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OnShape vs Siemens NX

OnShape logo

OnShape

Software

Full-cloud 3D CAD platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Siemens NX

Software

Integrated product design and manufacturing

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Siemens NX siemens NX offers only a 30-day free trial with no published subscription or perpetual license price; buyers must go through a sales process to get pricing, per the vendor's own product page.
  • They diverge on capability: OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Siemens NX covers Advanced CAD.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OnShape and Siemens NX actually diverge.

Attributes where OnShape and Siemens NX differ
AttributeOnShapeSiemens NX
Starting priceFree$29/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWindows, Linux
Founded20121963

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 Siemens NX

  • Advanced CAD
  • CAM programming
  • CAE simulation
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Sheet metal
  • Mold design
  • Industrial machinery
  • Teamcenter PLM

Both cover

  • Enterprise security

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 Siemens NX
  • Collaborative mechanical design with version history and shared documentsnot Siemens NX

Siemens NX

  • Enterprise product designnot OnShape
  • Manufacturingnot OnShape
  • Simulationnot 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

Siemens NX

  • Siemens NX offers only a 30-day free trial with no published subscription or perpetual license price; buyers must go through a sales process to get pricing, per the vendor's own product page.

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

Siemens NX

$29/month
  • NX Design$4500/month
    • CAD design
    • Core modeling
  • NX CAM$5500/month
    • Manufacturing programming
  • NX Complete$8500/month
    • Full suite
    • CAD/CAM/CAE

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 Siemens NX if

  • You need advanced cad.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want cam programming.
Siemens NX review

Questions people ask

Is OnShape or Siemens NX better?
Neither clearly leads. OnShape starts at Free and Siemens NX at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OnShape or Siemens NX?
OnShape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OnShape and $29/month for Siemens NX.
Does OnShape or Siemens NX run on more platforms?
OnShape runs on Web, IOS, Android. Siemens NX runs on Windows, Linux.
Can I use OnShape for free?
Yes. OnShape has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Siemens NX 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 Siemens NX is typically brought in for.
What can OnShape do that Siemens NX cannot?
OnShape covers Cloud-native CAD, Real-time collaboration, Version control, Part studios. Siemens NX covers Advanced CAD, CAM programming, CAE simulation, Additive manufacturing. Both handle Enterprise security.
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