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Manufacturing · head to head

OpenBOM vs Optitex

OpenBOM logo

OpenBOM

Manufacturing

Cloud bill of materials and part catalogue management priced per seat, with free read-only users

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Optitex logo

Optitex

Fashion

2D/3D integrated design and production solutions

From
$300/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenBOM has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OpenBOM pricing has three axes, editing seats plus data record count plus per-seat CAD add-ins at $25 to $45 each, so the real annual cost is well above the advertised per-seat figure.; Optitex pricing is not published and requires contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: OpenBOM covers Multi-level BOMs, Optitex covers 2D pattern design.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenBOM and Optitex actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenBOM and Optitex differ
AttributeOpenBOMOptitex
Starting priceFree$300/month
Pricing modelPer user per monthsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, APIWindows
CategoryManufacturingFashion
FoundedUnknown1988

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 OpenBOM

  • Multi-level BOMs
  • Part catalogue
  • CAD add-ins
  • Change management
  • Free read-only users
  • REST API

Only in Optitex

  • 2D pattern design
  • Automatic grading
  • 3D virtual prototyping
  • Fabric simulation
  • Marker making
  • Nest optimization
  • Avatar customization
  • Animation & rendering

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

OpenBOM

  • A hardware startup replacing a shared BOM spreadsheet before its first contract manufacturing runnot Optitex
  • A contract manufacturer sharing structured BOMs with customers who should see but not edit themnot Optitex
  • An electronics team pulling BOMs straight out of Altium and mechanical CAD instead of retyping themnot Optitex
  • A small manufacturer that needs part numbering and revision discipline but cannot fund a PLM projectnot Optitex

Optitex

  • 2D pattern making and functional grading for apparelnot OpenBOM
  • 3D garment simulation and virtual fitnot OpenBOM
  • Marker making and nesting to reduce fabric wastenot OpenBOM
  • Cut planning for productionnot OpenBOM
  • Technical design for automotive interiors and upholsterynot OpenBOM

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

OpenBOM

  • Pricing has three axes, editing seats plus data record count plus per-seat CAD add-ins at $25 to $45 each, so the real annual cost is well above the advertised per-seat figure.
  • Paying yearly nearly halves the seat price, from $55 to $30 and $165 to $90, so monthly billing carries an unusually heavy penalty for teams that want flexibility.
  • Change management, revision control and CAD file management are absent from the entry Team plan, so the cheapest tier is a catalogue rather than a working PLM.
  • It lacks the approval workflows, effectivity dating and audit depth that regulated medical and aerospace suppliers need, so companies pursuing ISO 13485 or AS9100 typically migrate away.
  • Record count is metered separately and a large imported part library can push a small team into a higher data tier without adding a single user.

Optitex

  • Pricing is not published and requires contacting sales
  • Split into separate modules, so Marker, CutPlan, Print and Cut and Fabric Management are bought alongside the core 2D and 3D pattern software

Pricing, plan by plan

OpenBOM

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 2,000 data records
    • Basic BOM and catalogue management
    • Non-commercial and educational use
  • Professional Team$55/month
    • $30 per seat per month billed yearly
    • BOM management, part catalogue, inventory
    • RFQ and purchase orders
  • Company$165/month
    • $90 per seat per month billed yearly
    • Everything in Team
    • CAD file management and revision control
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Single sign-on
    • Custom integrations
    • Private or custom hosting

Optitex

$300/month
  • 2D CAD$300/month
    • Pattern design
    • Grading
    • Marker making
  • 2D + 3D$500/month
    • Everything in 2D CAD
    • 3D virtual fitting
    • Fabric simulation
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Full platform
    • Multi-site licensing
    • PLM integration

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenBOM if

  • You need multi-level boms.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, API.
  • You also want part catalogue.
OpenBOM review

Choose Optitex if

  • You need 2d pattern design.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want automatic grading.
Optitex review

Questions people ask

Is OpenBOM or Optitex better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenBOM starts at Free and Optitex at $300/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenBOM or Optitex?
OpenBOM has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OpenBOM and $300/month for Optitex.
Does OpenBOM or Optitex run on more platforms?
OpenBOM runs on Web, Windows, macOS, API. Optitex runs on Windows.
Can I use OpenBOM for free?
Yes. OpenBOM has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Optitex starts at $300/month.
What is OpenBOM best used for?
OpenBOM is most often used for a hardware startup replacing a shared bom spreadsheet before its first contract manufacturing run, a contract manufacturer sharing structured boms with customers who should see but not edit them, an electronics team pulling boms straight out of altium and mechanical cad instead of retyping them, a small manufacturer that needs part numbering and revision discipline but cannot fund a plm project. Of those, a hardware startup replacing a shared bom spreadsheet before its first contract manufacturing run and a contract manufacturer sharing structured boms with customers who should see but not edit them are not what Optitex is typically brought in for.
What can OpenBOM do that Optitex cannot?
OpenBOM covers Multi-level BOMs, Part catalogue, CAD add-ins, Change management. Optitex covers 2D pattern design, Automatic grading, 3D virtual prototyping, Fabric simulation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OpenBOM: Is OpenBOM free?

There is a genuine free tier limited to 2,000 data records and aimed at non-commercial and educational use. Commercial teams start at $30 per seat per month billed yearly.

Optitex: Why doesn't Optitex publish pricing on their website?

Optitex does not list prices publicly. The company directs customers to book a demo or contact the sales team directly to discuss solutions and receive custom quotes.

Source
OpenBOM: Do I pay for people who only look at BOMs?

No. Read-only users are unlimited and free on every paid plan, which is the main reason the total cost undercuts seat-for-seat PLM tools.

Optitex: Is there a free trial available without contacting sales?

The Optitex website does not mention a self-service free trial. Interested parties must fill out a contact form or book a demo to learn about trial options and pricing.

Source
OpenBOM: Are the CAD add-ins included?

No. They are $25 per seat per month billed yearly, $45 monthly, and require an active Team or Company subscription.

Optitex: What industries does Optitex serve?

Optitex serves fashion, automotive, upholstery, and other industries. The company offers industry-specific solutions, consulting services, training, and proofs of concept.

Source
OpenBOM: Can OpenBOM replace a full PLM?

For a startup, usually yes. For regulated manufacturing needing controlled workflows and full audit trails, no.

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