Software · head to head
OnShape vs Corona Renderer
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; Corona Renderer plugs into 3ds Max and Cinema 4D only, so it is not available for Blender, Maya or standalone use
- They diverge on capability: OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Corona Renderer covers Unbiased rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OnShape and Corona Renderer actually diverge.
| Attribute | OnShape | Corona Renderer |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $414/year |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android | Windows, macOS |
| Founded | 2012 | 2009 |
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 Corona Renderer
- Unbiased rendering
- Interactive rendering
- LightMix
- Scatter
- Materials
- 3ds Max
- Cinema 4D
- License management
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 Corona Renderer
- Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot Corona Renderer
Corona Renderer
- Photorealistic architectural visualisation rendersnot OnShape
- Interior and exterior stills from 3ds Maxnot OnShape
- Motion graphics rendering from Cinema 4Dnot OnShape
- Rendering with minimal setup thanks to defaults tuned for archviznot 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
Corona Renderer
- Plugs into 3ds Max and Cinema 4D only, so it is not available for Blender, Maya or standalone use
- Sold by subscription rather than perpetual licence, from $414 a year for Corona Solo
- Asset library access is metered by tier, at 15,000 assets on Solo against 18,500 on Premium
- AI credits are capped monthly, at 100 on Solo and 500 on Premium
- Real-time ray tracing through Vantage requires the Corona Collection tier at $994.80 a year
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
Corona Renderer
$414/yearNo published plan breakdown. See the Corona Renderer review.
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 Corona Renderer if
- You need unbiased rendering.
- You work on Windows, macOS.
- You also want interactive rendering.
Questions people ask
- Is OnShape or Corona Renderer better?
- Neither clearly leads. OnShape starts at Free and Corona Renderer at $414/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OnShape or Corona Renderer?
- OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OnShape and $414/year for Corona Renderer.
- Does OnShape or Corona Renderer run on more platforms?
- OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android. Corona Renderer runs on Windows, macOS.
- Can I use OnShape for free?
- Yes. OnShape has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Corona Renderer starts at $414/year.
- 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 Corona Renderer is typically brought in for.
- What can OnShape do that Corona Renderer cannot?
- OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. Corona Renderer covers Unbiased rendering, Interactive rendering, LightMix, Scatter.
Related pages
More on Corona Renderer
Keep looking
Other head to heads
- OnShape vs Enscape
- OnShape vs V-Ray
- OnShape vs FreeCAD
- OnShape vs KeyShot
- OnShape vs Lumion
- OnShape vs Houdini
- OnShape vs Arnold
- OnShape vs Inventor
- OnShape vs Mudbox
- OnShape vs D5 Render
- OnShape vs Twinmotion
- OnShape vs LightWave 3D
- OnShape vs OpenSCAD
- OnShape vs PrusaSlicer
- OnShape vs Siemens NX
- OnShape vs ZBrush
- OnShape vs 3D-Coat
- OnShape vs Alibre Design
- Corona Renderer vs Enscape
- Corona Renderer vs V-Ray
- Corona Renderer vs FreeCAD
- Corona Renderer vs KeyShot
- Corona Renderer vs Lumion
- Corona Renderer vs Houdini
- Corona Renderer vs Arnold
- Corona Renderer vs Inventor
- Corona Renderer vs Mudbox
- Corona Renderer vs D5 Render
- Corona Renderer vs Twinmotion
- Corona Renderer vs LightWave 3D
- Corona Renderer vs OpenSCAD
- Corona Renderer vs PrusaSlicer
- Corona Renderer vs Siemens NX
- Corona Renderer vs ZBrush
- Corona Renderer vs 3D-Coat
- Corona Renderer vs Alibre Design