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CAD · head to head

MicroSurvey CAD vs OnShape

MicroSurvey CAD logo

MicroSurvey CAD

CAD

Survey drafting and COGO on an IntelliCAD engine, sold outright rather than by subscription

From
$2945/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OnShape logo

OnShape

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: MicroSurvey CAD dWG compatibility is file-level, not feature-level, so Civil 3D corridors, pipe networks and other object-enabled entities do not arrive intact and collaboration with engineering consultants remains awkward; 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: MicroSurvey CAD covers Coordinate geometry, OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MicroSurvey CAD and OnShape actually diverge.

Attributes where MicroSurvey CAD and OnShape differ
AttributeMicroSurvey CADOnShape
Starting price$2945/one-timeFree
Pricing modelOne-time purchasesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsWeb, IOS, Android
FoundedUnknown2012

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 MicroSurvey CAD

  • Coordinate geometry
  • Traverse adjustment
  • Field data reduction
  • IntelliCAD drafting
  • Legal descriptions
  • Surface and contours
  • Point cloud viewing

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.

MicroSurvey CAD

  • A boundary surveying practice that wants to reduce field data, adjust the traverse and write the legal description in one packagenot OnShape
  • A firm that refuses to pay an AutoCAD subscription but must deliver DWG files clients can opennot OnShape
  • A survey office standardised on Leica total stations that wants instrument data flowing in without a translation stepnot OnShape
  • A two-person practice with irregular workload that wants to own its software outright rather than lose access if it stops payingnot OnShape

OnShape

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

Where each one falls short

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

MicroSurvey CAD

  • DWG compatibility is file-level, not feature-level, so Civil 3D corridors, pipe networks and other object-enabled entities do not arrive intact and collaboration with engineering consultants remains awkward
  • Only one price is listed publicly, for the floating network licence, and the differences between the Standard, Premium and Ultimate editions are resolved through a reseller conversation rather than a published comparison
  • It is Windows only and the installed base is concentrated in North America, so support, training material and experienced staff are much harder to find elsewhere
  • IntelliCAD lags AutoCAD on newer drawing format features and on third party plug-in availability, so a firm depending on a specific AutoCAD add-in will not find an equivalent
  • MicroSurvey now sits inside Hexagon alongside Leica Geosystems, which means the product competes for investment with a much larger portfolio, and buyers of a perpetual licence should ask about the release cadence commitment before assuming years of updates

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

MicroSurvey CAD

$2945/one-time
  • MicroSurvey CAD, floating network licence$2945/one-time
    • Perpetual licence, shared use with no USB dongle
    • Includes one year of maintenance and support
    • Standard, Premium and Ultimate editions differ in included modules
  • Edition upgrades and add-ons$undefined/one-time
    • Premium and Ultimate edition pricing quoted by MicroSurvey or a reseller
    • Point cloud and scanning modules priced separately
    • Reseller pricing varies by region

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 MicroSurvey CAD if

  • You need coordinate geometry.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want traverse adjustment.
MicroSurvey CAD 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 MicroSurvey CAD or OnShape better?
Neither clearly leads. MicroSurvey CAD starts at $2945/one-time and OnShape at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MicroSurvey CAD or OnShape?
OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $2945/one-time for MicroSurvey CAD and Free for OnShape.
Does MicroSurvey CAD or OnShape run on more platforms?
MicroSurvey CAD runs on Windows. 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. MicroSurvey CAD starts at $2945/one-time.
What is MicroSurvey CAD best used for?
MicroSurvey CAD is most often used for a boundary surveying practice that wants to reduce field data, adjust the traverse and write the legal description in one package, a firm that refuses to pay an autocad subscription but must deliver dwg files clients can open, a survey office standardised on leica total stations that wants instrument data flowing in without a translation step, a two-person practice with irregular workload that wants to own its software outright rather than lose access if it stops paying. Of those, a boundary surveying practice that wants to reduce field data, adjust the traverse and write the legal description in one package and a firm that refuses to pay an autocad subscription but must deliver dwg files clients can open are not what OnShape is typically brought in for.
What can MicroSurvey CAD do that OnShape cannot?
MicroSurvey CAD covers Coordinate geometry, Traverse adjustment, Field data reduction, IntelliCAD drafting. OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

MicroSurvey CAD: Do I need AutoCAD to run it?

No. It is built on the IntelliCAD engine and reads and writes DWG natively without an Autodesk licence.

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.

Source
MicroSurvey CAD: Is it a perpetual licence or a subscription?

Perpetual. The listed 2,945 US dollar licence includes one year of maintenance and support, after which maintenance is optional.

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.

Source
MicroSurvey CAD: Who owns MicroSurvey?

Hexagon, the same group that owns Leica Geosystems.

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.

Source
MicroSurvey CAD: Will Civil 3D drawings open correctly?

The geometry will. Civil 3D object data such as corridors and pipe networks will not come through as editable objects.

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.

Source
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