Research · head to head
DNAnexus vs OnShape
DNAnexus
Research
Regulated cloud platform for genomic and multiomic data, with GxP and FedRAMP coverage
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only OnShape has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: DNAnexus no pricing is published, so an organisation cannot compare the total cost against running the same pipelines on its own cloud account until it is deep in a sales process.; 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: DNAnexus covers Governed data storage, OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DNAnexus and OnShape actually diverge.
Identical on both: 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 DNAnexus
- Governed data storage
- Workflow execution
- App building
- Controlled collaboration
- Compliance posture
- Cohort browsing
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.
DNAnexus
- A clinical diagnostics laboratory that needs a CLIA and CAP aligned environment for production sequencing pipelines without building the compliance evidence itselfnot OnShape
- A pharma sponsor analysing genomic endpoints in a registrational programme where 21 CFR Part 11 records are requirednot OnShape
- A biobank or consortium giving hundreds of external researchers governed access to a dataset too large to distributenot OnShape
- A diagnostics vendor packaging its pipeline as a versioned app so partner laboratories can run it without receiving the source codenot OnShape
OnShape
- Cloud based parametric CAD without local workstation installsnot DNAnexus
- Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot DNAnexus
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
DNAnexus
- No pricing is published, so an organisation cannot compare the total cost against running the same pipelines on its own cloud account until it is deep in a sales process.
- Compute and storage are billed through the platform rather than at underlying cloud list price, so the compliance envelope carries a persistent margin on every terabyte and core hour, which grows with the science rather than staying fixed.
- Data egress at genomic scale is slow and chargeable, so leaving the platform later is a real project rather than a contract decision, and that gravity weakens negotiating position at renewal.
- The regulated and validated configurations sit in a higher commercial tier than the research configuration, so an organisation that starts in research mode and later needs GxP faces a repricing rather than a setting change.
- Bioinformaticians used to running Nextflow on their own infrastructure find the platform abstractions constraining, and porting an existing pipeline into the app model is engineering work that does not carry over to any other platform.
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 $2,500
- Simulation, rendering, CAM and advanced PDM all require the Professional plan
- SSO, analytics and advanced administration are Enterprise only with no published price
Pricing, plan by plan
DNAnexus
On request- DNAnexus Platform$undefined/year
- Quoted per organisation through a sales process
- Storage and compute billed through the platform rather than at cloud list price
- Regulated and validated configurations are a separate commercial tier
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 DNAnexus if
- You need governed data storage.
- You work on Web, Linux.
- You also want workflow execution.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is DNAnexus or OnShape better?
- Neither clearly leads. DNAnexus starts at On request and OnShape at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DNAnexus or OnShape?
- OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for DNAnexus and Free for OnShape.
- Does DNAnexus or OnShape run on more platforms?
- DNAnexus runs on Web, 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. DNAnexus starts at On request.
- What is DNAnexus best used for?
- DNAnexus is most often used for a clinical diagnostics laboratory that needs a clia and cap aligned environment for production sequencing pipelines without building the compliance evidence itself, a pharma sponsor analysing genomic endpoints in a registrational programme where 21 cfr part 11 records are required, a biobank or consortium giving hundreds of external researchers governed access to a dataset too large to distribute, a diagnostics vendor packaging its pipeline as a versioned app so partner laboratories can run it without receiving the source code. Of those, a clinical diagnostics laboratory that needs a clia and cap aligned environment for production sequencing pipelines without building the compliance evidence itself and a pharma sponsor analysing genomic endpoints in a registrational programme where 21 cfr part 11 records are required are not what OnShape is typically brought in for.
- What can DNAnexus do that OnShape cannot?
- DNAnexus covers Governed data storage, Workflow execution, App building, Controlled collaboration. OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
DNAnexus: Why pay for DNAnexus instead of raw AWS?
For the compliance evidence. GxP, FedRAMP, CLIA, CAP and Part 11 coverage removes a validation programme most organisations would otherwise have to build and maintain themselves.
OnShape: How much does Onshape cost?
Onshape Standard is $1,500 per user per year and Professional is $2,500 per user per year, both billed annually. Enterprise is quoted by sales. A free plan exists for non-commercial use.
SourceDNAnexus: Is validated use included?
No. Regulated and validated configurations sit in a separate commercial tier from ordinary research use.
OnShape: Is the free version of Onshape usable for commercial work?
No. Onshape states the free plan is for non-commercial use only, and every document created on it is publicly accessible. Private storage requires the Standard plan at $1,500 per user per year.
SourceDNAnexus: Can I get my data out?
Yes, but egress at genomic scale is chargeable and slow, so plan exit costs at the point of signing.
OnShape: What does Onshape Professional add over Standard?
Professional adds company managed data, release management, advanced PDM, simulation, rendering, ECAD to MCAD exchange and CAM, for $2,500 per user per year against $1,500 for Standard.
SourceDNAnexus: Does it host UK Biobank?
Yes, DNAnexus hosts the UK Biobank research analysis platform, which has its own access approval and cost terms.
OnShape: Can I try Onshape Professional for free?
Onshape states that qualified professionals can try Onshape Professional free for up to 6 months through its Discovery Program, with no credit card required.
SourceRelated pages
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