3D & CAD · head to head
OnShape vs DraftSight
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; DraftSight there is no free version any more, only a 30 day trial; DraftSight was previously free for personal use
- They diverge on capability: OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, DraftSight covers DWG/DXF support.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OnShape and DraftSight actually diverge.
| Attribute | OnShape | DraftSight |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $29/month |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, Linux |
| Founded | 2012 | 1981 |
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 DraftSight
- DWG/DXF support
- 2D drafting
- 3D modeling
- Batch printing
- PDF import
- Layer management
- SolidWorks
- CATIA
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 DraftSight
- Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot DraftSight
DraftSight
- 2D drafting and annotation on DWG filesnot OnShape
- Opening and editing DWG drawings without AutoCADnot OnShape
- Architectural and engineering drawing productionnot OnShape
- Working alongside SOLIDWORKS in a Dassault toolchainnot 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
DraftSight
- There is no free version any more, only a 30 day trial; DraftSight was previously free for personal use
- Split into Professional, Premium and Enterprise tiers, with prices not shown on the product page
- Primarily a 2D CAD application, with 3D limited to DWG file handling rather than full modelling
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
DraftSight
$29/month- Standard$99/month
- 2D drafting
- Professional$199/month
- 2D + 3D
- Premium$499/month
- Advanced 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 DraftSight if
- You need dwg/dxf support.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want 2d drafting.
Questions people ask
- Is OnShape or DraftSight better?
- Neither clearly leads. OnShape starts at Free and DraftSight at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OnShape or DraftSight?
- OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OnShape and $29/month for DraftSight.
- Does OnShape or DraftSight run on more platforms?
- OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android. DraftSight runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- Can I use OnShape for free?
- Yes. OnShape has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DraftSight 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 DraftSight is typically brought in for.
- What can OnShape do that DraftSight cannot?
- OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. DraftSight covers DWG/DXF support, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, Batch printing.