prices not shown on the product page
  • Primarily a 2D CAD application, with 3D limited to DWG file handling rather than full modelling

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

DraftSight

$29/month
  • Standard$99/month
    • 2D drafting
  • Professional$199/month
    • 2D + 3D
  • Premium$499/month
    • Advanced features

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 DraftSight if

  • You need dwg/dxf support.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want 2d drafting.
DraftSight 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 DraftSight or OnShape better?
Neither clearly leads. DraftSight 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, DraftSight or OnShape?
OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for DraftSight and Free for OnShape.
Does DraftSight or OnShape run on more platforms?
DraftSight runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. 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. DraftSight starts at $29/month.
What is DraftSight best used for?
DraftSight is most often used for 2d drafting and annotation on dwg files, opening and editing dwg drawings without autocad, architectural and engineering drawing production, working alongside solidworks in a dassault toolchain. Of those, 2d drafting and annotation on dwg files and opening and editing dwg drawings without autocad are not what OnShape is typically brought in for.
What can DraftSight do that OnShape cannot?
DraftSight covers DWG/DXF support, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, Batch printing. OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios.
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