Software · head to head
OnShape vs V-Ray
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; V-Ray licences are subscription only with no perpetual option listed for any product
- They diverge on capability: OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, V-Ray covers Ray tracing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OnShape and V-Ray actually diverge.
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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
- Assemblies
- Drawings
- FeatureScript
- Mobile access
Only in V-Ray
- Ray tracing
- Global illumination
- GPU rendering
- CPU rendering
- Materials
- Lighting
- VR output
- Scene intelligence
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 V-Ray
- Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot V-Ray
V-Ray
- Photorealistic rendering for architecture and product visualisationnot OnShape
- Real time and ray traced rendering inside CAD and 3D applicationsnot 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
V-Ray
- Licences are subscription only with no perpetual option listed for any product
- Subscription terms renew automatically
- Cloud rendering runs on separately purchased credits, with the Pro tier at $25.30 a month for 1,000
- Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales
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
V-Ray
$29/month- V-Ray Solo$60/month
- 1 workstation
- 5 render nodes
- V-Ray Premium$80/month
- Multiple apps
- Cloud credits
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 V-Ray if
- You need ray tracing.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want global illumination.
Questions people ask
- Is OnShape or V-Ray better?
- Neither clearly leads. OnShape starts at Free and V-Ray at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OnShape or V-Ray?
- OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OnShape and $29/month for V-Ray.
- Does OnShape or V-Ray run on more platforms?
- OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android. V-Ray runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- Can I use OnShape for free?
- Yes. OnShape has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. V-Ray 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 V-Ray is typically brought in for.
- What can OnShape do that V-Ray cannot?
- OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. V-Ray covers Ray tracing, Global illumination, GPU rendering, CPU rendering.
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