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OnShape vs Twinmotion

OnShape logo

OnShape

3D & CAD

Full-cloud 3D CAD platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Twinmotion logo

Twinmotion

3D & CAD

Real-time visualization for architecture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Twinmotion epic Games' own pricing announcement (unrealengine.com/twinmotion.com) sets an individual Twinmotion seat at $445 per year, and the bundled Unreal Subscription covering Twinmotion, Unreal Engine and RealityCapture together at $1,850 per seat per year, once a company's annual gross revenue exceeds $1,000,000 USD; below that threshold the same software is free, including for commercial use, which makes list price highly dependent on company size rather than usage.
  • They diverge on capability: OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Twinmotion covers Real-time rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OnShape and Twinmotion actually diverge.

Attributes where OnShape and Twinmotion differ
AttributeOnShapeTwinmotion
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS
Founded20121991

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), free tier (Yes), 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 Twinmotion

  • Real-time rendering
  • Easy import
  • Vegetation
  • Phasing
  • VR export
  • Video export
  • Direct link to CAD
  • Revit

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

Twinmotion

  • Architectural visualizationnot OnShape
  • Design presentationnot 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

Twinmotion

  • Epic Games' own pricing announcement (unrealengine.com/twinmotion.com) sets an individual Twinmotion seat at $445 per year, and the bundled Unreal Subscription covering Twinmotion, Unreal Engine and RealityCapture together at $1,850 per seat per year, once a company's annual gross revenue exceeds $1,000,000 USD; below that threshold the same software is free, including for commercial use, which makes list price highly dependent on company size rather than usage.

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

Twinmotion

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Non-commercial
  • Professional$499/month
    • Commercial use

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 Twinmotion if

  • You need real-time rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want easy import.
Twinmotion review

Questions people ask

Is OnShape or Twinmotion better?
Neither clearly leads. OnShape starts at Free and Twinmotion at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OnShape or Twinmotion?
OnShape starts at Free and Twinmotion at Free.
Does OnShape or Twinmotion run on more platforms?
OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android. Twinmotion runs on Windows, MacOS.
Can I use OnShape for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Twinmotion is typically brought in for.
What can OnShape do that Twinmotion cannot?
OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. Twinmotion covers Real-time rendering, Easy import, Vegetation, Phasing.
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