Softwr

3D & CAD · head to head

OnShape vs Arnold

OnShape logo

OnShape

3D & CAD

Full-cloud 3D CAD platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arnold logo

Arnold

3D & CAD

Advanced Monte Carlo ray tracing renderer

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Arnold the Internet Archive's capture of Autodesk's Arnold overview page on 30 December 2022 stated a subscription can be installed on up to 3 computers or devices, though only the named user may run it on one machine at a time, and includes access to the 3 previous major versions.
  • They diverge on capability: OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Arnold covers Ray tracing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OnShape and Arnold actually diverge.

Attributes where OnShape and Arnold differ
AttributeOnShapeArnold
Starting priceFree$29/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded20121998

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 OnShape

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

Only in Arnold

  • Ray tracing
  • GPU rendering
  • Production shading
  • OSL
  • Denoising
  • Maya
  • 3ds Max
  • Cinema 4D

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 Arnold
  • Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot Arnold

Arnold

  • Film productionnot OnShape
  • Animationnot OnShape
  • VFXnot 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

Arnold

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Autodesk's Arnold overview page on 30 December 2022 stated a subscription can be installed on up to 3 computers or devices, though only the named user may run it on one machine at a time, and includes access to the 3 previous major versions.

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

Arnold

$29/month
  • Arnold$360/month
    • Standalone renderer

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.
OnShape review

Choose Arnold if

  • You need ray tracing.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want gpu rendering.
Arnold review

Questions people ask

Is OnShape or Arnold better?
Neither clearly leads. OnShape starts at Free and Arnold at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OnShape or Arnold?
OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OnShape and $29/month for Arnold.
Does OnShape or Arnold run on more platforms?
OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android. Arnold runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Can I use OnShape for free?
Yes. OnShape has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Arnold 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 Arnold is typically brought in for.
What can OnShape do that Arnold cannot?
OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. Arnold covers Ray tracing, GPU rendering, Production shading, OSL.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on OnShape

More on Arnold

Keep looking

Other head to heads