Softwr

Design · head to head

ProtoPie vs Shapr3D

ProtoPie logo

ProtoPie

Design

Create advanced interactive prototypes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shapr3D logo

Shapr3D

CAD

CAD software for iPad and Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ProtoPie the free plan allows 2 prototypes, 8 scenes per prototype and 50MB of cloud storage; Shapr3D the free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
  • They diverge on capability: ProtoPie covers Interactive prototyping, Shapr3D covers Direct modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ProtoPie and Shapr3D actually diverge.

Attributes where ProtoPie and Shapr3D differ
AttributeProtoPieShapr3D
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Web, Ios, AndroidIPadOS, MacOS, Windows
CategoryDesignCAD
Founded20132015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), 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 ProtoPie

  • Interactive prototyping
  • Data binding
  • Advanced interactions
  • Animation
  • Collaboration
  • Cloud sharing
  • Device testing
  • Code export

Only in Shapr3D

  • Direct modeling
  • Parametric history
  • Visualization
  • 2D drawings
  • Apple Pencil support
  • Import/export
  • Annotations
  • Fusion 360

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

ProtoPie

  • Interactive prototype designnot Shapr3D
  • User testing and handoff managementnot Shapr3D
  • Team design collaborationnot Shapr3D

Shapr3D

  • Direct modelling CAD on iPad with Apple Pencilnot ProtoPie
  • Producing manufacturable solid models and technical drawingsnot ProtoPie
  • Sharing CAD projects with collaborators on desktop and tabletnot ProtoPie

Where each one falls short

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

ProtoPie

  • The free plan allows 2 prototypes, 8 scenes per prototype and 50MB of cloud storage
  • Free prototypes carry a watermark and shareable links require the Basic plan
  • Saving prototypes locally requires the Pro plan
  • Team libraries and handoff recordings require the Pro plan
  • Basic caps storage at 500MB and prototypes at 20
  • Single sign on, private servers, custom fonts and custom hardware integrations are Enterprise only
  • Enterprise requires a minimum of 3 seats and is priced by quote
  • Connect Core is a paid add on at $20 per user per month

Shapr3D

  • The free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
  • Free plan exports only basic resolution 3MF and STL, so no STEP or IGES output
  • Free plan caps generative renders at 3 per day; Pro raises this to 50 per day and only Enterprise is unlimited
  • Importing SLDPRT and SLDASM SolidWorks files requires Pro
  • Importing NX, JT, CREO, Solid Edge and Rhino files requires Enterprise
  • Exporting ACIS, FBX, Parasolid and PRC requires Enterprise
  • On premises and single tenant data storage is Enterprise only
  • Enterprise pricing is by quote with no published rate

Pricing, plan by plan

ProtoPie

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 prototypes
    • 8 scenes per prototype
    • 50MB cloud storage
  • Basic$25/month
    • 20 prototypes
    • 10 scenes per prototype
    • 500MB storage
  • Pro$47/month
    • Unlimited prototypes
    • Unlimited handoff recordings
    • 5GB team storage

Shapr3D

Free
  • BasicFree
    • 2 projects
    • cloud storage
    • basic import/export (XT, STEP, IGES, DWG, STL)
  • Pro$299/year
    • unlimited shared team projects
    • up to 2 contributors
    • high-resolution exports
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • granular access control
    • flexible data storage (single tenant/private cloud/on-premises)
    • unlimited renders

Which should you pick?

Choose ProtoPie if

  • You need interactive prototyping.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want data binding.
ProtoPie review

Choose Shapr3D if

  • You need direct modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want parametric history.
Shapr3D review

Questions people ask

Is ProtoPie or Shapr3D better?
Neither clearly leads. ProtoPie starts at Free and Shapr3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ProtoPie or Shapr3D?
ProtoPie starts at Free and Shapr3D at Free.
Does ProtoPie or Shapr3D run on more platforms?
ProtoPie runs on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android. Shapr3D runs on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
Can I use ProtoPie for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ProtoPie best used for?
ProtoPie is most often used for interactive prototype design, user testing and handoff management, team design collaboration. Of those, interactive prototype design and user testing and handoff management are not what Shapr3D is typically brought in for.
What can ProtoPie do that Shapr3D cannot?
ProtoPie covers Interactive prototyping, Data binding, Advanced interactions, Animation. Shapr3D covers Direct modeling, Parametric history, Visualization, 2D drawings. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ProtoPie: How much does ProtoPie cost?

ProtoPie offers a free plan ($0/month), Basic at $25/month, and Pro at $47/month per editor. Annual billing offers up to 26% savings. Enterprise pricing is custom for minimum 3 seats.

Source
Shapr3D: How much does Shapr3D cost?

Shapr3D Basic tier is free. Pro tier is $299 per year or available monthly with price not specified on the pricing page. Enterprise pricing is custom and requires contacting sales.

Source
ProtoPie: Is there a free version of ProtoPie?

Yes. The free plan includes 2 prototypes, 8 scenes per prototype, and 50MB cloud storage. Perfect for trying the platform.

Source
Shapr3D: Is there a free trial for Shapr3D Pro?

Yes, Shapr3D offers a 14-day free trial for Pro tier that requires a credit card, plus a 14-day money-back guarantee on purchases.

Source
ProtoPie: What is included in the Pro plan?

Pro plan at $47/month includes unlimited prototypes, unlimited handoff recordings, 5GB team storage, local saving, and team libraries per editor.

Source
Shapr3D: What is the difference between Shapr3D Pro and Enterprise?

Pro tier includes up to 2 contributors on unlimited shared team projects, 50 renders daily, technical drawings, and AR on iPad. Enterprise provides granular access control, flexible data storage options (single tenant, private cloud, on-premises, or cloud off), unlimited renders, extended import/export formats, and dedicated account management.

Source
ProtoPie: What add-on products does ProtoPie offer?

Connect Core ($20/month per user), Connect Enterprise and Connect Embedded (custom pricing), and User Testing (custom pricing, annual-only for Pro plan users).

Source
Shapr3D: Does Shapr3D offer educational pricing?

Yes, Shapr3D is free for students and educators with annual license renewal through an in-app application form.

Source
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