Software · head to head
OnShape vs Alibre Design
The short version
- Only OnShape has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: OnShape the free plan is non commercial only and makes every document publicly accessible, so nothing designed on it can be kept private; Alibre Design perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates
- They diverge on capability: OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OnShape and Alibre Design actually diverge.
| Attribute | OnShape | Alibre Design |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $29/month |
| Pricing model | subscription | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android | Windows |
| Founded | 2012 | 1997 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 OnShape
- Cloud-native CAD
- Real-time collaboration
- Version control
- Part studios
- Drawings
- FeatureScript
- Mobile access
- Arena PLM
Only in Alibre Design
- Parametric modeling
- Sheet metal
- 2D drawings
- BOM
- Rendering
- PDM
- License key
- Windows support
Both cover
- Assemblies
- CAM software
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
OnShape
- Cloud based parametric CAD without local workstation installsnot Alibre Design
- Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot Alibre Design
Alibre Design
- Parametric 3D solid modelling for mechanical partsnot OnShape
- Producing 2D manufacturing drawings from 3D modelsnot OnShape
- Designing parts for 3D printing and small shop machiningnot OnShape
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Alibre Design
- Perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates
- Sheet metal, PDM data management and rendering are Design Expert only at $1,999
- Scripting is excluded from the $199 Atom3D edition
- CAM capability is sold as separate EZ-Mill, EZ-Turn and EZ-EDM products costing up to $2,999
- A dedicated account manager is excluded from Atom3D
Pricing, plan by plan
OnShape
Free- FreeFree
- Limited features
- Public documents
- Standard$1500/month
- Private documents
- Full features
- Professional$2100/month
- Advanced simulation
- Enterprise features
Alibre Design
$29/month- Atom3D$199/month
- Basic modeling
- Design$999/month
- Professional CAD
- Expert$1999/month
- Full features
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Alibre Design if
- You need parametric modeling.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want sheet metal.
Questions people ask
- Is OnShape or Alibre Design better?
- Neither clearly leads. OnShape starts at Free and Alibre Design at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OnShape or Alibre Design?
- OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OnShape and $29/month for Alibre Design.
- Does OnShape or Alibre Design run on more platforms?
- OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android. Alibre Design runs on Windows.
- Can I use OnShape for free?
- Yes. OnShape has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Alibre Design starts at $29/month.
- What is OnShape best used for?
- OnShape is most often used for cloud based parametric cad without local workstation installs, collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documents. Of those, cloud based parametric cad without local workstation installs and collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documents are not what Alibre Design is typically brought in for.
- What can OnShape do that Alibre Design cannot?
- OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Sheet metal, 2D drawings, BOM. Both handle Assemblies, CAM software.
Related pages
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