3D & CAD · head to head
OnShape vs KeyShot
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; KeyShot professional plan costs £108.25/month per user; total cost for small teams can be substantial
- They diverge on capability: OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, KeyShot covers Real-time rendering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OnShape and KeyShot actually diverge.
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 KeyShot
- Real-time rendering
- Ray tracing
- Animation
- Material library
- HDR lighting
- VR output
- GPU rendering
- Denoising
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 KeyShot
- Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot KeyShot
KeyShot
- Product rendering and visualisationnot OnShape
- Real-time ray tracing for design reviewnot OnShape
- 3D animation and motion graphicsnot OnShape
- Interactive 3D product presentationsnot 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
KeyShot
- Professional plan costs £108.25/month per user; total cost for small teams can be substantial
- 3-year commitment reduces to £3,897 per user, but locks in pricing for extended period
- Network Rendering, Studio VR, and Cloud Rendering are paid add-ons (£29-£99/month additional)
- No clear platform support information; likely Windows-only based on CAD tool integrations
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
KeyShot
$108.25/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the KeyShot 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 KeyShot if
- You need real-time rendering.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want ray tracing.
Questions people ask
- Is OnShape or KeyShot better?
- Neither clearly leads. OnShape starts at Free and KeyShot at $108.25/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OnShape or KeyShot?
- OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OnShape and $108.25/month for KeyShot.
- Does OnShape or KeyShot run on more platforms?
- OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android. KeyShot runs on Windows.
- Can I use OnShape for free?
- Yes. OnShape has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. KeyShot starts at $108.25/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 KeyShot is typically brought in for.
- What can OnShape do that KeyShot cannot?
- OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. KeyShot covers Real-time rendering, Ray tracing, Animation, Material library.