Softwr

Software · head to head

OnShape vs Houdini

OnShape logo

OnShape

Software

Full-cloud 3D CAD platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Houdini logo

Houdini

Software

Procedural 3D animation and VFX

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; Houdini houdini Indie at $299 per year requires annual gross revenue under $100K USD
  • They diverge on capability: OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Houdini covers Procedural modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OnShape and Houdini actually diverge.

Attributes where OnShape and Houdini differ
AttributeOnShapeHoudini
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded20121987

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

  • Procedural modeling
  • VFX
  • Simulations
  • Particle systems
  • Pyro FX
  • Ocean tools
  • Rigging
  • Rendering

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

Houdini

  • Procedural 3D modelling and environment generationnot OnShape
  • Visual effects simulation for pyro, fluids, cloth and rigid bodiesnot OnShape
  • Building reusable procedural assets for a studio pipelinenot 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

Houdini

  • Houdini Indie at $299 per year requires annual gross revenue under $100K USD
  • Houdini Indie cannot be used in the same pipeline as commercial versions of Houdini
  • Houdini Indie and Apprentice save to their own .hipnc file format, which commercial Houdini pipelines do not share
  • The free Apprentice edition is non commercial, caps render resolution at 1920x1080 and watermarks output images
  • Houdini Indie ships with only 2 render tokens
  • Full DOP level simulation node access requires Houdini FX at $4,495 per workstation; Core at $1,995 exposes only SOP level pre built simulation assets
  • Extra render tokens cost $195

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

Houdini

Free
  • ApprenticeFree
    • Learning version
    • Non-commercial
  • Indie$269/month
    • Revenue limit $100K
  • Core$1995/month
    • Full commercial
  • FX$4495/month
    • Full + simulations

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 Houdini if

  • You need procedural modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want vfx.
Houdini review

Questions people ask

Is OnShape or Houdini better?
Neither clearly leads. OnShape starts at Free and Houdini at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OnShape or Houdini?
OnShape starts at Free and Houdini at Free.
Does OnShape or Houdini run on more platforms?
OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android. Houdini runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
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 Houdini is typically brought in for.
What can OnShape do that Houdini cannot?
OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. Houdini covers Procedural modeling, VFX, Simulations, Particle systems.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on OnShape

More on Houdini

Keep looking

Other head to heads